Las Trampas Regional Wilderness campsites require pets to be secured on leashes throughout the designated camping areas near San Ramon. Pets can join their owners at multiple campgrounds including Del Valle Campground, Anthony Chabot Regional Park, and Live Oak Campground at Mount Diablo State Park, all offering various accommodation options from tent sites to RV spots with hookups. Most sites provide essential amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and access to drinking water. Mount Diablo campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, as wild boars are active at dawn and dusk according to experienced visitors. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near San Ramon, California.
The hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly areas range from easy to difficult with varied terrain. At Mount Diablo, camping spots in the Juniper Campground offer excellent sunset views over the Bay Area while providing secure food lockers to prevent wildlife from accessing pet food and supplies. Leashed dogs are permitted on designated trails but owners should be prepared for rocky, uneven terrain at some campsites. During summer months, daytime temperatures can become extremely hot with little shade at certain sites, making early morning or evening the optimal times for dog walks. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly with howling winds at higher elevation sites, requiring proper tent stakes and warm gear for both people and pets. The campgrounds enforce quiet hours, and owners are responsible for managing barking and properly disposing of pet waste.
$25 - $200 / night
"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
$30 / night
"be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you. "
"Getting there: Super easy, look for the tallest mountain in the area, drive towards it, boom you're there. It was expensive to enter the park..."
$15 - $200 / night
"Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked."
"After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality"
"The Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds. The staff are all pleasant to work with and the park and facilities are clean."
"If the Alameda Fairgrounds are having an event, you can't beat this location, it's on the property."
$45 - $65 / night
"What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
"Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps."
$15 / night
$100 / night
"Dogs are allowed they have picknic area's and a kite area.thete are several different entrances."
$75 / night
"Magical :) I feel at Peace at Such a Beautiful Location. Its a Must see."
"I have never camped here but hiked many trails."
GuideSan Ramon, CA. Ok for a night’s stay. Address takes you to main entrance to fairgrounds where a person manning a booth directed us to drive around the fairgrounds to Gate 12 which is entrance to the RV park. Thank goodness there was still a person on duty at the main entrance or we would have not known what to do. We made reservations by phone and staff did not mention that we had to find Gate 12!
Scoutgreat campsite! be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you.
driving in was very easy; parking is right next to the site. the campsite itself was beautiful - panoramic views of the east bay area. i could recognize walnut creek, lafayette, danville and san ramon through the binoculars. site was clean, but the ground itself was very rocky. irritating that there wasn't really any level spots to set up the tent, so sleeping on a slant was a real treat (sarcasm). weather was very mild during the day; not too hot, nor too cold. nights were bearable in the high 50s, and by late night (cuz i kept waking up because of slanted sleeping), but felt like low 40s and slightly windy. make sure you bring thermals and a warm sleeping bag. sleeping pad is a definite must on the sharp rocks; be careful when stepping around in the tent with just socks on.
drought meant that flushing toilets were all locked.. as were the showers.. but from what i heard the "chemical toilets" (aka porta-potties) were an adequate substitute. water access had been shut off as well, so make sure you bring plenty of your own for washing and drinking.
critters - we didn't encounter any during our stay. no racoons, bears, mice, rats.. nada. just a ton of pincher bugs everywhere. not even many flies! we had those spinning fly deterrent things, though. maybe those really DO work?
ALSO because of the drought - NO WOOD FIRES ALLOWED. total/complete bummer to camp without a campfire. gas stoves and lanterns were permitted, though.
ScoutTook a last minute reservation. Call even if online says booked. Hot showers, great laundry facility, fenced dog park. I needed to recharge my camper van and relax from a couple weeks of city vanlife. Felt tucked away but close to every store you could want.
LegendThis site is a nice hidden gem that many won't know even has a campground. While tiny and available only for a small number of campers, if you can get a spot booked well in advance, you'll have the place nearly all to yourself. Located just off of 680, you'll take Bollinger Canyon Road where you'll head just north of Las Trampas Stables before coming to a round-about where there's ample parking for about 30 cars (no worries, overflow parking on the street is allowed).
From the parking lot, there's 3-4 hiking trails to take, but the one to the campsite is the only one heading south from the parking lot. You'll have to hike all your gear in from here, and it's about 150 yards, so not all that bad, but the pathway is a bit choppy in places, so you'll want to carry most of what you've got on your back (or head!). There's just a few simple amenities at the campground, where I could only count 6-8 or so places to park a tent. Once you're all set up, take the hiking trail straight up to Las Trampas hiking ridge (there's only one trail up from your campground, so if you're not panting, then you're heading in the wrong direction). Pass the cows grazing in the meadows to climb clear to the top for a most spectacular view of Eastbay and nearby Mt. Diablo.
The other 2-3 trails that you'll find here are all worth taking and all fairly easy-to-medium in difficulty, but anyone heading up to the ridge, will find at many places it is steep and can be difficult hiking (just apply the icy hot after your hike!). As for the campground itself, it is bare minimum - the ground is relatively flat, but the entire space is encased in a barbed wire fence area playpen to keep the roaming cattle and other wildlife from coming near the area. When we were there we saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area. Inside of the pen though, there's 5-6 stone picnic tables, a water fountain, only a single locker to place your food (so first-come, first served!) and a double-mounted grill.
All in all, if your aim is to spend 2-3 days scouring Las Trampas ridge, then this is a great place to call home for a few days, but it lacks the amenities and natural serenity that you would normally expect when outbacking here in Cali. And if you get tired of the campfire food, it's SO easy to just head into nearby San Ramon for a classic In-N-Out burger (it's a staple here in Cali, but I'm not from here, so I don't get what all the fuss is about: sorry California, but Johnny Rockets burgers from Chicago still win out!) or for the best bite around, try out Zachary's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza (this Chicagoan approves!) and a frosty cold mug of Anchor Steam to wash it down with.
Happy Camping!
LegendHigh priced. Nice people at desk. Damon who helped us park was very friendly. Almost entirely high-priced big rigs, some of whom seem settled here but it's clean, 'orderly,' very quiet. Rigid rules keep the order; nice that no political flags/signs allowed. 2 dog parks and lots of grassy areas to take for a walk. Showers in locker-room/bldg, bathrooms nice and clean. Green grass. Also has laundry with 2.50 wash and.25 dry for 8 min. Skunk wandered by site in the night. Cool train sounds from nearby tracks at night. Was probably the most convenient to San Jose, otherwise we likely would've been in mtns. and too far away from town for our needs at the time. Would not be a regular choice for us.
ScoutI believe a lot of the people here are full-time. It’s a super sweet RV resort. It is very well-maintained, nicely landscaped, and they have some great dog parks. I came in after hours and the person managing the campground was kind enough to open up the office and get a space for me.
TravelerWe had a very nice stay for a long weekend. The pull through spaces are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our Rv. But, if you expect that, it’s a great place to stay. Very clean, well maintained, and about a 20 minute walk to the ocean. Decent takeout from the restaurant and great cocktails! Very convenient dog park. We had almost the entire row to ourselves after checkout on Sunday. We will definitely return for the full experience when all restrictions are lifted, but will leave our two big dogs at home as there wasn’t much space for them.
GuideGreat spot right off the highway and on the beach. Lots of activities and places to eat within walking distance. Surfing, walking/bike trails, kayaking….Pet friendly
TravelerNo matter what site you reserve, all the site are amazing! We had #108. Near the bathroom, wash room, garbage dumpsters. The only con was the windy road! I eat sour patch kids to help with getting car sick. Easy to find. The site is pet friendly. You can only walk the dogs at paved areas, no trails. Our dogs still had fun. The redwood trees were amazing! Definitely an experience you will never forget!
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness offers secluded camping opportunities within its 5,778 acres of rugged terrain. The park sits between 760-1,900 feet elevation, featuring steep ridges and deep canyons that provide a natural habitat for local wildlife. Campers must pack in their own drinking water as potable water isn't available at wilderness campsites.
Hiking varied terrain: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers extensive hiking networks with both wide open trails and narrower wooded paths. "There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground. There are trails running throughout the park and around the lake that are a mix of wider open trails and narrower, through the woods, but groomed trails with plenty of up and down to make for a good hike," notes Ryan W.
Lake activities: Del Valle Campground provides access to one of the clearest lakes in the East Bay area. "The water is perfect temperature. Great hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and beginner windsurfing," writes Rosina A. The park includes rental options for recreational boats and kayaks at the marina.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening offer optimal wildlife viewing opportunities at most parks. "We saw deer, turkeys, and many other four legged vermin running around the area," reports Stuart K. about Las Trampas. For bird watchers, Dumbarton Quarry Campground provides "stunning walks in the coyote hills and bird-watching in the estuary to the north," according to Blake H.
Proximity to urban areas: Dumbarton Quarry Campground provides a convenient camping option without long travel times. "This campground opened in August 2021, so the facilities are still brand-spanking new. The best parts about this campground in my opinion are: close to town, excellent cellular reception on all carriers, warm/hot and clean showers," explains Blake H.
Natural atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the feeling of wilderness despite urban proximity. "Paradise an hour from the city. It is great for laid back camping! Karl the fog even likes it!" says Kyla M. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Similarly, at Las Trampas, "the campground itself is bare minimum - the ground is relatively flat, but the entire space is encased in a barbed wire fence area playpen to keep the roaming cattle and other wildlife from coming near the area."
Sunset viewing: Live Oak Campground at Mount Diablo offers exceptional sunset opportunities. "We watched the sunset over the Bay Area, whew, it was spectacular. Hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush," shares Linda A. The Juniper Campground sites provide particularly good vantage points.
Weather considerations: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically at higher elevations. "No matter how hot it is you'll never be able to escape the howling winds at night. Good tent stakes and warm gear is a must," warns Mike C. about Mount Diablo. At Del Valle, "it's pretty hot in the summer and it has a rocky ground so it will be hard to get stakes on the ground."
Site selection strategy: At Dumbarton Quarry, "the sites are close together and things are relatively packed in, but it doesn't feel overwhelming since there's plenty of open space." For Mount Diablo's Juniper Campground, "the sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers. The sites closest to the driving road/entrance/overlook will have the potential to be downwind of the bathroom."
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry hours. "Gate closes at 10PM, but you can exit the park over the tiger teeth at any time if you need to," mentions a Dumbarton Quarry review. At Mount Diablo, "they lock you in at sunset; if you want to leave you have to call the fire department to open the locked gate."
Water activities: Families should plan ahead for swimming options. "The lake is also very picturesque. There is a swimming area, and there are picnic tables and nice-sized camp sites," notes Emmy about Del Valle. However, be aware that "you have to drive to go swim and the campground isn't really walking distance to swimming."
Playground access: Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park provides convenient amenities for families. "The Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds," notes Pamela. At Dumbarton Quarry, "there's a great playground if you have small kids, and lots of gentle hiking trails."
Wildlife education: Bring binoculars for wildlife viewing opportunities. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," shares Amanda P. At Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, camping "feels very off grid" with opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat.
Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in width between campgrounds. At Dumbarton Quarry, "the sites are not as close together as you sometimes find in commercial parks," while at Alameda County Fairgrounds, "our slot 170 was very narrow, other spots had more space. You could not see that on the onlinemap. My neighbour had a slide-out. There was only one meter to my van."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited but available. "All sites provide essential amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and access to drinking water," notes N.V. about the Fairgrounds RV Park. "Not all sites were open during our visit likely due to the pandemic," reports Lori T. about Anthony Chabot's RV area.
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds require leveling equipment. At Juniper Campground, "the best sites if you're sleeping in your vehicle are the flat ones down by the parking lot and vista (18, 20, 22). Note that most of the sites on the west side are not flat for a vehicle." At Dumbarton Quarry, "sites, though asphalt, require some leveling."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near San Ramon, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near San Ramon, CA is Anthony Chabot Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
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