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Del Valle Family Campground

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With 150 campsites (21 of which directly hook up to water & sewage), Del Valle Regional Campground is no joke.

The site’s proximity to the lake is undoubtedly a plus, but make sure that you’re OK with making some new friends, as the sites are close proximity and there is not much in the case of trees for privacy. Del Valle is partially known to be somewhat of a party once the sun sets, but rangers are pretty good about shutting things down at 10 p.m. Definitely make sure to book your campsite in advance, as they go incredibly quickly during the summer season.
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Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Del Valle Regional Park

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77%
40 ratings · 10 reviews
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Fallon S.recommends
November 2, 2018
You will need any watercraft to be dry as a whistle or you risk invasive species that could close the lake. Make sure your paddles are taken apart to get dry and you will get inspected first thing before you head to the campground.
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Lauren M.recommends
January 19, 2018
Dog friendly! The space is open and lots of hiking groups go through the camp grounds so you'll see lots of other people throughout the day, it's not a secluded campsite. The lake nearby is great for paddle boarding and a cold swim.
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David C.
September 19, 2017
Really lovely spot for an easy getaway. I'm a pretty experienced backpacker, but needed a place close to San Francisco to break a friend into car camping. This was the perfect spot for it. It was active and I think fully booked, but not as crazy as I expected. Lots of kids around, so get earplugs if you sleep light. The sites are large and spacious, so even if you max out with 8 folks to a site you should be fine. Really great facilities, the fire pits are top notch. The reservoir was a little lame, the trails are generally ok. Nothing epic, but generally really pleasant. Probably where I'd take kids to for their first camping trip to break them into the outdoors.
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Sarah D.
September 14, 2017
Potable water available in conveniently located spigots along the family campground road, among the sites. Dogs on leash allowed for a fee. Fire pits are provided - there may be fire restrictions at times, but normally you'll enjoy having a campfire. September weekends and weekdays are generally not fully booked and not totally empty, either.
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Nicole O.doesn't recommend
August 3, 2017
Camp ground far from swimming.
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Luis R.recommends
June 30, 2017
RV hookups are for grey water only.
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Sheila G.
June 5, 2017
Relaxing, good for families, lots of little spots along the creek to sit read swim and play
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Sarah L.recommends
March 19, 2017
Beautiful place. Great spot!
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Tam P.
April 23, 2015
This is definitely a family-oriented campsite. Lost of kids running around during the day. If you're a light sleeper, I'd recommend a set of earplugs or headphones, otherwise you might hear kids crying or partying from nearby camp sites into the night.
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Amber M.
March 25, 2015
Lake Del Valle is great for kayaking or SUPing, or you can kayak in to some of the sites for overnight camping.

Your guide to camping in Del Valle Family Campground

Overview

Biking

Biking in the Del Valle Regional Park offers incredible 360˚ views of the lake and some skill-testing singletrack riding. With trails starting at the East Ridge, you can find strenuous but rewarding fire roads intertwined with twisting singletracks whose track lengths stretch to 17 miles. Watch out though-- this biking experience is not for the faint of heart, for while there may be fantastic lake views, you should stock up on your own water due to the general lack of tree cover and oppressive heat that blankets the Del Valle Regional Park during peak riding months (January-April, also known as the green-grass months). One suggested track is the out-and-back route that, with some daunting climbs, offers some intense and satisfying riding found nowhere else in the East Bay.

Boating

The centerpiece of Del Valle Regional Park is its five-mile long lake, so it is fair to say that boating is by far one of the most attractive elements and activities found within the park. The beauty here is that you can come in with your own vessel (with a small fee, granted you have gone through the mandatory inspection for those pesky invasive mussels) as well as rent anything from a motor boat to pedal boats right by the lake. You can also rent from the Rocky Mountan Recreation Company here. However, while boat accessibility is not an issue, make sure to stay below the 10 mph speed limit while enjoying your time on the water and adhere to other directives. Unfortunately, activities such as jet skiing are not available at Del Valle, but the beauty of the lake and general area should be more than enough to offer a relaxing and great day on the water. One side note--check the current drought situation before heading out to Del Valle for the day, as brutal California droughts tend to lower the lake level to a less-than-pleasurable height for boating during the most extreme times.

Fishing

The lake is consistently stocked with trout, bass, catfish, and other delightful marine beings for your fishing pleasure. You can find consistent updates on the fishing community at Del Valle here, as the park is a fantatsic place for all types of anglers. Fishing is by far one of the most enjoyed aspects of the park, and offers a great activity to revel in once you have acquired any of the types of boats available. You can only get down to some serious fishing business assuming you are 16 years or older and have already purchased your EBRPD fishing permit (available at the park entry kiosks), as well as your California fishing license (which can be procured here). Once you’ve acquired said State authorizations, you can enjoy one of the greatest elements of Del Valle Regional Park. Guided fishing tours are also available for the less-experienced angler and more information on fishing under East Bay Regional Park regulations can be found on their site. As the State consistently restocks the lake with a variety of fish, there is not a catch & release policy; nonetheless make sure to not stay out there too long and take all the game for yourself, as it’s very easy to lose track of time on the placid Del Valle Lake water!

Hiking

Ahh, how can you look at Del Valle and still not consider the plethora of hikes they have to offer?! If you are not already in love with the scenery from your drive to the park, then the hikes will definitely capture your attention. Trails for all levels of hikers are available at Del Valle, all of which offer beautiful views. Surrounded by soft rounded hills, one experiences a very serene and open expanse while traversing the many trails found in Del Valle. The gently rollercoasting paths (while somewhat muddy during the less-congested winter), toil around ridges and ascend to some magnificent panoramas. Native wildlife--such as California sage brush, blue oaks, walnut trees--litter the landscape and offer up some great perspective into the resident flora and fauna. A full trail map can be found here, as the park offers a surplus of trails for all types of nature-lovers. There are endless options for hikes, some of which being the East Shore Trail (at a cool 9.3 miles) and the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. This path, in particular, takes you to the Bay Area’s tallest and highly-coveted waterfall-- Murietta Falls. Caution: while the hike to the falls is only 5.6 miles, the last portion is considerably difficult and steep, so be sure that you are adequately prepared for an elevation gain of nearly 1,600 feet. We recommend going in the fall or winter, when the waterfall is at its highest and you don’t have to deal with the scorching heat that can make any hiker sweat profusely.

Horseback riding

Del Valle also offers horseback riding expeditions to the public along with equestrian camping. There are numerous staging areas around the park, including The Little Chaparral (with 4 small paddocks). If you are traveling in a group and intend to utilize the riding availability in Del Valle, you can check out the Caballo Loco group camp. You can find more information on the equestrian options available through the East Bay Regional Park District’s website.

Paddling

Along with boating, kayaking & canoeing are two extremely popular activities available at Del Valle. Both vessels are easily rentable at the marina area in the East Beach, and are a perfect family activity and way to experience the lake. Whether that means exploring some of the small coves or going out on the open water, make sure to have some technical knowledge as wind can easily pick up on the water. Kayaks are easily rentable for $15, while companies like Sunrise Mountain Sports offer deals like “Kayak Wednesdays” that encourage people to get out and get active on the lake. Canoeing and kayaking are fantastic ways to experience the park and get out on the open water without dealing with the hassle of a motor boat.

Wind sports

Both kiteboarding and windsurfing are very popular among many of the visitors to Del Valle, as the lake offers a great outlet for both sports. If you consider yourself fairly adept at either, Del Valle’s sometimes-windswept waters are perfect for a great time. It’s only a $1.00 daily fee to bring in your own windsurf board, as both kiteboarding and windsurfing are common and enjoyed amongst many guests to the park.

Swimming

Now, what is a lake worth if there is no swimming available? Practically nothing! That’s why Del Valle offers two incredible beaches (East and West Shore) for your swimming pleasure, with lifeguards on the clock from 11:00 - 6:00 and swimming availability year round (only north of the dock and at the swimmer’s own risk, however). Splashing around is ideal during the summer when the water is warmest, but be warned as this is peak time for Del Valle and both beaches tend to get quite crowded when the sun comes out — which is pretty much every day. The water quality (which can be found here) is one concern among many visitors, but it is consistently monitored by park officials and is always healthy for a dip when the beaches are open, even though geese can periodically be found in designated swimming areas — which we think is actually pretty cool! Del Valle also offers lifejackets for all youngin’s to enjoy the water, as swimming is a great family activity when visiting the park. There are large shallow areas found on the East Shore, and kids always enjoy the beauty and swimming availability on both beaches. The lake is not just used for recreational swimming, however, as races like the Del Valle Open Water Festival are hosted by the park. While many imagine a beach to consist of soft sand, the beaches at Del Valle actually are composed of gravel. That’s why we highly recommend wearing water shoes to the beach, for the ground can get quite warm and uncomfortable in the heat of summer. West Beach, located at the end of the lake, has somewhat tamer water and a closer grassy area but also feels the effects of water level drops much stronger than the East Shore Beach. Contrarily, the water at East Beach is a little more choppy and is found on the side of a larger, more open section of the lake. You honestly can’t go wrong with either choice as both get crowded and are highly hankered for during a hot summer day.

Wildlife watching

A park is not a park without adequate wildlife, and Del Valle stays consistent in its quest to achieve all great elements of a wilderness area with its multitude of different flora and fauna. Sticking true to its location, Del Valle offers haven for many native Californian species, as an abundance of regional species have been spotted in the area. You can find a glorious compilation of Del Valle wildflowers here, while during the spring mostly everything is green and creates quite a natural spectacle. A multitude of birds have also been observed, including red-tailed hawks, blue jays, mallards, geese, turkey vultures, herons, ospreys, and different eagles. In terms of ground mammals, deers, badgers, and squirrels are very common. One thing to watch out for, however are the snakes that permeate the area. Del Valle is known to host a fair share of these slithering serpents, but simply heed the suggestions given by the park and you should be fine!

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