Sunol

Open — Open year-round for backpack camping by reservation only. Reservations must be made at least two business days in advance by calling East Bay Regional Parks at 1-888-327-2757, option 2. An Ohlone Wilderness Trail permit is required for each person age 12 and older.

About

Sunol Backpack Area sits on a steep oak-dotted hillside high above the Sunol Valley in the 6,859-acre Sunol Regional Wilderness. The campground offers a remarkably remote wilderness experience despite being just minutes from the suburban Bay Area. Multiple campsites are available including Sky Camp, Cathedral, Hawk's Nest, Oak View, Sycamore, Eagle's Aerie, and Star's Rest. The preserve features diverse terrain with Alameda Creek running through alder, willow and sycamore groves, oak woodlands, and hillsides covered in spring wildflowers. Wildlife viewing opportunities include golden eagles, acorn woodpeckers, black-tailed deer, and occasionally mountain lions. The area also features sandstone outcrops with fossils and dramatic basalt formations. The campground serves as a key point along the 28-mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail that connects Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore through Sunol to Mission Peak in Fremont. Water is available from natural springs but must be filtered, treated, or boiled for drinking. Visitors should be prepared to carry adequate water as spring flow can vary seasonally. The backpack area provides access to miles of wilderness hiking with challenging climbs and rewarding vistas throughout the preserve.

Directions

From I-680 near Sunol, exit at Calaveras Road. Turn right onto Calaveras Road and proceed about four miles to a left turn onto Geary Road, which leads into the park. The backpack area is a hike-in campground accessed from the main park entrance at 1895 Geary Road, Sunol, CA 94586.

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