Juniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP)
4600 CA-154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Overview
Juniper Campground is one of three campgrounds Mount Diablo State Park, located on the plateau on the side of the mountain. To get there, turn off Highway 680 at Walnut Creek.
It has 36 sites that can accommodate RVs and trailers but no hookups. The campground offers potable water, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. Each campsite is also equipped with a table, fire ring, and grill.
There is no group camping in this campground, but the campsite can accommodate up to 8 people. Dogs and pets are allowed in developed areas of the park but must be kept on a leash at all times and in an enclosed space such as a tent or RV at night. Mount Diablo also doesn’t allow dogs on trails, park buildings, and fire roads.
Mount Diablo State Park is open year-round, but popular seasons to visit are during winter, spring, and fall since summer months tend to be too hot to hike comfortably.
Best Campsites at Juniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP)
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Juniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP).
Sites 11, 13, 15, 16, 17
- Southside campground that’s located on the plateau with views
- The scrub-covered area offers privacy
- Site 13 and 17 are the best, as they have a more outward position and open to view the bay and valley below
- There’s an open area next to site 17 where everyone always goes to watch sunsets
- During the summer months, this area can be a little bit more exposed and hotter
Sites 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 25
- Located on the north side of the campground
- Very well-spaced compared to the south side and has vegetation to screen each campsite
- No views like the ones on the south side, and closer to the road
- Site 33 is not recommended, since it’s closest to a noisy road and smaller in size
Sites 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 34 and 36
- Located inside the loop of Juniper campground
- Much more sheltered within a grove of trees, so it’s popular in the summer months
- Woods in between campsites are open and not screened
- The campsites are located close to each other, not much privacy
- Sites 22, 24, 34, and 36 have stone grills if you want to use charcoal fires
Sites 28, 30, 32
- Located within the loop
- Not as sheltered
- Have a moderately nice view
- Large sites with more space in between, so more privacy for campers
Sites 9, 10, 19
- ADA campsites, which means they’re accessible for people with disabilities
- Proximity to toilets and potable water
Sites 1 to 8
- Proximity to toilets and showers
- Proximity to parking space, expect more noise
Unique Experiences
Hike to the summit of Mount Diablo which is about 3.3 miles round trip from Juniper Campground. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada!
Try some of the amazing bike trails that suit bikers of all levels.
Don’t want to summit Mount Diablo? There are plenty of other trails such as Tarantula Treks, Grand Loop Trail, and Rock City. It is said that the massive observatory deck in Tarantula Trek is the best in Northern California!
Go on a relaxing horseback ride on the trails provided within the state park ground.
Try your hand at rock climbing with beginner-friendly grades that start from 5.6 and go up to 5.12.
Do a little wildlife watching and try to spot amphibians, bobcats, mountain lions and coyotes.
Enjoy the sunsets at the south side of the campground. There’s a viewpoint near site 17 where you can sit down and watch the day go by.
Juniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP) Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax People per Site
8Fires Allowed
YesJuniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP) Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
NoYou can make a reservation to Juniper Campground via their online website: https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/, you can also contact their operator at 925-837-2525 for further information.
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, and you can see which campsites are still available. The fee includes a $10 entrance fee per vehicle and $30 per night for each campsite, there is also a $7.99 reservation fee that’s not refundable. There’s a maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people per campsite.
Ensure you have the following information to make a reservation:
- Park selections
- Date you wish to start camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will occupy the campsite
- Number of nights you wish to camp
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
- Mailing address
Group Camping Reservations
Juniper Campground doesn’t have any group sites, but a maximum of eight people are allowed per site so you can book a couple of adjacent sites.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
In case you need to cancel or change the date of your reservation, go to their website https://www.reservecalifornia.com/ or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) by 6 PM a day before your arrival date at the latest to inform them. You will lose your reservation fee, and if you’re late to cancel, you will be charged an extra $7.99 and your first night’s fee.
Juniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP) Campground Cost
Single Sites
$30Activities
Hiking
Wildlife Viewing
Backpacking
Stargazing
Photography
Horseback Riding
Picnicking
Nature Trails
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Visitors/Rec Center
Picnic Tables
Grills
Campfire Rings
Wood for Sale
Ranger Station
Showers
Amphitheater
Potable Water
Cell Service
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Juniper Campground (Mount Diablo SP)
Live Oak Campground
Live Oak is also in Mount Diablo State Park. It is a little smaller than Juniper, with only 22 campsites available to book compared to 36 in Juniper.
Live Oak is also much closer to the state park entrance, and furthest away from the summit of Mount Diablo, which means the views will not be as nice as Juniper.
The sites are also densely packed together which allows for little privacy. Both campgrounds cost the same - $30 a night, and they both have showers and potable water, but no hookups.
Brannan Island Berth Area Campground
Brannan Island has a total of about 140 sites which is considerably larger than Juniper’s 36. The campground near the boat berthing area has 13 sites that can accommodate RVs as well as six group sites that allow for up to 30 people.
Like Juniper, flush toilets and coin-operated showers are available to all campers, but there are no hookups.
Willow Campground
Willow is another campground located on Brannan Island. It has about 50 sites that are more closely spaced which makes it about the same size as Juniper’s 36. It also has a group camping site that can host up to 30 people, unlike Juniper which doesn’t.
Both campgrounds have flush toilets and coin-operated showers but no hookups.
** **Angel Island State Park
The Angel Island campground is a primitive one with only 10 sites, vault toilets, and no potable water. It is small and secluded which is ideal for kayakers and nature lovers.
Juniper Campground is a larger one with more facilities like water and showers.
