Live Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP)
4600 CA-154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Overview
Live Oak Campground is located in the Sequoia National Forest off Highway 155 on the northwest shore of Lake Isabella. The campground is near the town of Wofford Heights and the North Fork Marina is close by.
Lake Isabella is popular with campers for swimming, fishing, boating, windsurfing, and waterskiing. The campground retains the compact, closely packed atmosphere of 1930s campgrounds, with less seclusion than modern park campgrounds.
The campground is located well away from the main park road, so traffic noise is not an issue. You’re more likely to have the sound of children playing on the neighboring Rock City sandstone formations!
Live Oak Campground has both North and South loops, as well as a group campsite. The north area is an overflow site and usually only open on holiday weekends while the south area contains 90 campsites, with the majority being first come, first served. However, there are 30 tent-only sites that can be reserved online.
The campsites are nestled among enormous oak trees, and a seasonal stream runs through the campground. Amenities at Live Oak South campground include drinking water, restrooms, and flush toilets.
There are also paved parking pads, a table, a fire ring, and a grate at each campsite. Dogs are allowed in the campground, but they must be kept on a 6-foot leash and are not allowed on the surrounding trails. The campground is open from May to September, depending on the weather.
Best Campsites at Live Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP)
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Live Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP).
Sites 14-19
- Near the top of the hill
- Slightly more spread out
Site 22
- Right across from the bath and shower building.
Site 15
- Has its own mini-rock formation.
Unique Experiences
Head out on Lake Isabella for water sports such as boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing, and wildlife watching.
Rent a boat from one of the lake's two marinas, or launch your own.
Go fishing at Lake Isabella for rainbow and brown trout, bass, crappie, kokanee salmon, and catfish, and try catching something for the grill!
Sign up for white-water rafting with an established rafting company on the nearby Kern River, which is known for hiking, world-class mountain biking, and fantastic river rafting and kayaking.
Enjoy viewing nature’s best wildlife at Mount Diablo where you have the chance to see amphibians, insects, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, and other wildlife.
Feeling energetic? Go on a challenging hike from Tarantula Treks to a big observatory deck with spectacular views, possibly the best in Northern California.
Whether you want a boulder session or a multi-pitch climb, check out Mount Diablo’s decent selection of climbing routes.
Take a drive and walk portions of the Trail of 100 Giants, a gorgeous walk among giant sequoia trees, some of which are estimated to be up to 1,500 years old!
Live Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP) Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
30 feetMax People per Site
6Max Vehicles per Site
2 ($7 per night fee for 2nd vehicle)Fires Allowed
YesLive Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP) Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
Reservations for tent sites and group site only; others first-come, first-servedReservations are only accepted for tent sites and group sites; all other sites are first-come, first-served. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of the arrival date. The campsites can be reserved by calling 760-376-1815 or online at http://www.recreation.gov/.
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
The Live Oak Group Campsite can accommodate up to 100 (or perhaps 150) people and 25 (or possibly 30) vehicles. The reservation page lists both. The campground is located in the Live Oak Campground's south section and the fee for the group site is $350 per night.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
You can cancel your reservation at any time before your intended expected arrival date. You will be reimbursed for your stay, less the following fees:
- There is a $10 cancellation charge.
- Any reservation charges (only if paid when booking).
- Any prior alteration costs.
Live Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP) Campground Cost
Single Sites
$28 ($30 on holiday weekends)Activities
Bike Trails
Fishing
Swimming
Boating
Photography
Canoeing / Kayaking
Offroading
Rafting
Surfing / Windsurfing
Wildlife Viewing
Stargazing
Nature Trails
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Grills
Picnic Tables
Potable Water
Campfire Rings
Wood for Sale
Campground Host
Cell Service
Restrooms
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Live Oak Campground (Mount Diablo SP)
Juniper Campground
Juniper Campground, located at 3,000 feet and overlooking Diablo Valley and most of the broader Bay Area, is situated in Mount Diablo State Park. With 31 campsites, this campground is way smaller than Live Oak which has 90 campsites.
Both campgrounds have no hookups. The maximum RV or trailer length is 20 feet at Juniper Campground which is less than Live Oak’s 30 feet limit. Juniper costs $30 a night and Live Oak costs $28.
Both campgrounds offer restrooms with flush toilets, showers, and potable water.
Willow Campground
Willow Campground is located in the Inyo National Forest, 5½ miles up South Lake Road from its connection with Highway 168. Willow is about 1½ miles from South Lake, which is well-known for its fishing.
Willow Campground is way smaller than Live Oak Campground. There are 8 tent-only campsites in Willow Campground whereas Live Oak Campground offers 90 RV and tent-only campsites.
Trailers and RVs are not recommended at Willow, unlike Live Oak which can take vehicles up to 30 feet. Willow’s fee is $25 a night compared to Live Oak’s $28. There are no showers and potable water available at Willow, while Live Oak has both. Willow also only has vault toilets while Live Oak has flush toilets.
Willow is at an elevation of 9,070 feet while Live Oak is at approximately 2,700 feet, which means that Willow is cooler during the hot summer months when Live Oak will get hot!
Angel Island State Park
Angel Island State Park is a 740-acre hilly island in the San Francisco Bay area that offers hiking, biking, camping, picnics, and tram excursions. There are only 10 primitive campsites distributed throughout the campground at Angel Island State Park, compared to the 90 at Live Oak.
Campsite #10 at Angel Island State Park is designated for people with disabilities whereas there are no ADA-designated campsites available at Live Oaks Campground.
A maximum of 8 people per campsite can stay at Angel Island State Park whereas only 6 are allowed at Live Oak. Both the campgrounds offer drinking water and toilets. There are no hookups available at either of the campgrounds. Angel Island does not allow dogs nor wood fires, while Live Oak allows dogs in the campground and fires in the designated rings.
