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Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Overview
Nestled in the rolling hills of the East Bay, Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers a surprisingly secluded escape just minutes from major metropolitan areas. This expansive park spans thousands of acres, providing a lush, wooded environment for travelers looking to reconnect with nature without sacrificing proximity to urban conveniences. The campground serves as a peaceful retreat where the scent of eucalyptus fills the air and the sounds of the city fade into the background. Open year-round, it provides a consistent and reliable destination for seasonal travelers exploring the California coast.
Location & Surroundings
The park is situated in Castro Valley, CA, making it a strategic basecamp for exploring the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Despite its location near Oakland, the landscape is dominated by dense forests, grasslands, and the shimmering waters of nearby Lake Chabot. The park’s elevated position often places visitors above the coastal fog, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and canyons that characterize the East Bay region. The rugged geography creates a natural barrier that makes the campground feel worlds away from the nearby bustling highways.
Amenities & Park Features
The Anthony Chabot Family Campground accommodates various camping styles, featuring several full hookup sites specifically for RVers. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, fostering a classic outdoor experience. On-site facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, and a conveniently located dump station. While the park maintains a rustic vibe, these essential comforts ensure a practical stay for those traveling in motorhomes or travel trailers. The sites are distributed among the trees, providing more privacy than typical commercial RV resorts.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding directly from the campground. A short drive or hike leads to Lake Chabot, where visitors can enjoy fishing and boat rentals for a day on the water. For urban excursions, the Oakland Zoo and the vibrant dining scene of Jack London Square are easily accessible. The park’s location also allows for convenient day trips into San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge or explore the historic piers.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature-loving families and RVers who prefer a rugged, forested setting over a paved resort layout. It is a perfect choice for travelers who want to visit the Bay Area but prefer to retire to a quiet, wooded sanctuary at night. If you value trail access and scenic landscapes more than high-speed Wi-Fi and swimming pools, this regional gem will suit your travel style perfectly. It offers a unique balance of urban accessibility and deep-woods immersion that is rare in Northern California.
Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
G B
Still green, quiet and a nice breeze from the bay. Easy to find solitude. Plenty of parking.
Razel Llamanzares
I have ran Lake Chabot over 50 times, hike almost every trail ridden my bike and rented pontoon boats with the family for a daily excursion. This was our first experience camping here and it was a blast. Typically I travel hundreds of miles to get away from daily city life. If I only knew it was in my backyard all this time! This was my son's first camp out and I couldn't ask for a better place.
Jack Liu
Beautiful Family Campground sites in the forest with gorgeous views of Lake Chabot, Sunol Ridge, Mission Peak, Mount Allison, Monument Peak, Coyote Hills, San Francisco Skyline, Sutro Tower, and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Level Au Chat
Great spot to hike or bike. The campground is closed until next week. Drive carefully as there are still many downed trees in the roads and some rock piles from small slides which have yet to be removed. There are plenty of open trails but some have also been closed until maintenance can prioritize the work. A truly beautiful reservoir with abundant bird song and activity. There were a number of people but not too crowded for a Sunday.
Sam Dodge
This is an under rated East Bay Regional Park. Great trails and variety. Around much of the lake is a nice paved trail good for kids biking, but wonderful, adventurous trail running between the lake and Redwood Regional Park with ridges and gullies and grassy meadows, stands of oak, redwoods, cypress, and more. Regular sightings of hawks, turkeys, coyotes, rabbits, and more. Great for mountain biking
