Del Valle Family Campground

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!