Live Oak Campground

Star4.04
60 reviews
1300 North Gate Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Quick Facts

2,100 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Live Oak Campground
$30.00 - $30.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Campsites are $30. There is an additional $8.25 reservation fee charged per booking. Each site accommodates up to 8 people and 2 vehicles.
Standard Site Fee$30.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Reserve California
Provider
925-837-6129Feedback.MountDiablo@parks.ca.gov
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What Campers Say

4.04

Satisfactory

Based on 60 reviews

66 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanrestroomswater

"User reviews for Live Oak Campground are mixed. Positive aspects include clean restrooms, proximity to hiking trails, and unique features like climbing rocks at each campsite. Negative feedback often centers around poor staff communication, limited privacy, and maintenance issues."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

1300 North Gate Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Live Oak Campground

1300 North Gate Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Driving directionsTake Highway 680 to Walnut Creek. Exit at Diablo Road, and then follow Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd, which winds up to the park and eventually to Live Oak Campground.
Roads to the campground are steep, narrow, and winding with tight curves. There are limited visibility and blind turns on the drive up. Vehicles over 24 feet are not recommended. The roads are shared by vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and animals.
Nearby places
Walnut Creek (~8 miles), Concord (~10 miles), Danville (~10 miles), Clayton (~12 miles)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies can be found in Walnut Creek (~8 miles away) or Clayton (~12 miles away) for groceries, fuel, and camping essentials.

Best Time to Camp at Live Oak Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal tapestry of Mount Diablo, where summer days blaze with intensity—temperatures soaring past 100°F demand early morning adventures and afternoon siestas in the shade. Winter brings gentle relief with mild temperatures perfect for hiking, while spring transforms the landscape into a painter's palette of wildflowers, carpeting the hillsides in brilliant yellows, purples, and oranges.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
2.0 / 5

Summer often very hot (past 100°F); reviews note heat negatively impacts visits.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall visits rated more positively for milder temps and good hiking conditions.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring noted as a positive season with milder weather and good hiking.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round; winter is passable but offers limited winter-sport activity.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak seasons not explicitly defined.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round, but accessibility may depend on weather conditions.
  • Current Alerts: The elevator at the Summit Visitor Center is currently non-operational.

About Live Oak Campground

Nestled beneath a canopy of ancient live oaks, this enchanting campground serves as your gateway to Rock City, where towering sandstone formations create a natural playground for climbers of all ages. The gnarled branches overhead provide welcome shade while nearby boulders beckon adventurers to explore their sun-warmed surfaces, making this an ideal basecamp for families seeking both comfort and adventure.
Live Oak Campground accommodates multiple types of camping, including tent and RV camping. Group camping is possible, but no additional amenities such as cabins or glamping were noted.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Fire rings
Food storage lockers

Activities you can enjoy

Live Oak Campground provides access to several recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and rock climbing. The proximity to Rock City enhances the camping experience with climbing opportunities and unique geological formations. The campground is also close to trails leading to Mount Diablo's summit.
HikingHiking trails are accessible from the campground, with well-marked paths leading to the summit of Mount Diablo. Rock City and other geological formations offer additional exploration opportunities.
ClimbingClimbing opportunities may be available in nearby natural areas such as rocky outcrops, boulders, or cliff faces. Visitors should bring appropriate gear and check local regulations or park guidelines before attempting any climbs.
BikingBiking trails are part of Mount Diablo State Park's offerings. Cyclists can use designated bike turnouts and explore the park's extensive trail system.
Wildlife viewingThe park is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, hawks, and snakes. Observing wildlife can be part of the overall hiking and camping experience.
Cultural and Educational ProgramsGuests can participate in guided hikes and interpretive programs organized by park staff. Publications and maps detailing the area's cultural and geological history are available.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rattlesnakes, poison oak, and aggressive raccoons. Some campsites may lack flat terrain for tents.
Active AlertsThe elevator at the Summit Visitor Center is currently non-operational.
Food Storage RequiredFood lockers are available at select sites, recommended due to occasional raccoon activity.

Weather at Live Oak Campground

Reviews

4.0
60 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Live Oak Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Live Oak Campground are mixed. Positive aspects include clean restrooms, proximity to hiking trails, and unique features like climbing rocks at each campsite. Negative feedback often centers around poor staff communication, limited privacy, and maintenance issues.
Review Summaries
Based on 60 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean restrooms, access to potable water, proximity to Rock City, and geological features that enhance the experience for families.
Based on 60 reviews

Common Concerns

Staff communication issues, lack of privacy between campsites, poor maintenance of trash facilities, and campsites with sloped terrain or poison oak.
Based on 60 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring extra water due to varying availability in drought conditions. Avoid camping in summer due to high temperatures. Use earplugs to mitigate noise from neighboring campsites.
Based on 60 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer experiences are often negatively affected by extreme heat (up to 100 degrees), while fall and spring visits are more positively rated for milder conditions and better hiking opportunities.
Based on 60 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice camping in a grove of live oaks, bathrooms were nicely clean with running water" - Henry Leinhos. "This campground provides the best playground possible for big and small kids" - Jessica Alba....
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Based on 60 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

"We loved our stay at campsite 2. Clean restrooms and right near the trail" - Kevin Clark. "Our site had enough space for 2 cars, stone grill, water access, bench and 2 large tents" - Romit Jadhwani.
Based on 60 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific accessibility reviews for Live Oak Campground were provided, but general park accessibility features include accessible restrooms and paved trails.
Based on 60 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at Live Oak Campground, but must be kept on a leash during the day and enclosed in a vehicle or tent at night. No specific issues regarding pets were mentioned in user reviews.
Based on 60 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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