How much does camping cost at Tilden Regional Park?

Camping fees at Tilden Regional Park range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Tilden Regional Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Tilden Regional Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Tilden Regional Park?

Tilden Regional Park is open null. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Tilden Regional Park?

Tilden Regional Park does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Tilden Regional Park have?

Tilden Regional Park has 4 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Tilden Regional Park?

Pets are not allowed at Tilden Regional Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Tilden Regional Park?

Popular activities at Tilden Regional Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tilden Regional Park

Q: Can I have a campfire at Tilden Regional Park?

Fire policies at Tilden Regional Park: Fires are allowed only in designated areas and must be attended by an adult. Only commercially purchased wood, processed fire logs, or cut lumber can be used.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.69

13 reviews

2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda , California, 94563, United States

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,001 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

Gillespie group camp...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD)Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,001 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

Gillespie group camp...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD)Official Website

Get Directions

Tilden Regional Park

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

ES Anderson Camp in Tilden $120.00 ***SECURITY/DAMANGE DEPOSIT equal to one night fee is charged per a site. ***SERVICE FEE: $8.00 non-refundable fee...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda , California, 94563, United States

Tilden Regional Park

2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda , California, 94563, United States

Nearby places

Orinda (approx. 10 minutes), Berkeley (approx. 15 minutes), Oakland (approx. 20 minutes).

Nearby supplies

No specific mention of grocery or camping supply stores in close proximity. Nearest large towns like Berkeley likely provide these services.

Driving directionsThe park is located in the Berkeley Hills just north of Highway 24. Take the Fish Ranch Road exit east of the Caldecott Tunnel, drive uphill, and turn right at Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Grizzly Peak, you will pass the South Park Drive entrance. Alternatively, the park can be accessed from its west side in Berkeley through Canon Drive, where Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard intersect.

Access is through Berkeley neighborhoods and involves curvy roads. User review notes: 'If you get car sick, take the Berkeley 580 direction, not the 13 tunnel.'

Weather at Tilden Regional Park

Current alert: Wildcat View group campsite is closed for repairs.

Best Time to Camp at Tilden Regional Park

Summer is the busiest and most predictable season. Daytime highs run mid-60s to mid-80s°F, nights in the 50s to low 60s. Trails are dry, Lake Anza is open for swimming, and bay views are sharpest. Parking fills on weekends. Fire danger climbs in late summer, and occasional heat waves or poor air quality can hit. Winter brings rain and lows around 39°F, greening the hills but limiting some activities. Spring wildflowers peak before summer arrives.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is busiest; Lake Anza open for swimming and views are sharp in summer.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Gillespie group campsite is closed seasonally from the first Monday of October to April 30. Wildcat View group campsite is closed for repairs until further notice.

About Tilden Regional Park

Tilden Regional Park spreads across 2,079 acres of Berkeley Hills, offering four group campsites (no individual sites) plus day-use recreation. Campers can reserve Gillespie or Wildcat View for up to 75 people, or Es Anderson Horse Camp and New Woodland for up to 50. The park sits at about 1,000 feet elevation near Orinda and draws families for its mix of trails, Lake Anza swimming, and the vintage Tilden Merry-Go-Round.

Tilden Regional Park offers several types of group camping accommodations. These include the Gillespie Group Camp, featuring a maximum capacity of 75 people, and smaller equestrian group campsites at Es Anderson Horse Camp with a capacity of 50. Tent camping is supported, but primitive or cabin-style options are not mentioned.

Historical Significance

The park is named for Charles Lee Tilden, who helped establish the East Bay Regional Park District. It's one of the district's oldest parks. Reviewers mention the merry-go-round as a nostalgic landmark, and some note structures were dilapidated years ago but have since been restored.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the busiest and most predictable season. Daytime highs run mid-60s to mid-80s°F, nights in the 50s to low 60s. Trails are dry, Lake Anza is open for swimming, and bay views are sharpest. Parking fills on weekends. Fire danger climbs in late summer, and occasional heat waves or poor air quality can hit. Winter brings rain and lows around 39°F, greening the hills but limiting some activities. Spring wildflowers peak before summer arrives.

Elevationnull

Natural Features and SceneryThe Berkeley Hills roll in rounded ridges covered by oak woodland and non-native eucalyptus groves. Trails climb to viewpoints where you can see the Bay Bridge and San Francisco Bay on clear days. Lake Anza, a small reservoir, sits in a wooded hollow and offers swimming. The terrain shifts from meadow to dense eucalyptus stands, their scent strongest after fog. Expect golden-brown hillsides by late summer, bright green after winter rains.

Geological RegionNestled within the Berkeley Hills, Tilden showcases the dramatic landscape that defines the East Bay. These ancient hills tell a geological story millions of years in the making, where tectonic forces sculpted the undulating terrain. Today, this diverse ecosystem supports a remarkable array of native plants and wildlife, from majestic oaks to delicate wildflowers, creating a living tapestry that changes with each season. The signature eucalyptus groves, though non-native, have become an integral part of the park's character, their distinctive fragrance marking your journey through this exceptional landscape.

Scenic ViewsUser review notes: 'Very nice trail and we can enjoy a beautiful landscape of Bay Bridge and reservoir.'

Lodging & AccommodationsInformation about lodging accommodations is not provided.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned in the source materials.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Varies by site. Gillespie and Wildcat View accommodate up to 75 people
New Woodland and Es Anderson Horse Camp accommodate up to 50 people.

Groups

Group sites accommodate 50-75 people, depending on the specific campsite.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutFour group sites only. Gillespie and Wildcat View each hold 75 people. Es Anderson Horse Camp and New Woodland each hold 50. Cell service is spotty. Some restrooms lack running water.

Reservation PlatformsCall EBRPD Reservations Department at 1-888-327-2757 or visit https://www.ebparks.org.

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation PolicyCancellations or changes require contacting the EBRPD Reservations Department at 1-888-327-2757 (option 2).

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly addressed in the provided materials.

Site SizeGroup campsites accommodate up to 75 people at Gillespie and Wildcat View, and 50 people at Es Anderson Horse Camp and New Woodland.

PrivacyNo specific information on privacy levels of the campsites is provided.

Total Campsites4 campsites

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest Gillespie and Wildcat View for larger groups.

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Amenities available

The amenities listed for Tilden Regional Park are sparse, with no specific details provided about facilities like showers, potable water, or dump stations. However, user reviews praise the cleanliness of bathrooms at some picnic sites, and official park rules mention restrictions on campfires and generators. No further information about Wi-Fi, cell phone service, or other amenities is explicitly provided.

Group Sites

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Tilden Regional Park offers a wide array of recreational activities according to both official materials and user reviews. These include hiking, biking, equestrian activities, fishing, lake swimming (seasonal), and picnicking. User reviews highlight the park’s scenic hiking trails, Bay Bridge views, and a variety of attractions like a merry-go-round and a golf course.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential seasonal hazards include curvy roads leading to the park, as noted by a user review. Wildfire risks may lead to stricter fire regulations.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFires are allowed only in designated areas and must be attended by an adult. Only commercially purchased wood, processed fire logs, or cut lumber can be used.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are null

Emergency ServicesIn case of emergency, call 911 from a pay phone or (510) 881-1121 from a cell phone. Emergency services are based in Orinda or Berkeley, depending on the direction of access.

Water FeaturesLake Anza is nearby, offering seasonal swimming and fishing activities.

Cell CoverageThe official information states that cell phone reception may be spotty inside the park.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.7

13 reviews

Top-Rated

Tilden Regional Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews largely praise Tilden Regional Park for its natural beauty, extensive trails, and family-friendly attractions. Some reviews note accessibility challenges via curvy roads. Others highlight the park’s facilities, such as clean bathrooms and picnic grounds, and nostalgic attractions like the merry-go-round.

Review Summaries

Based on 13 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include scenic trails with Bay Bridge views, diverse activities, clean facilities, and family-friendly attractions like a merry-go-round and a golf course.

Based on 13 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include dilapidated structures, curvy access roads that can cause car sickness, and the need for reservations for group facilities.

Based on 13 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend reserving picnic or group camping areas in advance, avoiding curvy roads if prone to car sickness, and bringing hand sanitizer for restrooms without running water.

Based on 13 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The park is noted for seasonal lake swimming and the closure of specific group campsites from October to April.

Based on 13 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great trails and reservations picnic grounds, access is through Berkeley neighborhoods." - Tom Hess III. "Very nice trail and we can enjoy a beautiful landscape of Bay Bridge and reservoir." -...

Based on 13 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility concerns are noted in reviews mentioning curvy roads and limited cell phone reception.

Based on 13 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are mentioned as allowed in some campsites, but detailed reviews on pet-related experiences are not provided.

Based on 13 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Groups of 20-75 who want a rare car-camping base close to the Bay Area. Gillespie and New Woodland can anchor a reunion or club outing, with Lake Anza swimming and trail access to the Bay Bridge viewpoints right in the park.

Skip if

Solo campers and couples have no options here, every site is group-only, minimum capacity. Add in spotty cell service, some restrooms without running water, and curvy access roads that trigger car sickness for some passengers.

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Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland , California, 94609, United States

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve sits atop the tilted Round Top volcano complex in the Berkeley Hills, offering two primitive tent sites just a 0.2-mile hike from the trailhead. Campers pay $25-$40 per night for sweeping 180-degree views stretching from Mount Diablo to Volmer Peak and Tilden Park. The preserve includes an ADA-accessible picnic table, serving table, and pit toilet. Cell reception is spotty, and finding the campground in the dark can be challenging.