Mount Diablo State Park

Mount Diablo State Park An Island of Wilderness surrounded by a Sea of Suburbia. Mount Diablo State Park is a unit of the California State Park System. It was established in 1921.

The park encompasses over 20,000 acres. The summit of Mount Diablo has an elevation of 3,849 feet -- it is the highest point in Contra Costa County. Recreational opportunities include camping, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and rock climbing. The park also serves as a natural and cultural preserve. There are two main entrances into the park: North Gate Road (Walnut Creek side) an

d South Gate Road (Danville side). The two roads meet at the Junction Ranger Station. Summit Road continues to the very top. The Summit Building, a Civilian Conservation Corps structure, contains a visitor center, open daily from 10AM to 4PM. The park is open from 8AM to sunset.

Trail conditions in the park are constantly changing. A branch, a pinecone, or rockslide can cover part of the trail. Tr...
05/30/2026

Trail conditions in the park are constantly changing. A branch, a pinecone, or rockslide can cover part of the trail. Trail work, damage from improper use, or erosion can change the trail surface.

Stay safe by following these tips:
🔶 Stay alert to what you see ahead of you, and to changing weather conditions, other trail users, and the presence of wildlife
🔶 Travel at speeds that are slow enough to be safe for you and the people and wildlife that you share the trails with.
🔶 Adjust to trail conditions and change your route if needed. Pay attention to the trail surface and steepness.
🔶 Know your ability level and ride or hike at that level. Avoid pushing yourself to do something above your skill or fitness level.

Take your time, enjoy the journey, and return home with a story of nature’s wonders and happy memories!

If you see trail conditions that you think staff should know about, you can report them at [email protected]

Beacon Shines for Memorial DayThe Mount Diablo Beacon will shine tonight to honor and remember those who have served our...
05/25/2026

Beacon Shines for Memorial Day

The Mount Diablo Beacon will shine tonight to honor and remember those who have served our country. Watch for the blinking light atop Mount Diablo from sunset until just after sunrise.

Originally mounted on a 75-foot tower to guide early air traffic, the beacon was moved to the Summit Visitor Center in 1940. On December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, the light was turned off and not used for navigation again. Since1964 the beacon has been lit every Pearl Harbor Day to honor war veterans. Thanks to a joint proclamation, the Mount Diablo Beacon now also shines on Memorial Day, and Veterans Day to honor all veterans.

☀️ If nice weather and a holiday are calling you to Mount Diablo this holiday weekend, we will be happy to see you! But...
05/23/2026

☀️ If nice weather and a holiday are calling you to Mount Diablo this holiday weekend, we will be happy to see you! But we also need your help!

On busy days like holidays, it is especially important to remember to share the road.

To stay safe while navigating our narrow and winding roads both bicyclists 🚴‍♂️ and drivers 🚗 must:
• Remain in your lane and only pass when it is safe and legal such as at bike passing lanes.
• Take your time and follow the posted speed limit. (Downhill too. It is easy for speeds to creep up on you when you aren’t working against gravity.)
• Stay alert! You never know what is around the next bend.

🌻 Thank you for helping to make everyone's day in the park happy and enjoyable!

Pilot Program for YouthMount Diablo State Park is piloting a program that allows supervised youth mountain bike clubs fo...
05/20/2026

Pilot Program for Youth

Mount Diablo State Park is piloting a program that allows supervised youth mountain bike clubs following a set of parameters to travel on some single-track trails that are not open to cyclists.

This idea is being tested as a way to increase access for youth who, based on their capabilities and mobility limitations, are generally less likely to access higher elevation areas within the park. The purpose of the pilot is to evaluate trail interactions and determine what types of user conflicts, if any, arise during supervised use.

This test program does not change the rules for other riders. Single-track trails where bikes are not permitted remain off limits to all cyclists who are not participating with an approved youth team.

Youth teams ...
🔸will be under the supervision of adult coaches
🔸are expected to follow rules of trail safety and courtesy
🔸will ride on designated trails during specified hours
🔸trails used by teams will have signage to inform other park users of their potential presence.

The pilot program is scheduled to run in two phases. The first will be through the end of May 2026. The second will be from December 2026 through May 2027. This is strictly a test program limited to a defined group for a limited period of time. If any broader access or permanent authorization is considered in the future, it will need to go through an official change in use process.

An important part of this pilot is hearing back from park visitors on this test of a new way to share access to the park. We encourage constructive and respectful dialogue from all perspectives. We will be collecting feedback on trail-user experiences at [email protected] . Please show courtesy and respect to others in your comments and when you meet on the trails.

The Diablo Range District of California State Parks is recruiting for two positions with our Natural Resources team. We ...
05/13/2026

The Diablo Range District of California State Parks is recruiting for two positions with our Natural Resources team. We are looking for ...

🔷 an Environmental Scientist who will be responsible for the planning, enhancement, and protection of Mount Diablo State Park's natural resources.

🔷 a Senior Environmental Scientist Specalist (Burn Lead) who will perform a variety of forest management functions and be responsible for the wildfire management program for the District's 12 park units.

For more information and to apply, look up the job postings on CalCareers. Job Codes 516213 and 517261.

Address

Clayton, CA

Telephone

+19258372525

Website

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31305

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