Briones Regional Park Offers Group Camping Sites

Briones Regional Park's group camping facilities include three designated sites: Wee-Ta-Chi, Maud Whalen, and Homestead Valley. The Maud Whalen campsite, for example, is a walk-in site offering a more rustic experience with amenities such as picnic tables, BBQ grills or fire rings, and vault toilets. While some sites are walk-in, a vehicle may be permitted to haul in supplies. The park itself spans over 6,255 acres of rolling, grassy hills and shady canyons, providing a sense of wilderness despite being surrounded by central Contra Costa County towns. Historically, this land was part of the 1842 Mexican land grant, Rancho Boca de la Canada del Pinole, and was used for cattle ranching, a practice that continues in some parts of the park today. The East Bay Regional Park District established the park in October 1967. Beyond camping, Briones offers a wide range of recreational activities. Visitors can explore numerous trails for hiking, running, and horseback riding. The park also features an archery range, first-come-first-served picnic areas with barbecues, and reservable group picnic sites like Oak Grove for 50 people and Newt Hollow for 150. The park's highest point, Briones Peak, stands at an elevation of 1,483 feet, offering panoramic views of Mount Diablo, the Sacramento River, the Berkeley Hills, and Mount Tamalpais. The extensive trail system, over 1,150 miles, winds through varied terrain, from wooded areas on the east side to more open, steep grasslands on the west. Briones is a significant habitat for a variety of wildlife. It's common to see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures. While more elusive, cougars also inhabit the park. The diverse ecosystems support a wide range of bird species, making it a great location for bird watching.