National park · United States
Del Valle Regional Park
Day trip from Livermore or Pleasanton: pay the $6 vehicle fee at the kiosk, walk the East Shore Trail to Swallow Bay (2 mi one way) or the ridgetop from Arroyo Road (1 mi up), and arrive before 9:00 on summer weekends — the marina lot fills by 10:00 and the lake beaches hit 32°C+ by noon.Day trip from Livermore or Pleasanton: pay the $6 vehicle fee at the kiosk, walk the East Shore Trail to Swallow Bay (2 mi one way) or the ridgetop from Arroyo Road (1 mi up), and arrive before 9:00 AM on summer weekends — the marina lot fills by 10:00 AM and the lake beaches hit 32°C+ by noon.Day trip from Livermore or Pleasanton: pay the $6 vehicle fee at the kiosk, walk the East Shore Trail to Swallow Bay (2 mi one way) or the ridgetop from Arroyo Road (1 mi up), and arrive before 9:00 on summer weekends — the marina lot fills by 10:00 and the lake beaches hit 90°F+ by noon.Day trip from Livermore or Pleasanton: pay the $6 vehicle fee at the kiosk, walk the East Shore Trail to Swallow Bay (2 mi one way) or the ridgetop from Arroyo Road (1 mi up), and arrive before 9:00 AM on summer weekends — the marina lot fills by 10:00 AM and the lake beaches hit 90°F+ by noon.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20 km²8 sq mi
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 20 km²8 sq mi
- About 5,000 acres (roughly 20 km²) of land around Lake Del Valle; the reservoir itself adds surface water (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Del Valle is the largest park in the East Bay Regional Park District: an oak-and-chaparral bowl around Lake Del Valle, a 1968 reservoir dammed from Arroyo del Valle, opened to the public in 1970. It sits south of Livermore in the outer East Bay, with two very different entrances — the southern Del Valle Road gate past Mines Road, and the northern Arroyo Road gate at the end of wine country. There is swimming, a marina, boat rentals, campgrounds and roughly 5,000 acres of trails, but no shuttle and no cell signal in the canyons. It is a regional park, not a national park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not apply here.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
20 km²8 sq mi · national park since 1970
About 5,000 acres (roughly 20 km²) of land around Lake Del Valle; the reservoir itself adds surface water (check).
Why go
- A full lake in a dry landscape: swimming, kayaks and a marina 45 minutes from Pleasanton.
- Two distinct entrances give two different parks — southern gate for the lake and campgrounds, northern Arroyo gate for the cliffs and ridgetop.
- The East Shore Trail to Swallow Bay and Badger Cove is the quietest shoreline walk in the Tri-Valley.
- The ridgetop above Arroyo Road looks over the 300-foot Del Valle cliffs, the lake and the Ohlone Wilderness beyond.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, green hills; occasional snow dusting on the highest peaks
- FebMild; trails firm after rain
- MarWildflowers on the ridges; comfortable walking
- AprGreen hills, clear views, before the heat
- MayWarm; swimming season starts
- JunHot afternoons; start early
- Jul35°C+ common; beaches crowded95°F+ common; beaches crowded
- AugHottest month; smoke risk from regional fires
- SepStill hot; best for early lake swims
- OctCooling, clear; best all-round month
- NovMild days; quiet trails
- DecCool and often clear; rain possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain lions (present, rarely seen)All year · Do not hike alone at dawn or dusk; keep children close. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the ridgesMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Oak woodland birds and raptorsSep–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| RattlesnakesApr–Oct · Stay on trail; watch where you put hands and feet. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Livermore
Livermore Avenue (Tesla Road) south, right onto Mines Road, then Del Valle Road to the southern gate.
20–25 min
From Pleasanton
Arroyo Road south past Wente Vineyards to the end of the public road; left before the gate to the Arroyo entrance.
25–30 min
From Oakland
I-580 east to Livermore, then as above; no public transport to the park gates.
50–70 min
From San Francisco
I-580 east over the Altamont; allow extra time on Friday evenings.
1 h 15 min – 1 h 45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Southern shore and marina | Rocky Ridge Visitor Center, designated swimming area, campground, marina and boat rentals. | Open with the vehicle fee; swimming only in the marked area. |
| East Shore Trail corridor | The eastern shoreline past Badger Cove to Swallow Bay and Heron Bay. | Open on foot or bike; no road access. |
| Arroyo Road (northern) entrance | Orchard, creek crossing and the ridgetop trail above the Del Valle cliffs. | Open with the vehicle fee; small parking lot at the gate. |
| Ohlone Regional Wilderness | The mountains south of Del Valle, reached by the Sailor Camp Trail. | Permit required beyond the park boundary. |
Sketch map
- 1Rocky Ridge Visitor Center · Headquarters≈37.592, -121.717Map ↗
- 2Southern entry kiosk (Del Valle Road) · Gate≈37.601, -121.711Map ↗
- 3Arroyo Road entrance · Gate≈37.619, -121.742Map ↗
- 4Marina · Ranger station≈37.592, -121.717Map ↗
- 5Swallow Bay · Beach≈37.600, -121.720Map ↗
- 6Badger Cove · Beach≈37.597, -121.717Map ↗
- 7Heron Bay · Viewpoint≈37.615, -121.735Map ↗
- 8Arroyo del Valle major cliffs · Viewpoint≈37.624, -121.742Map ↗
- 9Cedar Group Camp · Sleep≈37.596, -121.685Map ↗
- 10Sailor Camp Trailhead · Trail≈37.575, -121.698Map ↗
- 11Livermore · Town≈37.682, -121.768Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry (southern and northern gates) | US$6 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; EBRPD regional park day-use fee, cash or card at the kiosk (check). |
| Parking at the marina and staging areas | Free | vehicle | Included in the vehicle entry fee. |
| Boat launch | US$8–12 | boat | 2026 estimate; check current EBRPD launch fee. |
| Kayak or paddleboard rental at the marina | US$20–40 | hour | 2026 estimate; seasonal, weekends only outside summer. |
| Camping (family sites) | US$35–55 | night | 2026 estimate; reserve through the EBRPD reservation system. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Ohlone Regional Wilderness permit permit or guide
Boat launch no permit
Park rules
- Swimming
- Only in the designated area near the southern shore; the reservoir is deep and cold away from it.
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash on most trails; not at the designated swimming beach (check seasonal rules).check
- Fires
- Charcoal and gas grills only in posted picnic areas; open fires banned in fire season.
- Boat inspection
- All boats must be inspected for invasive mussels before launching.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without EBRPD permission (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Del Valle family campground
Tent and RV sites near the southern shore; reserve through EBRPD.
In the park
Cedar Group Camp
Group site in the eastern canyon with picnic benches and restrooms.
Near the park
Livermore and Pleasanton hotels
Full range of hotels 20–30 min from either gate.
Safety
Summer heat high
Mountain lions low
Rattlesnakes medium
Wildfire smoke medium
Accessibility
- The Rocky Ridge Visitor Center, marina and southern picnic areas are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The East Shore Trail and ridgetop routes are dirt, uneven and steep in places; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; the canyons have no bins.
- Stay on marked trails to protect the oak understory and reduce erosion on the clay soils.
- Clean and dry boats and paddles before launching to stop invasive mussels spreading between reservoirs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Del Valle Regional Park?
Day use is charged per vehicle at the gate — around $6 in 2026 (check the current EBRPD fee). There is no per-person entry charge, and the America the Beautiful national park pass does not apply because this is a regional park, not a national one.
What are the best hikes in Del Valle Regional Park?
For an easy shoreline walk, the East Shore Trail from the marina to Swallow Bay and Badger Cove (about 2 mi one way). For a view, climb from the Arroyo Road entrance to the ridgetop above the Del Valle cliffs (about 1 mi up). For something longer, the Cedar Camp hike from the East Ridge parking area is 4–5 mi round trip.
When is the best time to visit Del Valle Regional Park?
March to May and October are the best months: green hills in spring, clear and cool in autumn. July and August are hot, often above 35°C, and the beaches and marina fill early. Winter is quiet and mild, with occasional snow dusting the highest peaks.
Can you swim in Lake Del Valle?
Yes, but only in the designated swimming area near the southern shore, where lifeguards are on duty in season. The rest of the reservoir is deep, cold and unguarded.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
No for day use — pay at the kiosk when you drive in. Camping does need a reservation through the East Bay Regional Park District, and summer weekends sell out weeks ahead.
Is there public transport to Del Valle Regional Park?
No. There is no bus or train to either gate; you need a car, or you can walk in from Livermore via Sycamore Grove Park and Veterans Park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go