Very High DemandReservation4 min read

Updated August 18, 2026

How to Get a Juniper Permit

Thirty-six sites at 3,000 feet, two miles below the summit, where the agency says you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from a nearby overlook.

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1-7 nights

Duration

2 miles

Distance

moderate

Difficulty

About Juniper

Juniper Campground sits approximately two miles below the summit on Summit Road at 3,000 feet, with 36 sites and the views the campground is known for. Three campsites meet ADA accessibility standards — sites 9, 10 and 19. All campsites are provided with picnic tables, fire pits or stoves, water, and restrooms, and showers are available at Live Oak and Juniper campgrounds at no additional cost. Reservations for Live Oak and Juniper go through ReserveCalifornia, six months in advance from the current date. The rate is $30 a night in all seasons. The altitude is the reason to choose it. The park warns of extreme heat in summer, and camping about 1,550 feet above Live Oak is the practical answer to that. The trade is wind exposure and a longer, steeper drive. As at Live Oak, campers are locked in the park overnight from sunset to 8:00 am, and during fire season, generally May to October, the park is subject to closure due to extreme fire danger — call the park one day prior to arrival to confirm.

Juniper is the high camp on Mount Diablo — about 1,550 feet above Live Oak, which makes it the summer option on a mountain the park warns can have extreme heat. It is also the closest camp to a summit with a viewshed the agency puts at over 8,539 square miles and parts of 40 of California's 58 counties.

The Experience

Thin, dry chaparral on an exposed shoulder with the whole Bay Area below. Wind is real up here, and the temperature swing between afternoon and night is large.

Juniper Campground is located approximately 2 miles below the summit on Summit Road, and is known for its fantastic views. The Mount Diablo Interpretive Association lists 36 sites at 3,000 feet, and three campsites meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards — State Parks names sites 9, 10 and 19, with accessible parking and level table and tent areas, and a restroom/shower building with accessible parking.

From the Diablo Valley Overlook near Juniper Campground, 2,900 feet above sea level, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge. The summit at 3,849 feet holds a Visitor Center in a historic stone building constructed in the late 1930s of fossiliferous sandstone blocks quarried in the park; it is open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, though the elevator is out of service until further notice.

All campsites are provided with picnic tables, fire pits or stoves, water, and restrooms, and showers are available at Live Oak and Juniper campgrounds at no additional cost.

What to Expect

36 sites at 3,000 feet, approximately two miles below the summit

Three accessible campsites — sites 9, 10 and 19

Picnic tables, fire pits or stoves, water and restrooms; showers at no extra cost

Being locked into the park from sunset to 8:00 am

Real wind exposure on a high shoulder

$30 a night in all seasons

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Permit Requirements

Check-in time is 2:00 pm. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. The entrance and exit gates are closed from sunset to 8:00 am.

Maximum length of stay 15 consecutive days, 30 days in a calendar year.

Maximum trailer, camper and motorhome length 20 feet.

Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. No electric generators from 8:00 pm to 10:00 am.

Collection of firewood is prohibited in the park, and weather conditions may restrict smoking or prohibit fires entirely.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the park.

Dogs are NOT permitted on trails, fire roads, or in park buildings; only in developed areas, on leash by day and enclosed at night.

Campers are not allowed to drive in the park at night unless there is an emergency or a scheduled Public Astronomy Program at the Summit.

During fire season, generally May to October, call the park one day prior to arrival to confirm park status.

Gear & Preparation

Required Gear

•Extra water — the campground water source depends on spring production and drought has affected availability
•Camp stove, since fires can be restricted or prohibited when fire danger is high
•Wind-worthy tent and extra stakes for an exposed 3,000-foot shoulder
•Warm layers; the park warns of extreme heat, wind, cold, rain and snow
•Firewood bought off the mountain

Recommended Gear

•A call to 925-837-2525 or 925-837-0904 the day before arrival in fire season
•Binoculars — the agency says you can see almost 200 miles on the best days
•Long sleeves and long pants for ticks and poison oak
•A quart of water for every two hours of hiking
•Headlamp, since driving out after sunset is not allowed

Hazards & Safety

Mount Diablo State Park can have extreme heat, wind, cold, rain, snow.

The park's potable water depends on spring production; several years of drought has affected water availability on the mountain.

Ticks are found on Mt. Diablo; check yourself and your children frequently.

Rattlesnakes are common in warmer months; keep at least 6 feet away.

Poison oak — learn the shiny three-leaf pattern and stay on trail.

Limited cell service on many trails, which can be very remote; airlifting injured individuals can cost over $50,000.

It is over 7 miles one way and 3,000 feet of elevation to hike to the summit; the park warns not to attempt it unless you are certain you can double those numbers to get back.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn are best overall, and Juniper is the better of the two campgrounds in summer purely because of its altitude. The day after a winter storm gives the clearest views the mountain offers; summer days are sometimes hazy.

Written by

PermitSnag Team

100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience

This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a Juniper permit?

Juniper permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.

When is the best time to visit Juniper?

How difficult is Juniper?

Campers who want height and views over shelter, and anyone camping on Diablo in warm months — 1,550 feet above Live Oak is the difference between pleasant and punishing.

What gear do I need for Juniper?

Essential gear includes: Extra water — the campground water source depends on spring production and drought has affected availability, Camp stove, since fires can be restricted or prohibited when fire danger is high, Wind-worthy tent and extra stakes for an exposed 3,000-foot shoulder, Warm layers; the park warns of extreme heat, wind, cold, rain and snow, Firewood bought off the mountain.