Reservation7/10
Live Oak Campground cancellations
Reservable campground on South Gate corridor....
Juniper Campground Permit
Mount Diablo State Park · California
One date at a time
Reservable campground on North Gate corridor.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Juniper were gone within 5 minutes.
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Juniper Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
Juniper Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Juniper in Mount Diablo State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Juniper is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The Juniper route covers 2 miles, rated moderate.
- Cancelled Juniper permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationDiablo Range, CA
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
2 miles
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-7 nights
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
3,000 - 3,849 ft
Highlights
- •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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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66°
48°
Mon
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74°
53°
Tue
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82°
45°
Wed
☁️
73°
45°
Thu
☀️
75°
44°
Fri
☀️
80°
45°
Sat
☁️
74°
45°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Learn More
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
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.
Recommended Experience
None. Pitch for wind, carry extra water, and call ahead in fire season.
Not Recommended For
Anyone with a rig over 20 feet, anyone bothered by wind, and anyone who needs to leave after dark. Dogs cannot go on any trail or fire road.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
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.
Trailhead Information
Juniper Campground, Summit Road
3,000 ft elevationThe high campground approximately two miles below the summit, with three accessible campsites (9, 10 and 19) and an accessible restroom/shower building.
Restrooms
Water on site
Parking
Additional vehicle $10.00 per night, limit 1. Maximum trailer and maximum camper/motorhome length both 20 feet.
Getting There
All camping registration is at the South Gate kiosk. Gates open 8:00 am and close at sunset. The roads are shared with cyclists — the park has 67 bike turnouts along South Gate, North Gate and Summit Roads.
Nearest Services
Walnut Creek or Danville.
North Gate Road Entrance
The northern entrance at 1300 North Gate Road, Walnut Creek.
Restrooms
No water
Parking
Vehicle entrance fee $10.00. Cash or check anytime, credit and debit when the kiosk is staffed.
Getting There
Take Highway 680 to Walnut Creek. Registration for camping still happens at South Gate.
Nearest Services
Walnut Creek.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
- 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
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Juniper
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
Diablo Valley Overlook
Near Juniper Campground. From here you can see the Golden Gate Bridge.
Mount Diablo summit
Approximately two miles above the campground on Summit Road, with the stone Summit Visitor Center.
Mitchell Canyon
Access point for trails on the mountain's north side, noted for its wildflower displays in spring.
Rock City
Sandstone formations near the South Gate, including the Wind Caves and Sentinel Rock.
Juniper FAQ
How do I get a Juniper permit?
Juniper permits use a reservation system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders; you can also enable cancellation alerts if spots open later.
When is the best time to visit Juniper?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Juniper permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Juniper permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from the summit road above camp, looking west past the Golden Gate to the Farallon Islands on a clear evening.
Best Light
The day after a winter storm, which the agency names as the best viewing — summer days are sometimes hazy.
Beat the Crowds
Day traffic goes to the summit and leaves before the gates close at sunset. Campers are locked in overnight and have the high mountain to themselves.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Golden Gate Bridge from the Diablo Valley Overlook
- 📍The stone Summit Visitor Center tower
- 📍Layered ridges of the Diablo Range at dawn
- 📍Spring wildflowers at Mitchell Canyon
- 📍A high camp above an inversion with the valleys filled
Can't Get a Juniper Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Live Oak Campground
Same AreaTwenty-two sites at 1,450 feet, one mile above the South Gate entrance and near Rock City.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Lower, warmer and more sheltered, with Rock City's formations nearby. Noticeably hotter in summer and without the summit views.
Henry W. Coe Backpacking Zone Permit
Similar ExperienceFirst-come backcountry permits across 87,000 acres of the Diablo Range — you register at the park entrance rather than reserving.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
The same range at a far wilder scale with no reservation needed, but summer heat is serious and water sources need checking before you choose a route.
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness Camping Permit
Similar ExperienceA per-person wilderness camping permit for primitive campgrounds in the San Jacinto high country.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Genuine high-mountain terrain and far cooler summers, but a very long drive south.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Juniper trip
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