Briones Pilot Project

Briones Regional Park

Hours

Alhambra and Bear Creek: Jan. 1-31: 8am-5pm, Feb. 1-Mar. 13: 8am-6pm, Mar. 14-Apr. 10: 8am-7pm, Apr. 11-Sep. 5: 8am-8pm, Sep. 6-Nov. 6: 8am-7pm, Nov. 7-Dec. 31: 8am-5pm
Parking Lot Hours: 8am to sunset

Fees

Parking: $3 per vehicle (when kiosk is attended); $3 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus. | Dogs: $2 per dog. Guide and Service dogs are free.

Address

Alhambra Staging Area: 273-181 Brookwood Dr, Martinez, CA
Bear Creek Staging Area: 1611 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, CA
Reliez Valley Staging Area: 1956 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, CA 

Phone

(510) 544-3121
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4508.

Internet & Cellular Access
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WiFi


Public WiFi is not available. 
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Lafayette Ridge Trail Repairs

Visitors should use caution on the Lafayette Ridge Trail as repair work is continuing through some segments. Updated March 18, 2024.

Damaged Trail

The intersection of Briones Crest Trail/ Mott Peak Trail and Briones Crest Trail/ Lagoon Trail is currently damaged but passable with care. Barricades and cones have been posted on both ends of the fire trail to warn park users. Please follow all signage and use caution. Updated March 18, 2024.

Lafayette Ridge Staging Area Closure

The Lafayette Ridge Staging Area will be closed beginning December 20, 2023, through April 2024 for accessibility improvements, including restroom upgrades, a new drinking fountain and water bottle filling station, and improved disabled access parking. Access to trails will be impacted.

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Briones Pilot Project

Briones Pilot Project

The Briones Pilot Project is a two-year pilot program to test strategies in addressing trail congestion, trail safety, and illegal bootleg trails, which have negative impacts on wildlife, including sensitive and endangered species. The pilot project is limited to the Pilot Project Zone located in the northeast corner of Briones Regional Park, which is accessible from the Reliez Valley Staging Area, Alhambra Creek Staging Area, and Briones Road Staging Area. The pilot project will establish specific Briones Pilot Project rules, including limiting specific trail uses (biking and horseback riding) to certain days of the week, and temporarily opening some narrow trails to bikes only, among others. Other illegal bootleg trails will be closed and restored to protect natural habitats for wildlife. 

For more information and to sign up for updates, visit the Briones Pilot Project page.

 

With its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons, Briones is a secret wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County. Although the park is close to Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez, there are peaks within it from which you can see only park and watershed lands for miles in every direction.

From Briones Peak, the highest point in the park, there are panoramic views of Mount Diablo and the Diablo Valley to the east, the Sacramento River and Delta to the north, the East Bay hills and Mt. Tamalpais to the west, and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness to the south.

Dog Requirements

PLEASE NOTE: Dogs are required to be on leash (six-foot maximum) at all times in the following areas: Tavan Trail (all), Diablo View Trail between Alhambra Creek Trail and Hidden Pond Trail, Alhambra Creek Trail from the Alhambra Creek Staging Area south to the water trough, and Orchard Trail between Alhambra Creek Trail and west to the Briones Road gate. These leash-required areas are indicated by signage within the park.

    Attractions

    Briones' 6,255 acres are home to many animals and birds, which forage on the grasslands or find shelter among the oaks and bays. You may see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and if you are lucky, other more reclusive creatures. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Park District naturalists often lead walks to view the park's natural and historic features.

    Briones is an ideal park for hiking, running, biking, and horseback riding over the park's scenic trails; picnicking, birdwatching, and similar activities; and informal recreation such as kite flying, photography, and nature study. There are five major access points, of which the two most developed are the Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area off Reliez Valley Road near Martinez and the Bear Creek Road Staging Area near Orinda and Lafayette.

    Group Camping

    Briones Regional Park's three group camping areas--Wee-Ta-Chi, Maud Whalen, and Homestead Valley-may be reserved by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or (1-888-327-2757), press option 2 or by writing to EBRPD Reservations, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance.

    Information on Group Camping can be found on our Group Camping page.

    Archery Range

    The Briones Archers archery range is accessible off the Crescent Ridge Trail from Briones' west-side Bear Creek Road entrance. Website: BrionesArchery.org

    Picnicking

    Briones Regional Park offers a number of first-come, first-served picnic sites with tables and barbecue stands at the Bear Creek Staging Area and the Alhambra Creek Staging Area. The park also has reservable group picnic areas, view our Briones Picnic Areas webpage for information. For additional information or to make a reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. 

    Grazing

    Cows and calves are in the Tabletop, Spengler, Blue Oak, Buckeye, Sunrise, and Lafayette Ridge trail areas. Yearling cattle are in Deer Creek, Pereirra , Valley, and Briones Crest trail areas. Please call the park if you have trail or grazing animal concerns or comments: 1-888-327-2757, option 3, ext. 4508.