Del Valle Regional Park

• About The Park
• Park Calendar
• Park Features / Visitor Center
• Park Activities
• Park Accessibility
• To Reach The Park
• Trail Map
• Park Map
• Interpretative Panels

About The Park

Deep in a valley framed by oak-covered hills, with sailboats and sailboards skimming over its waters, Del Valle is like a lakeside resort only 10 miles south of Livermore.

The centerpiece of the park is a lake five miles long with a variety of water-oriented recreation, from swimming to windsurfing and boating, surrounded by 4,395 acres of beautiful land for hiking, horseback riding, and nature study. Del Valle also is the eastern gateway to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, 28 miles of scenic back-country trail.

Park Calendar

• Del Valle Regional Park - Activity Calendar

Park Features

Visitor Center

The Del Valle Visitor Center is open weekends June 1st through September 30th; 9am - 6:30pm. The visitor center is on the lake's west side and contains exhibits and information about the natural history of Del Valle and surrounding wilderness. Campers and park visitors are encouraged to visit and talk with naturalists and student aides about the park and the lake and to take part in the exciting programs happening all summer long. Campfire programs at the campground amphitheater begin Memorial Day weekend; campers and park visitors are welcome to join naturalists for an evening of campfire fun, including songs, stories, games, and marshmallow roasting. Park visitors can also enjoy a scenic boat tour of the lake with naturalist staff. Purchase tickets at the marina store on the lake's east side at the boat launch area.

Park Activities

Swimming

Del Valle offers two swimming beaches with lifeguards on duty during posted periods. To see the lifeguard service schedule, visit the Swim Facilities page. Year-round swimming is allowed, but only north of the boat ramp and at the swimmer's own risk.

> Conditions  [PDF]
> Monitoring Program

Picnicking

There is an abundance of landscaped picnic grounds, some with groups of picnic tables that are reserveable for large groups. To make a group picnic reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, and press option 2.

Camping

Family Campground: The Del Valle Family Campground has 150 sites (two accessible), 21 of them with water and sewage, and electrical hook-ups (120 volt, 50 and 30 amp). The sites are served by centrally located toilets and shower facilities. For reservations up to 12 weeks in advance, telephone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, and press option 2. Book a Del Valle Regional Park campsite online now. All campers with watercraft must go through a boat inspection prior to checking into the campground.

Group camps: There are several group campsites for groups of 11 people or more, available by phone reservation only at least 5 business days in advance at 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, and press option 2. All campers with watercraft must go through a boat inspection prior to checking into the campground.

Equestrian camps: The Little Chaparral horse camp area has 4 small paddocks. The reservation of one paddock includes space for 1-2 horses, 4 people maximum, and parking for one trailer and rig only. Equestrian groups should reserve the Caballo Loco equestrian group camp as Little Chaparral is not designed for group use. Please note that horses are not allowed in developed areas of the park. To reserve, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, and press option 2.

Visit our camping page for more information. See the maps page to download Del Valle campground map and rules.

Fishing

Lake Del Valle is known for excellent fishing. The lake is stocked regularly with trout and catfish. There are also large- and smallmouth bass, striped bass, and panfish. Visit the Fishing section for more information.

Boat Rental and Launching

Boat launch fees are $5 per day for a trailered boat, $3 per day for a car-top, and $2 per day per windsurf board and paddle boards. For information on mandatory boat inspection for invasive mussels, see our Invasive Mussel Program page.

The public may rent motorboats, patio boats, pedal boats, and canoes at the East Beach marina area. Kayaks can be rented at the Kayak Center at the east beach. Any size boat may be launched at the public boat ramp. For more information on rental boats and fees, see our Boating and Sailing page. The boat speed limit is 10 miles per hour on the entire lake.

Lake Tours

Interpretive staff accompany visitors on scheduled natural and cultural history boat tours of the lake. Call the Del Valle Visitor Center at (510) 544-3146 for information.

Wildflower Photo Guide

> Del Valle - 3.3 Mb, 11 x 8.5, 22 pp. [PDF]

Park Accessibility

All bathroom buildings and many water fountains are wheelchair accessible. The family campground has two wheelchair accessible campsites. Paved and gently sloped paths include portions of the Westshore and Eastshore trails.

Trail Accessibility Report

East Shore Trail: Download PDF | Download MS Word

To Reach The Park

Main entrance: Del Valle Regional Park is located on Del Valle Road off Mines Road south of Livermore (parking fee). Exit I-580 eastbound or westbound in Livermore at North Livermore Avenue. Head south and proceed through town (North Livermore Avenue will become South Livermore Avenue in town). About 1.5 miles outside of town, turn right at Mines Road, go about 3.5 miles and continue straight on Del Valle Road (Mines Road goes left). The park entrance is about four miles ahead.
Arroyo Road Staging Area: From I-580 in Livermore, exit at North Livermore Avenue. Drive south on North Livermore Avenue. Turn right at Portola Avenue, then left on North L Street. North L Street becomes South L Street, then Arroyo Road. Continue on Arroyo Road past the entrance to the U.S. Veterans Administration Hospital and Sycamore Grove Park. The staging area is on the left at the end of Arroyo Road (No parking fee).

• Public transit information.

Transit & Trails: Del Valle Regional Park (transit, biking, and walking directions)

Trail Map

Maps are available at most of the bulletin boards at trail-heads in the park, or you can print your own.

• Park Map [PDF]