Tilden Regional Park from Inspiration Point

Charles Lee Tilden Regional Park

Hours

Open between 5am and 10pm unless otherwise posted or permitted
Swim Hours: 11 am - 6 pm daily 
View Tilden Attractions (PDF) for a list of current hours, fee information, and phone numbers.

Fees

Parking: No fee | Dogs: No fee
View Tilden Attractions (PDF) for a list of current hours, fee information, and phone numbers.

Address

Entrances off  Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard in Berkeley, CA

Phone

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888) 327-2757, option 3, ext. 4562

Information or lost & found, please call the Tilden Park office at 510-544-2747 or toll-free 888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4562.

Internet & Cellular Access

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WiFi

Check AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon Coverage
Select 'Map Layers' and switch on 'No Data Coverage Areas'

Lake Anza at Tilden Park Water Quality Conditions

South Park Drive Annual Closure for Newt Migration

South Park Drive in Tilden Park will be closed to vehicles from November 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 opening on April 1, 2025 for the protection of California newts as they utilize the road to migrate during the rainy season.  Please adjust your travel plans by using other access routes such as Shasta Road or Golf Course DriveSouth Park Drive will remain open to pedestrians and bicyclists. More Info.

One of the District's three oldest parks, Tilden has been called the jewel of the system, and its recreational activities have become a happy tradition for generations of East Bay youngsters. From a carousel ride and a picnic to a swim at Lake Anza and a stroll through the Botanic Garden, Tilden has variety to delight everyone. Yet there are plenty of quiet places in Tilden's 2,079 acres to shelter the wildlife and preserve natural beauty.

Tilden was named for Charles Lee Tilden, first president of the Park District Board of Directors. The park is reached via Canon Drive, Shasta Road, or South Park Drive, all off Grizzly Peak Boulevard in Berkeley.

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    Hikers at Tilden

    Tilden Naturalist Programs

    Join us for our monthly programs!

    To Reach The Park

    Park Accessibility

    The following facilities are wheelchair accessible: Steam Train, the Merry-Go-Round, Little Farm and the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Tilden Nature Area. Nimitz Way is paved and wheelchair accessible. There is trail staging at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road that offers wheelchair accessible parking and restrooms, but there is no drinking water at this staging area.

    Attractions

    Plant Sale Information

    Online plant sales and more information

    Steam Train

    The Steam Train offers rides along a scenic ridge on a scaled-down steam train. Parking, drinking water, and restroom facilities are wheelchair accessible. For information, including hours and ticket prices, view Tilden Attractions (PDF), visit Redwood Valley Railroad, or call (510) 548-6100.

    The Botanic Garden

    The Regional Parks Botanic Garden contains the world's most complete collection of California native plants, including rare and endangered species. Its visitor center (wheelchair accessible) offers tours and lectures throughout the year. The Botanic Garden offers accessible drinking and restroom facilities. View Tilden Attractions (PDF) for a list of current hours, call (510) 544-3169 for information, or visit the Botanic Garden page. See also the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden website (NativePlants.org) for more information on the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

    The Brazilian Room

    This historic indoor/outdoor facility is popular for weddings, parties, corporate events, etc. The setting is upscale to elegant with a breathtaking view of Tilden Park and beautifully landscaped gardens. It accommodates 150 seated or 225 standing guests. It features a commercial kitchen and a large main room with windows and doors opening up to the flagstone patio. Catering is available. For more information view Tilden Attractions (PDF), call 1-888-EBPARKS OR 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, or see BrazilianRoom.org.

    This facility is wheelchair accessible.

    The Merry-Go-Round 

    Reservations are encouraged at TildenMerryGoRound.org

    Tilden's Herschell-Spillman Merry-Go-Round is a splendid antique menagerie carousel with hand-carved and beautifully painted wooden carousel animals to ride, and calliope-style music to make any child's heart sing. The facility offers a wheelchair-accessible snack stand, drinking water, restroom, and parking. View Tilden Attractions (PDF) for a list of current hours, fee information, and phone numbers.

    Tilden Nature Area and The Little Farm

    Learn all about Tilden's surprising variety of plants and animals through the nature programs at the Little Farm and the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Tilden Nature Area. Both sites are wheelchair accessible. For more information about the Tilden Nature Area, view Tilden Attractions (PDF), or visit the Tilden Nature Area.

    Picnicking

    Picnic areas are plentiful in Tilden. There are barbecues at most picnic areas. To reserve a site, or for more information, visit the Tilden Picnic Area.

    Weddings and Receptions

    Weddings and receptions may be held at Lakeview (35), Laurel (75), Padre (100), and Mineral Springs (100) reservable picnic areas, in addition to the Botanic Garden (30) and the Brazil Building (150). To reserve a site, or for more information, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757. For Brazilian Room information or reservations, call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), press option 2; or visit their website at BrazilianRoom.org. If you are interested in becoming an Approved Caterer with the Brazilian Room or other Regional Parks rental facilities, please e-mail the Brazilian Room at brazil@ebparks.org.

    Lake Anza Swim Beach

    Just over the hill from Berkeley, Tilden Park's Lake Anza is a favorite getaway. Its sandy beach is open to the sun and sheltered from the wind, with lifeguards posted during the swim season. Wheelchair-accessible features include drinking water and ample parking (restrooms are not wheelchair accessible). Picnic grounds are located nearby. There is a beach access fee to the swim area, which has changing rooms. Swim season is normally from May through September and closed for swimming from November through March. Trails and picnic areas remain open year-round. Please note the trail around the lake is difficult terrain. The refreshment stand, The Lake Anza Beach Cafe, is open during the swim season. Dogs are NOT allowed in the swim facility. For more information regarding hours and swimming conditions, check the Lake Anza swimming page.

    Swim Facilities Capacity Notice

    Once the swim facility capacity is reached, there will be no new entries allowed for the remainder of the day (or at the discretion of the Park Supervisor), for the safety of the public. Please take this into consideration when planning your visit.

    Fishing

    The lake is open for fishing year-round. The lake is not stocked but has naturally occurring largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish. A state fishing license is required for persons aged 16 or older.

    Group Camping

    Group camping facilities for organized groups include Gillespie Youth Camp and Wildcat View Group Camp, which both hold 75 people, and New Woodland Group Camp, which holds 50 people. For more information or to make a reservation, phone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, and press option 2.

    Equestrian Camping

    Equestrian camping is accommodated at the Es Anderson Equestrian Camp (50 max). Call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, to reserve. Water for horses may be arranged upon reservation; there is no potable water for human consumption at the site.

    Golfing

    The Tilden Park Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course with a driving range, pro shop, practice green, and the Tee Club restaurant. The Tilden Park Golf Course is the 67th golf course in California and the 1,009th in the world to be designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

    Phone (510) 848-7373 for fee information and reservations.

    Hiking and Biking

    There are 39.41 miles of trails in Tilden Park, through many different kinds of terrain. The larger multi-use trails allow hikers, bicyclers, and horses, some are for hikers and horses only, and the smaller single-track trails are for hikers only. See the legend and trail designations on the trail map below for specific details. Trail mileage is marked in sections of the trails, and topographical lines give you information on the steepness of the terrain. Trail maps can be found on most of the bulletin boards at trailheads in the park, or you can print one yourself (see the Park Info tab above on the right).

    Nimitz Way, paved and wheelchair accessible, is popular with hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, and affords spectacular views from the crest of the East Bay hills. The best parking for this trail is at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road. Please note there is no drinking water at this parking area, and dogs must be on a leash on Nimitz way. The East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail follows Nimitz Way and other Tilden trails during part of its 31-mile route.