Sunol Regional Wilderness

• About The Park
• Park Features
• Park Activities
• Trail Mileage
• Park Accessibility
• To Reach The Park
• Trail Map

About The Park

Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Regional Wilderness was used almost exclusively as ranch land. Under the East Bay Regional Park District's multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,859-acre wilderness. Today, camping, picnicking, hiking, back-packing and equestrian trail rides attract thousands of park visitors a year. Visitors should bring drinking water because there is no drinking water in the park.

The Sunol naturalist staff provides additional opportunities to enjoy the park by leading nature hikes and coordinating special events. They also teach about natural and cultural history to children that meet current State Science and Social Science Curriculum Standards during the school year.

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Park Features

Old Green Barn Visitor Center

Visit the Old Green Barn Visitor Center for information about Naturalist-led programs and the self guiding Indian Joe Nature Trail. A selection of replicate Indian artifacts, cultural and natural history books, nature study items, wildflower seed packet, trail permits and topographical maps and other items are for sale at the sales counter. Back to top

Geology

Exploration will reveal sandstone outcrops with fossils deposited in what was once ancient seabed. Great boulders of greenstone, schist and metachert indicate a turbulent past. The massive basalt outcrop at Indian Joe Cave Rocks provides sport and challenge to rock climbers. Back to top

Vegetation

Alameda Creek, Alameda County's largest stream, harbors an inviting creekside community of alder, willow and sycamore. Coast live oaks abound along with valley and blue oak, elderberry, madrone and gray pine. Spring brings wildflowers, including California poppies, mustard, goldfields and lupines, which carpet vast areas in yellow, orange and blue. A wildflower identification kit may be checked out at the Visitor Center. Back to top

Animals

Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. Mountain lions are uncommon, but are occasionally sighted. Birding is superb along Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and golden eagle commonly sighted. As many as 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning. Back to top

Sunol Backpack Area

A permit is required to camp overnight in these designated backpack camps. A group site is available. Obtain a new permit before each trip. Camping is by reservation only; phone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (press option 2, then 1) or visit the Camping page for details. The backpack area is open year round. Back to top

Ohlone Wilderness Trail

Hikers who cross into the San Francisco Water Department lands that connect Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness and Del Valle Regional Park must carry the Ohlone Wilderness Trail map/permit. Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. The permit/map is available for $2 at Sunol and Del Valle entrance kiosks, at Coyote Hills Visitor Center, and for $2.50 by mail. Send your name, address, phone number and $2.50 to Ohlone Wilderness Trail, EBRPD, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. The permit may also be purchased online. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. Camping at designated campsites along the Ohlone Wilderness Trail is allowed by reservation only, and separate arrangements should be made by phoning 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1. For general information about the Ohlone Wilderness, phone (925) 862-2601. Separate arrangements may be made for overnight camping at Del Valle Regional Park (outside the Ohlone Wilderness and at the north end of the Ohlone Trail) by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1. Back to top

Little Yosemite

Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement. Also, swimming is not allowed in Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. Back to top

Park Activities

Naturalist Programs

Naturalist-led activities include walks, hikes, camping, backpack and horseback programs and various other adventures. Visit the Old Green Barn Visitor Center for information about these programs and the self guiding Indian Joe Nature Trail. To browse naturalist-led programs online, visit EBparks Online. Back to top

Hiking

Please do not short cut trails in steep areas, or slide in the grass on hillsides or banks. Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. See Mileage for a description of selected hikes. Back to top

Picnicking

Picnic sites and barbecue pits are provided along Alameda Creek. To make group picnic reservations, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1. Back to top

Family Camping

Click here to book a campsite now.

Overnight tent camping sites at Sunol Wilderness are available on a reservable basis by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1. There is a fee. For more information, visit the Camping page. Back to top

Group Camping

Several sites are available by advance reservation only. Phone 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (press option 2, then 1) on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. High Valley Camp is a hike-in camp located a steep, one-mile walk from the Visitor Center. Camp Ohlone is a seven-mile hike from the park entrance. School Camp is adjacent to the Visitor Center and may be reserved through the Sunol Park office at (925) 862-2601. Group areas are available November through May. The camps and the park itself are subject to closure or fire restriction during fire season - June through October. For more information, visit the Camping page. Back to top

Trail Mileage

Park Accessibility

There is no drinking water in the park.

Trail Accessibility Reports

• Camp Ohlone Road: Download PDF format | Download Word format
• Canyon View Trail: Download PDF format | Download Word format
• Hayfield Road: Download PDF format | Download Word format

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To Reach The Park

• From the Fremont area:
  Drive north on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road. Turn right on Calaveras and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.
• From the Oakland/Berkeley area:
  Drive east on I-580 to the junction with I-680 in Pleasanton. At the junction, go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the town of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.
• From the Walnut Creek/Danville area:
  Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the town of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.

There is no public transit to Sunol Regional Park. Back to top

Trail Map

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Podcasts

• Podcast 1 (duration: 4 min 54 sec): Park Introduction, then description of 6-mile, moderate-to-challenging loop hike: Sunol Valley to Camp Ohlone Road (Little Yosemite and the "W" Tree) to Backpack Road to McCorkle Trail (great views) to Sunol Valley.
• Podcast 2 (duration: 14 min 10 sec): Indian Joe Creek Nature Trail. This is a one mile interpretive hike from the Green Barn Visitor Center, along Alameda Creek, into the woods, and back along an old wagon trail. Discover the history and nature of the area on this loop hike which is marked by ten different points of interest.

You can also save podcasts to your computer in MP3 format.

• Download Podcast (mp3, 4.54 minutes, 4.4 MB)
• Download Podcast (mp3, 14.10 minutes, 12.9 MB)

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Park Info

Address

1895 Geary Road
Sunol, CA

Download Brochure

Phone Numbers

925-862-2244 or 925-862-2601

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4559

Local Weather

Weather Forecast

Podcasts

Virtual Tour

Maps

View Trail Map

Download PDF Map

Google Map

Park Hours

7 a.m. to dusk all year, unless otherwise posted or permitted. Gates are locked at night. Campers must arrive and be signed in before dusk. The park is subject to closure or fire restriction during fire season (June through October)

Park Events

Click here for upcoming events

Parking Fee

$5/seasonal, weekends and holidays. $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.

Dog Fee

$2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free

Camping Reservations

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1

Book a campsite online

For more information, visit the Camping page.

Picnic Reservations

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1

Naturalist Programs

925-862-2601

Browse programs online

Go to program guide

For Educators

Plan a field trip to this park

Emergency Number

911

EBRPD Headquarters

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757

Park Update

Trail Update

Be mindful of changing weather conditions and be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and precipitation. Mud is a concern when using the trails after any rain event. The mud on the trails will build up on shoes and boots making hiking more difficult. A good wet weather alternative is the Camp Ohlone Road which has a gravel surface. On colder days snow is a possibility in the higher elevations so be prepared. For any trail related issues or reports please call the Park Office at (925) 862-2218.

Grazing Update

You may encounter cows and calves year round in the park. Calves are generally removed by mid-spring. You should not encounter cattle on Flag Hill Trail and Shady Glen Trail. If you do, please inform park staff. Be mindful of cattle and exercise caution when near them. There are signs on all entrances to grazed areas of the park with information on how to act around cattle and report incidents or problems. For information on the Park District’s grazing program click on the Stewardship/Resources link on the left side of this page. For any grazing related issues or reports please call the Park Office at (925) 862-2218.