Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area

Five East Bay regional parks have been burned by the SCU Complex Fire that started Aug. 16; three parks are still actively burning. Sunol, Ohlone, Morgan Territory, Mission Peak, and Round Valley were struck by lightning which caused the fires inside these parks. Round Valley, Morgan Territory and Mission Peak fires are in the process of being mopped up, while the others are still burning with limited containment. All District parks, except some shorelines and regional trails... have been closed since Friday, August 21 due to high fire danger, unhealthy air quality and limited staff to assist in other potential cases of park emergencies. If air quality improves to acceptable standards, the Park District General Manager anticipates reopening most non-fire affected parks Thursday, August 27. Closing parks is always our last resort when safety of people, property or the environment cannot be maintained, said Robert Doyle, General Manager. We’ve kept our parks open with restrictions since the beginning of COVID even when other agencies didn’t, he added. Parks are essential now more than ever, but we can’t risk having visitors in the parks when there are extreme fire safety concerns and unhealthy smoke in the air. Today, Park District firefighters continue to manage fires in the Calaveras and Canyon Fire Complexes in Sunol, Ohlone Wilderness. EBRPD crews are also providing mutual aid and equipment to other regional fires. Crews have been phenomenal in battling very tough terrain in the regional parks, said General Manager Robert Doyle. Our Eagle 7 helicopter pilots have endlessly dropped water and tactically guided CalFire response teams to fire lines in remote areas when no other State air resources were available. Eagle helicopter is the only air support available in the regional parks on fire right now, with fire command who know the parks so well they play a critical leadership role from the air. The Park District thanks the community for their support and patience during the temporary closures.

On June 9th, Park District firefighters and police responded to a grass fire at Point Pinole Regional Park. The Park District's Eagle 6 helicopter completed 21 ...water drops from the air and ground crews worked to control the fire on the ground. The Park District remains committed and focused on Wildfire Protection. See more

The General Manager of East Bay Regional Park District has established a Park Curfew of all East Bay Regional Parks from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. It is issued in cooperation and partnership with the Alameda County Emergency Services Curfew Order and the Contra Costa County Curfew Advisory. The Park Curfew begins 8:00 PM today, June 1, 2020, and will remain in place until further notice. We appreciate the public’s cooperation and understanding during this difficult time.

WE KEEP PARKS OPEN AND SAFE - Message From General Manager Robert Doyle. "Unsafe overcrowding cannot continue. We need your help to keep parks safe. Together we can bend the curve."

The Park District has announced additional park and parking lot closures to limit overcrowding and maintain public safety. Visit our COVID-19 update page for up-to-date closure info on parks, developed park areas, parking lots, and entrance points. The closures will be in effect from Friday, March 27 through Thursday, April 30, or until further notice. All picnic areas, restrooms, water fountains, swim facilities/areas, playgrounds, campgrounds, group campsites, backcountry campsites, sports fields, kiosks, and reservable facilities will also continue to be closed through April 30.

We need your help to keep parks open! For your safety and ours, stay 6-feet apart when in parks and on trails. #LoveYourParks6FeetApart #SocialDistancing

The East Bay Regional Park District thanks all of our police who remain on call 24/7, our fire fighters working on fuels management, and our rangers and essential staff working diligently to support our parks, trails, and communities. We'd like to express our gratitude for their above-and-beyond contributions during these uncertain times and ask the public to follow current state, county and Park District rules so as not to overburden our staff.

Help Keep Parks Open! Social Distance on the trails.

A Shelter in Place order has been issued through April 7, 2020, for six Bay Area counties. Based on the Shelter in Place order, and by an emergency order of Park District General Manager Park District building facilities, INCLUDING BATHROOMS, WATER FOUNTAINS, and other amenities, are closed until April 7, 2020. ALL REGIONAL TRAILS ARE OPEN. Per the Shelter in Place order, outdoor activity is allowed, such as walking, hiking, and running - as long as specific social dist...ancing requirements are followed. Studies show outdoor activity benefits physical health and helps reduce stress and anxiety. If you do visit a trail in a Regional Park, please follow all Social Distancing Requirements and bring water and hand sanitizer. Due to minimal staffing, bathrooms and water fountains will not be available. Additionally, please do not congregate in parking lots or at trailheads per the Shelter in Place social distancing requirements. Shelter in Place Order Social Distancing Retirements: Maintain at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible, or use hand sanitizer Cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands) Regularly clean high-touch surfaces Not shaking hands We understand the closure of building facilities and amenities may be challenging. Together we can get through this difficult period and ask our visitors to follow all guidelines. The health and safety of our employees and the public is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. The COVID-19 health emergency is an unprecedented and evolving situation. Please be aware, additional precautions and closures may be necessary. https://www.ebparks.org/news/displaynews.htm

Closure of all Regional Parks and Regional Trails has been extended through 9:00 a.m. Thursday, October 31 due to ongoing weather and fire dangers. The Park District thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding while parks are closed.

REGIONAL PARKS CLOSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER/FIRE DANGERS: All Regional Parks are closed due to extreme weather and fire dangers until 9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning.

Since 2015, California State Parks has closed the area known as Castle Rock in Mount Diablo State Park to visitors annually from February 1st to July 31st to help protect the American peregrine falcon. This protected species is territorial and highly sensitive during nesting season. The rocks located in Pine Canyon are closed to all access during these same months each year. The distinctive Castle Rock formations are located within Mount Diablo State Park. Visitors ofte...n access them from the East Bay Regional Park District’s Stage Road Trail, which follows Pine Creek through the Park District’s Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area and Diablo Foothills Regional Park before entering Mount Diablo State Park. The off-limits area includes all of Mount Diablo State Park’s Castle Rock area east of the Stage Road Trail and Pine Creek. The Stage Road Trail itself is not affected and will remain open. Pine Creek is the boundary between Mount Diablo State Park and the two adjacent regional parklands. Photo: file photo of a peregrine falcon and her chicks, courtesy US Fish & Wildlife Service (photo from a different location.)

February 2019 eNews available. Find out what's happening in your East Bay Regional Parks.