RESERVATION REQUIRED

Whether you're looking for a stopping place on your backpacking trip from the valley to coast, or you're simply looking for a relaxing overnight filled with stargazing, the Black Mountain Backpack Camp at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is the only site on District lands where visitors can "sleep under the stars."

If you're interested, reservations and a permit are required. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis and the designated campsites can fill up quickly. We encourage you to contact the District at least a week in advance to ensure that you're likely to obtain a reservation for the date you're interested in. The cost for reserving a campsite is $2.00 per person, per night.

Reservations are required and visitors must obtain a permit in advance by calling the District office during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at 650-691-1200. Note: these permits are not handled through the normal activities reservation line.

Four single campsites and one group site are available for one or two overnight stays throughout the year. The camp is a 1.5-mile hike from the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve parking lot on Page Mill Road, including a 500-foot uphill climb. If you're mountain biking from the parking lot, a helmet is required. Sorry, no dogs on this preserve. Visitors must arrive at the campsite before sunset. The surrounding open space preserve area is closed a half-hour after sunset.