State park · At Clayton's edge · California State Parks
Mount Diablo State Park
The state park at Clayton's edge: canyon trails from Mitchell Canyon and Regency Drive, and a drive-up summit.
- Hours
- Plan on gates 8am to sunset. The 2026 operating order: no entry after sunset, all areas close 45 minutes after sunset until 8am, and vehicles and bikes should head out within 15 minutes. Approved after-hours events are the exception.
- Dogs
- Pets are prohibited on trails and fire roads; trained service dogs are allowed on leash. Developed-area rules differ.
- Bikes
- Road-width dirt and gravel fire roads and specifically designated singletrack, Class 1 e-bikes included. Other segments: not verified.
- Horses
- Equestrian use exists; which segments allow it is not verified.
- Fees
- A vehicle entry fee is charged at the staging areas and gates and differs by access point. Check current amounts on the park page.
- Official
- parks.ca.gov · map
Closures, including fire closures that apply to every visitor, are not tracked here. Check the park page before going.
Nothing here is a live report. Whether a gate is open, water is running or a trail is closed today is the operator's call; the official link is the place to check.
Facilities
Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center
At the Mitchell Canyon Staging Area, 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton. Published hours are weekends and some holidays 8am–4pm; staffing should be verified.
Getting in
Mitchell Canyon Staging Area · At Clayton's edge
- Where
- 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA 94517
- Parking
- Designated staging area with a published vehicle entry fee, paid by cash or check as published; confirm current payment methods.
- Hours
- Park gate 8am to sunset.
- Facilities
- Water and toilets reported by MDIA; whether they are working on a given day is not verified.
There is no vehicle route to the summit from here.
Routes from here: Mitchell Canyon nature walk, Twin Peaks–Mitchell Rock loop, Black Point loop, Mitchell Canyon–Back Creek loop, Mitchell Canyon to Mount Diablo summit loop, Falls loop from Mitchell Canyon
Regency Drive Trailhead · At Clayton's edge
- Where
- End of Regency Drive, Clayton (no numeric address verified)
- Parking
- Only in designated street areas; parts of Regency Drive prohibit parking, and school parking is not overflow. Current street signs control.
- Hours
- State park operating hours apply inside the boundary.
Described by Save Mount Diablo's 2022 guide; check signs on the day.
Routes from here: Donner Canyon–Falls loop from Regency
Lower Summit Parking Lot · Nearby
- Where
- Summit area; the trailhead is above the lot at the end of the one-way descending summit road
- Parking
- Reached by the park's summit road, not by driving through Mitchell Canyon.
- Hours
- State park rules; approved astronomy programs may have specific after-hours arrangements.
- Facilities
- Water and toilets documented by MDIA; current operation not verified.
Routes from here: Mary Bowerman summit circuit
Coming up here
Wonder Hike, September 9
September 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM · Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton
Reservation by email is required; the event page gives the address.
How I Learned to Love Tarantulas: evening nature walk
September 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM · Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton
Reservations required through the organizer's ticket page; availability was not readable when checked.
Are You Solar Powered?
September 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM · Lower Summit Parking Lot, Summit Road. Reached by the park road, not through Mitchell Canyon.
No registration route is shown; the event page gives arrival instructions and asks you to enter the park at least 45 minutes before the program.
Hikes described by the guides
Routes as published by the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and Save Mount Diablo. Figures are theirs and approximate; the park sets the rules.
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Mitchell Canyon nature walk
Starts at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Twin Peaks–Mitchell Rock loop
Starts at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Black Point loop
Starts at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Mitchell Canyon–Back Creek loop
Starts at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Mitchell Canyon to Mount Diablo summit loop
Starts at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
Mount Diablo hike · Save Mount Diablo
Donner Canyon–Falls loop from Regency
Starts at Regency Drive Trailhead
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Falls loop from Mitchell Canyon
Starts at Mitchell Canyon Staging Area
Mount Diablo hike · Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Mary Bowerman summit circuit
Starts at Lower Summit Parking Lot
Help out here
- Mount Diablo docents and hike helpers: Ongoing recruitment, not a specific open shift. Ask about park volunteering
- Mount Diablo Volunteer Trail Crew: A volunteer orientation is required first; workdays recur, but the next site and date are not confirmed here. Ask to join the trail crew
More outdoor volunteering is on Get involved.
Worth knowing
- The park's restriction interface had no readable closure detail when checked; the live page is the authority.