Abandoned Cabin

There is a parking area near the top of the hill along Del Valle Road. If you park at this parking area and then walk alongside Del Valle Road about one-fifth of a mile to the east, you should see a gate on your right and a trail beyond it. If you follow this trail, it follows the contours for some time before intersecting with another trail and beginning a steep descent into a canyon below. If you continue deep into the canyon, you will go past several ranches and have excellent views of the mountain ranges around the Del Valle Park. The trail then passes an abandoned cabin before reaching some interesting forested country. You should eventually reach a trail called the "Cedar Camp Trail". If you take a right onto this trail, you will go about one-third of a mile along a valley until you reach the Cedar Camp. There are picnic benches and restrooms at the campsite. It is an approximately 2-3 mile hike to the Cedar Group Camp, and if you come back the way you came, it should be approximately 4-5 miles.

On the far side of the Cedar Camp Pond is a wonky bridge that leans treacherously toward the pond. It can be reached by walking through a group of bushes and then going around the back of the lake to get onto the bridge. When it comes to walking on the bridge - do so at your own risk! It is not in good condition and is at such an angle that it is hard to walk on. Nowadays, the bridge just punctures one side of the pond and serves no purpose as an actual bridge.

The public may rent motorboats, patio boats, pedal boats, and canoes at the East Beach marina area. Kayaks can be rented at the Kayak Center at the east beach. Any size boat may be launched at the public boat ramp.

The visitor center is open weekends June 1st through September 30th; 10:00am-5:00pm. The visitor center is on the lake's west side and contains exhibits and information about the history of Del Valle and surrounding wilderness. Campers and park visitors are encouraged to visit and talk with naturalists and student aides about the park and the lake, and to take part in the programs that happen during the summer. Campfire programs at the campground amphitheater begin Memorial Day weekend; campers and park visitors can join naturalists for an evening around a campfire, with activities including songs, stories, games, and marshmallow roasting. Park visitors can also enjoy a scenic boat tour of the lake with naturalist staff.

There is a trail network in southeastern Del Valle that leads from the East Shore Trail into the ridges above it. The East Ridge parking lot (at the ridgetop, along Del Valle Road) and the marina are both staging areas near this trail network, and several of the turn-offs along the southern section of the East Shore Trail lead upwards towards the East Ridge. Cutting into the ridge are several canyons that the eastern trails pass through, including Hidden Canyon. This region of the park is good for those who want a taste of Diablo Range cowboy country.

The one-mile Sailor Camp Trail goes up a large ridge in the far south of Del Valle. After one mile, you need a permit to continue into the Ohlone Regional Wilderness, which, although part of the East Bay Regional Parks District, is a separate park and is not in Del Valle Regional Park. Permits can be obtained at the Del Valle Park southern entrance if you do want to continue into Ohlone Regional Wilderness, which (to cross) is more than twenty miles over numerous mountain ranges and mountain peaks. The Ohlone Wilderness Trail, the only major trail in the Ohlone Wilderness, goes to Sunol Regional Wilderness and the city of Fremont.