Campgrounds
Black Mountain Backpack Camp
Montebello Rd, Palo Alto, CA
Black Mountain Backpack Camp is a hike-in-only campsite inside the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Monte Bello Preserve, reached by a 1.5-mile trail with about a 500-foot climb from the Monte Bello parking area at 4301 Page Mill Road in Palo Alto. It is the only campsite on Midpen's lands, with four single sites and one group site available for one- or two-night stays.
There is no vehicle or motorcycle access to the campsite itself: riders would need to leave their bike at the Monte Bello lot, which requires a permit for a vehicle to stay there through the night, and hike in on foot with their gear. A permit is required for the camp as well, with a fee of two dollars per person per night processed by online invoice after the application is submitted.
Common Questions
Can I ride a motorcycle to Black Mountain Backpack Camp?
No. The camp has no vehicle access; it is reached only by a 1.5-mile hiking trail with a 500-foot climb from the Monte Bello parking area, so riders would need to park at the trailhead and hike in with their gear.
Is a permit required?
Yes, a permit is required for the campsite at a fee of two dollars per person per night, and leaving a vehicle at the Monte Bello lot through the night also requires its own permit.