Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve Black Diamond was CA's largest coal mining district and a major source of commercial sandstone
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Nestled near the base of Mount Diablo, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve was the site of California's largest coal mining operations from the 1860s to 1900, and was a major source of commercial sandstone from the 1920s-1940s. Today the area has 60+ miles of trails and many natural and historic features to explore. Park naturalists offer fun and informative programs both above and below ground and support other regional park operations throughout central and eastern Contra Costa County.

Join us this weekend for our Spring Open House!
04/15/2026

Join us this weekend for our Spring Open House!

PEEK-A-BOO! 🐍Welcome to the 3rd annual Spot the Rattlesnake! This cutie was found up at the Rose Hill Cemetery, which is...
04/07/2026

PEEK-A-BOO! 🐍

Welcome to the 3rd annual Spot the Rattlesnake!
This cutie was found up at the Rose Hill Cemetery, which is a very common place to spot rattlesnakes in the sunny spring time.

Whether you're at the Cemetery or another trail within East Bay Regional Park District you should always be mindful of the wildlife around you. Snakes come out from burrows during the spring to get some sun and to get some lunch! They want nothing to do with you! But we do share this space and it is possible to come across them.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
-stay on trail
-watch where you are stepping (especially in grass or near rocks)
-check out an area before you sit down
-leave wildlife alone

Stay safe and enjoy the parks!

Attention! The Greathouse Visitor Center is now open to the public on Fridays (10am-2pm) as well as Saturdays and Sunday...
02/06/2026

Attention! The Greathouse Visitor Center is now open to the public on Fridays (10am-2pm) as well as Saturdays and Sundays (10am-4pm).

Opportunities to explore the mines deeper will be available starting Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Rain, Rain Come and STAY!Want to get out and explore this rainy weather we've been having?Tomorrow is MINI MINERS - Week...
01/03/2026

Rain, Rain Come and STAY!
Want to get out and explore this rainy weather we've been having?
Tomorrow is MINI MINERS - Weekend Edition!

Sunday, Jan 4
10-11am
Bring your little gems out to Black Diamond Mines for a morning of learning, playing, and enjoying the great outdoors. This month we will embrace the weather and have fun exploring the rain! Although we will continue rain or shine, heavy rain or stormy conditions may cancel. Call (510) 544-2750 in the morning to check status.

If you can't make it Sunday, this topic will repeat on Tues, Jan 13. Or come to both!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! But more importantly.. HAPPY NEW TRAILS CHALLENGE!!! https://www.ebparks.org/trails-challengeFor the pas...
01/02/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR! But more importantly.. HAPPY NEW TRAILS CHALLENGE!!! https://www.ebparks.org/trails-challenge

For the past 33 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has promoted healthy recreation and time in nature through its annual Trails Challenge program. The free program connects people to nature by providing 20 designated trails ranging from easy to moderate and challenging, including a number of fully accessible trails that have been evaluated and identified as usable by persons with mobility limitations.

To finish the challenge, participants need to walk, ride, or roll five trails or 26.2 miles. Walking, biking, and horseback are all ways visitors can participate.

2026 Trails Challenge guidebooks and T-shirts can be picked up at any East Bay Regional Parks Visitor Center while supplies last. The guidebook can also be downloaded online (in English and Spanish).
If you're planning on picking them up at Black Diamond, we will have them available on Saturdays and Sundays at our Visitor Center table located at the upper parking lot from 10am-2pm (weather dependent) until the Greathouse Visitor Center is open again.

2026 Trails Challenge finishers can receive a commemorative Trails Challenge pin. Submit your trail log by Dec. 31, 2026, to receive a pin, while supplies last.

New Prizes, Giveaways, and Awards for 2026:

FREE 3-Month AllTrails Plus Membership for all participants, thanks to AllTrails!
Monthly drawing of finishers and first-time finishers (Win prizes ranging from AllTrails gear to a special 2026 Trails Challenge bandana).
2026 Challenge Champion award for the person who completes all 20 trails first and submits their trail log.
All-20 Club prize for participants who finish all 20 trails.
Prizes celebrate finishers in special finisher categories, including Pathfinder (Kid; ages 0-9), Junior Trailblazer (Tween; ages 10-12), Trailblazer (Teen; ages 13-18), and Timeless Trekkers (Senior; age 65 and older).
Trail logs must be submitted online for special prizes, giveaways, and awards.

Black Diamond is, of course, in there in the challenging hikes section! Come check us out!

For more info please visit https://www.ebparks.org/trails-challenge

Did you know there was once ranching on the land now known as Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve? Before coal mining ...
01/02/2026

Did you know there was once ranching on the land now known as Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve? Before coal mining started in the 1850s, cattle ranching was the predominate industry. When coal mining ended in the early 1900s, many families moved away, but a few remained and turned to ranching. Do you recognize any of the objects pictured below? They were all used as tools on the Lougher Ranch in the early 1900s. Stop by our table at the upper parking lot Fri-Sun 10a-2p (weather and staffing permitting) throughout the month of January to see them up close and learn more!

12/19/2025

ATTENTION BLACK DIAMOND ENTHUSIASTS!

PROGRAMS THIS WEEKEND (12/20-12/21) THAT COULD BE CANCELLED OR MODIFIED DUE TO RAINY WEATHER:

Saturday, Dec 20, 2-3pm - Holiday Traditions in the Cemetery
--Originally meeting at the Rose Hill Cemetery, will now be a table at the upper parking lot. May be cancelled with heavy rain.

Sunday, Dec 21, 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm - Somersville Stroll WITH American Sign Language Interpreters
--May be cancelled due to rain.

If you're planning on attending any of these programs, you can call the Black Diamond Mines main line day of at 510-544-2750 to inquire about the status.

Have a great rainy weekend and stay safe out there!

Tuesday is MINI MINERS!This month's topic is Wild Winter Wear: Animal Adaptations for Winter! Tuesday, December, 910-11a...
12/05/2025

Tuesday is MINI MINERS!
This month's topic is Wild Winter Wear: Animal Adaptations for Winter!
Tuesday, December, 9
10-11am
Bring your little gems out to Black Diamond Mines for a morning of learning, playing, and enjoying the great outdoors. This month we explore what our local animal friends do in the winter. Come wearing your wildest winter wear and participate in the winter animal fashion show! Heavy rain may cancel.

12/04/2025

Join us this Sunday Dec 7th for 2 free programs perfect for the nature enthusiasts out there! Click on the links below for meeting location, length, terrain, and details about the topics - we hope to see you there!

Sun Dec 7th 9:30-11:30: Winter Bird Walk at Radke Martinez Shoreline. Great for the beginner birder! More info here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/57195?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true&locale=en-US

Sun Dec 7th 1-3p: All-Star Species of Black Diamond at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. Great to learn more about the amazing species of the area! More info here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/57203?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Did you know that a community of people used to live here? Many communities have called this place home over the years -...
12/02/2025

Did you know that a community of people used to live here? Many communities have called this place home over the years - during the late 1800s it was coal miners and their families. If you'd like to learn more about what life was like for them, especially for the children, stop by our table throughout the month of December! We will be featuring some of the artifacts that children of that era would have played with, such as marbles, jacks, and dolls like those pictured below. We will also have some games and toys for you to play with too!

We will be at the upper parking lot of Black Diamond Mines every Friday through Sunday, 10a-2p (weather permitting).

11/08/2025

Join us tomorrow (Sun 11/9) from 9:30a-11:30a for a 2-3 mile hike to learn about the amazing plants and animals of the preserve! No registration required, just meet us at the upper parking lot at the start time. More details about the program ("All-Star Species of Black Diamond") can be found here.:

Address

5175 Somersville Road
Antioch, CA
94509

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 8pm

Telephone

+15105442750

Website

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