Henry W. Coe State Park
State Park · Morgan Hill, California
Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in Northern California, about 87,000 acres of rugged Diablo Range backcountry east of Morgan Hill, in the hills above Silicon Valley. It is legendary among backpackers and mountain bikers for punishing, steep terrain, isolation and blazing summer heat. Ridges and canyons run one after another, with grassland, oak woodland and chaparral, and the highlights include the Orestimba Wilderness, Mississippi Lake, which needs a long hike or bike ride, and Poverty Flat, a steep canyon descent. Spring is green and full of wildflowers; late summer and fall bring tarantulas. The headquarters visitor centre is the best first stop (confirm hours), and the main entrance is on Dunne Avenue. This is not a short-visit park: plan a full day at least, and respect the heat, the ticks and the lack of water. It suits fit hikers and riders, and it punishes people who treat it as a casual stroll.
9000 E Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill, California, 95037, United States
The park is open 24/7, which fits a large backcountry park with backpackers coming and going - confirm, because gates and some access roads close at set times and the headquarters visitor centre keeps shorter, seasonal hours, often weekends and certain weekdays only. Confirm the visitor centre schedule and whether any other entrance, such as Hunting Hollow or Coyote Creek, is open on the day you plan to go. Summer heat above 100 F makes midday hiking dangerous, spring storms can swell creeks, and fire danger can close trails, so check conditions before you set out.
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