Location: County: Santa Clara. Nearest City: Gilroy. See map 2.

Campsites, facilities: Visitors may choose from 100 drive-in and walk-in first-come, first-served campsites spread throughout four campgrounds. Each site comes equipped with a barbecue pit, food locker and picnic table. Showers(for a small fee) are also available, as well as 17 partial hook-up RV sites. Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 20 mile trail system. Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Group picnic, group camping and youth camping areas are available by reservation. Maximum stay is 14 days within a 30-day period.

Reservations, fees: No reservations; $10 per night, $1 pet fee. Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round on weekends and holidays, and are also collected on weekdays from one week before Memorial Day until one week after Labor Day. Fees are required for camping, and for use of group picnic and group camping areas.

Contact: Call Mount Madonna County Park at 1-408-842-2341 or fax 1-408-842-6642.

Mount Madonna County Park
Hecker Pass Highway
Watsonville CA 95075

Operating hours, seasons: The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset. All non-campers must leave the park one half hour after sunset.

Directions: The park is located on Highway 152 (Hecker Pass Highway), ten miles west of Gilroy. From the east, use Highway 101, and take the Highway 152 West exit. From the west, use Highway 1, and take the Highway 152 East exit. The entrance to the park is located at the summit of Highway 152 at Pole Line Road.

Weather, clothing: The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

Trip notes: Mt. Madonna County Park, one of the most majestic of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas. This 3,219 acre park is dominated by the redwood forest so characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. To the east, the park overlooks the Santa Clara Valley, to the west, Monterey Bay. As the slopes of Mt. Madonna descend toward the valley, the landscape changes from redwood forest to oak woodland, dense chaparral and grassy meadows. Park visitors may learn about areas where Ohlone Indians hunted and harvested, and will understand why cattle baron Henry Miller spent his summers here. Bowmen may practice archery skills at the beautiful archery range. A one mile self-guided nature trail winds around the ruins of cattle baron Henry Miller's summer home. White fallow deer, descendants of a pair donated by William Randolph Hearst in 1932, can be viewed in an enclosed pen. The park's amphitheater, available by reservation for weddings and other special functions, also features live music and slide shows Memorial Day through Labor Day. These free shows are provided by park docents every Saturday at 8 p.m. The park also features a visitor center where the natural history, geology and cultural history of the park is highlighted. In addition, a small herd of white deer are kept protected in a pen near the parking area, for a rare chance to see unique wildlife. Sprig Lake, a small pond where children ages 5-12 can fish, is open April through June. No wood gathering. Wood may be purchased at the entry station kiosk. Enjoy your visit, and return often to the pristine redwood forest of Mt. Madonna County Park.

Where to go Camping

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Miwok Lodge 439