National park · United States
Henry W. Coe State Park
Enter the park for a day hike (pay entry fee, drive to the north entrance) or spend 2–3 days camping on the backcountry loops; avoid summer weekends if you want quieter trails.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Estimates vary; the park spans roughly 200 km² (≈77 sq mi) of rugged terrain.
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Henry W. Coe State Park is California’s largest state park, offering extensive backcountry wilderness, steep ridge hikes such as Mount Sizer, remote lakes like Mississippi Lake, and limited road access that makes multi‑day trekking a distinctive experience.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1997.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1997
Estimates vary; the park spans roughly 200 km² (≈77 sq mi) of rugged terrain.
Why go
- Large, rugged wilderness with long-distance backcountry routes.
- Scenic ridge hikes like Mount Sizer and remote lakes such as Mississippi Lake.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; trails accessible.
- FebMild, fewer crowds.
- MarSpring wildflowers, comfortable temps.
- AprIdeal hiking weather.
- MayWarm but not hot; low fire risk.
- JunHeat rises, fire danger.
- JulHot, dry; limited water.
- AugPeak summer heat.
- SepCooling, still dry.
- OctPleasant, less crowd.
- NovCool, occasional rain.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer and bobcatsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey and songbirdsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Jose
Drive north on CA‑101 to Morgan Hill, then follow signs to the Dunne Ave north entrance (about 30 km (19 mi)).Drive north on CA‑101 to Morgan Hill, then follow signs to the Dunne Ave north entrance (about 19 mi (30 km)).
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
From San Francisco
Take US‑101 south to Gilroy, then local roads to the Hunting Hollow south entrance.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Oakland
Drive east on I‑580 to I‑680, then south to Gilroy and follow signs.
1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North (Dunne Ave) entrance | Main staging area, parking, information kiosk, Coe Ranch campsites. | Open daily; fee collected at gate. |
| South (Hunting Hollow) entrance | Secondary access, limited parking, trailheads to southern loops. | Open seasonally, fee at gate. |
| Backcountry campsites | Remote sites like Manzanita Point, Poverty Flat, and others. | First‑come, first‑served; no reservation. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from California State Parks site; approximate for major features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use entry fee | US$10 | person | Check current rate on California State Parks site. |
| Camping fee per site | US$15–25 | site | Varies by campsite; check on‑site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$15–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on California State Parks – Henry W. Coe State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on most trails; not permitted on backcountry campsites.
- Fire
- Campfires only in designated fire rings; fire bans may apply in dry months.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a special permit.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping allowed; pack out all waste.
- Vehicles
- Only paved roads to entrances; interior roads are unpaved and may be impassable.
Where to stay
Near the park
Morgan Hill hotels
Various motels and B&Bs 10 km (6.2 mi) from the north entrance.Various motels and B&Bs 6.2 mi (10 km) from the north entrance.
Near the park
Gilroy motels
Budget options 15 km (9.3 mi) from the south entrance.Budget options 9.3 mi (15 km) from the south entrance.
Safety
Isolation high
Heat medium
Wildfire medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- North entrance parking and trailheads have paved paths suitable for wheelchairs, but most interior trails are rugged and not wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Use a California State Parks pass to reduce ticket waste.
- Stay on established trails to protect fragile habitats.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Henry W. Coe State Park?
A day‑use fee of $10 per person is charged at the gate; camping fees range $15‑$25 per site. Check the California State Parks website for current rates.
What are the best hikes in Henry W. Coe State Park?
Mount Sizer for a challenging summit, the Mississippi Lake loop for moderate terrain, and longer backcountry routes like Manzanita Point for multi‑day trips.
When is the best time to visit Henry W. Coe State Park?
Spring (Mar‑May) and fall (Sep‑Oct) offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds; summer can be hot and fire‑prone.
Do I need a permit to camp in the backcountry?
No permit is required, but you must register at the main staging area and follow Leave‑No‑Trace rules.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Leashed dogs are permitted on most trails, but not in backcountry campsites.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Henry W. Coe State Park
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