The mission of the Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation Department is to provide, protect, and preserve regional parklands for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
Santa Clara County Parks strives to provide all visitors a place where diversity and inclusivity is valued and makes every effort to provide access to outstanding recreational opportunities, a rich cultural historical legacy, and an expansive regional trail system for all to enjoy.
Featured Items
Parks Administration Office Move
Effective April 8, 2024, the Santa Clara County Parks Administration Office will be relocating from its current address at Vasona Lake County Park (298 Garden Hill Drive, Los Gatos, CA) to a brand-new location at 5965 Silver Creek Valley Road, San José, CA 95138. Learn More.
Earth Day Youth Art Contest
Calling all young artists pre-K to 12th grade! Celebrate Earth Day and Santa Clara County Parks by sharing your creative and original artwork. Let’s celebrate Earth Day by showing how you might save the planet by reducing the use of plastics or sharing what Earth Day means to you. Submissions accepted April 1-30.
Hike The Hundred has Begun!
Are you ready for the next Santa Clara County Parks challenge? Hike your way to 100 points in 100 days to celebrate Stevens Creek's 100 year milestone. Get your hiking boots and binoculars ready, the Hike The Hundred scavenger hunt has begun!
Join a guided walk at Stevens Creek on challenge launch day! Learn more.
Boating Season Opens April 13
Recreational boating and water activities at Coyote Lake (power and non-power), Stevens Creek Reservoir (hand launch/non-power boating only) and Lexington Reservoir (hand launch/non-power boating only) open for the season on April 13, 2024. Calero (power and non-power) is the only body of water open year-round to boating. Learn more
Earth Day and Arbor Day Volunteer Events
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year, and Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Come join in on one of the many volunteering events occurring in Santa Clara County Parks in honor of these special occasions! Learn more.
SCC Parks by the Numbers
Since the first County parkland was acquired in 1924, the Santa Clara County Parks system has grown to include 28 regional parks encompassing over 52,000 acres of land. We at Santa Clara County Parks are committed to balancing the need for public use of parks and recreational lands with preserving the natural beauty of our area, including wildlife refuges and historic sites.
29,366
2022 Volunteer Hours
342
Miles of Trails
52,000+
Acres Protected
28
Regional Parks
5,482,718
Annual Visitors
Upcoming Events
Filter Events
Friday, April 26, 2024
Have you noticed wildflowers in our parks? Though you can't take the living wildflowers home, you can do the next best thing and create your own using paper!
Help us celebrate the return of spring and wildflowers, by joining a Crafternoon at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande!
Free drop in event, great for all ages. Questions? Email [email protected]
21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States
Saturday, April 27, 2024
We invite you to join Santa Clara County Parks Natural Resource Management team, in partnership with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, in their efforts to restore the coastal habitat of Alviso Marina County Park.
Volunteers will assist in the removal of invasive plants and the spreading of mulch in preparation for the planting of native plants.
Please bring sturdy gloves, closed toe shoes (boots if possible), proof of vaccination, and your can-do attitudes!
Minimum age: 12
1195 Hope St
San Jose, CA 95002
United States
Is your child curious about nature? Do they have a motorcycle and want to learn how to ride safely while also keeping our parks healthy? Then the Junior OHV Ranger program is for them!
In our free Junior Ranger OHV program at Metcalf Motorcycle Park, certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) coaches will teach basic riding skills and discuss safety equipment, rider etiquette and trail conservation.
Participants must be ages 9-12 and own a motorcycle.
Upon completion of the five free sessions, each Junior OHV Ranger will receive a badge, jersey, and certificate.
Required gear:
1. DOT-Approved Helmet
2. Eye Protection
3. Gloves
4. Over the Ankle Boots
5. Long-Sleeved Shirt and Long Pants
6. ***All bikes need to be in working order and have fuel***
*Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants must complete a registration form and liability waiver before participating in the five-session program. Learn more
300 Metcalf Rd
San Jose, CA 95138
United States
Join Park staff in beautifying Joseph D Grant County Park! Activities can include picking up litter and removing leaf litter from picnic areas, habitat restoration, painting, and weeding.
Appropriate attire includes gloves, close-toed shoes, and clothes that can get a little dirty. Dress in layers and bring a refillable water container.
18405 Mt. Hamilton Rd.
San Jose, CA 95140
United States
 Discover a new park each month as we explore, learn, and respect nature at selected Santa Clara County Parks. After completion of 3 park explorations, Junior Rangers can submit their completed logbooks and receive the Santa Clara County Junior Ranger badge. Best for ages 7-12. Questions? Email [email protected] for details. |
3100 Calaveras Rd
Milpitas, CA 95035
United States
Get a firsthand look at what's inside a park ranger's patrol truck!
Interact with the equipment and tools used and learn about emergency operations, firefighting and the daily patrol duties of a ranger. Meet at the Hellyer Visitor Center.
Appropriate for children accompanied by an adult, $6 vehicle entrance fee
Questions? Email [email protected] or call 669-287-8559
985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States
Join a Ranger to learn all about boating safely and legally. We'll show you how to have fun on the water while following the rules.
Items to Bring: Watercraft, powered and non-powered
$6 fee to enter the park
Questions? Call (408) 842-7800 or email [email protected]
Calaveras Trail
Gilroy, CA 95020
United States
Have you noticed wildflowers in our parks? Though you can't take the living wildflowers home, you can do the next best thing and create your own using paper!
Help us celebrate the return of spring and wildflowers, by joining a Crafternoon at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande!
Free drop in event, great for all ages. Questions? Email [email protected]
21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Have you noticed wildflowers in our parks? Though you can't take the living wildflowers home, you can do the next best thing and create your own using paper!
Help us celebrate the return of spring and wildflowers, by joining a Crafternoon at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande!
Free drop in event, great for all ages. Questions? Email [email protected]
21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States
 Explore the redwood forest of Mt Madonna with a Park Ranger. Gentle 1 mile loop, appropriate for all ages. $6 vehicle entry fee. Bring: Comfortable shoes, dress in layers, bring snacks and water. Meet at the Giant Twins Trailhead. Questions? [email protected] |
7850 Pole Line Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
United States