Calero County Park
Welcome to Calero County Park, one of Santa Clara County's most diverse regional park and recreation areas. Once part of the Pueblo lands of San José and Rancho San Vincente land grant, this approximate 4,471-acre park is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Two distinct areas define this park: the reservoir, which offers water-oriented recreational activities, and the adjoining "back country," which reveals California Oak woodland, chaparral, riparian plant communities, and associated wildlife habitats to the visitor. The "back country" offers a spectacular display of wildflowers during March, April, and May. In addition, the park offers breathtaking views of southern Santa Clara County and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountain Range.
Calero has multiple entrances - Park Entrances
Park office: (408) 535-4070
Hours and fees
The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset, and the trails open at sunrise. Boats must be off the water 30 minutes before sunset. Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round.
Fees are required for boating and boating inspections. The fees are posted at the entrance kiosk.
Access fee information here: Park fees
View boating inspection procedures
Learn about our park
The backcountry offers 18.9 miles of trails for hikers and equestrians. At the trailhead, there is a large staging area adjacent to the park office, which can accommodate vehicle and equestrian parking. Bicyclists can now enjoy the 0.5-mile segment of the Serpentine Loop Trail that connects to Longwall Canyon Trail in the Open Space Authority’s Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. All users will now be able to use trails that connect these two parks.
Dogs on-leash are allowed on Bald Peaks Trail and all trails north of Bald Peaks Trail.
The reservoir is open year-round to both power and limited-power vessels. Power boating, sailing, fishing, water-skiing, and jet-skiing are all activities for which Calero Reservoir is ideally suited. Two sites near the water's edge include picnic tables, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A reservable group picnic area is also available. Group picnic reservations, vessel launch passes, and vessel inspection passes can be purchased online at our reservations site or call (408) 355-2201.
Catch and release...Please don't eat the fish.
Mercury has been found to accumulate in Calero Reservoir at levels that make the fish from Calero Reservoir unsafe to eat.
The nearby Almaden Valley area of Santa Clara County was once the quicksilver (mercury) mining site. Sediments containing mercury have been deposited in some of the local reservoirs. Over time, the mercury in the sediment may have been converted to methylmercury by naturally occurring bacteria. Methylmercury is absorbed by aquatic plants, fish, and humans who may eat the contaminated fish. If you have any questions regarding mercury and its effects, please contact the County's Environmental Health Services at (408) 918-3400.
In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ('ADA'), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities. The Department will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disability have an equal opportunity to enjoy our programs, services, facilities, and activities. If you need assistance with an ADA request, please contact our ADA Coordinator at [email protected].
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events.
