Chesbro Reservoir County Park
Chesbro Reservoir County Park guide map
Welcome to Chesbro Reservoir County Park. This beautiful and scenic 232-acre park and reservoir are located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Morgan Hill. The reservoir's rural setting is just minutes from Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
View Park entrance
Park office: (408) 779-9232
Hours and fees
For up-to-date trail closures, please call the trail hotline at (408) 355-2200 and press 3.
The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset, and the trails open at sunrise. No fees are required at any entrances.
Learn about our park
Activities at the park include shoreline fishing and wildlife viewing around the reservoir. There are no designated trails or picnic sites within the park. For more information, call (408) 779-9232.
The Chesbro Reservoir was formed from the damming of Llagas Creek. The area was frequented by the Mutsun Ohlone Indians for thousands of years before the arrival of the Europeans. Today's reservoir was once part of two Mexican land grants from Mexican Governor Figueroa. The 8,927-acre Rancho Ojo de Agua de la Coche ("pig spring") was granted to Hernández in 1835, and the 22,283-acre Rancho San Francisco de las Llagas (St. Francis of the wounds) was granted to C. Castro in 1834. The ranchos were eventually acquired by Martin Murphy, an early pioneer of Santa Clara County. By 1860, the lands had been patented to his grandson. The construction of the Chesbro Dam in 1955 was part of a countywide effort by water officials to ensure adequate water supplies for the valley's growing population. The new reservoir was named for Elmer J. Chesbro, a local doctor who was president of the South Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation District at the time of its construction. The reservoir which captures water from the Llagas Creek watershed, is used to recharge supplies in underground aquifers to provide water to be pumped from wells for residential, agricultural, and industrial uses.
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, contact our ADA Coordinator [email protected].
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events.
