Los Gatos Creek County Park
Los Gatos Creek County Park guide map
Welcome to Los Gatos Creek County Park. The trails of the Los Gatos Creek are operated by the County of Santa Clara Park Department, the City of Campbell, the Town of Los Gatos, and the City of San Jose. Visitors are responsible for all rules and regulations applicable to each jurisdiction.
View Park Entrance
Park Office: (408) 355-2375
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. Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round. An hourly fee is also available; see the current hourly rate at the Los Gatos Creek Park pay machine.
Fees are also required to use group picnic areas. The fees are posted at the entrance kiosk.
Access fee information here: Park fees
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events.
View a full list of events at Los Gatos Creek
Learn about our park
The Los Gatos Creek Trail offers recreational opportunities for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, skaters, non-motorized scooters, and nature lovers. The trails are operated by the County of Santa Clara Park Department, the City of Campbell, the Town of Los Gatos, and the City of San Jose. Visitors are responsible for all rules and regulations applicable to each jurisdiction.
The Los Gatos Creek dog park, with artificial turf, is another great amenity on the trail. It offers shade, seating, and water.
At the trail's midpoint is Los Gatos Creek County Park, a 110-acre urban park encompassing six percolation ponds. The northernmost pond is used for fishing. Black bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, and carp are also caught in the pond. The remaining ponds offer visitors the opportunity to view many types of waterfowl. Please note that feeding waterfowl is prohibited. Casting ponds are also open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset for fly and plug casting. Targets are available for accuracy practice. No hooks or dogs are allowed within the casting area. Use caution when walking in the "back cast" area.
Radio-controlled model boating requires a permit and inspection; no reservation is needed.
Why a regional trail?
- Link existing or planned regional parks and open space areas
- Create a network of regional trails and alternative transportation corridors
- Provide access to significant natural areas and historic sites
- Provide a variety of recreational opportunities to multiple communities
A water resource
The Los Gatos Creek is one of the few urban streams in Santa Clara Valley which remains relatively intact. It is both a riparian corridor for plants and wildlife and is part of an intricate system of water resources and flood protection.
Surface water runoff from the watershed that drains into Los Gatos Creek is captured by Lexington Reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains. That water is then used to recharge, or refill, the valley's groundwater basin. Reservoir water is released and carried to recharge ponds via the creek. Water held in the ponds seeps or "percolates" through the earth's layers until it reaches underground aquifers. This percolation process helps clean the water before it reaches the underground storage basin.
All along Los Gatos Creek you will see groundwater recharge in action. Water released from Lexington Reservoir flows to Vasona Lake where a system of gates at the dam releases water downstream to the percolation ponds at Los Gatos Creek County Park and Budd, Camden, McGlincey, Oka Lane, Page and Sunnyoaks ponds. Ultimately, the creek joins the Guadalupe River and flows northward to San Francisco Bay.
Los Gatos also plays a role in flood protection for the west valley. The creek is part of the vast Guadalupe River watershed. Along with many other smaller creeks, it drains into the river. During rainstorms, the creeks help manage river flows by carrying water from storm drainage systems.
Water supply and flood management in the Santa Clara Valley is the responsibility of the Santa Clara Valley Water District and there is no stocking of fish in these waterways.
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 at [email protected].
