Vasona Lake County Park

Low Water Levels At Vasona Lake: Valley Water has started filling Vasona Lake with water. Elevation will come up quickly. Please refrain from entering the lake area. Valley Water lowered the water level at Vasona Lake to complete regular maintenance on the Vasona Dam. Valley Water has biologists on-site and stated, “there are no public safety concerns. Our biologists are working during this process to make sure there are no significant issues for fish or amphibians in the lake. Birds are able to move to nearby habitats upstream and downstream of the reservoir... Thanks to everyone for their patience.” You can share your concerns and questions with Valley Water directly by using their online portal: https://access.valleywater.org/s/

April 14, 2024 (Sunday): Half-day closure to vehicle traffic (until 11am) for "The Great Race." Expect limited public parking after the event concludes.

May 18, 2024 (Saturday): Half-day closure to vehicle traffic (until 11am) for "Girls on the Run." Expect limited public parking after the event concludes.

A landscape photo of Vasona Lake with a large tree on the left and grassy field with lake in the background

Welcome to Vasona Lake County Park and the Los Gatos Creek Parkway. The 152 acre park and the connecting parkway are the most popular of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas.

How to Get There

Vasona Lake County Park is located at:

333 Blossom Hill Rd Los Gatos, CA 95032

Park Office: (408) 355-2375

The entrance to Vasona Lake County Park is located on Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. From southbound Highway 17, exit at Lark Avenue and travel east. Turn right on Los Gatos Boulevard and right again onto Blossom Hill Road. Walk-in entrances are located on Garden Hill Drive and University Avenue.

Activities

Vasona Lake County Park includes 45 acres of lawn which can be used for informal play such as frisbee tossing, softball or soccer. There are several picnic areas available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eight reservable group areas are placed at scenic locations throughout the park.

Paddle boats and row boats are available for rental from early spring through early fall. Check out Los Gatos Recreation for more information! The lake also offers fishing for black bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill.

Call (408) 355-2201 to make a boating and boat inspection reservation or go online at Go Outside and Play.

The Youth Science Institute (YSI) is located at the park's north end and offers programs and outings which interpret science and inspire an appreciation for the natural environment. Behind YSI, visitors can find solitude while hiking the Viola Anderson Native Plant Trail. For more information, please call 408-356-4945 ext. 12 or email [email protected].

Vasona YSI Nature Center Hours
Monday - Saturday	10am - 3pm
Sunday	11am - 3pm

Adjacent to Vasona Lake County Park is the Town of Los Gatos' Oak Meadow Park. Here, visitors can ride a carousel, picnic, play informal sports, or enjoy the playground. Miniature train rides on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad originate in Oak Meadow and run through Vasona Lake County Park. Visit their Oak Meadow Park website for more information.

Hikers, runners, bicyclists, and skaters enjoy the Los Gatos Creek multiple use trail which begins at Lexington Reservoir and follows the Los Gatos Creek for nearly 9.5 miles through the Town of Los Gatos, Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos Creek County Park, and the cities of Campbell and San Jose.

Call boxes are located along the trail. Dogs are welcome on a leash and owners are expected to pick up droppings. Free disposable scoopers are available.

At the midpoint of the trail is Los Gatos Creek County Park, an 110 acre urban park encompassing six percolation ponds. The northernmost pond is used for fishing. This pond is stocked with rainbow trout from November through April. 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 water fowl. Please note that feeding water fowl is prohibited. Casting ponds are also available, 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 allowed within the casting area. Use caution when walking in the "back cast" area.

Check the Events Calendar for public programs and events at Vasona Lake and other Santa Clara County Parks.

Agents of Discovery

Agents of Discovery is a free educational mobile game you can play while walking along the paved pathways at Vasona Lake County Park. This activity may take you 30-45 minutes to complete and you can start near any parking lot. As you walk, you will use your smart phone or tablet to answer questions and learn about the park's history, local wildlife, and the surrounding ecosystem. We recommend you download the Agents of Discovery app from the Google Play or App Store, as well as the Vasona Lake mission within the app, before you head to the park. A prize is available if you complete the mission - further details on how to receive your prize are listed within the app, once you complete all the questions. It is available to play in English and Spanish. Questions? Email [email protected].

Picnicking

Make Group Picnic Reservations Here

Picnicking by families and groups is one of the most popular activities at Vasona Lake County Park. Please help make this experience enjoyable for everyone by adhering to the following rules and any posted regulations.

Family picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A responsible adult (with picnic items) must be present in order to hold a picnic table. A maximum of three tables may be held at one time.
Reservations are recommended for groups larger than twenty. Please call (408) 355-2201
Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Parking stalls cannot be saved. Reservations at group areas do not include reserved parking.
Do not drive into picnic areas or onto lawns, paths, or landscaping.
Twenty minutes is the maximum time allowed for parking in the yellow zone for unloading and loading of picnic supplies.
Post directional signs in designated areas only. Signs are removed daily.
No tacks, nails, or staples on park signs, tables, or trees.
Allow fires in barbecue pits to burn out. Water will damage the grill and pit.
Amplified music is prohibited without a permit.

Hours and Fees

The park is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. Vehicle entrance and lake use fees are collected year-round. Fees are also required for group picnic reservations.

Access fees information here: Park Fees

Accessibility

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.