Mt. Madonna County Park

Trail Closure Notices:
- Blackhawk Trail between Junction 77 (Ridge Trail) and Junction 83 (Iron Springs) is closed due unsafe conditions.
- Loop Trail is closed between Mt. Madonna Rd and Junction 24 until final trail work can be completed following a slide repair.
- Redwood trail between junctions 69 & 70 is permanently CLOSED/decommissioned due to a major slide. A new section of Redwood Trail is now OPEN between junction 70 and Rock Springs Trail (junction 68).
- The dirt section of Mt Madonna Road between Pole Line rd and Redwood Retreat is closed due to a slide.
- Inspiration Point Area, all trails are closed due to the Mt Madonna Fuel Reduction Project including Blue Springs Trail between junctions 49 & 52, Redwood Trail west of junction 61, Bayview Trail between junction 61 and 63, and Sprig Trail between junction 71 and 62.

NOTE: County Parks is improving the health and safety of the natural forest at Mt. Madonna through several tree trimming and removal projects this year. During your stay you may see or hear people and equipment working on the Mt. Madonna Forest Health Plan. Beginning Summer 2023 and extending into Fall 2024, work will occur in several locations in the park. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this project contributes to the long-term health and vitality of the Mt. Madonna Forest. For more information, please visit https://parks.sccgov.org/forest-health

Welcome to Mt. Madonna County Park, one of the most majestic of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas. This 4,605-acre park is dominated by the redwood forest so characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. To the east, the park overlooks the Santa Clara Valley, to the west, Monterey Bay. As the slopes of Mt. Madonna descend toward the valley, the landscape changes from redwood forest to oak woodland, dense chaparral and grassy meadows. Park visitors may learn about areas where Ohlone Indians hunted and harvested, and will understand why cattle baron Henry Miller spent his summers here. Enjoy your visit today, and return often to the pristine redwood forest of Mt. Madonna County Park. Mt. Madonna Stables offers horseback trail rides, it is a wonderful way to explore the beauty of this park.

How to Get There

Mt. Madonna County Park is located at:
7850 Pole Line Rd Watsonville, CA 95076
Park Office: (408) 842- 2341

The park is located on Highway 152 (Hecker Pass Highway), 10 miles west of Gilroy. From the east, use Highway 101, and take the Highway 152 West exit. From the west, use Highway 1, and take the Highway 152 East exit. The entrance to the park is located at the summit of Highway 152 at Pole Line Road.

If camping, please follow the directions listed above. Pole Line Road is recommended for trailers. Following Google Maps may not provide the most accurate directions.

Activities

Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 14 mile trail system. Mt. Madonna Stables offers horseback trail rides, it is a wonderful way to explore the beauty of this park. A one mile self-guided nature trail winds around the ruins of cattle baron Henry Miller's summer home.

Bowmen may practice archery skills at the beautiful archery range.

The park's amphitheater is available by reservation for weddings and other special functions. The park also features a visitor center where the natural history, geology and cultural history of the park is highlighted.

Visitors may choose from 116 drive-in and walk-in reservable campsites spread throughout four campgrounds. Each site comes equipped with a barbecue pit, food locker, and picnic table. Showers are also available (no coins needed) for campers (camping fee required for use of showers), as well as 29 partial hook-up RV sites. Yurts are also available for reservation. These domed-tent like structures come in three different sizes - 16', 20' and 24' offering bunk beds with mattresses, fold out futons and a wrap-around deck.

Overnight camping is one of the most popular activities at Mt. Madonna. View here for more information about tent, yurt and RV camping. There is no longer first-come, first-serve camping sites.

Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Group picnic, group camping and youth camping areas are available by reservation.

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

Mt. Madonna Pathways of Wildlife Hiking Trails

Map for Pathways of Wildlife Hiking Trails at Mount Madonna

Mt. Madonna County Park has created the Pathways of Wildlife hiking trails. Hikers can choose from four trails depending on their interests and hiking skill level. You can follow the path of the Banana Slug, California Newt, Gray Fox, or Mountain Lion! The family friendly California Newt trail is tied to the Agents of Discovery activity for mobile devices. There are colored markers at each intersection to help guide hikers along the trails. You can find the start of the hikes uphill from the Visitor Center/Ranger Station near the entrance to the Henry Miller Site.

Agents of Discovery

Agents of Discovery is a free educational mobile game you can play while hiking along the Pathways of Wildlife "CA Newt Trail." It is a 1.5 mile loop and may take you about 1hr – 1 hr 15 min to complete. You can start near the Visitor Center/Ranger Station. Along the trail you will use your smart phone or tablet to answer questions about the natural, cultural, and historic resources here within the Redwood forest ecosystem at Mount Madonna County Park. We recommend you download the Agents of Discovery app from the Google Play or App Store, as well as the Mt. Madonna mission within the app, before you head out 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].

Hours and Fees

The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset. All non-campers must leave the park before sunset. Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round. Fees are required for camping, and for use of group picnic and group camping areas. Fees are posted at the kiosk and at the ranger station.

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.