Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

Recreational boating and water activities (power and non-power) opened for the season on April 13, 2024. Hours are 8:00 am to 30 minutes prior to sunset.

Welcome to Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, this 6,695 acre regional recreation area, nestled in the hills east of Gilroy, CA, features a 449 acre lake for fishing and boating. Coyote Lake has a “world-class” population of black bass, as well as bluegill, black crappie, and Eurasian carp. Both powered and non-powered vessels can ply the waters of the lake.

About Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch

Coyote Bear provides habitats for many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. The park is home to rare western pond turtle, California tiger salamander and Bay checkerspot butterfly. Two-Hundred-Nineteen species of birds have been seen, including our “National Bird” the bald eagle. During your visit you can also be sure to see black-tailed deer, and turkeys. Even mountain lions have been seen by visitors in the park’s hinterlands.

The park provides campsites for 73 RV and tent campers. All sites have a table, grill/fire pit, and food storage locker. RV sites have electricity, water hook-ups; and a dump station is located nearby. Hot showers are available to all campers.

Hikers, horseback riders and off-road bicyclists can explore over 33 miles of trails that wind through cool oak forests and along breezy ridgelines with wonderful views. At the Bear Ranch Trailhead in San Martin, there is a 2-mile paved loop that is popular with joggers, dog-walkers, and people just wanting to get outside to exercise and get some fresh air.

Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park is a great place visit, close to home, yet a world away!

How to Get There

Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park is located at:

10840 Coyote Reservoir Rd Gilroy, CA 95020

Park Office: (408) 842-7800

There are three entrances into Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park:

Bear Ranch - from U.S. Highway 101 in San Martin, take the San Martin Ave exit. Proceed east on San Martin Ave for 2 miles. The entrance to the park is on the left, 0.25 mile east of Foothill Avenue.

Mendoza Ranch - From U.S. Highway 101 in Gilroy, take the Leavesley Road exit. Proceed east on Leavesley Road 2 miles to New Avenue. Proceed north on New Avenue 0.5 miles to Roop Road. Proceed east on Roop Road 3 miles into the foothills. Turn left into the park.

Coyote Lake - From U.S. Highway 101 in Gilroy, take the Leavesley Road exit. Proceed east on Leavesley Road 2 miles to New Avenue. Proceed north on New Avenue 0.5 miles to Roop Road. Proceed 3.5 miles east on Roop Road into the foothills past the Mendoza Ranch entrance. Turn left into the park and proceed 1 mile north to the entrance station and visitor center.

Activities

Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers a myriad of outdoor activities.

Start your visit at the park visitor center. There you can see exhibits on local wildlife, including live reptiles, amphibians and fish that are native to the park. Here you can also pay park fees, purchase annual park passes, check-in to your campsite, purchase firewood, and pick-up park information.

Rangers provide interpretative programs year-round. Between Memorial Day weekend and the end of September, Rangers and Docents conduct campfire programs on Saturday evening. Finally, Ranger-lead programs take place monthly throughout the park.

Three-mile long Coyote Lake provides opportunities for power boating, jet-skiing, waterskiing, sailing, canoeing/kayaking and fishing. Swimming is not allowed by order of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The boat launch ramp is located two miles north of the visitor center. It has two docks, a 3-lane concrete ramp, paved parking and a restroom. For fisherman, the lake contains bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, carp and black bass. The lake is closed to boating of all kind between mid-October to mid-April. Call (408) 355-2201 to make a boating and boat inspection reservation or go online at Go Outside and Play.

Family picnic sites are located at numerous locations along the west shoreline. BBQ picnic facilities are located south of the Anglers Cove picnic area.

The Lakeview Campground is located 0.5 miles north of the visitor center. It provides campers with 73 reservable sites. 18 sites have water and electric hook-ups for RV's. Each site has a paved slip, picnic table, BBQ/campfire pit and food locker. There is a RV dump station in the park. The campground also has three restrooms, a shower building (no charge), and numerous drinking water taps. Campground check-out time is 1:00 p.m.. Campground check-in time is 3:00 p.m. View more information on camping. Call (408) 355-2201 to make a camping reservation or go online at Go Outside and Play.

The Bear and Mendoza Ranch sections of the park have 35 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails that wind through oak studded canyons; and on top of grassy ridgelines, providing spectacular views of southern Santa Clara Valley. Trailheads can be found in all three sections of the park.

Park Trails Hotline: For general open/close information, please call (408) 355-2200 and press 7 for a listing of parks. For trail closure information call (408) 355-2200 and select option 3.

Watch Gaviota trail video.

Hours and Fees

The park is open year-round for general day use from 8 a.m. to sunset. The lake closes to boating each day 30 minutes before sunset. The park is open for "shoreline fishing only" 24-hours a day.

Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round. Fees are required for camping. Fees are also required for boating and boating inspections. Fees are posted at the entrance kiosk.

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.

Fish Advisory for Coyote Lake