Los Gatos Creek County Park

There is a partial closure of the Los Gatos Creek Trail due to unsafe conditions. A short detour is available for the 100’ section of trail that is closed.

Woman walking along a paved trail at the Los Gatos Creek Park

Welcome to Los Gatos Creek County Park! The Los Gatos Creek Trail offers recreational opportunities for walkers, jogger, 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. The trail passes through a number of jurisdictions. Visitors are responsible for all rules and regulations applicable to each jurisdiction. The Los Gatos Creek dog park is another great amenity to the trail. The artificial turf of the dog park is able to withstand the many dogs that love this park. There's shade, seating and water. If you decide to park in the parking lot, an entry fee will be collected or you may purchase one of our annual parking passes to save you much needed money!

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

About Los Gatos Creek

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.

How to Get There

Los Gatos Creek County Park is located at:

1250 Dell Ave Campbell, CA 95008

Park Office: (408) 355-2375

From San Jose - Currently, the northernmost access to the trail is located at Blackford Elementary School, near the intersection of Leigh Avenue and Willow Street. Limited on-street parking is available at Bascom Avenue, north of Hamilton Avenue.

From Campbell - Access and parking are available; from Campbell Park on Los Gatos Creek at Campbell Avenue; from Los Gatos Creek County Park located on Dell and Hacienda Avenues, from Old Camden Ave., and from the westerly end of Campisi Way, north of Campbell Avenue. Additional access points are located at Camden Avenue/Highway 17 and Railway Avenue.

From Los Gatos - Access and parking are available; from Vasona County Park and Oak Meadow Park off Blossom Hill Road, from downtown Los Gatos at Miles Avenue, Main Street, and Forbes Mill, and from the Lexington Reservoir Dam. Public transit is available to Los Gatos Creek Trail.

Hours and Fees

The park is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. Vehicle entrance fees are collected year round. For your convenience, we offer a $2.00 hourly option as well. 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.