Henry W. Coe State Park

Coe Park is the largest state park in northern California, with over 87,000 acres of wild open spaces.  The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. Once the home of Ohlone Indians, the park is now home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals, including the elusive mountain lion.

Within Coe Park are the headwaters of Coyote Creek, long stretches of the Pacheco and Orestimba creeks, and a 23,300-acre wilderness area.

The park is open year-round for hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, equestrians, car campers, picnickers, photographers, and people who simply like to visit parks.

The Pine Ridge Association at Henry W. Coe State Park

TPRA Uniformed Volunteerhe Pine Ridge Association (PRA) was formed in 1975 to assist park staff in providing interpretive and educational programs to the public. It is a contracted cooperating Association with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and is chartered by the IRS as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. The association has 425 members with approximately 125 active volunteers who staff the Visitor Center; take visitors on guided walks during wildflower season; give interpretive programs; and sponsor special events. Each year approximately 20,000 hours are donated to the park.

The Pine Ridge Association does not receive any state funds. We are responsible for raising the money necessary to support our programs through memberships, donations, sales at our store, and special events.
 

Winslow Briggs

winslow2Winslow Briggs, long time State Park Volunteer and PRA member, passed away on Monday, February 11. He was a dear friend of Coe Park, playing prominent roles in the early days of the Pine Ridge Association and the State Park Volunteer Program at Coe Park. His current activities included roles in the Volunteer Training Program, working on the next revision of the park map, and staffing the Headquarters Visitor Center. He had planned on volunteering at the upcoming Backcountry Weekend in April. Read his obituary on the Carnagie Plant Biology website.

Backcountry Weekend

On line registration for the 2019 Backcountry Weekend is now OPEN!

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The remote and beautiful east side of Henry W. Coe State Park, including the Orestimba Wilderness, will be easily accessible again for one weekend this spring. The Coe Backcountry Weekend, held in the little-traveled east side of the 87,000 acre park, is scheduled for April 26th - 28th.

During the weekend, you can explore on your own or you can participate in group activities, such as guided hikes and horseback rides, wildflowers walks, and bird watching strolls.

Current Conditions at Coe

photo-bw-rb02 Winter in the park can include gray storms with black billowing clouds. It can also offer a sunny afternoon, perfect for wandering along the trails among leafless oaks and ambling newts. Check the Planning Your Visit page for current conditions.

Links

SFGATE: Best of the best Bay Area outdoor recreation sites by Tom Stienstra

NPR's All Things Considered: Saving Calif. State Parks: The End Of Public Funding?

NPR's California Report: How Determined Docents Kept One Park Off the Closure List

Bay Nature: A Little Help from Our Friends

Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs

gilroy_hot_springsThe mission of the Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs Association (GYHSA) is to protect, preserve, and restore public access to Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs, an area of Henry W. Coe State Park which is historically rich in cultural diversity.

Please join us for tours, camp outs, special events!


Henry W. Coe State Park on Social Media

 

Become a Volunteer

Coe Park Volunteer Ranger

Are you interested in learning more about Henry W. Coe State Park and sharing your knowledge with park visitors? How about helping out with annual events or maintenance of springs and trails? If so, visit our Volunteer page.

Support Henry Coe State Park

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Thank you! We rely on your generous support.