The Pine Ridge Association at
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 Pine Ridge Association was formed in 1975 to assist park staff in providing interpretive and educational programs to the public. It provides funds to support guided walks, evening talks , and the state park's volunteer program. It also sponsors the annual Mother's Day Breakfast, the fall Tarantula Fest and barbecue, the Backcountry Weekend, and other park events.
Please refer to the Henry W. Coe State Park page on California State Parks website for the latest news on park restrictions and closures.
Henry W. Coe State Park will open the gate at Bell's Station on Highway 152 east of Gilroy and allow registered attendees to drive along Kaiser-Aetna Road beyond the Dowdy Visitor Center. The Coe Backcountry Weekend, held in the little-traveled east side of the 87,000-acre park is scheduled for April 23 - 25, 2021. The event is sponsored by the Pine Ridge Association and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Due to Covid-19 precautions and the impact of the SCU Fire, the Backcountry Weekend will be scaled down this year. Details here.
Happy New Year! We (the PRA, park staff and volunteers) are really looking forward to getting back to Coe and sincerely hope you will enjoy the latest edition of the Ponderosa.
Included are articles including everything you could possibly want to know about the broad-footed mole, a distinctive description of the sounds made by the golden crowned sparrows,
challenges remaining from the SCU Lightening Complex fire, latest sightings from the Spotted at Coe cameras, and much more. Start reading here.
If we dropped you onto your favorite spot in Henry Coe State Park, blindfolded, and asked you to identify the place by ear, do you think you could? Sound is fundamental to the survival of most animal species. Animals use sound to locate and attract mates, and hearing is a key mechanism for finding prey and avoiding predators. Listen in to see what you can identify in the soundscapes captured by Steve Sergeant, principle investigator with the Nature Sounds Society, on our new Nature Sounds Page.
Spring days in Coe Park can be warm and wonderful. Now is the time to head out on the trail to explore and enjoy the full beauty of Coe Park. Check the
Planning Your Visit page for current conditions and take a look at the
What's Blooming Now page to see which wildflowers have been spotted!
The mission of the Gilroy Hot Springs Conservancy 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.
Ground Fires are never allowed in the park. Gas stoves are allowed.
Check the Current Fire Regulations on the State Parks website for the latest fire regulations.
23 Apr 12:00AM |
We're always working to maintain and improve the buildings, trails and springs that support our park users. There are springs to repair, trees to remove, trails and roads to maintain, dams to clean and all kinds of short, 1-3 day activities to help Coe Park. Click here to find out how you can Lend a Hand.
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.
We rely on your generous support. Thank you!
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