Outdoor Adventures
With mild year-round weather and an ideal location close to many of California’s best-loved parks, Gilroy is the perfect place to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, boating, birding, camping, horseback riding, fishing, or running…Gilroy’s got it!
Explore Gilroy by bike!
If you are exploring Downtown on your bike, download our bicycle parking map.
The City of Gilroy was awarded the Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Our bicycle trails are sure to be a hit for any bicyclist!
INSIDER’S TIP: If you just want to get in some steps, head for the lovely, looping (but mostly flat!) 2-mile Martin Murphy Trail at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch.
Anderson Reservoir is a seven-mile long, 1,250 surface acre lake with shoreline picnic and BBQ facilities. The Woodchopper’s picnic area can be accessed by vehicle at the south end of the lake. First-come, first-serve family picnic areas are available year-round along Coyote Creek below Anderson Dam. Also, there are two group picnic areas available by reservation. The park is open from 8am until sunset, and vehicle entry fees are collected year-round.
Please note that all water activities in the lake (including power and non-power boating and fishing) are now closed due to the estimated 10-year project of rebuilding Anderson Dam.
The Bright Ranch is a working horse ranch nestled in the rolling foothills and vineyards of southern Santa Clara county in the small town of San Martin, California. Visitors can take horseback riding lessons, learn horse training, learn basic or advanced horse care techniques, or round up some of the ranch's Texas longhorn cattle. Available for corporate retreats or team building.
This beautiful and culturally significant 4.3-acre park features the beautiful Uvas Creek and a wealth of cultural artifacts, including bedrock mortars and petroglyphs left by the Ohlone Indians. The park includes a self-guided interpretive walk and an interpretive shelter focusing on Ohlone Indian culture and the Adams schoolhouse, which was sited on this property from the 1850s until 1956.
This 4,595-acre park, nestled in the Diablo Range, east of Gilroy, features a 635-acre lake, camping & boat launch facilities, and 28.5 miles of horse, bicycle and hiking trails that wind through oak-studded canyons. Also, it is located on top of grassy ridgelines, providing spectacular views of the south Santa Clara Valley.
This county park offers visitors a myriad of outdoor activities. Start your visit at the Visitor Center where you can see exhibits on local wildlife, including live reptiles and amphibians. You can also purchase annual park passes, and pick up park information here. Rangers provide interpretive programs year-round. In the summer, rangers show movies and conduct campfire programs on weekends.
Coyote Lake provides opportunities for power boating, jet skiing, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing/kayaking, and fishing. The lake contains bluegill, blackcrappie, channel catfish, carp, and black bass. NOTE: All vessels require a zebra/quagga mussel inspection prior to launching (fee will be charged).
Our facility stands as a beacon of excellence, offering a premium experience for riders of all levels. With a focus on attentive care, love, and cleanliness, we pride ourselves on providing the perfect sanctuary for our horses. With our Jumpstart Riding Session, it's the perfect introduction to horseback riding in Gilroy. Join us for a personalized 30-minute private lesson designed to kickstart your journey into the world of horsemanship. Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, discover the joy of riding while honing your skills and building confidence in the saddle. Benefit from one-on-one attention tailored to your specific goals and needs, ensuring a valuable and impactful learning experience. Whether you're a novice or seeking to refine your riding techniques, our Jumpstart Session is your gateway to a world of adventure on horseback. Book now for an unforgettable equine journey with Gilroy Hills Equestrian. Nestled amid scenic mountains, Gilroy Hills Equestrian is your premier destination for an exceptional riding experience.
Henry W. Coe State Park
Park Headquarters
9000 East Dunne Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Henry W. Coe Park is a vast natural treasure, with over 87,000 acres of wild open spaces and over 250 miles of trails and old ranch roads to explore. 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 Henry 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.
Mt. Madonna County Park
7850 Pole Line Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
(about ten miles west of Gilroy
on Highway 152)
Mt. Madonna County Park is one of the most majestic of Santa Clara County's regional parks and recreation areas. The park's 3,688-acres overlook the Santa Clara Valley to the east and Monterey Bay to the west. As the slopes of Mt. Madonna descend toward the valley, the landscape changes from redwood forest to oak woodland, dense chaparral and grassy meadows.
Tent camping, RV parking, and yurts are available for overnight guests.
We offer 1-hour trail rides through beautiful Mt. Madonna County Park for every level of rider age 7-99, from beginner (never been on a horse) to advanced (rides all the time). We tailor each trail ride to the rider, assessing your ability in our show-size sand ring prior to hitting the trail and then giving you a "mini-lesson" to acquaint you with your horse and give you the tools you need to enjoy your trail ride.
We trail ride through historic Mt. Madonna park, 3,000+ acres of pristine giant redwoods, waterfalls and stunning vistas of both Monterey Bay as well as the Santa Clara Valley.
Book your trail ride in advance by calling 408-663-1665
Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. At Pinnacles National Park, massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons, and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement.
Visitors to Pinnacles National Park can hike on over 30 miles of trails, explore two talus caves, and go rock-climbing on hundreds of routes throughout the park. Depending on the time of year, you might even spot endangered California condors in the wild or enjoy a breathtaking display of spring wildflowers.
Tent camping, RV, and group sites are available.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find that Uvas Canyon Park has much to offer. This park has 7.2 miles of hiking trails including a one mile Waterfall Loop that travels along Swanson Creek past many of the park's waterfalls. There are pamphlets, available at the trailhead and/or ranger's office, highlights the flora of Uvas Canyon along this self-guided interpretive trail.
Five Fun Trails
Mummy Mountain Trail
Coyote Lake – Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. Enjoy old oaks and scenic vistas along a 3+ mile loop with a couple of choices at a fork in the trail. Hikers only.
Sprig Lake Loop
Mt. Madonna County Park. The 4+ mile loop is uphill to the top of the grassland and chaparral-covered hills, then loops downhill. Find the picnic table under an ancient oak near the top for a wonderful lunch stop.
Uvas Creek Levee Trail
City of Gilroy Uvas Park Preserve. This popular 2+ mile urban trail is entirely paved and suitable for everyone from serious runners to casual strollers. Clear your mind while you get those steps in!
Chitactac-Adams Interpretive Walk
Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park. This self-guided walk packs a lot of history into just 0.4 miles, with petroglyphs, bedrock mortars, and tule structures that recreate village life of the Ohlone natives who once made their homes here.
Coyote Ridge Trail
Coyote Lake – Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. Hike through rare blue oak woodlands up to the ridge and enjoy marvelous views of the lake and surrounding foothills.