Location: County: Santa Clara. Nearest City:
Gilroy.
Campsites, facilities: Visitors may choose from 100
drive-in and walk-in first-come, first-served campsites spread
throughout four campgrounds. Each site comes equipped with a
barbecue pit, food locker and picnic table. Showers(for a small
fee) are also available, as well as 17 partial hook-up RV sites.
Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 20 mile trail
system. Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served
basis. Group picnic, group camping and youth camping areas are
available by reservation. Maximum stay is 14 days within a 30-day
period.
Reservations, fees: No reservations; $8 per night,
$1 pet fee. Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round on weekends
and holidays, and are also collected on weekdays from one week
before Memorial Day until one week after Labor Day. Fees are
required for camping, and for use of group picnic and group camping
areas.
Contact: Call Mount Madonna County Park at 1-408-842-2341
or fax 1-408-842-6642.
Mount Madonna County Park
Hecker Pass Highway
Watsonville CA 95075
Operating hours, seasons: The park is open year-round
from 8 a.m. until sunset. All non-campers must leave the park
one half hour after sunset.
Directions: The park is located on Highway 152 (Hecker
Pass Highway), ten miles west of Gilroy. From the east, use Highway
101, and take the Highway 152 West exit. From the west, use Highway
1, and take the Highway 152 East exit. The entrance to the park
is located at the summit of Highway 152 at Pole Line Road.
Weather, clothing: The weather can be changeable; layered
clothing is recommended.
Trip notes: Mt. Madonna County Park, one of the most
majestic of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation
areas. This 3,219 acre park is dominated by the redwood forest
so characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. To the east,
the park overlooks the Santa Clara Valley, to the west, Monterey
Bay. As the slopes of Mt. Madonna descend toward the valley,
the landscape changes from redwood forest to oak woodland, dense
chaparral and grassy meadows. Park visitors may learn about areas
where Ohlone Indians hunted and harvested, and will understand
why cattle baron Henry Miller spent his summers here. Bowmen
may practice archery skills at the beautiful archery range. A
one mile self-guided nature trail winds around the ruins of cattle
baron Henry Miller's summer home. White fallow deer, descendants
of a pair donated by William Randolph Hearst in 1932, can be
viewed in an enclosed pen. The park's amphitheater, available
by reservation for weddings and other special functions, also
features live music and slide shows Memorial Day through Labor
Day. These free shows are provided by park docents every Saturday
at 8 p.m. The park also features a visitor center where the natural
history, geology and cultural history of the park is highlighted.
In addition, a small herd of white deer are kept protected in
a pen near the parking area, for a rare chance to see unique
wildlife. Sprig Lake, a small pond where children ages 5-12 can
fish, is open April through June. No wood gathering. Wood may
be purchased at the entry station kiosk. Enjoy your visit, and
return often to the pristine redwood forest of Mt. Madonna County
Park.
© 2001, Miwok Lodge 439, Order of the
Arrow, Santa Clara County Council Inc., BSA
Revision 1.2
