Henry W. Coe State Park covers 87,000 acres in the Diablo Range east of Morgan Hill, making it the largest state park in northern California and the second-largest in the state system. The park climbs from about 800 feet at its western boundary to roughly 3,560 feet at Mount Sizer, with canyons, ridges, and more than 40 small lakes and ponds scattered across the backcountry. Spring brings serious wildflower density — California poppy, blue lupine, shooting star, and tidy tips carpet the grasslands in March and April, followed by fields of mariposa lily and gold-fields into May.
Dogs are welcome in the park headquarters area, the two campgrounds, and designated picnic areas, but they are not permitted on any of the parku2019s trails or fire roads. This is the standard California State Parks restriction, enforced strictly here because the backcountry runs through active wildlife habitat u2014 mountain lion, bobcat, wild pig, rattlesnake, and coyote all move through the park. If you are visiting with your dog, plan on spending time at the visitor center, the campgrounds, and the historic ranch grounds rather than hiking the backcountry.
The headquarters area at the top of East Dunne Avenue has a small visitor center, interpretive exhibits, and views west across the Santa Clara Valley. A paved loop near the parking area is leash-friendly and gives dogs a chance to stretch after the winding drive up. The Coe Ranch Campground offers shaded sites under oaks for overnight stays with dogs. The historic Coe Ranch house, restored by State Parks, is visible from the ranch loop and sits near where the dirt ranch roads branch into the wilderness.
Reach the park from Highway 101 in Morgan Hill by taking East Dunne Avenue about 13 miles east u2014 a narrow, twisting two-lane road that climbs 2,300 feet in switchbacks. The drive is beautiful but takes 30 to 40 minutes from the valley floor, and sensitive dogs may not enjoy it. There is no cell service at the park itself, so download offline maps before leaving town. The entrance fee is eight dollars per vehicle.
