Los Gatos Creek Trail

Welcome

Welcome to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and County Park! The Los Gatos Creek Trail offers recreational opportunities for walkers, jogger, bicyclists, skaters, non-motorized scooters, bladers and nature lovers. The trails is operated by the County of Santa Clara Park Department, City of Campbell, Town of Los Gatos and the City of San Jose. The trail passes through a number of jurisdictions. Visitors are responsible for all rules and regulations applicable to each jurisdiction. Another great amenity to the trail is the Los Gatos Creek dog park. With artificial turf it's able to withstand the many dogs that love this park. There's shade, seating and water. If you decide to park in the parking lot, an entry fee will be collected or you may purchase one of our annual parking passes to save you much needed money!

Los Gatos Creek County Park
1250 Dell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008

(408) 356-2729

How to Get There

The map which can be downloaded below indicates recommended access points where parking is available. Other non-vehicular access points are also available along the trail.

From San Jose - Currently, the northernmost access to the trail is located at Blackford Elementary School, near the intersection of Leigh Avenue and Willow Street. Limited on-street parking is available at Bascom Avenue, north of Hamilton Avenue.

From Campbell - Access and parking are available; from Campbell Park on Los Gatos Creek at Campbell Avenue; from Los Gatos Creek County Park located on Dell and Hacienda Avenues, from Old Camden Ave., and from the westerly end of Campisi Way, north of Campbell Avenue. Additional access points are located at Camden Avenue/Highway 17 and Railway Avenue.

From Los Gatos - Access and parking are available; from Vasona County Park and Oak Meadow Park off Blossom Hill Road, from downtown Los Gatos at Miles Avenue, Main Street, and Forbes Mill, and from the Lexington Reservoir Dam. Public transit is available to Los Gatos Creek Trail.

About Los Gatos Creek

A Water Resource

The Los Gatos Creek is one of the few urban streams in Santa Clara Valley which remains relatively intact. It is both a riparian corridor for plants and wildlife and is part of an intricate system of water resources and flood protection.

Surface water runoff from the watershed that drains into Los Gatos Creek is captured by Lexington Reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains. That water is then used to recharge, or refill, the valley's groundwater basin. Reservoir water is released and carried to recharge ponds via the creek. Water held in the ponds seeps or "percolates" through the earth's layers until it reaches underground aquifers. This percolation process helps clean the water before it reaches the underground storage basin.

All along Los Gatos Creek you will see groundwater recharge in action. Water released from Lexington Reservoir flows to Vasona Lake where a system of gates at the dam releases water downstream to the percolation ponds at Los Gatos Creek County Park and Budd, Camden, McGlincey, Oka Lane, Page and Sunnyoaks ponds. Ultimately, the creek joins the Guadalupe River and flows northward to San Francisco Bay.

Los Gatos also plays a role in flood protection for the west valley. The creek is part of the vast Guadalupe River watershed. Along with many other smaller creeks, it drains into the river. During rainstorms, the creeks help manage river flows by carrying water from storm drainage systems.

Water supply and flood management in the Santa Clara Valley is the responsibility of the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

Why a Regional Trail?

• Link existing or planned regional parks and open space areas
• Create a network of regional trails and alternative transportation corridors
• Provide access to significant natural areas and historic sites
• Provide a variety of recreational opportunities to multiple communities

Accessibility

The majority of the facilities along the Los Gatos Creek Trail and parks within the creek trail corridor meet those standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act. For other specific information or special accommodations, please contact any of the offices listed in this brochure.