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    Harvey Bear County Park

    4.4 (31 reviews)

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    Abou K.

    I love hiking. And I especially love a good open hike that is pet friendly! The county park offers a great hiking experience with a moderate level of elevation. You may run into some of the farm animals so you have to keep your dog on a leash at all times, but there's still plenty of space for them to roam! The park rangers do patrol and monitor to make sure all dogs are on leashes! The hike offers great views of the Morgan Hills area! Would highly recommend for everyone!

    LOL!
    Kathryn B.

    This large park has a lot to offer--hiking, mountain biking, camping, and boating, for example. The camping and boating is all via the Coyote Lake Entrance, which is a bit farther drive into the hills. If you want to stay closer to Morgan Hill and just do a hike, try the Harvey Bear Ranch entrance off San Martin Avenue. Parking is free and portable toilets are available. We did a four mile loop hike, heading up the Willow Springs Trail, cutting across the face of the hills on the Townsprings Trail, and returning to the lot via the Harvey Bear Trail. The trails are well-maintained and popular with mountain bikers. You start in the valley, so all of the trails (except the Martin Murphy Trail which does a flat loop in the valley) involve climbing, but the grades are reasonable. The trails are almost entirely in the open, so there is both a lot of sun and great views of the valley. We saw plenty of cattle and a family of wild pigs that scooted off ahead of us. This was a very pleasant hike. There are probably more dramatic views both east and west from the top of the ridge, but that would involve a longer hike. If you want to stick to a shorter stroll, this loop is fine, but I actually prefer the four mile loop across the valley in the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. It offers more varied scenery, some shade, and arguably better views.

    Gloria C.

    I ventured out here to hike and take some pictures. Plenty of parking. Great place to hike, bike ride or walk your dog. There are a variety of trails to choose from. There are kid friendly trails or a great place to bring them to ride their bike around the loop trail.

    Coyote Ridge Trail, off Mendoza Ranch entrance  (Early spring 2017)
    Michelle N.

    This park is huge! I've entered the park from all 3 entrances, and each has a different type of trail/scenery. (*Note: lots of cows and cow dung at this park so if you have a sensitive nose this place isn't for you). The Harvey Bear Ranch entrance (off San Martin Road and free parking) has the Martin Murphy Trail (which is basically a high school running track), and easy hikes further into the park. I've hiked the Harvey Bear-Coyote Ridge Loop, but remember to check your map! The park is big so one wrong turn could be a significant detour. The Mendoza Ranch entrance (also free parking) is on the outskirts of Gilroy. The last time I was here I went on the Mummy Mountain Trail and it was great! It was early spring so everything was lush and green. Plus lots of cute little calves moo-ing at me while I ran past. :) The Coyote Lake entrance has you go through parts of Gilroy to get to the entrance, and since it's the main entrance, I believe you have to pay for parking. This trail runs along Coyote Lake. It's a bit dry/hot in the summer, especially since there isn't too much tree cover, but it's a very easy, flat hike. Overall, I really enjoy hiking/running at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear County Park - with its variety of scenery, terrain and abundant trails. A great place to visit!

    Roshni G.

    Love this hike. Perfect for the whole family. The walking loop is great too. Spacious enough for strollers and never too packed.

    Josef L.

    This park is nice and clean except the cow pastures. Lol. The places opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. Make sure you leave . A park ranger will be there at sunset to close the parking area off of San Martin Ave. The trails well mark and scenery is great. Moderate walking trails. You can try the lower one if you aren't sure with the foothill trails. Can be busy but it's a nice place and let's keep it nice. Peaceful.

    You looking at me? You looking at me? You must be looking at me because I don't see any other bovines out here.
    Sidney S.

    Buck Swope: You're not being fair. This isn't fair. Bank Worker: This financial institution cannot endorse pornography. Buck Swope: Stop saying pornography. Why are you doing this to me? I am an actor. I am an actor. The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit -- Moliere Better to be without logic than without feeling -- Charlotte Bronte This time of the year is a perfect time to hike Harvey Bear. I'm starting to do it most evenings either several loops around the 2 mile jogging path or 60-90 minutes up in the hills. Beautiful, green lush hills with beautiful gnarled oaks. I'm sure in the summer it is ugly but right now, especially with a cool, rainy day like today...almost like Ireland. And yes, like the 3 star review states and my photos show, there are cool looking future beef by-products roaming the hills along with wild, succulent living bacon vessels (otherwise known as pigs). And if you be scared of cows, maybe hiking is an activity that you should give a second thought to. Because someday you might run into a squirrel, raccoon, or egads a deer!! Oh, oh Biff...that Buck be angry...just as angry as Buck in Boogie Nights was angry at getting denied his bank loan to open a stereo store. Harvey Bear is a fun park to hike in just don't miss your trail like I did and come back after dark because a 4 mile jaunt became an 8 mile Bataan Death March with no water while hiking with sunglasses on. They are not kidding when they say they will ticket your car after sunset (that's why I park on the street outside the gates). Highly recommended right now while it is green and the wildflowers start blooming. And don't tip them cows or be afraid of them!

    Views from one of the picnic benches
    Taylor B.

    By far one of my favorite trails. I parked at Mendoza Ranch, free parking & absolutely gorgeous drive up. I highly recommend this trail if you want to experience beautiful views. It has a cute little pond where the cows hang out, there are a few picnic benches along the hike where you can stop & enjoy the views, & it is green as ever right now!! Absolutely breath taking. We had the opportunity to watch the cows going back along the trail while we were ending our hike. So awesome. There is a porter potty in the parking lot & plenty of parking.

    Beautiful view
    Carliemania P.

    It's beautiful here. The hikes are perfect for beginners or intermediate hikers. The park is dog friendly and people are nice.

    The trail

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    3 years ago

    Love the views, great place to walk and unwind! I always play music and helps me with my trails. Overall always a great experience!

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    9 years ago

    Love going to this park with my girls and my dog. We really enjoy the scenery and wild life.

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    Ask the Community - Harvey Bear County Park

    Review Highlights - Harvey Bear County Park

    FREE parking at this and Harvey Bear Ranch Entrance, at the Coyote Lake Entrance you gotta pay (don't know cost).

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    Morgan Hill Community Park

    Morgan Hill Community Park

    4.9(10 reviews)
    6.9 mi

    We came here for a kid's birthday party, and this park is so nice!…read more It's very spacious, lots of free parking, and lots of features. There is an extensive playground with different types of swings, merry-go-round things, a large playhouse thing, and several slides on a little hill on the playground. In the area with the slides they have turf material and there is a recycling box with cardboard so that kids can use it and also sled down the hill. They have different types of courts like for basketball, pickleball, tennis, baseball. There is lots of space to walk on the gravel path, and there is sort of a pond area (which appears to be less maintained). There are many picnic areas that are shaded too. I really liked that the area the birthday party was located had a gate so that kids wouldn't run out and away. The playground also had a gate on it too, which is great for childrens' safety and parents' ease of minds! We noticed the bathrooms are somewhat high tech with lights to activate the automatic doors and lights to indicate that the bathroom is occupied. I didn't go in, so I can't comment on cleanliness/upkeep. Wish this kind of park was more common. I would highly recommend this park!

    The fact alone that this park has bathrooms makes it awesome…read more I have been coming to this park my entire life. It has definitely gotten some upgrades. New magical bridge playground opens this weekend. It's not even open yet and it looks beautiful so far :) It has a dog park, a trail, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a baseball field. I almost forgot, the ducks! It has a lake with ducks! I like walking the trail because there are plenty of trees which creates shade, so it's not just sunny. The bathrooms are located in between the tennis courts and the baseball field. Also, parking is free! Anyone can come with children, strollers, solo individuals, people with dogs, anyone. Everyone is in their own world, living their life with nature.

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    Morgan Hill Community Park
    Morgan Hill Community Park
    Morgan Hill Community Park - A family let their dog just be outside, tied up to a car

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    A family let their dog just be outside, tied up to a car

    Harvey Bear County Park - hiking - Updated May 2026

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