East of Morgan Hill, Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in Northern California, with more than 87,000 acres of ridges, meadows and steep canyons in the Diablo Range, according to the Pine Ridge Association, the nonprofit that supports the park.

Why go in fall

Bay Area Parent lists Coe among the region's fall color spots, saying its maples turn yellow and black oaks show some red. The Pine Ridge Association says the park also holds the headwaters of Coyote Creek and a 23,300-acre wilderness area, with elevations from 710 feet to 3,560 feet near Mt. Stakes.

Three entrances

  • Coe Ranch (headquarters): The association says first-time visitors should start here. It's open every day, 24 hours a day, and it's the only entrance with visitor facilities and a drive-in campground. Drinking water is available. State Parks says it's 13 miles east of Morgan Hill on East Dunne Avenue: take the East Dunne exit off Highway 101 and go east past Anderson Lake. The last 10 miles are narrow and winding, and the drive takes about 30 minutes.
  • Hunting Hollow: On Gilroy Hot Springs Road in Gilroy, for day hikes and backpacking. There's no car camping or drinking water. You have to park here, since there's no parking at the nearby Coyote Creek gate.
  • Dowdy Ranch: Reached from the Bell's Station gate off Pacheco Pass Highway, about 7 miles north of Bell Station. The association says it's open seasonally from Feb. 16 to Nov. 30, roughly 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. So this is the last month to use it this year.

Fees and rules

State Parks lists vehicle day use at $8, and says special rates may apply at peak times. Dogs are only allowed at the Coe Ranch entrance, on leash, and not on the park's roads and trails except the half-mile trail between the entrance parking lot and the visitor center.

Hikes for every level

The association says hikes range from easy loops of about a mile and a half to backpacking loops of 50 miles. Coe Ranch has 19 drive-in campsites, each with a picnic table and fire pit. Hunting Hollow has no drinking water, so bring what you'll need.