Stevens Creek County Park

Welcome to Stevens Creek County Park. The beautiful 1,063 acre park offers widely diverse recreational amenities, including the 86 acre reservoir. Visitors may enjoy exploring the remnants of the historic Villa Maria orchard.

Stevens Creek County Park is located along Stevens Canyon Road and Mt. Eden Road in the foothills between Saratoga and Cupertino. To access the park from Cupertino, take Interstate Highway 280 to Foothill Expressway. Follow Foothill Blvd. west three miles to the northern park entrance (Foothill Blvd. changes into Stevens Canyon Road as it crosses McClellan Road). From Saratoga, travel north on Highway 9 to Pierce Road. Turn onto Pierce Road and travel 1.8 miles to Mt. Eden Road. Turn left onto Mt. Eden Road and travel 1.5 miles to the south park entrance.

Upper Stevens Creek County Park is located at:
Skyline Blvd Palo Alto, CA 94034
Park Office: (408) 867-9959                                                                       

Upper Stevens Creek Park can be accessed from Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35). A parking area is located approximately 3 miles south of Page Mill Road and 3.2 miles north of Highway 9. Upper Stevens Creek Park may also be accessed by foot, horse or bicycle from Stevens Canyon Road or the connecting Mid-Peninsula Open Space lands and trails. Public transit is available to Stevens Creek County Park.

Activities

Stevens Creek Reservoir is an 82 acre, non-power boating reservoir popular with fisherman and boaters. Anglers may fish for black bass, large mouth bass, catfish and crappie. Sailors, kayakers and non-power boaters can enjoy a beautiful view from the calm waters of Stevens Creek Reservoir. Please click here for more information regarding fishing at Stevens Creek Reservoir.

Shoreline picnic facilities are available at the very popular Lakeshore Picnic area. Six beautifully shaded first-come, first-served picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. Three of the picnic sites are located along Stevens Creek. Two group picnic areas are available by reservation for group functions.

Hikers, bikers and equestrians may enjoy a variety of over 9 miles of single track and multi-use trails. Solitude may be found along many of the trails which connect with the Mid-Peninsula Open Space Fremont Older Preserve. Mountain bicycling is one of the more popular recreational activities at Stevens Creek Park.

Upper Stevens Creek County Park may be accessed through Stevens Creek Couny Park and functions as one of a chain of many publicly owned lands located along the peninsula skyline. The Bay Area Ridge Trail also passes through Upper Stevens Creek County Park. 

If you prefer horses, there are many miles of trails to traverse. Horses are available for rent at Garrod Stables located just outside the south entrance on Mt. Eden Road. Check out Garrod Farms for horse rentals.

Archery enthusiasts may practice their skills along the 28 station roving archery course and range which is open to the public.

Stevens Creek County Park is also one of the most popular birding parks in the bay area. Over 125 species have been sighted and recorded to date.

The ranger station, located at the north entrance to the park, provides maps and displays for visitors.


Picnicking

Picnicking by families and groups is one of the most popular activities at Stevens Creek County Park. Please help make this experience enjoyable for everyone by adhering to the following rules and any posted regulations:

  • Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A responsible adult (with picnic items) must be present in order to hold a picnic table.
  • Reservations are recommended for groups larger than twenty. Please call (408) 355-2201, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Parking stalls may not be saved. Reservations at group areas do not include reserved parking.
  • Do not drive into picnic areas or onto lawns, paths, or landscaping.
  • Twenty minutes is the maximum time allowed for parking in a yellow zone for unloading and loading of picnic supplies.
  • Post directional signs in designated areas only.
  • No tacks, nails, or staples on park signs, tables, or trees.
  • Allow fires in barbecue pits to burn out. Water will damage the grill and pit.
  • Amplified music is prohibited without a permit.

Hours and Fees

The parks are open year round from 8 a.m. until sunset. Boats must be off the water 30 minutes before sunset. Lake use and vehicle entry fees are collected daily at the Chestnut Parking Lot. Fees are also required for group picnic reservations.

Access fees information here: Vehicle Entry FeesBoat & Vessel Entry FeesGroup Picnic Sites Fees  

Accessibility

In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (‘ADA’), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities. The Department will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disability have an equal opportunity to enjoy our programs, services, facilities, and activities. If you need assistance with an ADA request, please contact our ADA Coordinator. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Attachments:

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