Mount Madonna County Park
Mount Madonna County Park is located about 10 miles west of Gilroy on Highway 152. This beautiful 3,688-acre park was once the mountain estate of German immigrant Henry Miller. Miller came to America in 1850 with only $6 in his pocket and began building a cattle ranching business. He was so successful that he eventually controlled over 14.5 million acres of land where he grazed a million head of cattle and over 100,000 sheep. In the 1870's, Miller began buying property on Mount Madonna for a summer retreat. In the 1890's, he began constructing what would become three expansive bungalows. He terraced the hillsides and planted lawns, flower gardens, an orchard, and a vineyard. After Miller's death in 1916, the estate fell into disrepair. In 1927, the County of Santa Clara started buying the property from Miller's heirs for parkland. Today, stone foundations and stairways are all that remain of the impressive estate.
Mount Madonna County Park offers about 14 miles of trails that extend from Blackhawk Canyon along Highway 152 to the old Miller estate at the summit. The trails are a mix of dirt roads and singletrack. One particularly interesting trail is the one-mile self-guided nature trail that winds around the ruins of Henry Miller's summer estate. Sections of the Merry-go-Round Trail and Ridge Trail are sunny and exposed, while most other trails in the park are shaded. Elevations in the park range from about 500' along Highway 152 to just under 2000' at the summit. Note that the views from the summit itself are obscured by a dense forest; however, there are excellent views from the trails as you approach the summit.
Mount Madonna County Park offers about 14 miles of trails that extend from Blackhawk Canyon along Highway 152 to the old Miller estate at the summit. The trails are a mix of dirt roads and singletrack. One particularly interesting trail is the one-mile self-guided nature trail that winds around the ruins of Henry Miller's summer estate. Sections of the Merry-go-Round Trail and Ridge Trail are sunny and exposed, while most other trails in the park are shaded. Elevations in the park range from about 500' along Highway 152 to just under 2000' at the summit. Note that the views from the summit itself are obscured by a dense forest; however, there are excellent views from the trails as you approach the summit.
One of the yurts at Valley View Campground
In addition to hiking trails, Mount Madonna County Park offers 118 drive-in and walk-in reservable campsites spread throughout four campgrounds. If sleeping on the ground is not your thing, fully furnished yurts are also available for reservation. Shaded picnic areas are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bowmen may practice their skills at the archery range. The park's amphitheater, available by reservation for weddings and other special functions, also features live music and slide shows from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park also features a visitor center where the natural history, geology and cultural history of the park is highlighted. Refer to the park website for more information on any of these activities.
Located just outside of the park, Mount Madonna Stables offers horseback trail rides in Mount Madonna County Park. Beginner to advanced riders are welcome. Please refer to their website for more information.
Located just outside of the park, Mount Madonna Stables offers horseback trail rides in Mount Madonna County Park. Beginner to advanced riders are welcome. Please refer to their website for more information.
Mount Madonna County Park is also home to a unique herd of white fallow deer. These deer are the descendants of two white deer given to Henry Miller by wealthy publisher William Randolph Hearst about a century ago. Hearst, who lived on the Central Coast, had acquired the deer from their native home in Europe. Since then, the deer had overpopulated his estate, so he began giving them away as gifts. By the time Henry Miller died in 1919 and the park service had begun to collect the land at Mt. Madonna, there was an entire herd to be cared for.
Today, the white fallow deer are kept in a pen, separated from the other animals of the park. This is because they are not native to California and would affect the environment and could spread diseases to other animals. Behind the safety of the fencing, the deer have no predators and will come right up to you as you approach the fence, hoping for a little food! Even though they are cute, please do not feed the deer!
Today, the white fallow deer are kept in a pen, separated from the other animals of the park. This is because they are not native to California and would affect the environment and could spread diseases to other animals. Behind the safety of the fencing, the deer have no predators and will come right up to you as you approach the fence, hoping for a little food! Even though they are cute, please do not feed the deer!
Remnants of the Henry Miller estate house
The Dirt:
Extras:
- Click here to download a printable trail map of the Favorite Runs below!
- Click here for the official park website with link to trail map.
- Click here for driving directions to Sprig Recreation Area trailhead along Hwy 152.
- Dogs are allowed on ALL TRAILS in the park!
Extras:
- Drinkable water is available at the visitor center and at the campgrounds.
- A one-mile self-guilded interpretive nature trail winds around the remains of the old Henry Miller summer estate.
- The park also offers 118 campsites, fully furnished yurts, and group picnic areas.
- There is an archery range in the park.
- Located just outside of the park, Mount Madonna Stables offers horseback trail rides in Mount Madonna County Park.
- Located just west of the park, Mount Madonna Center is a conference and retreat center located on 355 acres of mountain-top redwood forest.
Favorite Run #1: Tie Camp Loop (4.0 mi, ~900' elevation gain) 🐾
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This short but challenging loop starts out flat but soon begins steadily climbing up an old dirt road with nice views of the valley below. Before reaching the summit, you turn on Tie Camp Trail which winds through a small redwood grove. You descend on Ridge Trail which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
This run starts from the Sprig Recreation Area trailhead along Hwy 152. Begin the loop by heading up the main dirt road to the Merry-go-round Trail. GPX Track Printable Trail Map Driving Directions |
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Route Details:
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Redwood grove on Tie Camp Trail
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Views from the Ridge Trail
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Climbing up Merry-go-round Trail
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Favorite Run #2: White Deer Loop (6.1 mi, ~1500' elevation gain) 🐾
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This loop climbs 1500' to the summit of Mt. Madonna to visit the remains of the Henry Miller Estate and see the white fallow deer. Note that the summit itself is densely forested so there are no views; however, the views from the climb to the summit are grand. The descent follows the longest continuous stretch of singletrack in the park (about 3 miles) through a redwood grove and a down a beautiful wooded descent back to your car.
This run starts from the Sprig Recreation Area trailhead along Hwy 152. Begin the loop by heading up the main dirt road to the Merry-go-round Trail. GPX Track Printable Trail Map Driving Directions |
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Route Details:
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The singletrack Sprig Trail
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Remains of the Henry Miller estate
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Rock Springs Trail
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Favorite Run #3: Double Loop (10.1 mi, ~2400' elevation gain) 🐾
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Want a longer route that is a grand tour of many of the best trails in the park? Just combine Favorite Runs 1 and 2 into one giant double-loop! You can do 1 then 2, or 2 then 1. The double-loop route as shown here does Favorite Run 1 first, then Favorite Run 2. Note that when doing the second loop, you repeat a 1.7-mile section of the Merry-go-round Trail.
This run starts from the Sprig Recreation Area trailhead along Hwy 152. Begin the loop by heading up the main dirt road to the Merry-go-round Trail. GPX Track Printable Trail Map Driving Directions |
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