Coe Park is a rugged, spacious, and largely undeveloped expanse of ridges, canyons, creeks, valleys, and vistas.  The park is a paradise for people who want to temporarily trade the conveniences of cities and suburbs for the wonders and challenges of true wilderness.  Camping in Coe Park, either close in or in the backcountry, is a great way to get to know the park.  When you spend the night at Coe, you might be sung to sleep at night by a chorus of coyotes and awakened in the morning by the gobbling of wild turkeys.

Car Camping in the Headquarters Campground

The campground at park headquarters, located on top of an open ridge at 2,600 feet, has breathtaking views across the ridges and canyons of the backcountry.  The 20 drive-in sites in the campground can be reserved.  Sites that haven't been reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but the campground often has vacant sites except on busy spring and summer weekends and major holiday weekends.  Call ahead at 408-779-2728 to find out how full we are.  For more information, see our headquarters camping page.

Backpacking in the Park

Some backpackers come to the park for the first time because they've heard it's a good place to get in shape for Sierra backpacking trips.  They usually expect to find rugged country but are often unprepared for the gorgeous scenery they encounter and the sense of seclusion they find in the vast landscapes of the park.  Most return year after year, not to get in shape, but because they've fallen in love with Coe Park. 

For more information about backpacking in the park, see our backpacking page.

Group Camping

Coe Park has ten hike-in group campsites at the southeast end of Pine Ridge in an area called Manzanita Point.  At the bottom of the ridge, in a shady little valley called Poverty Flat, there's another area where groups can camp.  For information about group campsites and how you can reserve them, see our group camping page.