Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

Yes, it’s a long lake in oaky grass covered hills. Yes, it seems like a good place to ski. But for a quieter, more verdant adventure-paddle, explore the south end. Where the feeder creek meanders into the lake, there are big shade trees, water plants, and reeds to thread through. (No new water flowing in the middle of August.) Delightful 4 mile round trip paddle from the boat ramp.

Loved this park! We RV camped here for a couple of nights. It’s completely off-grid if that’s what you’re looking for. Zero WiFi or cell service. Bathrooms and showers very clean and well kept. (Wear flip flops in shower tho) Beautiful, tranquil in the AM. A little noisy at night when busy. Very kid /dog friendly. We saw wild turkeys and deer. Giving 4 stars instead of 5 because you can do EVERYTHING else (boat, motorboat, kayak, canoe, and wave runners, etc.) in the lake EXCEPT swim. 🤔

I can't express just how much I adore this park; it's easily my favorite in the entire Bay Area. The vastness of this place is awe-inspiring, and it's brimming with an abundance of stunning vistas. As for wildlife sightings, I've had some remarkable encounters. From playful turkeys to elusive wild pigs, even a rather startled Rattle Snake (don't worry, we kept our distance!), a coyote that seemed to be exploring its own adventures, graceful deer, and a bobcat that simply left me in awe. I've hiked on nearly every trail this park has to offer, and I just can't seem to get enough of it. It's one of those places where you want to return time and time again. The park's diverse beauty and its resident wildlife create an irresistible pull that makes every visit a unique and memorable experience. If you're a nature enthusiast, this park is an absolute must-visit!

I went here camping , and it was a very nice campsite. We had a campsite closest to the water, which was down a hill. During different times of the year, the water recedes or comes up. Winter is usually when it is up. The campsite was kind of wet, and I got my shoes wet and dirty even though it (probably) didn’t rain. Bathroom was clean, I prefer paper towels instead of a hand dryer which I could hear from my campsite.

Probably this is the best time to visit the park. It was green everywhere. Somewhat like New Zealand or Sweden. Because it was raining a few days ago. The trail was very muddy. But still, the view was great.