Henry W. Coe State Park

Coe is the biggest state park in Northern California, covering about 87,000 acres of the Diablo Range. The Coe Ranch entrance has drive-in sites, a visitor centre, a camp store and a half-mile dog-friendly trail, while most of the park is reserved for hikers, riders and backpackers. Wildflowers peak from February to May, and summers are hot with little water.

Good to know

• Drive-in sites are $20 per night and book on ReserveCalifornia
• Wood and charcoal fires are banned for the rest of the fire season; gas stoves are fine
• Dogs are allowed at Coe Ranch in the campground, on paved areas and the Live Oak Trail only
• No showers; vault toilets plus flush toilets behind the visitor centre

Best time

February to May

Open

All year; Dowdy Ranch is seasonal

Getting there

Sealed road to Coe Ranch headquarters; Hunting Hollow and Dowdy Ranch are other entrances

Vehicles

Campervans fine

Dogs

Dogs on a lead

Facilities

• Picnic tables
• Toilets
• Drinking water

Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.