Within the over 81,000 acres of Henry W. Coe State Park are about 100 miles of roads and trails that are open to mountain bikes.  The rugged terrain offers a variety of riding options ranging from moderately difficult to extremely difficult.   There are practically no easy trails for bikes.  One intermediate to advanced mountain biker, after a ride in Coe Park, commented, "The riding was the most physically demanding I have ever done!"

For safe and responsible riding, please adhere to the following rules and guidelines.

• Where you can ride
• Riding responsibly
• How to do Coe Park
• Bikepacking in the park
• Trail mileages for bikes

• The Orestimba Wilderness is closed to mountain bikes.   But the road from Paradise Flat to the western boundary of the wilderness near Upper San Antonio Valley is not in the wilderness area and is open to bikes.  If you use that corridor, stay on the road.  Even walking your bike in the Orestimba Wilderness area is not allowed.
• Dirt roads in all other areas are open.   Over a hundred miles of dirt roads and many additional miles of single track trails are open to mountain bikers.
• Some trails near headquarters are closed.   Trails closed to bikes are marked with "no bike" logo signs.  Ask for a bike map at headquarters.   You must stay off these trails even if the signs are hidden by grass or are missing.
• All single-track trails are closed for 48 hours after a half inch of rain.   Roads remain open all the time.  But, up to 48 hours after at least a half inch of rain, single-track trails are closed to bikes to prevent excessive erosion and trail damage.   Check at the Visitor Center when you pay your fees.
• Riding cross-country is never allowed.   If a "trail" is not on the current maps or is not posted as a trail, stay off of it.
• The backcountry is open to bike campers.   The same rules apply to bikers as hikers; register and get a permit at headquarters, pay the same fees, no fires are allowed (except where designated), purify water, no dogs, and so forth.
• Motorcycles and motorized bikes are not allowed.

Riding responsibly:      (top)

Yield the right-of-way to hikers

As you approach hikers, slow down and let them know you're coming; a friendly greeting works well.  On narrow trails, stop and let hikers pass.

Yield the right-of-way to horses

When approaching horses, be even more cautious.  In most instances you should stop, get off your bike, and go to the lower side of the trail.  Horses are often leary of unfamiliar things that are taller than they are.  Horseback riders will usually let you know what you can safely do around their horses.

Keep your bike under control at all times

Riding your bike at dangerous speeds can hurt you and other innocent people, AND it's against the law.  Slow down or walk around blind turns.   Although park roads are generally closed to motor vehicles, state park and volunteer vehicles patrol the roads, and some property owners have rights-of-way through Coe Park.   Roads and trails are often rough and may be rutted in places.

Avoid damaging trails

Avoid creating ruts in soft or wet trails.  Get off and walk your bike if necessary.   Avoid knocking off the edge of a trail by riding slower, or by walking.  Be aware of what your tires are doing.

How to do Coe Park ... and live to tell about it:      (top)

Be prepared

You must be in good shape.  Very few roads and trails are suited for beginners, and even experienced bikers will find some areas too steep to ride up or down.  Most trails and roads include some sections ranging from steep to very steep to ridiculously steep.

Your bike should also be in good operating condition.  You should have the tools and know-how to repair a damaged tube and to fix other minor mechanical problems.

Always carry plenty of water

Take more than you think you'll need.  The water in backcountry springs, ponds, and streams could be contaminated with giardia and bacteria, but you can purify it for drinking if you bring a water microfilter, iodine tablets, or other suitable purification system.  The only treated water in the park is at the park headquarters.  Take food, as well, if you're riding for more than a few hours.

Watch out for exhaustion

Many bikers overdo it.  Don't join the ranks of unhappy bikers who go out too far, who don't take enough water or food, or who have to push their bikes up Coe Park's steep hills because of mechanical failure.  It's especially easy to overdo it during the hot days of summer.

Natural hazards

Bikers should also be prepared for such natural hazards as rattlesnakes (they'll generally avoid you), poison-oak and nettles (recognize and avoid), and ticks (they'll seek you out).  Ask for a copy of the Henry W. Coe State Park mountain bicycle informational handout for more information.

Bikepacking in the park:      (top)

Where you can camp

• In the park's Western Area, you can camp only in designated backpack campsites  (The Western Area is the camping zone that extends 5 to 8 miles out from park headquarters.)

• Outside the Western Area, you can camp wherever you like, with the following exceptions:
  • Bikes are not allowed in the Orestimba Wilderness (though some bikepackers stash their bikes at the edge of the wilderness area and hike in).

  • If you're packing into the park from the Coyote Creek or Hunting Hollow entrance, you must camp at least one-half mile from the entrance.

  • Always camp out of sight of other campers.

Bikepacking rules ...

• Bikepacking groups are limited to eight people.

• Fires are not allowed (except in the Manzanita Point sites), but you can use backpacking stoves.  During the dry season, we ask that you be particularly careful with your stove.

• Dogs and firearms are not allowed in the backcountry.

• Please pack out all your trash.

• Bury human waste and wash dishes at least 100 feet from streams, lakes, and springs.

... and recommendations

• You should purify any backcountry water that you're going to consume.

• Springs and creeks on the map might not have water.  Ask park staff about water availability when you register.  Or, check our water resources page.

• Be sure to take a map with you.  Maps are available in the Visitor Center.

• Some trails and roads are in poor condition and some are hard to find.  Ask park staff about the condition of roads and trails on your planned route.

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