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Vasona Lake County Park is the easy, flat counterpart to the hiking parks in the hills above Los Gatos. Santa Clara County Parks manages 152 acres around Vasona Reservoir on the north edge of town, with 45 acres of lawn, picnic groves, a boat dock and a nature center. The Los Gatos Creek Trail runs straight through it. Next door, the town's Oak Meadow Park holds the station for the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and a carousel.
From Palo Alto it makes a relaxed half day with kids, a picnic stop on a bike ride or a pleasant walk before dinner in downtown Los Gatos. This guide covers the drive and fees, boating and fishing, the trail, the nature center and the rules.
Getting there and parking
From Palo Alto, take Interstate 280 south to Highway 85, then Highway 17 south toward Los Gatos. Allow about 25 to 30 minutes outside rush hour. The county's directions from southbound Highway 17: exit at Lark Avenue, go east, turn right on Los Gatos Boulevard and right again on Blossom Hill Road. The park entrance is at 333 Blossom Hill Road.
Walk-in entrances are on Garden Hill Drive and University Avenue, handy if you park in town or arrive on the creek trail. Parking inside is first come, first served. On busy weekends the county's picnic rules matter:
- Parking spaces cannot be saved. Group reservations do not include parking.
- Do not drive into picnic areas or onto lawns, paths or landscaping.
- Loading and unloading in the yellow zone is limited to 20 minutes.
Hours and fees
The county says the park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset. It collects vehicle entrance fees and lake use fees all year. Group picnic reservations carry separate fees. The park page itself does not list amounts. The county's fee schedule lists these, all subject to change:
| Fee | Amount listed |
|---|---|
| Day-use vehicle entry | $6, in most parks |
| Annual vehicle pass | $95; $48 for seniors 60 and older |
| Daily vessel entry | $5 for non-motorized craft; $3 for paddleboards and float tubes |
Check the county's park page or the kiosk for current amounts. The county site refuses automated checks, so read it in a browser. The park office is (408) 355-2375.
Boating and fishing on the lake
Vasona Reservoir formed behind the Vasona Percolating Dam, built across Los Gatos Creek in 1935, Wikipedia says. Valley Water owns it. It is the district's smallest reservoir, with a surface of about 57 acres. Wikipedia adds that the name came from Albert August Vollmer, who arrived in 1887 and named the area after a childhood pony.
- Rentals: the county rents paddle boats and row boats from early spring through early fall.
- Your own boat: human-powered boating is allowed, Wikipedia says. Boating and boat inspection reservations go through (408) 355-2201 or the county's Go Outside and Play site. Inspections screen for invasive mussels.
- Fishing: the county lists black bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. Anglers 16 and older need a California fishing license. See our fishing guide.
- Swimming: not allowed. Santa Clara County prohibits swimming in all of its lakes, streams and reservoirs.
Our kayaking and paddling guide compares Vasona with paddling on the bay and at Shoreline Lake.
The Los Gatos Creek Trail
The county describes the Los Gatos Creek Trail as a multi-use trail of about 9.5 miles for walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters. It starts at Lexington Reservoir above Los Gatos and runs through downtown, Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos Creek County Park and Campbell into San Jose. Call boxes stand along the way.
Through Vasona and Campbell the trail is nearly flat, good for children on bikes. South of downtown Los Gatos it climbs steeply to Lexington Dam. A popular outing is to start at Vasona, ride or walk north to the percolation ponds and return. You can look for a bike rental if you are traveling without one. Our Campbell guide covers the next stretch north.
Los Gatos Creek County Park
About midway along the trail, this 110-acre county park holds six percolation ponds. The northernmost is for fishing and is stocked with rainbow trout from November through April. The other ponds are for watching waterfowl; feeding them is banned. Casting ponds are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset for fly and plug casting practice, with no hooks and no dogs allowed.
Kids: the train, the nature center and play
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad
The miniature railroad starts from its station in Oak Meadow Park, the town park next door at 233 Blossom Hill Road. It loops about a mile through Vasona. Rides take 8 to 10 minutes. The W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel sits beside the station. The railroad's winter schedule from November 2, 2026 is weekends 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It does not run in rain. Our kids and trains guide has ticket details.
Youth Science Institute
At the park's north end, the Youth Science Institute runs a nature center with science programs and outings. The county lists its hours as Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 408-356-4945, extension 12, to ask about programs. Behind the center, the Viola Anderson Native Plant Trail is a quiet loop through native plantings.
Lawns, playgrounds and a phone game
The 45 acres of lawn suit frisbee, soccer and pickup softball. The park has a playground. Oak Meadow Park next door has another. The county also offers Agents of Discovery, a free mobile game played on foot along the paved paths in 30 to 45 minutes, in English and Spanish.
Fantasy of Lights
Each December the county stages Fantasy of Lights, a holiday light show at Vasona that began in 1999. Dates, drive-through or walk-through formats and ticket rules change from year to year. Check the county parks site for the 2026 schedule.
Picnics
Family tables are first come, first served. A responsible adult with picnic items must be present to hold a table. One party can hold up to three tables. The county recommends reservations for groups over 20; eight reservable group areas are spread through the park. Book through (408) 355-2201. Amplified music needs a permit. Do not tack, nail or staple signs to tables or trees. Let barbecue fires burn out, since water damages the grills. See our picnic spots guide for options closer to Palo Alto.
Dogs, bikes and safety
- Dogs: welcome on the trail on a leash, the county says. Pick up after your dog; free scoopers are provided. No dogs in the casting area at Los Gatos Creek County Park.
- Bikes: use the Los Gatos Creek multi-use trail. Ride slowly on the busy paths near the lake. County rules ban fully electric bicycles in its parks.
- Water: no swimming in the lake or the creek.
- Wildlife: do not feed the geese and ducks.
- Summer heat: Los Gatos runs warmer than Palo Alto on summer afternoons. Bring water and sun protection.
Compared with the hill parks, this is an easy outing. Still, poison oak can grow along creek banks anywhere in the valley, ticks turn up in long grass and the creek runs fast after winter storms. Keep children back from the water's edge.
What pairs nearby
- Downtown Los Gatos: walk the creek trail south to lunch and shops.
- Campbell: follow the trail north to downtown Campbell.
- Sierra Azul Preserve: a harder hike in the hills above town, on the Kennedy or Priest Rock trails.
Frequently asked questions
Can you rent boats at Vasona Lake?
Yes. Santa Clara County says paddle boats and row boats can be rented from early spring through early fall. Boating and boat inspection reservations go through the county at (408) 355-2201 or its Go Outside and Play booking site. Swimming is not allowed.
How much does it cost to park at Vasona Lake County Park?
The county collects vehicle entry and lake use fees year-round. Its fee schedule lists $6 for day-use vehicle entry in most parks and a $95 annual vehicle pass. Walk-in visitors can enter from Garden Hill Drive and University Avenue.
Are dogs allowed at Vasona Lake County Park?
Yes, on a leash. The county says dogs are welcome on the trail if leashed, owners must pick up after them and free scoopers are provided. Dogs are not allowed in the casting area at neighboring Los Gatos Creek County Park.
Is the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad in Vasona Park?
The miniature train starts from its station in Oak Meadow Park, a Town of Los Gatos park next door at 233 Blossom Hill Road. The one-mile loop runs through Vasona Lake County Park and takes 8 to 10 minutes. Its winter schedule from November 2, 2026 is weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
When is Fantasy of Lights at Vasona?
Fantasy of Lights is the county's December holiday light show at Vasona, which began in 1999. Dates, formats and ticket rules change from year to year, so check the county parks site for the 2026 schedule before you plan a visit.