Pacheco Falls

Santa Clara County, California

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Santa Clara County, California
Access status: Official park backpacking route; strenuous multi-day trip
The walk: 9.3 miles one way (park figure); planned as a 2 to 3 day trip
Ground & access: Strenuous with steep climbs and descents. Some trails may be obscured by brush, tall grass and fallen trees. Creeks may be impassable after heavy rain. Poison oak near the falls.

Henry W. Coe State Park: Backpacking Trips, Hunting Hollow to Pacheco Falls

Pacheco Falls, CA
Photo credit
Photo: Dave Raiman, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The park’s backpacking handout starts at Hunting Hollow on Gilroy Hot Springs Road, fords the creek and climbs the very steep Steer Ridge Trail, then continues through remote country to Pacheco Falls. Near the falls, a narrow trail on the left leads to a rocky outcrop with the best view from above. Camping is available at Wood Duck Pond, a quarter mile up Pacheco Falls Trail.

Plan your visit

Hunting Hollow trailhead to Pacheco Falls, Henry W. Coe State Park backpacking route

Park handout: 9.3 miles one way to Pacheco Falls from Hunting Hollow, +2670/-2150 feet. Not a single-day return for most hikers.

Strenuous with steep climbs and descents. Some trails may be obscured by brush, tall grass and fallen trees. Creeks may be impassable after heavy rain. Poison oak near the falls.

Where to start

Hunting Hollow trailhead on Gilroy Hot Springs Road. Entrance is not staffed; self-registration only. No potable water at the trailhead.

Timing & water

Best in winter and spring; falls usually flow until late spring. Summer temperatures above 90 degrees are common.

Before you go

Backpacking permit and parking fees required; self-register at Hunting Hollow. Amounts not stated in the handout.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore California

Waterfall location

Santa Clara County, California.

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