Henry Coe 2-Day Backpacking Trip: What You Need To Know
Everyone tells me about how amazing Henry Coe is for backpacking. I was skeptical until I finally went there for myself during spring. It was so refreshing to have such a big area all to yourself, and best of all – you don’t even need to make reservations in advance.
If you’re itching for a quick backcountry getaway with remote campsites, scenic ridgelines, and refreshing swimming holes, this 2-day backpacking trip in Henry W. Coe State Park checks all the boxes. I recently hiked from the park Head Quarters to China Hole and camped out at Mahoney Meadows—and it was the perfect weekend adventure.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading out – from permits to trail conditions and tick prevention.
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Henry W. Coe State Park backpacking route
Located in Morgan Hill, just south of San Jose, Henry W. Coe is Northern California’s largest state park. It’s a dream for backpackers in the SF Bay Area looking for a relaxing trip after a long week as well as a challenge.
You can expect rolling hills, almost 250 miles worth of trails to explore, and a place to escape the crowds. No wonder it’s one of the most popular places to hike in the Bay Area. Here’s an overview of the backpacking route we took.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Route overview: Headquarters to China Hole to Mahoney Meadows and back
Total distance: 15.7 miles (25.2 km)
Total elevation gain: 2,785 ft (849 m)
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Nearest parking spot: Backpacker’s overnight parking lot at (37.187363, -121.551068)
Where we camped: Mahoney Meadows
Trail map
We referred to this map while planning the trip, with several brochures and trail information here:
This is the AllTrails map we referred to for our backpacking trip. You can also download it as a GPX file and upload it to your navigation device for future use.
Get AllTrails+ to access offline trail maps
Things you need to know
Henry Coe is one of the places where you can show up last minute and still be able to get a backpacking permit. Before that, here are some things you need to know to have a fun and safe trip.
Getting trail permits and how it works
Backpacking permits are first-come, first-served and must be picked up in person at the Headquarters i.e. the visitor center.
- Permit fee: $5 per person per night
- Overnight parking fee: $8 per vehicle per day at the Headquarters parking lot
- No reservations required
- The ranger will ask for your planned route and issue a permit with an emergency contact stub
Best time to backpack in Henry Coe
I recommend planning a backpacking trip here during spring, between March to May. Wildflowers are in full bloom, you’ll get to enjoy full creeks, and milder temperatures during the day.
It tends to get much hotter in summer and the green hills would have turned brown. In fall, the creeks are likely to be much drier and water sources become less abundant. However, that’s also when temperatures start to dip again. Winter could be a great time to go, though it might be muddy after a period of rain, though it would be colder.
Henry Coe Backcountry Weekend
Each spring (around late April), Henry Coe hosts their Backcountry Weekend. That’s when you get rare vehicle access deep into the park via special gates. It’s a great opportunity to reach far-flung areas like Mississippi Lake or Pacheco Camp without a long hike in.
Safety tips
Ticks
Henry Coe is notorious for ticks, especially in spring. Here are some tips to prevent tick bites:
- Treat clothing, shoes and gear with Permethrin
- Use Picaridin or DEET on exposed skin
- Wear light coloured long sleeves and pants
- Tuck your pants into your socks, and your shirt into your pants
- Do regular tick checks
We did almost all of the above, and didn’t find any ticks on us! I’m not sure if ticks were out when we hiked there, so it could’ve been fortunate timing on our part. Perhaps it was the drier winter that kept the tick population low when we went.
Poison oak
You’ll find plenty of poison oak along the sides of the trail, especially in overgrown parts further into the backcountry. The best way to identify it is with this common saying – “leaves of three, let it be”.
If you’re already wearing long sleeves and long pants, you’ve reduced your exposure to poison oak. I’d also stick to the main trail to avoid the poison oak.
Wildlife encounters
As the weather gets warmer, we’re not the only ones coming out to play. We only saw turkeys when we were there, but other animals in Henry Coe include wild pigs, deer, and rare mountain lion sightings.
There are no bears so bear canisters are not required. However, it’s still a good practice to keep your food in odor-proof bags and have them within reach.
Navigation
Make sure you download your offline maps before going, because there is no cell service in Henry Coe. You’ll also want to bring a physical map and a portable charger as backup.
Best hike-in camping for 2-day backpacking trips
If I were to go back to camp in Henry Coe’s western area, here are the hike-in campsites I’ll consider:
- Sierra View Camp: Close to HQ with a view of the Sierra Nevada mountains on a clear day
- Ridge View Camp: Enjoy views over the ridge
- Los Cruzeros Camp: Accessible via The Narrows, a 1-mile stretch with sections of water to wade through
- China Hole Camp: Prime location near the popular swimming hole, but do expect other hikers to pass through
- Poverty Flat Camp: Convenient stopover for the night after seeing China Hole and hiking out the next day
- Mahoney Meadows: Dispersed camping with no pressure to compete for limited availability
Our 2-day Henry Coe backpacking trip report
Trip dates: early April 2025
Since we had a fairly dry winter, we thought it would be good to get outside early in the season to backpack while the wildflowers are blooming. It was the perfect weekend because the weather was sunny with a slight breeze.
Daytime temperatures hovered around 70 F and at night it went down to about 45 F. These are the perfect spring conditions if you ask me.
Hiking from Headquarters to China Hole
Distance: 5.1 miles
Elevation gain: 1,500 ft (457 m)
After paying for parking and our backpacking permit, we drove to the backpacker’s parking lot and started our hike from there. It’s a 0.5 mile trail from the parking lot to the HQ and visitor center – so just a small detour.
The actual trail begins at the Park Headquarters and follows the Corral Trail, connecting to the Forest Trail and then Manzanita Point Road. From there, you’ll take the China Hole Trail, which leads down to China Hole, a popular swimming spot along Coyote Creek. The descent is gradual but steady, offering scenic views of the park’s diverse landscapes.
You’ll find vault toilets near the Manzanita Group campsites, which we found was a convenient place for lunch as there were picnic benches. If you’re visiting during busy periods, toilet paper might run out in these toilets, so make sure you bring your own supply.
Chilling at China Hole
Finally, when you’re at China Hole, you’ll be greeted by a lush oasis. It was once part of an old mineral springs resort, and now it remains as one of the best swimming holes in the SF Bay Area. There are varying depths all across China Hole, whether you want to wade in the water up to your knee, or actually float in the calm water in the deeper parts.
If you’re just planning to pass through, China Hole is a great spot to fill up your water and just enjoy moving water as you take a break. I was envious of the group that managed to snag the China Hole campsite because they had the whole day to hang out by the water.
Climbing out from China Hole to Mahoney Meadow
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation gain: 748 ft (228 m)
If you’ve had enough rest, it’s time to cross over the other side to continue on the trail. One word of caution though – be careful of slipper algae on the larger rocks. We slipped on one and ended up submerging ourselves up to our chest and got our backpacks wet. If you have hiking poles, make sure to use them for added stability.
After crossing Coyote Creek at China Hole, the trail continues on the China Hole Trail, leading you through a mixed forest of oak and bay trees. The climb is moderate, with a few sunny meadows in the upper section, making it a pleasant ascent to Mahoney Ridge.
You’ll soon come to the junction where the Mahoney Zone starts and that’s when you can camp anywhere you like – as long as you’re not in view of other campers. There’s a toilet at the junction too, so you could arguably not even need to poop in the wild!
We set our destination at the area around Mahoney Pond, since I’d seen videos of people camping around that area and it looked pretty good. Honestly, we could’ve stopped and set up camp at any ridge lookout and it would still be perfect. Finally, we found a faint trail covered in the newly grown spring grass, and followed it to the most beautiful spot to camp at.
Alternate route to Mahoney Meadow via The Narrows
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation gain: 787 ft (240 m)
For a more adventurous route, consider taking The Narrows after leaving China Hole. It is known to be a scenic stretch along the East Fork of Coyote Creek with lots of wildflowers since there’s an abundance of water. This path involves wading in water of various depths and navigating through rocky canyons.
During wet seasons, parts of The Narrows may be impassable due to high water levels, so it’s essential to check current conditions before choosing this route. We were on the fence about taking this route since we heard how people really loved it, but eventually decided not to after the ranger told us that the water was about 18 inches high (up to my knee).
If you do choose to venture out to The Narrows, avoid wearing boots because they will take forever to dry out. Instead, bring hiking sandals or wear trail runners that dry quickly, as well as hiking poles for stability.
Camping at Mahoney Meadows
Mahoney Meadows offers serene ridge-top camping with expansive views, making it an excellent spot for sunrise and sunset watching, as well as stargazing. There are no designated campsites, so you can choose a spot that suits you best.
Water sources near Mahoney Meadows are seasonal; the nearest options are Lost Spring or Mahoney Pond. Make sure to check water availability with park staff before your trip. Don’t forget to bring a reliable water filter too so you don’t have to carry a huge load of water during your hike.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a challenging but rewarding 2-day and 1-night backpacking trip near the Bay Area, Henry W. Coe is a hidden gem. My favorite part of this adventure was China Hole which was so much more beautiful than I expected. I also enjoyed watching the sunset from our campsite at Mahoney Meadows.
Don’t forget to treat your clothing with permethrin, bring a water filter, and download your offline maps. For more ideas on best places to visit in the Bay Area, check out this article. Happy adventuring!
