San José Trail Network

QUESTIONS ON EXISTING TRAILS AND MAINTENANCE?

Help keep our parks beautiful, healthy and safe. If you see any maintenance issues or other problems that are occurring in a San José park, please fill out the Park Concerns Form, call (408) 793-5510 or email Park.Concerns@sanjoseca.gov to report a concern.

San José Trails - 61 miles of Urban Trail Network Connecting San José

About San José Trails

San José has one of the nation's largest urban trail networks, with 65 miles developed and open to the public.

CORE TRAILS	EDGE TRAILS	HIKING TRAILS
Trails like the Guadalupe River, Coyote Creek and Los Gatos Creek extend a long distance and provide an opportunity for both recreation and commuting.	Trails like Albertson Parkway and Upper Silver Creek provide access to nature and open space for recreation.	Trails like the Silver Creek Valley system offer challenging inclines and valley-wide views.

Find a Trail

Open Parks & Trails Map in a different window

Maps

Map of Countywide Bikeways Map (VTA Map) - (Large File)
Interactive Map: Downtown Area, Trails and Transit

Listing of Trail Systems

List of Trail Systems - (The Individual Trail Systems That Combined Create the Network)
Search engine for City Facilities (Search by Trail Name)

General Information

National Recreation Trail

Four trail systems within San José's growing Trail Network designated as part of National Recreational Trail System:

Lower Guadalupe River Trail
Coyote Creek Trail
Highway 237 Bikeway
Penitencia Creek Trail (Alum Rock Park) - designated October 1973

Questions for planned Trails?

Contact the Trail Program Manager for questions or follow the links on the Navigation Bar for more details.

REPORTS & DESIGN GUIDELINES

Find our Annual Reports and additional resources at our Policies & Reports page. Key tools include:

FAQs

Who do I call in an emergency on the trails?

Call 911 from a telephone or 408-277-8911 from a cell phone.
Who do I call for a non-emergency concern on the trails?

If no immediate danger or hazard, you may call 311 to reach the Police Department, or contact Park Concerns add park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov and 408 793 5510.
Who do I call about graffiti or vandalism on the trails or in parks?

To report graffiti on the trails or in parks, call 1-408-975-7233, or email photos and location to antigraffiti@sanjoseca.gov. Be prepared to describe the location and the extent of the graffiti in question.

For vandalism, call the Park Concern Hot Line at 408-793-5510 or via email at park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.
Who do if I contact to report suspicious behavior or have a concern about public safety?

You may not perceive the issue to be an emergency, but it is appropriate to call 911 so that operators and the Police can make an assessment and take appropriate action.
Who do I call to report a homeless encampment or vagrancy?

Call the Homeless Concerns Hotline at (408) 975-1440 or email homelessconcerns@sanjoseca.gov. This hotline is for residents, business owners, and other community members to report issues related to homelessness. Housing Department staff will respond to callers and emails within three business days to acknowledge receipt of concern and collect any additional details needed. An outreach team will then be deployed to assess the situation, offer services to homeless individuals in the area and determine the next steps to resolve the reported problem.

You can report encampments that may just be taking shape to the Park Ranger and Park Concerns staff at (408) 793-5510 or park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.
Can I use the trail during storm events?

You should proceed with extreme caution during rainy weather and not travel through any standing water. Many trail under-crossings may be beneath water during and after a storm event and may also be impacted by submerged debris. Maintenance staff monitors these facilities and seek to have them cleared as quickly as possible after a storm.
Where can I find information about trails outside of San José?

Visit the Additional Resources page for information about neighboring agency and regional trail organizations.

Additional Resources Page
Who do I contact regarding maintenance of the trails?

Call the Park & Trail Concern Hotline at 408-793-5510 or via email; park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.
Does trail mileage reported include sidewalks and streets?

No. San Jose's reported trail mileage is based entirely on off-street trails. Gaps in the system that require travel on a sidewalk or street do not contribute to mileage. Minor walking paths through parks or plaza spaces are also not counted.
How do I volunteer to help maintain the trails?

Please contact the Volunteer Management Unit at ParkVolunteer@sanjoseca.gov for volunteer opportunities.
How do I volunteer to support development of the Guadalupe River Park and Trail?

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy champions expansion, maintenance and programming of the park. Visit the conservancy's volunteer page to learn how you can participate.

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy's Volunteer Page
Who do I contact for debris or maintenance issues on public streets (not on the trail system)?

Please contact the City's Department of Transportation dispatch office at 408-277-4373 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri except holidays. Dispatchers can either take care of an issue or direct the call appropriately.
Who do I contact when I see debris in a creek or river next to the trail?
Contact the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s via their Access Valley Water website. Once there, follow the instructions below:
1. Point your mouse over "Adopt-A-Creek Program"
2. Select "Request a pickup or sign installation - Lower Peninsula/West Valley Watershed"
3. Scroll down a bit to "BOX 2" and next to "Request type" select "Service Request"
4. Enter details in the "your request" window (permit number, name of group, creek name, cleanup time, trash location, your contact info etc.,).
5. If it's a specific trash location, enter the address in the next area OR if no address provide details about the location
6. Last step: "BOX 3" - Login, Register to create an account or send a message.
Access Valley Water Web Site
What do I do if I see a mountain lion?

Call 911 immediately for the following conditions: immediate threat to humans, acting aggressively, sick or injured. If you see a mountain lion near a park or trail, call 408-793-5510 or send an email to the Park Concern Hotline. Park Operations staff can post warning signage as appropriate and take any other necessary actions. For more information on Mountain Lions, go to the California Department of Fish and Game web site.
How can I support development of more trails and open space?

Join the San José Parks Foundation. Contact your local, state and federal government officials to express support for trail funding programs. We can always use Letters of Support when submitting grants – getting them from companies that see the trails as an important commute option makes the grant application far more compelling. Please introduce us to your employer's lobbying or advocacy group.
Who do we contact to host a marathon or other special event along a trail?

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is happy to offer assistance in planning your special event. To learn more about special conditions and to secure a permit, please contact the Special Park Use Unit at 408-794-6500 or via email at spuapplications@sanjoseca.gov.
How do I find the quickest through route through the Guadalupe River Park?

The Guadalupe River Park's meandering trails are fun to explore but either lead to points of interest or dead ends. A center line yellow stripe has been added to the trail to designated the "through" route. Follow the line to find the quickest route through the park (between Highways 280 and 880).
A Union Pacific Train is stopped and blocking passage - Who can I call?

San Jose's Trail Program does not have authority or influence regarding the scheduling of Union Pacific railway operations, but the railroad does accept reports on blocked crossings at 1-888-877-7267.
How do I reach the VTA for transit work near a trail?

Call the VTA customer service support at 408-321-2300.
I'm managing a nearby project and need to close the trail temporarily for public safety reasons - how do I do that?

Please follow the City's Trail Closure Policy and email the Trail Program Manager at Elizabeth.Sewell@sanjoseca.gov as soon as possible for review, input and public notification. City of San José Trail Closure Policy
Can I use a Segway on the trail?

Yes, you can use an EPAMD (Electric personal assistive mobility device) on San Jose trails. Be aware that the definition of EPAMD does not include motorcycles (internal combustion, electric or other means of propulsion).

Related State Language is provided below:

Section 313 of The CVC reads:

The term "electric personal assistive mobility device" or "EPAMD" means a self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device, that is not greater than 20 inches deep and 25 inches wide and can turn in place, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system averaging less than 750 watts (1 horsepower), the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 12.5 miles per hour

Section 467. (a) of the CVC defines a pedestrian as

(a) A "pedestrian" is a person who is afoot or who is using any of the following:

(1) A means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle.

(2) An electric personal assistive mobility device.

(b) "Pedestrian" includes a person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as specified in subdivision.
Who do I contact to learn about a developing trail?

Email questions to the Trail Manager at elizabeth.sewell@sanjoseca.gov.

More FAQs