Joseph D. Grant County Park (Spring/Summer):
Ranch House, Grant Lake, Twin Gates and Smith Creek
by Bill Pelletier and Kitty O’Neil
Joseph D. Grant County Park is a large, uncrowded park in the east foothills of San José. It features a variety of habitats, wide trails, and easy access to parking.
Trip Covers: April - August
Key Birds: Bald Eagle, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Lark Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting
How to Bird
Within the park, there are four nice places to bird, each with unique birds and a separate eBird hotspot. Among the locations listed below, the area around the Ranch House offers the greatest diversity of birds and the least challenging trail conditions.
Ranch House from above
Ranch House: The Ranch House is the park’s headquarters and can be accessed through the main gate. The park opens at 8 a.m. and a daily parking fee is charged. The best birding (and shade) can be found right around the Ranch House with Lawrence’s Goldfinch at the fountain in the rose garden and riparian birds such as Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Orange-crowned Warbler up and down the creek. Spend some time at the water tank and small, man-made pond where a drip attracts many birds. The paths near the Ranch House are wide and mostly paved. A walk along the Hotel Trail reveals open fields and chaparral inhabited by California Thrasher, Lazuli Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Vermilion Flycatcher (rare). These trails are wide, dirt fire roads. Keep your eyes peeled for a Greater Roadrunner, which has been spotted on the trails. This area has restrooms. eBird hotspot Ranch House Area
Female and male Lawrence’s Goldfinches at the Ranch House rose garden fountain by Treasa Hovorka
Lazuli Bunting pair by Brooke Miller
Ranch House
Grant Lake: Grant Lake is just across Highway 130 from the main entrance and has resident Bald Eagles. The lake has Sora, Caspian Tern, Black-crowned Night-heron, Green Heron and Ruddy Duck, along with many other water birds, which can be spotted on an easy walk around the edge of the lake. Venturing on the side trails gives a chance to spot Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and a variety of warblers, but be warned that these trails are very steep in places. A free parking lot opens at 8 a.m. but fills up quickly on weekends. The main trails here are wide fire roads. This area has a porta-potty. eBird hotspot Grant Lake
Grant Lake
Ash-throated Flycatcher by Curt Bianchi
Twin Gates: Twin Gates is located between Grant Lake and Smith Creek. Parking opens at 8 a.m. and is seldom full. These wide, fire road trails are steep and very exposed, so bring water on a hot day. Lewis’s Woodpecker may be spotted at this location. The parking lot has a porta-potty. eBird hotspot Twin Gates
Twin Gates Parking
Bullock’s Oriole by Carter Gasiorowski
Smith Creek: Smith Creek is farther up Highway 130 and has some of the best habitat for birding in the area. Parking is free in front of the CalFire station. The gate is always open and there is seldom anyone at the location. From the bridge, head down the trail between the creek and the fire station to the gate. Continuing left along the creek will take you to a mossy, wooded trail that leads to a stream crossing where Golden-crowned Kinglet, Wood Duck, Cassin's Vireo and a variety of warblers congregate. Continuing right from the gate will take you to the hill behind the CalFire station and birds inhabiting an oak woodland habitat. This area has no restroom. eBird hotspot Smith Creek Fire Station
Smith Creek pullout and trailhead
Notes on weather: it will be very hot in the summer and, currently, no water is available in the park. Be sure to bring plenty of water, wear a hat and use sunscreen. There is limited to no cell phone service in the park. Most of the trails are exposed fire roads; however, the area around the Ranch House has plenty of shade and can make for a nice bird outing on its own.
Try birding early in the morning for your best chance to see birds along with bobcats, coyotes, wild boars, and deer. Be aware that there are no gas stations, food or other services on Mt. Hamilton Road, so bring what you will need.
Ready for More?
For more adventure, you can continue 6.5 miles up Mt. Hamilton Road, from Smith Creek to the historic Lick Observatory on the summit of Mt. Hamilton. The visitor center is open Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 p.m.
Interactive Map
Directions
Main Entrance/Ranch House: From US-101 exit Capitol Expy in San José and continue east for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Quimby Rd and continue for 7 miles. Turn right onto CA-130 E and continue for 0.2 miles. The park entrance is on the right. After passing the park entry kiosk, continue into the park for about 300 ft. Turn left at the brown sign into the first parking area. Latitude/Longitude: 37.337493, -121.716896.
Grant Lake is ¼ mile further on the left. Latitude/Longitude: 37.342529, -121.716064. The Twin Gates trailhead is 3.4 miles farther up Highway 130 on the left. Latitude/Longitude: 37.328985, -121.681292. Smith Creek is about another mile farther along on the right Latitude/Longitude: 37.323510, -121.669035.
Parking: There is a large paved parking area adjacent the main entrance/Ranch House and smaller lots at Grant Lake, Twin Gates and Smith Creek
Fees: Day-use parking fee at the main entrance/Ranch House. See the park website for more information. Grant Lake, Twin Gates and Smith Creek are free.
Public Transportation: None
Park and/or Trail Hours: 8 a.m. until sunset
Facilities: Restrooms and picnic tables at Main Entrance/Ranch House parking area. Porta-potty at Grant Lake and Twin Gates. No restroom at Smith Creek. Limited to no cell phone service.
Heads-up! The area has limited to no cell phone service. To print or download this guide before you go, select the text you want (don’t include the banner photo), then print to PDF, or use a free service such as printfriendly.com, which lets you shrink or remove photos.
Trip Mileage: <0.5 to 2.0 miles each location
Trail Conditions: Most of the trails are exposed fire roads; paved paths and shade at the main entrance near the Ranch House. Be sure to bring plenty of water, wear a hat and use sunscreen.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible on paved paths
Bikes: Bikes are allowed but not recommended for this trip.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a 6-ft leash
More Information
Joseph D. Grant County Park Trail Map
Joseph D. Grant County Park Website
eBird hotspots: Ranch House, Grant Lake, Smith Creek Fire Station, Twin Gates, Washburn Trailhead
SCVAS member Carter Gasiorowski Joseph D. Grant Park Virtual Field Trip
SCVAS volunteer Chuq Von Rospach The Bald Eagles
More Resources
For more trips like this one, visit Self-guided Field Trips.
Visit the SCVAS Birding Resources page for more information on where to bird, our birding community, birding identification resources, and more.
Read “What to Look for Now” by SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder.
Banner Photo Credit: Joseph D. Grant Park by Barry Langdon-Lassagne
Last Updated: 06/22/2022
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