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Sprig Day Use Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 200 Google reviews · Running trail in Gilroy, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Sprig Day Use Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Sprig Day Use Area
“Great access to beautiful mount Madonna trails without paying to enter the park.”
“The unique thing about this County Park is that most of the hiking trails are shaded, and the landscape changes from redwood forest to oak woodland.”
“I didn’t encounter many hikers on this way so very peaceful of the forest.”
I visited Mount Madonna County Park ( February/15/2021) for first time. Mount Madonna County Park provides safe environment to explore the nature. I chose to entered the park at Sprig Recreation Area, Blackhawk Canyon Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020. I didn’t have to pay for parking.( although somewhat limited).
Sprig Day Use is an entry point of Mt Madonna. We have hiked a few trails here. There is a new trail called the Black Hawk trail that opened a few weeks ago. It is a shady trail going up that runs along a creek. It is a gradually climb so I would say it is a moderate trail.
Nice and cool place to hike in hot summer days. The black hawk trail offers creek view with beautiful redwood forest. Highly recommended.
Great loop trail 5.4 miles and 1300 ft of elevation gain. Started in Sprigs Day Use parking lot and entered Sprigs trailhead for 1.5 miles of steady elevation before leveling out.
Trail conditions & character
“Great access to beautiful mount Madonna trails without paying to enter the park.”
“There's free parking (although somewhat limited) and some porta-potties at the trailhead.”
“The unique thing about this County Park is that most of the hiking trails are shaded, and the landscape changes from redwood forest to oak woodland.”
“My hike was 10 miles loop, and over 1,800 ft of the elevation gain.”
“I didn’t encounter many hikers on this way so very peaceful of the forest.”
“You can do a few different loops here, and be prepared to hike for at least 4 miles to do a useful short loop.”
“Some of the trails were a little muddy after the rain but there us was plenty of shade on the sunny, hot days.”
Plan your run at Sprig Day Use Area
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Phone+1 408-842-2341
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