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Stevens Creek Reservoir

4.4 ★★★★☆ 158 Google reviews · Running trail in Cupertino, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Stevens Creek Reservoir'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.

ScenicFlat & fastTrailhead parkingQuiet

Tranquil, tree-covered reservoir, plus trails and picnic areas, for hiking and family outings.

What runners say about Stevens Creek Reservoir

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (158 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“Didn't get a chance to do some hiking behind the reservoir but it was such a stunning view that I had to pull over and take a quick peek.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 13 mentions

“The lake is quiet, though there is some very slight noise from a nearby shooting range, however the lake is quiet and nice without noise from motorized boats.”

Not widely trafficked, good amount of shade, wide trail. Went hunting as a solo woman and felt safe. I say a snake though, very scary.

★★★★★ — Michele , Jun 2020

Stevens Creek Reservoir is a beautiful place. When the reservoir has enough water you can take your canoes and kayak in the reservoir. Ample parking available in the big parking lot. You can even get down to the water and relax near the same in the banks.

★★★★★ — Pranav , Mar 2021

Very beautiful reservoir. One can go kayaking or boating here. There are hiking trails surrounding this reservoir and walking path around the reservoir too. It is calm, covered with trees and very serene.

★★★★★ — Dhvani , Jul 2024

Awesome place to hike, there are some easy trails that just go in a loop reservoir-level, but my wife and I chose a trail that went up into the hills a little bit (we went out-and-back for about 7mi). Plenty of parking. Pretty busy trails on the weekend!

★★★★★ — Brandon , Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 158 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 15 mentions

“Didn't get a chance to do some hiking behind the reservoir but it was such a stunning view that I had to pull over and take a quick peek.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 12 mentions

“The lake is quiet, though there is some very slight noise from a nearby shooting range, however the lake is quiet and nice without noise from motorized boats.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“A very basic launch ramp, close to the parking lot.”

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Flat & fast 4 mentions

“Unfortunately the water level in the reservoir has dropped drastically in last couple of years and one can now see the bottom of the reservoir.”

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Plan your run at Stevens Creek Reservoir

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM
Friday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM–7:15 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Stevens Creek Reservoir

11997 Stevens Canyon Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014

Get directions

Running trails near Cupertino

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Tony Look trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

Cupertino, CA

under a mile away

Stevens Canyon Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Cupertino, CA

Scenic

under a mile away

Hidden Gulch

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Cupertino, CA

under a mile away

Stevens Creek County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,367 reviews

Cupertino, CA

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Miles of multi-use trails, shaded picnic areas & a large reservoir for fishing & boating.

under a mile away

Picchetti Ranch

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,107 reviews

Cupertino, CA

3.7 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

308-acre park offering 3.7 miles of trails amid orchards & woodlands, a winery & weekly activities.

under a mile away

Fremont Older Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 59 reviews

Cupertino, CA

2.5 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

Roadside parking is available for this hiking area leading to Freemont Open Space trails.

1.0 miles away

All running trails in Cupertino, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.