Updated August 18, 2020

Recent public access updates due to changes in state and county guidelines:

Face coverings are required when you can’t stay 6 feet away from persons you don’t live with. Many Midpen trails are narrow — wear a mask, bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed.

when you can’t stay 6 feet away from persons you don’t live with. Many Midpen trails are narrow — wear a mask, bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed. Where picnic tables are available, visitors must bring sanitizer to clean tables before and after use and pack out all trash. At least six feet social distance must be kept between people not from the same household.

before and after use and pack out all trash. At least six feet social distance must be kept between people not from the same household. Campground reservations are limited to ONE household per group.

Other changes may be implemented as needed in the future. Please remember to check trail conditions and preserve pages before leaving home.

Safe social distancing is still required, and to make that easier, Midpen has implemented one-way routes on some popular loop trails. Please follow the signs.

Thank you for doing your part and enjoying your public open space responsibly during the ongoing county stay-at-home orders. We've seen many of you practicing safe social distancing, wearing face masks and welcoming others by sharing the trails. We believe in the healing power of nature and that it is important for us all to be able to get outside to connect with and experience the positive emotional and physical health benefits of being in nature.

Your cooperation to help ensure the safety of our community has made a difference in flattening the curve. It remains important that each of us continue to do our part for the benefit of all.

DO YOUR PART

Stay home as much as possible and look for nearby nature.

as much as possible and look for nearby nature. Maintain 6 feet away from others not in your household.

not in your household. Avoid crowding : if the lot is full, the trails are full. Do not park on roadsides.

: if the lot is full, the trails are full. Do not park on roadsides. No gatherings allowed. Many common areas are closed.

allowed. Many common areas are closed. Walk single file to allow others to pass safely.

to allow others to pass safely. Face coverings are required by health officials when you can’t maintain more than 6 feet of social distancing and are recommended at all times when recreating outdoors. Wear a bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed.

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS

Trails at some preserves restricted to one-way traffic to encourage social distancing – keep 6 feet apart from others not in your household.



Runners slow and yield to other trail users to maintain social distancing. Pass only when safe to do so while keeping a 6-foot distance.



Parking is limited. Do not park on roadways. Return home if the lot is full. Restrictions around popular preserves have been posted for Highway 35, Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road around Purisima Creek Preserve , Alpine Road around Russian Ridge , and Cristo Rey Drive near Rancho San Antonio .



, Alpine Road around , and Cristo Rey Drive near . Paper maps are no longer available at preserves. Please download a map before leaving home or snap a photo of the signboard map before you hike.



Please download a map before leaving home or snap a photo of the signboard map before you hike. Many group areas are closed, including Deer Hollow Farm, Daniels Nature Center and picnic areas at Picchetti Ranch.



including Deer Hollow Farm, Daniels Nature Center and picnic areas at Picchetti Ranch. All drinking fountains are CLOSED .



. Leave no trace: pack out what you pack in. Most Midpen preserves do not have garbage cans and collection is limited.



Group activities are suspended, including docent-led hikes and volunteer projects.



including docent-led hikes and volunteer projects. In compliance with county health orders on social distancing most activity permits are currently suspended . Permits are available for permit parking areas, camping and fire reduction work.



. Permits are available for permit parking areas, camping and fire reduction work. The administrative office at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos is CLOSED. Staff is available via telephone (650-691-1200) and email (info@openspace.org or individual emails) during regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Please continue to follow the guidance of your local county public health department to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Santa Clara County

San Mateo County

Santa Cruz County

The health and safety of our community, preserve visitors, volunteers and employees are Midpen’s top priority. We are following county health orders as we work to keep trails and preserves open to provide a safe opportunity for people to be in nature for mental, as well as physical, health during this public health emergency.

Please be understanding, we are all in this together. Be responsible for your own behavior.

We’re grateful these public lands exist and that so many of you support efforts to protect, preserve, maintain and restore our natural and working lands for the benefit and enjoyment of our broader community.

A letter from the Midpen Board of Directors

Remember, you can always follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and enjoy nature from wherever you are!