Map: Coyote Lake Campground
This map shows both the RV Sites (area below the creek) and Tent Sites (area above the creek) adjacent to Coyote Lake. Our first camp site was RV4, highlighted yellow. California has been in an extended drought, so the lake has receded dramatically and there is no water next to our site. More on that later…
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park is part of the Santa Clara County Parks system. The camp sites at Coyote Lake are particularly nice - spacious, level, and not too close to each other. Each RV site has it's own electricity and water but no sewer hookup (there is a dump station a short distance down the entrance road). The tent sites do not have electricity or individual water but they are spacious, level, and also not too close to each other.
The photos in this Episode (Episode 1) were taken between March 5 and March 11, 2018, during the first week of a month long stay in the park. Additional Episodes of the Camping At Coyote Lake Exhibit can be viewed by selecting "NEXT EXHIBIT" and/or "PREV EXHIBIT" above.
The Trailer
This is our trailer, a 2016 Oliver Legacy Elite II, with the Western foothills in the background.
I slanted the awning so rain can’t collect in the middle… it all runs off onto the grass. That’s our fire pit in front of the chairs and foot rests. We have it set up for cooking on the attached grill along with another grill that we brought. There is a table outside the trailer with a propane BBQ, electric rice cooker, electric frying pan, and other cooking stuff. YUMMY!
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
The Rig
The trailer with the tow vehicle, a 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon, in place at our camp site with the Eastern foothills in the background. When the lake is full it would be just beyond the grassy area and would extend for about a half mile to the right (South) and three miles to the left (North).
The large Oak tree (and a smaller tree not visible behind it) provide afternoon shade in the summer, which is why RV4 is our favorite spot. No other spot has a large tree in the perfect “afternoon shade” position.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
The Site
Our camp site, RV4, looking North toward the Tent Site area and the lake, which is not visible in this photo.
On the day we arrived, March 5, 2018, there were a few other campers in the RV spots, but most sites were unoccupied. Within a few days all other RV campers were gone and we had the whole place to ourselves. The weather was beautiful – mostly sunny days in the 60’s and nights down into the low 30’s. We have a heated water hose so fresh water is available even with freezing temps.
The fence partially visible on the right separates site RV4 from site 5. Site 5 is designated as a “group” site. It has multiple fire pits, multiple cooking grills and so forth, and spots for up to 10 cars to park. We’ve only seen it used once in two years.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Turkey On a Fence
This wild turkey is sitting on the fence mentioned above, trying to figure out if I’m about to attack. (Nope, just taking your picture…).
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Showing Off
This picture of wild turkeys was taken from inside the trailer. There are a ton of turkeys here. Flocks of 50 or more come by almost every morning with the males fanning their tails to impress the females.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Evening Feeding
This is the dry lake bed area to the East of our site (where the lake would be if it was full). Many wild animals feed here, including the wild pigs and cows in this picture.
There are two or three families of wild pigs that wander around the campground areas digging up the ground and generally making a mess. This family has one male, two females, and somewhere around twenty piglets.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Morning Feeding
The same family of pigs feeding in the same area the next morning.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Later That Day
Another group of cows feeding in the dry lake bed later that day. I really like those trees with white bark.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
White Bark Trees
A close-up of those trees.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Coyote Lake
A picture of the lake, which is a short walk North from the camp site. You can really see how much the drought has reduced the lake level.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
Canadian Geese
Canadian Geese fly in to spend winters here. The two above are flying in almost perfect unison.
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
A Brave One
This one was very brave – just stood there as I approached...
Canon EOS 5Ds
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
DxO® OpticsPro®, Adobe® Camera Raw®, Adobe® Photoshop®
This is the First Episode of the Camping At Coyote Lake Exhibit. Additional Episodes can be viewed by selecting NEXT EXHIBIT (also available above, at the top of this page).
