Morning Stroll at Oka Ponds & Los Gatos Creek Dog Park
It’s that time of year again… when summer is over, the mornings are noticeably gloomier and darker, and it’s just so uninspiring to get out of bed. So rather than forcing ourselves to go on a hike this past weekend, we took it easy with Kona and went on our favorite leisurely stroll in Campbell, starting at Oka Ponds to Los Gatos Creek Dog Park, then looping back along the Los Gatos Creek Trail through the rest of Los Gatos Creek County Park.
The winds were so strong that morning we could even see surface waves in all the ponds, which are normally quite calm. As a result, we didn’t see as many birds as usual – Kona was bummed out. But all the ponds were actually filled with water this time, thanks to the sudden downpour of rain from the week before. On the way back to the car, we strayed off our normal route and discovered a new trail entrance at Dell Ave/Division St where street parking is unfortunately not permitted. But across the street were gorgeous, yellow Stella d’Oro daylilies planted en masse around the office buildings just asking to be in a photoshoot with Kona!
Oka & Camden Ponds in Los Gatos Creek County Park
The Oka Ponds and Camden Ponds are part of the Los Gatos Creek County Park in Campbell – there are six ponds in total spread throughout the park. The Oka Ponds are the three located at the south end of the park near the Oka Lane entrance, while the Camden Ponds are the three on the westside of Los Gatos Creek near Dell Ave. While dogs are allowed to walk on the surrounding dirt trails and the paved Los Gatos Creek trail, they are not allowed in the ponds.
These percolation “recharge” ponds serve as water supply facilities that filter water into our underground aquifers to maintain healthy groundwater conditions – nearly half the water used in Santa Clara County come from these aquifers. Plus, refilling the aquifers helps prevent the ground from sinking. And while these ponds have become known for birdwatching, they are not actually intended to support wildlife, but should be drained dry and filled based on water needs. Refer to www.valleywaternews.org for more Santa Clara Valley water updates.
So don’t be alarmed if you visit and notice the Oka Ponds have dried up. We’ve been here many times and have witnessed empty Oka Ponds, but the Camden Ponds have always been filled with water and full of waterfowl like ducks, geese, herons and egrets. The best time, by far, to see birds here is in the winter. And for those who would prefer not to walk through pesky clouds of flying insects, then we’d recommend avoiding this spot before the summer sunset when they are most active – unless your dog is like Kona and enjoys an easy source of protein.
The closest parking to the ponds are:
- Entrance at Oka Lane
- Entrance at 1400 Dell Ave
- Main Entrance inside Los Gatos Creek County Park ($6)
Los Gatos Creek Dog Park
- Address: 1250 Dell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008
- Parking:
- Main Entrance inside Los Gatos Creek County Park ($6)
- Entrance at 1400 Dell Ave
- The parking locations above are the closest ones to the dog park. For other options that add some extra mileage to your visit, refer to our Guide to Los Gatos Creek Trail
- Hours: Everyday 8am-7pm, except Tues 11am-7pm due to maintenance
- Cost: Free if you park residentially; $6 day-use per vehicle at Los Gatos Creek County Park
- Separate Enclosures for Small/Large Dogs: Yes
- Shade Level: Medium. There are pop up canopy tents that provide shade for pawrents.
- Ground Cover: Astroturf grass
- Amenities: Double-gated entry area, benches, dog waste stations, pet-friendly water fountains, pop up canopy tents, nearby restrooms for pawrents.
Kona, like many adult rescue dogs, has underdeveloped social skills when it comes to interacting with other dogs. When we first adopted Kona, we looked for a nearby dog park where we could slowly work on her socialization skills – none of our friends in the area have dogs – and came across Los Gatos Creek Dog Park, which is counterintuitively located in Campbell. It is located along the Los Gatos Creek Trail, and can be accessed through Los Gatos Creek County Park off of Dell Ave. You won’t miss it – there’s a huge mural painted on the wall behind the dog park of dogs sitting on marble pedestals in a bright blue sky of clouds.
The Los Gatos Creek Dog Park is one of the newest dog parks in Santa Clara County and includes separate enclosures for large and small dogs, which is always a plus for us since Kona is not a big fan of small dogs. It is paved with a special astroturf grass that drains water and urine, making this a great year-round dog park that doesn’t turn into a muddy mess whenever we do get rain. Both enclosures include great amenities like benches, dog waste stations, pet-friendly water fountains, and pop up canopy tents for shade.
