The park contains over six miles of interconnected hiking trails.
Uvas Canyon was once the site of a 19th-century sawmill operation.
The park is home to the rare Santa Cruz Mountains beardtongue plant.
The canyon's microclimate supports one of the northernmost stands of coast redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountain range.
Waterfall flow is primarily dependent on precipitation and is typically minimal or non-existent by late summer.
Uvas Canyon County Park is a 1,133-acre park located in the Santa Cruz Mountains featuring a series of cascading waterfalls along Uvas Creek. The park is characterized by its steep-walled, wooded canyon terrain filled with second-growth redwood, oak, and madrone trees. Visitors can access a network of trails, including the Waterfall Loop, which showcases several named falls like Black Rock Falls and Upper Falls. The area offers 29 individual campsites suitable for tents and small recreational vehicles. A designated group picnic area is available, along with numerous individual picnic sites situated along the riparian corridor. The park’s geography creates a shaded microclimate that remains significantly cooler than the surrounding Santa Clara Valley floor. Water flow in the canyon is seasonal, peaking during the winter and spring months following heavy rainfall. The park encompasses diverse ecosystems ranging from lush, shaded fern gullies to dry, chaparral-covered ridge tops.
The viewing platform overlooking the multi-tiered Black Rock Falls.
Reservations for vehicle parking are mandatory and must be made online in advance.
Wear shoes with high-traction soles as the trails near the waterfall basins are often muddy and slippery.
Check the park's official water flow updates before visiting if your primary goal is to photograph the waterfalls.
Attempting to visit without a pre-booked vehicle reservation, as park staff enforce strict entry limits and turn away unreserved vehicles.
Reservations for vehicle parking are required year-round; the park may temporarily close during extreme weather events or high wildfire risk periods.
Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times; all park vegetation and natural features are protected and must not be disturbed.
