Cahalan Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cahalan Park is a public park located in San Jose, California, known for its beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and historical significance.


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Summary

The park features a large lake, walking trails, picnic areas, a playground, and a sports field. It is an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and history buffs.

One of the main attractions of Cahalan Park is its 10-acre lake, which is stocked with fish and open for fishing and boating. Visitors can rent boats and kayaks to explore the lake or enjoy a relaxing picnic by the water's edge.

Another popular feature of the park is its walking trails, which offer a variety of scenic routes through the park's natural beauty. The trails are perfect for hiking, jogging, or cycling, and provide visitors with stunning views of the park's vibrant foliage and wildlife.

Cahalan Park is also home to several historical landmarks, including the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine, which was once the largest mercury mine in North America. Visitors can explore the mine's remnants and learn about its fascinating history through guided tours and exhibits.

The best time of year to visit Cahalan Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's foliage is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year.

Overall, Cahalan Park is a must-visit destination in California for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and rich history.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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