Hap Mcgee Ranch Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Eugene Oneill National Historic Site Oakhill Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hap Mcgee Ranch Park is a beautiful park located in the state of California.

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Summary

It is a popular destination for visitors due to its breathtaking scenery, a wide range of recreational activities and its historical significance. The park is located in the eastern foothills of San Jose and covers an area of about 17.5 acres.

One of the main attractions of the park is its panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, and horseback riding on the park's trails. The park also features a playground for kids and a fenced-in dog park for pet owners.

There are several points of interest to see in Hap Mcgee Ranch Park. The park's most notable landmark is the hilltop statue of St. Julie Billiart, which was erected in 1958. Visitors can also explore the park's historic structures, including the Mcgee Ranch House and the old barn. The park also features several interpretive signs that provide information on the history and natural features of the area.

Interesting facts about the park include its historic significance as the site of a 19th-century cattle ranch and orchard. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and rabbits. In addition, the park's location in the foothills makes it an excellent spot for stargazing.

The best time of year to visit Hap Mcgee Ranch Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. However, visitors can enjoy the park year-round thanks to its mild climate and numerous recreational opportunities.

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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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