Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge
Open Space Preserve

Saturdays and Sundays, March through May all visitors must sign-up for a docent led tour to access the trails inside the Habitat Protection Area. Please note that registration is per vehicle. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking at the preserve.

Hike Sign-Up Dates: All events will be listed on the Open Space Authority Eventbrite page here

• February 22: Sign up for March 2-3, March 9-10, March 16-17
• March 7: Sign up for March 23-24, March 30-31
• March 21: Sign up for April 6-7, April 13-14
• April 4: Sign up for April 20-21, April 27-28
• April 18: Sign up for May 4-5, May 11-12
• May 2: Sign up for May 18-19, May 25-26

• Hiking is allowed on designated trails. 
• Picnicking is allowed in designated rest areas. (No BBQ or open flames) 
• Bikes are welcome on the trails, which currently includes e-bikes.
• Horses are welcome on the trails. Please note that due to limited parking, reservations are required for equestrians transporting horses in trailers. Horse trailer parking is available Wednesday through Friday by reservation only. Please email info@openspaceauthority.org to make a reservation.    
• Reservations are required Saturdays and Sundays March through May for docent-led hikes only. There are no bikes/horses permitted on the trails Saturdays and Sundays March through May. 

• Parking at the preserve is limited to 42 vehicles.
• With mostly exposed trails, visitors should note that no water is available at the preserve and bring plenty to drink, especially during the warm season. 
• There are no trash cans available at the preserve as these attract scavengers. Please pack out all trash.
• There is an ADA all-gender restroom.
• Due to the sensitivity of the habitats, dogs and drones are not permitted anywhere on the preserve. 
• Cell signal is reliable in the Central Gathering Area. Signal can be unreliable along some sections of the trails inside the Habitat Protection Area.   

A free annual Butterfly Pass is required year-round to access the trails inside the Habitat Protection Area. This system was designed to educate the public about the importance of protecting habitats for endangered plants and animals and helping them adapt to a changing climate. When you obtain a Butterfly Pass, you agree that you have read and agree to follow the preserve rules. Passes are available here.

There are three trails included inside the Habitat Protection Area that require a Butterfly Pass at all times. These include the Serpentine Spring Trail, Tule Elk Trail, Bay Checkerspot Trail. 

• The Habitat Protection Area trails feature serpentine grasslands which provide refuge for a wide variety of rare plants and wildlife, some of which have teetered on the edge of extinction. Among them are the Bay checkerspot butterfly, the Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, California red-legged frogs and tiger salamanders, tule elk, Western burrowing owls, golden eagles, and numerous other birds of prey. 

Visitors accessing the Habitat Protection Area must stop and clean their shoes, bike tires, or horse's hooves at the cleaning station prior to going on the trails. This helps reduce the spread of disease and or invasive plants that cause harm to the rare plants and wildlife found within the preserve.

March through May, the Habitat Protection Area will be open by reservation only on Saturdays and Sundays. During this time, the public must sign up for a docent-led hike or event to access the Habitat Protection Area. These will be available for free - only by advance registration – where visitors can learn about the native wildflower blooms and the rare Bay checkerspot butterfly population found within the preserve.     

There are a wide range of experiences which are accessible. This includes a shaded picnic area, seating area with unique and secluded views facing into the preserve, and two scenic overlooks connected by accessible trail on either end of the central gathering area facing out to Coyote Valley and downtown San José. There is also a shaded central gathering area with interpretive signage.

There are two picnic tables under the shade structure located along the Máyyan Wáayi Overlook Trail. Both of the picnic tables are accessible, with at least 4 wheelchair-accessible spots at each table, or up to 8 total.

• Visitors must stay on designated trails at all times. 
• Do not disturb any wildlife - including plants and animals found at the preserve. 
• Share the trail and pack out ALL trash or food items. Take nothing and leave nothing behind.
• There are no pets or drones allowed at the preserve.    

• Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are only allowed on designated trails. Please stay on the trails to protect the preserves and the plants and wildlife that live there.
• Pets are not allowed. For their health and safety, please leave them at home and never leave pets in the car while you hike, regardless of weather conditions.
• Fires, fireworks, and smoking are prohibited.
• Do not feed, disturb, touch, chase, or remove wildlife.
• Do not remove or vandalize preserve facilities, including signs.
• Hunting, fishing, and trapping are not allowed.
• Possession or use of firearms, pellet guns, paintball guns, bows, or slingshots is prohibited.
• Unmanned aerial systems/drones are not allowed.
• Be considerate to other preserve visitors and share the trail.
• Please leave no trace and pack out your trash.