Meadow Trail Loop at Mount Madonna

Overview: Meadow Trail at Mount Madonna County Park passes the pen holding the park's small herd of white fallow dear - a crowd-pleasing locale for youngsters.

The park south of San Jose, California, has three popular campgrounds that might leave parents wondering where to work off some of their kids' energy.

While some kids are up for much longer hikes, this three-miler is a great choice if you're not sure how much the little tykes can handle.

Trails on this hike:

Meadow Trail > Blue Spring Trail > Sprig Trail > Blue Springs Trail > Meadow Trail.

When you're done, wander over to the Henry Miller House site and explore the ruins of the summer house he built here during the 19th century. The white fallow deer were given to his heirs by William Randolph Hearst, the famous newspaper baron.

Best time to go: With its abundance of shade, this is a great all-season hike.

Tips: Always dress in layers at Mount Madonna: it's right on the marine layer from the nearby Pacific Ocean and can be unseasonably cold in the morning and quite warm in the afternoon during the summer.

Contact: (408) 842-2341

Park hours: 8 a.m. to sunset.

Parking: $6 inside park; free at Sprig Lake area off Hecker Pass Highway.

Driving directions: Take Highway 101 to Highway 152 West exit; go west for 10 miles to park entrance at Pole Line Road. Sprig Lake area is about 9 miles from Highway 101.