BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park established in 1902, is a natural sanctuary featuring over 18,000 acres of old-growth and recovering redwood forest. The park offers diverse wildlife viewing opportunities alongside an extensive network of hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and breathtaking views. It also provides various camping options for visitors looking for immersive nature experiences. Its most notable residents are the ancient coast redwoods; some towering as high as the Statue of Liberty with ages reaching up to 2000 years old.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, located in California's Santa Cruz Mountains, is a stunning natural sanctuary characterized by its ancient redwood forest - some trees are over 2,000 years old and reach heights of up to 300 feet. The park offers an array of diverse landscapes including lush canyons, cascading waterfalls such as Berry Creek Falls and Sempervirens falls along with vast chaparral-covered slopes. It hosts various wildlife species like black-tailed deer or elusive bobcats while birds chirp overhead among the towering tree canopy. Surrounding areas offer scenic views overlooking both mountainous terrains and the Pacific Ocean coastline making it a haven for nature lovers who enjoy hiking trails that range from easy strolls to strenuous climbs.
Established in 1902, it is California's oldest state park. Located in Santa Cruz County, the area spans over 18,000 acres.
The Sempervirens Club was instrumental to its creation for preserving coast redwoods from logging industries.
In August of 2020, wildfires severely damaged much of the park and forced a temporary closure.
It houses some ancient trees like Mother-of-the-Forest (329 feet tall) and Father-of-the-Forest (250 feet circumference).
Its diverse ecosystem includes waterfalls such as Berry Creek Falls along with many species of wildlife including mountain lions and bobcats.
Day-UseHiking Trailyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Full Hookup Sitesyes
General Store
Food, beverages, essential camping supplies, single speed bike rentals and more are available at the Big Basin Redwoods Store located across the street from Park Headquarters. Open daily 10:00am to 4:00pm. Closed during the months of December and January.
Gift Shop
Located next to the Big Basin Redwoods Store, you?ll find a wide selection of gifts, postcards, and clothing and more. Open daily 10:00am to 4:00pm. Closed during the months of December and January.
1. Huckleberry Campground: Offers 30 tent sites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring.
2. Sempervirens Campground: Provides 10 campsites for tents only; amenities include tables, food lockers and restrooms nearby.
3. Blooms Creek Campground: Features over fifty family-friendly campgrounds surrounded by towering redwoods in the heart of Big Basin Park.
4. Wastahi Walk-in campground: This is an intimate camping experience offering just seven walk-in campsites amidst dense forest coverings.
5. Sky Meadow Group Camping Area: A group-only site that can accommodate up to fifty people at once.
6. Sequoia Group Camping Site: Another large-group option accommodating around sixty guests with ample parking space available.
7. Trailhead Backpacking Sites: For adventurous hikers who prefer backpacking trips through deep woods trails leading to secluded spots.
8. Horse-camping options are also provided within Rancho Del Oso section of park where equestrian facilities are present.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located near Campbell, Cupertino and Los Altos
Equestrian Trails
Horses are allowed on Equestrian Trails and all double track trails in the Park.
Horse Camps
Six sites. Six people per site. Minimum of one horse per site.O ne tow vehicle and one horse trailer per site. Reserve via Rancho Del Oso.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park offers picnic areas with tables, grills and restrooms. Some sites require reservations for large groups.
Venture into the heart of towering redwoods to uncover hidden treasures! Geocaching options abound, offering an adventurous twist on exploring this iconic Californian landscape.
Unearth "The Big Tree," a traditional cache nestled among ancient giants. This quest requires keen eyes and patience - perfect for seasoned geocachers!
Newbies can try their hand at "Redwood Loop Trail", an easy find near park headquarters. It's ideal for those dipping toes in the world of geocaching.
For thrill-seekers, there's "Skyline-to-the-Sea," a multi-cache challenge that takes you through breathtaking vistas from mountain tops down to sandy shores - not one for faint-hearted adventurers!
"Buzzard's Roost" is another must-find; located off beaten paths it offers stunning views as your reward after navigating rugged trails and steep climbs.
Lastly, don't miss out on 'Waddell Beach', where ocean meets forest. A beautiful spot with caches waiting along scenic coastal bluffs.
Remember: take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints...and maybe swap some trinkets in these secret treasure boxes!
Bicycling is permitted on paved roads only, not trails. Helmets are mandatory for riders under 18 years old.
Mountain biking can be challenging due to steep terrain and heavy traffic conditions during peak times.
Ensure your bike has proper gear as the park's hilly landscape requires significant physical exertion when cycling uphill.
Be cautious of wildlife crossing paths while riding; always maintain a safe speed and distance from animals you encounter.
Riding after dark isn't recommended because visibility decreases significantly in this densely forested area.
Remember that cyclists must yield to pedestrians and equestrians at all times within the park boundaries.
1. Skyline to the Sea Trail: This is a 29.5-mile trail that runs from Saratoga Gap through Big Basin Redwoods State Park and ends at Waddell Beach, offering views of waterfalls, redwood groves, and ocean vistas.
2. Berry Creek Falls Loop: A popular 10-mile loop featuring four stunning waterfalls in addition to old-growth redwoods; it's considered one of the best hikes within this park due its scenic beauty.
3. Sequoia Trail: An easy-to-moderate difficulty level hike spanning approximately 4 miles which takes hikers past Sempervirens falls as well as some impressive ancient trees including Mother Tree and Father Tree.
4. Sunset Campground Trails: These are several short trails ranging between half-a mile up to two miles long around the campground area providing access for campers or day visitors who want an easier walk amongst giant sequoias.
5. Ocean View Summit Direct Route - Middle Ridge Road & Meteor Trail Loop: At about nine miles round trip with over a thousand feet elevation gain, this strenuous hiking route offers panoramic coastal view on clear days.
6. Dool-Middleton-Basin-Loop: Approximately ten-and-half mile moderate-difficulty loop passing by Opal creek, lush ferns under towering coast redwoods canopy.
7. Buzzard's Roost Hike: It covers five-point-two (round-trip) moderately difficult terrain leading towards Pescadero canyon overlook via Pine Mountain Fire road before descending down steeply along rocky switchbacks back into forested valley floor.
8. McCrary Ridge - Howard King - Tiptoe Falls Triangle Loop: Roughly eight point six mile challenging trek traversing across ridge tops then dropping sharply toward Peters creek followed by gentle climb alongside babbling brook culminating near small waterfall known locally as tiptoe falls.
9. Gazos Creek Road - Clark Connection - Creeping Forest Loop: This is a seven point five mile moderately difficult trail loop offering hikers an opportunity to explore less frequented southern part of the park with its unique creeping forest ecosystem.
10. Hollow Tree & Sequoia Trail: A short, easy 1.2-mile hike that takes you past some of Big Basin's most famous trees including Chimney tree and Animal tree before looping back via Sempervirens falls.
Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting over 150 species, including the Marbled Murrelet and Pileated Woodpecker. Guided birding tours are available.
Museum
See wonderful photographs of the area from years past, learn about redwood forests, and see the many birds, reptiles, incects and mammals that live in Big Basin. Open 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Boulder Creek
There are several stores, restaurants, and other services located in Boulder Creek just 9 miles from Park Headquarters.
Starting Point: San Francisco, California.
- Get on US-101 S from Market St.
- Follow US-101 S and CA 85-S to Saratoga Ave in Saratoga.
- Take exit 14 from CA 85-S.
- Continue onto I280 N (signs for Downtown/San Jose).
- Use the right two lanes to take exit towards Cupertino/Mountain View.
- Merge with CA/CA Fwy Southbound.
Exit at De Anza Blvd; turn left onto it.
Directions through Town:
From here you will be going through a bit of town:
In downtown area:
Turn Right into Big Basin Way / Highway9.
Continuing Route:
Continue straight ahead until reaching intersection between Hwy236 & Hwy9 :
At this point make a sharp Left turn unto HWY236 also known as Big Basin way.
Final Stretch :
The park entrance is about seven miles down the road :
You'll see signs guiding your path once close enough.