Big Basin Redwoods State Park Voyage Tips and guide

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the oldest state park in California, and one of the best places to see old growth coastal redwood trees (sequoia sempervirens) near the Bay Area.

As of 2025, the park has limited infrastructure and is open only for daytime visits. There is no drinking water, electricity, or cell phone service.

As the population of the Bay Area grew in the 19th century, demand for timber led to large-scale logging of the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In 1902, a group of prominent citizens, led by the painter and photographer A.P. Hill, convinced the state legislature to establish a state park to preserve one of the last areas of virgin redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

A devastating wildfire in 2020 burned more than 97% of the park, destroying the headquarters and all campgrounds. The fire dramatically changed the landscape of the park, but it remains home to old-growth redwoods, which have long been adapted to wildfires as part of their natural life cycle. The park has reopened for day use, but only some trails can be accessed.

The park is famous for its magnificent coastal redwoods, but it also features knobcone pines and other native species. The larger mammals in the park include mule deer, bobcats and (rare) mountain lions.

Banana slugs are most likely to be seen on cool, wet days.

A large valley in the Santa Cruz mountains, the "big basin" is a watershed whose streams flow into the Pacific Ocean. The mountains trap the coastal fog and rain, providing an ideal climate for the redwoods. Though wet and chilly in the winter, the forest is warm and dry during the summer and fall months.

The main park entrance, with a street address of 21600 Big Basin Way in Boulder Creek, is less than an hour from San Jose and the cities on the Peninsula. Highway 236, also called Big Basin Way, runs from Highway 9 through the park, to rejoin Highway 9 about 10 miles south in the town of Boulder Creek. The north entrance to the park is about 9 miles from Highway 9, and the south entrance is about 9 miles from the town of Boulder Creek. The road is narrow and very twisty, and is crossed by bridle trails at a number of points.

There are two main parking areas for the main park entrance: one that is close to the visitor center and another called the Saddle Mountain overflow parking lot. The fees are the same in all parking lots. On summer holidays and weekends, a shuttle bus runs from the Saddle Mountain parking lot to the visitor center. The Saddle Mountain parking lot is one of the few places in the northern end of the park that has wifi access.

Santa Cruz Metro Transit District provides seasonal, weekend-only bus service on route 35B to the main interest. This bus route connects with the Highway 17 bus route from downtown San Jose in Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz.

The Rancho del Oso Nature Center is at 3600 California Highway 1 in Davenport, a small town north of Santa Cruz along the coast. The Rancho del Oso is by Waddell Beach and the southern end of the Skyline to the Sea Trail.

Reservations are recommended on the official website. Day-use fees are $8 per vehicle with a reservation (includes a $2 reservation fee), or $10 per vehicle without a reservation. Entrance is free for people who have a state parks pass, such as the Golden Poppy pass.

The park has trails for all types of visitors, including wheelchair-accessible paths, and short trails that have no vertical gain whatsoever. Many of the trails from the former park headquarters rise up to the ridge of the basin, and proceed down toward the ocean. These trails are good for 5–10 mi (8.0–16.1 km) hikes, with moderate uphill climbs.

The Skyline to the Sea Trail begins at Castle Rock State Park, to the east of Big Basin. The second half of the 30 mi (48 km) trail passes through Big Basin, and runs all the way down to the Pacific Ocean at Waddell Beach. As of 2025, most of this famous trail is closed due to fire damage.

Dogs must be leashed at all times (maximum length 6 feet/2 meters) and are only allowed in the parking lot and on paved roads. As of 2025, that meant that dogs can only be taken on a single section of the North Escape Road, which is a bit less than 2 miles long. The number and length of trails open to dogs is expected to increase as more roads are repaired.

Bicycles are allowed only on the fire roads (paved and unpaved).

Horses are allowed only on the fire roads (paved and unpaved). A parking space for horse trailers must be reserved in advance.

As of 2025, all trails leading to waterfalls are closed.

Despite the park's lean budget, the rangers lead a number of activities for visitors, including educational classes for children, evening campfires, and guided hikes. Docents also lead educational hikes on the weekends for visitors curious about the flora, fauna and history of the park.

There is no gas station in the park. The closest gas station to the main entrance is in Boulder Creek, about 9 miles (15 km) away. The closest gas station to the Rancho del Oso entrance on Highway 1 is in Santa Cruz, about 20 miles (30 km) away.

There are picnic tables by the main visitor center as well as by the Rancho del Oso Nature Center. There are restrooms near both picnic areas, but no safe drinking water, so bring everything you need for your picnic with you.

Following the wildfire that burned the vast majority of the park in 2020, all campgrounds are closed indefinitely.

Be aware of rattlesnakes sunning themselves on trails during the morning heat.

Carry plenty of water, especially on warmer days. There is no drinking water in the park.

• Santa Cruz is the most obvious place to go next, if you didn't come from there in the first place.