Recreation

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state park.big basin

towns w/ lodging: Ben Lomond Bouldercreek Felton Saratoga Santa Cruz		Big Basin Redwoods SP 21600 Big Basin Way Boulder Creek, CA 95006 831-338-8860
Located off California SR 9 Highway 9 northeast of the beach town of Santa Cruz this popular redwood park is a favorite among tourists and residents alike. Since 1902, Big Basin Redwoods State Park is dignified as the oldest State Park in California. This is the home to the largest continuous stand of ancient coastal redwoods in Central California. The park consists of over 18,000 acres with mixed conifer, oaks, & chaparral. The climate ranges from foggy & damp near the ocean to sunny, warm ridge tops.

Santa Cruz Mountain Redwoods California All roads leading into Big Basin are curvy, often narrow and steep. Park has limitations for RVs. Maximum Camper Length: 27' and Max Trailer Length: 24'

Location & Directions The park is 20 miles northwest of Santa Cruz via Hwy 9 & Hwy. 236 About 65 miles south of San Francisco Seasons/Climate Winter: Cold, overcast & rainy. Majority of its average 48 inches of rain December through March. Spring: Cool with showers & morning and evening fog. Average daytime highs 60's, lows in 30's to 40's. Summer: Warm with cool nights. Morning fog in early Summer. Average highs 75 to 95, lows 40's to 50's. Fall: Warm day to cold nights. Occasional early storms. Average highs 75 to 60's, lows 50's to 30.
This dense forested park takes a while to reach, but is well worth the curvy road. Paved parking lots lead to walk in shady campsites dispersed among the hillsides. Ferns, hiking trails & waterfalls surround these magnificent redwood trees. See more along California Highway 9

Redwood Park Campground & Cabins

• Back Country Trail Camps
• Big Basin Tent Cabins
• Huckleberry Campground
• Lower Blooms Creek Campground
• Upper Blooms Creek Campground
• Sempervirens Campground
• Sequoia Group Camp
• Sky Meadow Group Camp
• Wastahi Campground

Coastal Redwoods Hiking

• lush fern canyons
• chaparral-covered slopes
• deer, raccoons, & bobcats

Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet. The park has a surprising number of waterfalls, a wide variety of environments , many animals and lots of bird life.

The park has over 80 miles of trails, which serves hikers & equestrians, links Big Basin to Castle Rock State Park and the eastern reach of the Santa Cruz range. The Skyline to the Sea Trail threads its way through the park along Waddell Creek to the ocean & a beach at a freshwater marsh adjacent called Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve.

Backpacking trail camps on the Skyline to the Sea Trail are reservable only by calling 831-338-8861 between the hours of 10am - 5pm.

Dogs ARE NOT permitted on any of the trails. Dogs are permitted in the campsites, picnic areas, and on paved roads only. They must be on a leash and attended at all times.

Redwood Waterfalls

• Berry Creek Falls
• Golden Cascade Falls
• Silver Falls