National park · United States
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Go for a half day: pay the day-use fee, walk the short old-growth loop from the main entrance before 10:00, and skip the waterfall and long ridge routes — most of the trail network is still closed after the 2020 fire. Check the official closures list the morning you drive; no camping, no drinking water, no cell signal.Go for a half day: pay the day-use fee, walk the short old-growth loop from the main entrance before 10:00 AM, and skip the waterfall and long ridge routes — most of the trail network is still closed after the 2020 fire. Check the official closures list the morning you drive; no camping, no drinking water, no cell signal.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
73 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (73 km²)
approximate
Established
1902
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 73 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (73 km²)
- Roughly 18,000 acres (about 73 km²) of redwood forest, grassland and stream valley; the exact boundary figure varies by source and by post-fire revision.
- Established
- 1902
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Big Basin is California's oldest state park, set in a fog-fed valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains about an hour from San Jose. It protects old-growth coast redwood, and the 2020 CZU fire burned more than 97% of the park, destroying the headquarters and every campground. Redwoods survive fire, and the park has reopened for day use, but only part of the trail network is back. Treat it as a short, self-sufficient visit: bring all your water, expect no shops or fuel, and check the official closures page the morning you drive.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1902.
Size and age
73 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (73 km²) · national park since 1902
Roughly 18,000 acres (about 73 km²) of redwood forest, grassland and stream valley; the exact boundary figure varies by source and by post-fire revision.
Why go
- Old-growth coast redwood within day-trip range of the Bay Area — no long drive north required.
- The Redwood Loop is flat, short and fully accessible, so it works for mixed-ability groups.
- Fire ecology you can see up close: blackened trunks with new green growth at the base.
- Quiet compared with Muir Woods, especially on weekday mornings.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanWet, cold, mud; some roads may close
- FebRain; slick trails
- MarMild, greening up; showers
- AprCool, often clear; wildflowers
- MayWarm and dry; fog burns off
- JunWarm; arrive early for parking
- JulHot inland, busy weekends
- AugHottest, driest; fire risk
- SepWarm, clear, fewer crowds
- OctDry and mild; best light
- NovCool; first storms
- DecRain and short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banana slugsNov–Apr · Most visible on cool, wet mornings. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Mule deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| BobcatsAll year · Rarely seen; mostly dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mountain lionsAll year · Very rare; do not hike alone at dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| RattlesnakesApr–Oct · Sun themselves on trails in the morning heat. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Jose
Drive Highway 17 to Scotts Valley, then Highway 9 and Highway 236 to the main entrance; the last stretch is narrow and very twisty.
50–70 min
Open the page →
From Santa Cruz
Drive Highway 9 north through Boulder Creek, then Highway 236; a seasonal weekend bus from Scotts Valley has also served the park.
45–60 min
From San Francisco
Drive south on Highway 280 and 17, then as above; allow extra time on summer weekends.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Rancho del Oso / Waddell Beach
Separate coastal unit on Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz; reached by car, not from the main entrance.
30 min from Santa Cruz
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance and visitor centre area | Entrance kiosk, rebuilt visitor facilities, picnic tables, restrooms and the start of the Redwood Loop. | Open with a day-use fee; no drinking water. |
| North Escape Road | Paved fire road running up the valley; the one stretch where leashed dogs are allowed. | Open to walkers, bikes and horses; no dogs beyond this road. |
| Ridge and waterfall trails | Routes climbing to the basin rim and the former waterfall trails. | Mostly closed after fire damage; check the official closures list before planning. |
| Rancho del Oso | Coastal unit on Highway 1 at Waddell Beach, with a nature centre and the ocean end of the Skyline to the Sea Trail. | Open seasonally; separate entrance. |
Sketch map
- 1Main entrance (Big Basin Way) · Gate≈37.172, -122.223Map ↗
- 2Visitor centre area · Headquarters≈37.173, -122.222Map ↗
- 3Saddle Mountain overflow lot · Ranger station≈37.183, -122.215Approximate; shuttle to the visitor centre on busy summer weekends.Map ↗
- 4Boulder Creek · Town≈37.126, -122.122Map ↗
- 5Rancho del Oso / Waddell Beach · Beach≈37.096, -122.276Approximate; coastal unit on Highway 1.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions within the Santa Cruz Mountains, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use vehicle entry | US$10 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; the posted rate has been around this level since reopening — confirm the current rate at the gate. |
| Walk-in or bike-in entry | US$0–10 | person | A per-person rate applies when you arrive without a vehicle. |
| Saddle Mountain overflow parking | US$10 | vehicle | Same fee as the main lot; a shuttle to the visitor centre has run on busy summer weekends. |
| California Explorer annual pass | Free | vehicle | Covers day use at most state parks for a year; see the park passes page for the current price and terms. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use entry permit or guide
Horse-trailer parking permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on California State Parks — Big Basin Redwoods State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Leashed only (max 6 ft / 2 m) and only on paved roads and the parking area — in practice, a single section of North Escape Road.
- Bikes and horses
- Allowed on fire roads only, paved and unpaved; not on single-track trails.
- Camping
- Not allowed — all campgrounds are closed indefinitely after the 2020 fire.
- Water
- There is no drinking water in the park; bring everything you need.
- Fires
- Check current fire restrictions before you go; bans on campfires and charcoal are common in the Santa Cruz Mountains in summer and autumn.
Where to stay
Near the park
Boulder Creek
Closest town to the main entrance, about 9 miles away; small inns and cabins.
Near the park
Santa Cruz
Full range of hotels, motels and hostels, 45–60 min from the gate.
Near the park
Scotts Valley
Highway 17 motels, convenient if you are coming from San Jose.
Safety
No drinking water or cell service high
Rattlesnakes medium
Narrow, twisting Highway 236 medium
Fire closures and smoke medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Redwood Loop is paved, flat and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Accessible restrooms are available near the main visitor area.
- Ridge trails are steep, uneven and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on open trails — closed routes are still recovering and soils are fragile after fire.
- Pack out all rubbish; do not rely on bins being available.
- Do not collect wood, plants or fallen redwood burls.
- Carpool or take the seasonal weekend bus; parking is limited and the road is narrow.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Big Basin Redwoods State Park?
Day-use entry is charged per vehicle, around US$10 in 2026 — confirm the current rate at the gate. Walk-in and bike-in visitors pay a per-person fee. A California Explorer annual pass covers day use at most state parks for a year; check the current price on the park passes page.
What are the best hikes in Big Basin Redwoods State Park?
The short old-growth loop from the visitor centre is the standout easy walk, past the largest surviving redwoods. North Escape Road gives a longer, gentle valley walk. Ridge routes climb steeply to basin views, but several remain closed after the 2020 fire, so check the official closures list and trail map before choosing a route.
When is the best time to visit Big Basin Redwoods State Park?
April, May, September and October are the best months: dry trails, mild temperatures and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and busy at weekends, and winter brings rain, mud and occasional road closures.
Can you camp in Big Basin Redwoods State Park?
No. All campgrounds have been closed since the 2020 CZU fire and there is no reopening date. Stay in Boulder Creek, Scotts Valley or Santa Cruz and visit as a day trip.
Is there water or phone signal in the park?
No. There is no drinking water and no reliable cell service. Bring all the water you need, download offline maps and tell someone your plan before you drive in.
Are dogs allowed in Big Basin Redwoods State Park?
Only on a short section of North Escape Road, on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 metres). They are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.
How long does it take to get to Big Basin from San Jose or Santa Cruz?
About 50–70 minutes from San Jose and 45–60 minutes from Santa Cruz. The final stretch on Highway 236 is narrow and very twisty, so allow more time on weekends.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go