Big Basin State Park Campground
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA
831-338-8860
Website
146 sites in four campgrounds. Many sites are for tents only, but some can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet long. There's a dump station but no hookups.
You can reserve trail camps on the Skyline to the Sea Trail up to two months in advance by calling 831-338-8860.
35 tent cabins in Huckleberry Campground are managed by Big Basin Redwoods Park Co. Call 800-874-8368 or reserve online (not through the state parks reservation service). These 12 by 14-foot cabins have wooden floors, wood sides and canvas tops. Each has two double beds with a cushion. Three cabins are equipped for handicapped access.
Restrooms, coin-operated showers. There's an RV dump station in Huckleberry Campground.
In many places, this might be a secondary need, but mosquitoes love Big Basin's climate as much as humans do. Bring repellent.
Camp store, laundry facilities
Hiking is the main form of recreation, with lots of trails, some leading to waterfalls. Many bird species also live in the forest, making the park a good birdwatching spot.
Big Basin is home to the largest continuous stand of coastal redwoods south of San Francisco, and most of the campsites are underneath the giant trees. They're well spaced to give plenty of privacy.
Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash and in the car or tent at night. They can only go to the picnic area, campground and on paved roads.
There are six horse camp sites in the park. Call 831-425-1218.
Big Basin is California's oldest state park, formed in 1902. It's in Santa Cruz County, but actually closer to Boulder Creek than the town of Santa Cruz.
Reservations are a necessity on weekends and during the summer. Make them as early as you can. Learn about how to make California state park reservations.
The park headquarters is 9 miles north of Hwy 9 on State Hwy 236. The turnoff is in the town of Boulder Creek. The roads in the Santa Cruz Mountains are far from straight, and Hwy 236 from the park north to Hwy 9 is especially narrow and winding. If you're towing a trailer, the best route is to take Hwy 1 to Hwy 9 and north.
