General Information
Big Basin State Park Campground
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA
831-338-8860
Big Basin State Park Website
Big Basin Tent Cabins Website
Capacity
146 sites in four campgrounds. Many sites are for tents only, but some can accommodate RVs to 27 feet and trailers to 24 feet long. There's a dump station but no hookups.
Reserve trail camps on the Skyline to the Sea Trail up to 56 days ahead by calling 831-338-8861.
Tent cabins in Huckleberry Campground are 12 by 14-foot size, with wooden floors and sides and canvas tops. Each has two double beds with a cushion. Three cabins are equipped for handicapped access and you can reserve gear if you need it - or choose a deluxe cabin with beds already made up for you. Reserve online or call 800-444-7275.
Primary Needs
Restrooms, showers. There's an RV dump station in Huckleberry Campground.
In many places, insect repellent might be a secondary need, but at Big Basin, we'll call it a primary one. Mosquitoes love Big Basin's climate as much as humans do - and they're not afraid to bite.
Amenities
Camp store with a coffee bar and organic juice bar
Recreation
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.
Surroundings
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.
Animal Companions
Dogs are allowed except in the Rancho Del Oso section of the park, 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. Dogs are not allowed in the horse camp at any time.
More about Big Basin State Park Campground
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.
Camping 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 CA Hwy 236. The turnoff is in the town of Boulder Creek. The roads in the Santa Cruz Mountains are far from straight, and CA Hwy 236 from the park north to CA Hwy 9 is especially narrow and winding. If you're towing a trailer, the best route is to take CA Hwy 1 to CA Hwy 9 and north.
Big Basin State Park Campground
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA
831-338-8860
Big Basin State Park Website
Big Basin Tent Cabins Website
Capacity
146 sites in four campgrounds. Many sites are for tents only, but some can accommodate RVs to 27 feet and trailers to 24 feet long. There's a dump station but no hookups.
Reserve trail camps on the Skyline to the Sea Trail up to 56 days ahead by calling 831-338-8861.
Tent cabins in Huckleberry Campground are 12 by 14-foot size, with wooden floors and sides and canvas tops. Each has two double beds with a cushion. Three cabins are equipped for handicapped access and you can reserve gear if you need it - or choose a deluxe cabin with beds already made up for you. Reserve online or call 800-444-7275.
Primary Needs
Restrooms, showers. There's an RV dump station in Huckleberry Campground.
In many places, insect repellent might be a secondary need, but at Big Basin, we'll call it a primary one. Mosquitoes love Big Basin's climate as much as humans do - and they're not afraid to bite.
Amenities
Camp store with a coffee bar and organic juice bar
Recreation
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.
Surroundings
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.
Animal Companions
Dogs are allowed except in the Rancho Del Oso section of the park, 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. Dogs are not allowed in the horse camp at any time.
More about Big Basin State Park Campground
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.
Camping 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 CA Hwy 236. The turnoff is in the town of Boulder Creek. The roads in the Santa Cruz Mountains are far from straight, and CA Hwy 236 from the park north to CA Hwy 9 is especially narrow and winding. If you're towing a trailer, the best route is to take CA Hwy 1 to CA Hwy 9 and north.