Activities and Programs

These activities begin at Big Basin Redwoods State Park main entrance located 9 miles outside of Boulder Creek on Hwy 236 (831) 338-8883.  For activities at the Rancho del Oso location located off Highway 1, click here.

MAY ACTIVITIES AT BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK

Starting location is park headquarters unless otherwise noted.

Redwood Loop Walk
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 and 2:00 plus Memorial Day
Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 at 11:00 only
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible Chimney Tree on this 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible.

Campfire Programs
Saturdays, May 18, 25 and 26 at 7:00 pm
Join us in our historic campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the glittering stars and learn about redwood ecology, creatures of the forest or stories of the park while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallow roasting (we provide the marshmallows and sticks!) starts at 7:00 pm and the program begins at 7:30 pm. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome! Meet at the Campfire Center.

Junior Rangers
May 18, 25, 26 at 3:00 pm
Monday, May 27 at 11:00 am
Discover the fascinating secrets of the forest! Explore, practice outdoor skills and play games as you learn about plants, animals, geology, and more. This one-hour program is for kids ages 7-12. Sorry parents, this program is for kids only! Please register your child at the Nature Lodge15 minutes before the program begins. Please be sure your child is dressed for active play in the outdoors.

Big Basin Nature Club
Saturday, May 18, 25, 26 at 4:30 pm
Monday, May 27 at 10:00 am
This fun program is for children ages 3-6 and their families. Pretend, play, sing and explore! This half-hour program will introduce youngsters to the wonders of the redwood forest. Meet at the Nature Lodge.

Coffee Talk and Crafts
Saturday, May 4 from 9:00-12:00
Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Park Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin. Docent Norm Beeson will be happy to answer your questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail. And there’s a fun craft activity for the kids!

What's that Bird?
Saturday, May 4 at 10:00 am
This easy, one-mile stroll with docent Karen DeMello will introduce you to the birds of the redwood forest. Beginner birders are welcomed! Bring binoculars if you have them–but they’re not required. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Horse Tails
Sundays, May 5 and 12 at 11:30 am
Come meet Bellarose the horse and learn about the important role horses played in early Big Basin history. Join docents Peggy O’Shea and Maura McNamara as they share stories of how horses were used by the Spanish explorers, early settlers and the lumber and tanning industries.

Explore Big Basin!
Sunday, May 5 at 12:00 noon
On this 4-hour, 4-mile leisurely hike with docent Barry Grimm we’ll traverse old-growth redwood and Douglas-fir forest in some of the park’s most scenic backcountry. We’ll look at the forest in new ways and share our findings. Compact digital cameras are encouraged to help us share what we see. This hike is suitable for adults and young adults who are diligent hikers. Dress in layers for changeable weather and temperatures. Bring sturdy walking shoes, water and trail snacks.

Volunteer with the Trail Crew
Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 am (must be 18 years of age or older)
Since 1969 the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew has helped make it possible for others to safely enjoy the beauty of our park. The Trail Crew meets the second Saturday of each month, rain or shine. A typical workday lasts until mid-afternoon. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch and water. Join us for a unique perspective of Big Basin, a lively and productive experience with others who share a love of these redwood forests, and the satisfaction of participating in a vital part of the park's ability to educate and inspire the public!  Check www.bigbasintrailcrew.org to confirm dates and time.

Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, May 12 at 9:30 am
Travel deep into the heart of Big Basin as you experience a wide range of habitats on this moderate to strenuous 11-mile-loop hike. Wind through shady redwood canyons and climb dry ridges as you hike to the jewel of Big Basin—65-foot Berry Creek Falls. Bring lots of water, lunch and wear layers. Docent Bill Rhoades guides you on this seven-hour hike.

Mother’s Day Walk: Women of Big Basin
Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
Celebrate Mother’s Day in the park by honoring the spirited women who have lived in, worked in and fought for Big Basin throughout its history. Living history reenactments bring you back in time where you will meet pioneer homemaker Alice Maddock, Josephine McCrackin, the “Savior of the Redwoods” and Harriet “Petey” Weaver, the first female Ranger. You will stroll through the redwoods with Docent Doreen Devorah, a state park docent, actor, writer and producer, as she portrays these inspiring women on this half-mile, 2-hour guided walk.  This walk is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
Saturday, May 18 at 1:30 pm
We'll travel on North Escape Road, a paved road closed to traffic. We tour stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. We'll discuss redwood ecology and park history while exploring the deep shade of the redwood forest. This is a fun, easy, three-mile, two-hour roundtrip walk with docent Elise Scripps and her dog Brie. Dogs not required, but welcome! Bring water.

Wildflower Walk!
Sunday, May 19 at 10:00 am
Did you know there’s always something abloom in Big Basin? Join docent Scott Peden and learn how to identify each of these flowering plants. You’ll also visit several historical spots within the park. On this leisurely five-mile, five-hour walk you’ll travel from creek side to ridge top. Bring water and lunch.

A Walk in the Past
Saturday, May 25 at 9:00 am
No Safeway? No Home Depot? No CVS Pharmacy? How did the Ohlone Indians survive? Take a walk with Docent Eva Fewel and learn about some of the plants the Ohlones used for food, tools and medicine. This is a 4-mile, 2.5-hour walk.

Sempervirens Falls Saunter
Saturday, May 25 at 10:00 am
Join docent Hal Anjo in this moderate five-mile, four-hour loop walk by one of our prettiest falls, plus an interesting rock formation and old-growth redwoods. 

Felling the Giants
Saturday, May 25 at 1:00 pm
Logging was the major industry in the Santa Cruz Mountains for over 50 years. How did lumbermen cut down these tall, tall trees? What was life like in a logging camp? What tools did they use? Join docent Paul Fewel as he tells stories of the logging days and demonstrates how loggers were able to fell these giants—without chainsaws!

Family Discovery Walk
Sunday, May 26 at 12:30 pm
AND Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 at 12:30 pm
Join docent Norm Beeson for a fun-filled family walk and investigate the mysteries and wonders of Big Basin’s redwood forest! We’ll discover what surprises the day offers on this easy, one-mile roundtrip walk that lasts about 1.5 hours. Bring water, a snack or lunch and an adventurous spirit!

Pioneers of Big Basin
Sunday, May 26 at 1:30 pm
Join docent Doreen Devorah on an easy three-mile, three-hour round trip to the site of the Maddock Cabin. Enjoy a beautiful walk through the redwoods and hear stories of the early settlers and their life deep in the forest.

Annual Events for 2013

Mother's Day Walk -  Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
Celebrate the women of Big Basin and Mother's Day by honoring the spirited women who lived, worked and fought for Big Basin.  Stroller and wheelchair accessible.

Father's Day Walk -  Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 1:00p.m. 
Celebrate Father's Day by honoring some of the remarkable men who lived, work and fought for Big Basin.  Stroller and wheelchair accessible.

July 26-27, 2013, Various times and locations throughout the weekend.
Storytelling weekend presented in collaboration with South Bay Storytellers.  Storyteller's showcase on Saturday night at the campfire center. 

Big Basin Founders’ Day and Redwood Jubilee
Saturday, September 28, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate anniversary of California's oldest state park. Enjoy historical hikes, a special program for children and an evening melodrama at the campfire center.

The Missing Arm of William Waddell - Saturday, October 26, 2013
Bring a flashlight for this slightly-spooky, somewhat-silly trailside tale.  Sign ups begin at 6:30p.m. for walks that leave every 10-minutes beginning at 7:00p.m.

Events made possible by California State Park Docents, California State Parks and Mountain Parks Foundation

• Mountain Biking
  • Fire Roads are open to Mountain Biking
  • No Mountain Bikes allowed on Single Track Trails
  • North Escape Road (Picnic Area Road) is level and paved and makes a good easy route.
    • It is closed to private autos passed the locked gate

• Fire Roads in Park
  • Gazos Creek Road
    • 16 miles. Goes to Highway #1 North of Swanton.
  • Middle Ridge Fire Road
  • Hihn Hammond Road
  • Johansen Road
  • Chalks Road

• Trail Camps
  • Please click on the Backcountry Trail Camps Information Tab for complete information, rules and frequently asked questions.  Trail Camps open May 1 through Oct. 31 annually. Closed Nov. 1- April 30.
  • Advance reservations are required.
  • Reservations via Big Basin Headquarters, Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm, (831)335-8861, up to 56 days in advance.

• Group Camps
  • Sequoia Group Camp (2 Group Camps) Open All Year
    • Fifty people per site
    • 18 Vehicles
  • Sky Meadow Group Camp (2 Group Camps) May 26-Oct 28
    • Forty people per site
    • 15 Vehicles
    • Reservations through Reserve America 1-800-444-7275
       
• Equestrian Trails
  • Horses are allowed on Equestrian Trails and all double track trails in the Park.
    
    
• Horse Camps
  • Six sites.
  • Six people per site.
  • Minimum of one horse per site.
  • One tow vehicle and one horse trailer per site
  • Reserve via Rancho Del Oso.