California State Parks and Save The Redwoods League Unveil New Plan to Safeguard Iconic Redwood Parks in Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ — California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League today released a new Forest Management Strategy (FMS) aimed at restoring and protecting three state parks in Santa Cruz County following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The devastating wildfire burned through more than 24,000 acres in Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo and Butano state parks. The FMS outlines critical actions needed to help the forests recover and to improve wildfire and climate resilience in the parks and neighboring communities.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Launches Summer Shuttle Service for Weekends, Holidays

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. — Just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks announced today that access to Big Basin Redwoods State Park will increase this summer with the addition of a free pilot shuttle program, a new interim parking area, and weekend Santa Cruz METRO bus service to the park.

California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League and Waddell Creek Association Open New Rancho del Oso Welcome Center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, and Waddell Creek Association today announced the opening of the new Rancho del Oso Welcome Center, a gateway to the western coastal side of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The new welcome center facility and adjacent public campground will greet visitors to California’s oldest state park and largest expanse of old-growth coast redwoods south of San Francisco. The park has had limited access since the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fires. 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Marks First Anniversary of Reopening on July 22

BOULDER CREEK, Calif.,— Big Basin Redwoods State Park (SP) marks its one-year anniversary since welcoming visitors back into the majestic coastal redwoods on July 22, 2022, following the closure from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire that devastated the park. This past year, despite being hit hard by winter storms, over 28,000 people visited the park through a limited-access day-use reservation system. Additionally, a temporary visitor center is now open, and miles of trails and fire road are accessible. Camping returned to the park through an interim walk-in campground at Rancho Del Oso, the coastal side of Big Basin Redwoods SP.

California State Parks and Santa Cruz METRO Offer an Eco-Friendly Way to Visit Big Basin Redwoods State Park this Summer

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — California State Parks and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) today announced a convenient and sustainable transportation option to access Big Basin Redwoods State Park. On weekends this summer through September 10, the public can take METRO’s Route 35 to explore California’s oldest state park.  

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Reopens 4 Additional Miles of Roads and Trails

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. — California State Parks today announced Big Basin Redwoods State Park will reopen an additional four miles of roads and trails effective this Friday, December 23.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Reopens July 22 with Reservation-Only Day-Use Access

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. — California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks today announced Big Basin Redwoods State Park will partially reopen July 22 for limited day-use access through a reservation system. Reservations will be available starting July 1.

BIG BASIN UPDATE State Parks Shares Concept for a Connected, Collaborative, Reimagined Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Vision for the Reimagined Park to be discussed at a community event on June 3

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California State Parks today announced the release of the Reimagining Big Basin Vision Summary, a collaborative vision created through months of public input to guide the reestablishment of Big Basin Redwoods State Park after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

California State Parks Urges Public To Help Reimagine Big Basin Redwoods State Park

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. -- California State Parks is urging the public to get involved and to learn more about the “Reimagining Big Basin” project, a project that will memorialize the broad vision for reestablishing California’s oldest State Park. With the loss of all park infrastructure in the 2020 CZU Fire, the park has been closed while recovery work has been underway. During this time, State Parks has kicked off this planning project to initiate the public process of planning the park’s visitor serving facilities needed to provide the visitor experiences at the park.

Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center Set to Reopen Memorial Day Weekend

RANCHO DEL OSO, Calif.— Backcountry and rest of Big Basin Redwoods State Park Remains Closed