Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California
Activities and Programs
Weddings and other special events
Teachers
and others interested in Redwood Forest ecology will want to check out these links...
Volunteer
Interested in joining the docent team at Big Basin? Click here for information...
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Big Basin has a full schedule of activities during the summer and on weekends during the fall, winter, and spring as staff allows. See park activities flyers posted at park headquarters and around the park or call +1 (831) 338-8883 for additional information. Program times subject to change. Year Round Activities Be sure to visit our Nature Museum, located across the street from Headquarters (follow the crosswalk from Headquarters). It’s open year-round, from 8-5. Discover Big Basin’s amazing natural resources! On this easy, level, half-mile walk you will learn astonishing facts about the ancient redwood environment and see the tallest, most rare and most fascinating trees in Big Basin. Park docent-interpretive naturalists engage young and old alike with colorful park history, redwood reproduction and animal stories as you explore the mysteries of the forest. Meet the Mother of the Forest, the Father of the Forest, the Santa Clara, Animal and Chimney Trees, and more. Don't miss this informative walk on this historic trail! One hour. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. FREE Docent Training Big Basin Docents will be trained in redwood ecology, local history, and the art of public speaking. Docents lead guided walks, host the museum, and share their own interests and skills with the park and its visitors. Docent training will be held at Minimum requirements: Must be at least 16 years of age and be able to volunteer a minimum of six hours per month. A curious spirit and open mind are plusses! Please call Susan Blake for information and applications at (831) 338-8883. Click here for more information about becoming a docent at Big Basin. |
Guided Hikes May Guided Walks Redwood Loop Walk 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 one-hour walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters. Coffee Talk Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Park Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate in front of a blazing fire! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin. One of our Big Basin docents will be happy to answer questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail. This walk is a chance for you and your canine companion to enjoy the redwoods and the company of other dog lovers. Docent Micki Downs and her dog Spock will lead you and your well socialized, leashed dog on this fun, easy, three-mile hike. Bring water for you and your dog. Meet at Park Headquarters. Footsteps of the Pioneers Join docent Eva Fewel on an easy three-mile, two-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. Meet at Park Headquarters and bring water. North Escape Stroll This is a dog-friendly stroll along our beautiful North Escape Road where you’ll experience the forest through touch, smell and sound. Discover the amazing acorn granaries, the fragrant Douglas-firs and the grand redwoods. Learn about the different elements that create a redwood forest. This ¾-mile stroll with docent Oscar Medina will take about an hour. Meet at Park Headquarters. The Women of Big Basin Celebrate Mother’s Day by honoring some of the incredible women who have lived in, worked in and fought for the Big Basin. Meet pioneer homemaker Alice Maddock; Josephine McCrackin, the “Savior of the Redwoods” and Harriet “Petey” Weaver, the first female Ranger. Stroll through the magnificent redwoods on this half-mile, one-hour guided walk. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters. Wings Over the Basin Special Event! Owls of the Redwood Forest Join Jan Hintermeister on a two-mile hike to learn about the rarely seen but sometimes heard owls at Big Basin. Experience the nocturnal world of owls while listening for our local species. Whooooo knows, maybe we'll get lucky and hear one! Be prepared to stand quietly and patiently in cold weather. Dress in layers of quiet clothing, wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring a flashlight and binoculars (if you have them). Meet under the flagpole at Park Headquarters. Birds and Butterflies at the Edge of Big Basin This is a unique opportunity to explore a different part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park by car. The morning begins with Kay Partelow expanding your birding experience by practicing innovative ways to remember bird vocalizations we may hear in different habitats. We'll drive (carpooling suggested) 5 to 10 miles to seek higher elevation species at various locations. As the day warms up, Paul Johnson will point out the lovely lepidoptera as they begin to flutter. We will drive to several locations to search for an assortment of butterfly species. Bring a lunch, water and binoculars (if you have them). Note there are no restrooms (but plenty of trees!) on the drive. Meet at Park Headquarters. Listen to tales of the history and lore of the endangered marbled murrelet as you follow the path of its discovery right here in the center of Big Basin with special guests Steve and Stephanie Singer and docent Karen DeMello. You’ll also meet typical birds of the redwood forest along the way on this 1-1/2 mile walk. Meet at Park HQ. Binoculars recommended (not required). Join us for an exciting introduction to our local birds of prey, presented by Karen Hoyt of Sky Hunters Environmental Education. Learn more about how raptors, or birds of prey, fit into Big Basin's ecology and why they’re important in a balanced environment. Special guest raptors will give you a glimpse of the true meaning of what it means to be a bird of prey. Meet at the Campfire Center near Park Headquarters. Afterwards, roast marshmallows over the fire! Join Matthew Strusis-Timmer in listening and looking for this remarkable bird as it circles over the old growth forest nesting area before heading out to sea. Learn why this robin-sized seabird is so special to Big Basin. Meet at Park Headquarters at 5:15 AM sharp. Such tall trees, such deep shadows! But you can hear the birds you can't see. We’ll learn how to listen, and we’ll try to learn a half-dozen kinds of birds out of the many we’ll hear. And we’ll try to make sense of what these birds are up to when they sing or—not the same—when they call. Two miles. Meet at Park Headquarters. Bring binoculars if you have them. All ages are invited to listen to Peter's adventure in the Land of the Tall Trees and Marbled Murrelets, a twist to the familiar story with music by composer Sergei Prokofiev. There is no wolf in this version! This tale will be told by docent Karen DeMello over a one-mile, easy walk in the redwoods. Meet at Park Headquarters. Join us for any or all of the above special "Wings Over the Basin" events! Canyon Trees to Ocean Breeze Discuss forests, fires and flowers as docent Dave Auerbach guides your six-mile, four-hour exploration through a variety of habitats. Somewhat strenuous ascent rewarded with ocean views on a clear day. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Park Headquarters. Campfire Programs 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 sky while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallows at 7:30 p.m. and program begins at 8:00 p.m. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome! 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 designed for kids ages 7-12. Sorry parents, this program is for kids only! Please register your child 15 minutes before the program begins. Meet at the Nature Lodge. This fun programs is designed for children ages 3-6 and their parents. Read, sing, pretend, play and explore! This half-hour program will introduce youngsters to the wonders of the redwood forest. Meet at the Nature Lodge. Canyon Trees to Ocean Breeze Discuss forests, fires and flowers as docent Dave Auerbach guides your six-mile, four-hour exploration through a variety of habitats. Somewhat strenuous ascent rewarded with ocean views on a clear day. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Park Headquarters. Meteor Trail Trek Redwood Loop Walk Coffee Talk North Escape Stroll Campfire Programs Junior Rangers Big Basin Nature Club | ||||