Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California
BigBasin.org - the only site for complete, current park information
Activities and Programs
If you love birds and butterflies CLICK HERE for information about Wings Over Big Basin 2010.
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
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
Join a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of volunteer naturalists and park staff dedicated to helping the environment through education at
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.
JANUARY ACTIVITIES
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Volunteer Training begins in March!
Join a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of volunteer naturalists and park staff dedicated to helping the environment through education at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. 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. You 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! Docent training is held at Big Basin on Saturdays. Please call the docent coordinator at (831) 338-8883 or email sblake@parks.ca.gov.
Winter Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, January 16 at 10:00 am
Sunday, January 17 at 10:00 am
Flowers in the winter? Fall rains bring a whole new blooming season upon us—many plants survived through the long, hot, dry summer just waiting for the cooler, wetter months to return and refresh them. Lichens, mosses and many chaparral plants just begin blooming this time of year! Join docent Scott Peden and learn to identify these flowering plants. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. In case of rain, there will be a wildflower slide show in our warm Sempervirens Room!
Coffee Talk
Saturday, January 23 from 10:00-12:00
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. We’ll be happy to answer questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail.
FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES
Ocean View Summit Hike
Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 am
Join docent David Auerbach on one of our most diverse hikes—by mountain streams, oak woodlands, chaparral and redwoods. You’ll discuss forests, flowers and fires on a six-mile, four-hour hike. This somewhat strenuous ascent is rewarded with ocean views on a clear day. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. Heavy rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Redwood Loop Walk
Saturday, February 13 at 11:00 am
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.
North Escape Stroll
Saturday, February 13 at 1:30 pm
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 an hour. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Romance in the Redwoods
Sunday, February 14 at 12:00 noon
Join docent Bill Rhoades on this fun Valentine’s Day walk. On this easy, 1.5-hour walk you’ll discover love in the wild and how plants and animals attract each other. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Winter Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 am
Sunday, February 21 at 10:00 am
Flowers in the winter? Fall rains bring a whole new blooming season upon us—many plants survived through the long, hot, dry summer just waiting for the cooler, wetter months to return and refresh them. Lichens, mosses and many chaparral plants just begin blooming this time of year! Join docent Scott Peden and learn to identify these flowering plants. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. In case of rain, there will be a wildflower slide show in our warm Sempervirens Room! Meet at Park Headquarters.
Redwood Loop Walk
Saturday, February 20 at 11:00 am
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.
Redwood Loop Walk
Sunday, February 21 at 11:00 am
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
Saturday, February 27 from 9:30-12:00
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. Norm Beeson, a Big Basin docent, will be happy to answer questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail.
Redwood Loop Walk
Saturday, February 27 at 12:30 pm
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.
Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, February 28 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 12-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 will be your guide on this six- to seven-hour hike. Bring a poncho if it’s raining. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Redwood Loop Walk
Sunday, February 28 at 11:00 am
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.