August Activities

Redwood Loop Walk
Every Friday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm (except August 6)
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 4 and August 18 at 11:00 am and 1:00 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.

Big Basin Nature Club
August 1-22:
Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 pm
Every Sunday at 10:00 am
August 23-31:
Every Friday and Saturday at 4:30 pm (no program August 28)
Every Sunday at 10:00 am
This fun program is designed 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.

Junior Rangers
August 1-23:
Every Sunday at 11:00 am
Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3:00 pm
August 24-31:
Every Friday and Saturday at 3:00 pm (no program August 28)
Every Sunday 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 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.

Campfire Program
August 1-23: Every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 pm
August 24-31: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 pm (no program August 28)
Join us in our historic campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the stars and learn about redwood ecology, creatures of the forest or hear stories of the park while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallows (we provide the marshmallows and sticks!) at 7:00 pm and program begins at 7:30 pm. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

Twilight Hike
Monday, August 2 at 7:00 pm
Monday, August 9 at 7:00 pm
Monday, August 16 at 7:00 pm
Join us for an easy, level walk for the whole family. Experience the turning of the day into night in the forest, and learn about the critters that are just becoming active as the sun goes down. This is a one-hour, half-mile walk. Meet at Park Headquarters. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Bring a flashlight. Sorry, no dogs on the trail.

The Road Less Traveled
Every Sunday at 10:00 am (except August 29)
On this dog-friendly walk, we 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 roundtrip walk with docent Micki Downs and her dog Spock. Bring water and meet at Headquarters.

Footsteps of the Pioneers
Wednesday, August 11 at 11:00 am
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.

Ocean View Summit Hike
Saturday, August 14 at 10:00 am
Join docent Doreen Devorah 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. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, August 15 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-hour hike. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Footsteps of the Pioneers
Friday, August 20 at 11:00 am
Join docent Doreen Devorah 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.

Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, August 21 at 10:00 am
Sunday, August 22 at 10:00 am
Join docent Scott Peden to learn to identify the companion plants of the redwood forest. This is a wonderful way to enjoy the Santa Cruz Mountains! Bring along a field guide if you have one. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk. Bring water and snacks. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Creeping Forest Ramble
Sunday, August 22 at 12:00 noon
Explore the natural history of this less-visited trail with docent Doreen Devorah on a three-hour, 2.5-mile hike up and down the “creeping” terrain, along creeks, through fire-scarred redwoods and over log bridges. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Footsteps of the Pioneers
Wednesday, August 25 at 11:00 am
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.

Footsteps of the Pioneers
Friday, August 27 at 11:00 am
Join docent Doreen Devorah 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.

Shadowbrook Stroll
Sunday, August 29 at 12:00 noon
Docent Doreen Devorah will show you a less-traveled trail that takes you by Union Creek, to the Sempervirens Falls and back through the redwoods. This is a four-mile, three-hour hike. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.

September Activities

Redwood Loop Walk
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
And Monday, September 6 at 11:00 am and 2:00 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.

Campfires
Every Saturday at 6:30 pm
Friday, September 3 at 6:30 pm
Sunday, September 5 at 6:30 pm
Friday, September 10 at 6:30 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 marshmallows (we provide the marshmallows and sticks!) at 6:30 pm; program begins at 7:00 pm. Wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Junior Rangers
Every Saturday at 3:00 pm
Sunday, September 5 at 3:00 pm
Monday, September 6 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 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.

Big Basin Nature Club
Every Saturday at 4:30 pm
Sunday, September 5 at 4:30 pm
Monday, September 6 at 10:00 am
This fun program is designed 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.

Redwoods, Reflections and Connections
Saturday, September 4 at 10:00 am
Docent Lou Wolner introduces you to some of the trees, flowers and other plants on this moderate 5-mile, 3-hour hike along one of our most impressive trails. Experience the charm of a meandering stream, a stunning waterfall and old-growth redwoods. We’ll take time to pause and reflect on the power of a beautiful natural setting and our connection to it. This hike is not recommended for small children. Bring water and food.

Felling the Giants
Saturday, September 4 at 12:30 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 Dan Friend, a former Ranger at Big Basin, as he tells stories of the logging days and demonstrates how loggers were able to fell these giants—without chain saws!

Coffee Talk
Sunday, September 5 from 9:00-12:00
Come to the Sempervirens Room next to 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, suggest activities and help get you going on the right trail.

Footsteps of the Pioneers
Sunday, September 5 at 11:30 am
Join docent Doreen Devorah on an easy three-mile, two-hour round trip to the site of the old Maddock Cabin. Enjoy a beautiful walk through the redwoods and hear stories of the early settlers and their life deep in the forest.

Family Discovery Walk
Sunday, September 5 at 1:00 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!

Ocean View Summit Hike
Saturday, September 11 at 10:00 am
Join docent Doreen Devorah 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.

Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, September 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 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-hour hike.

Twilight Hike
Friday, September 17 at 6:30 pm
Join us for an easy, level walk for the whole family. Experience the turning of the day into night in the forest, and learn about the critters that are just becoming active as the sun goes down. Fire lighting and marshmallows at 7:00 p.m.; program begins at 7:30 p.m. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Bring a flashlight. Sorry, no dogs on the trail.

Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, September 18 at 10:00 am
Sunday, September 19 at 10:00 am
Join docent Scott Peden to learn to identify the companion plants of the redwood forest. This is a wonderful way to enjoy the Santa Cruz Mountains! Bring along a field guide if you have one. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk. Bring water and snacks.

Creeping Forest Ramble
Saturday, September 18 at 12:00 noon
Explore the natural history of this less-visited trail with docent Doreen Devorah on a three-hour, 2.5-mile hike up and down the “creeping” terrain, along creeks, through fire-scarred redwoods and over log bridges. Bring water and good hiking shoes.

Shadowbrook Stroll
Sunday, September 19 at 10:30 am
Docent Doreen Devorah will show you a less-traveled trail that takes you by Union Creek, to the Sempervirens Falls and back through the redwoods. This is a four-mile, three-hour hike. Bring water and good hiking shoes.

SPECIAL EVENT!
Big Basin Founders’ Day
Saturday, September 25
Honor the Visionaries, Valued Workers and Visitors that have shaped the character of Big Basin over the past 104 years. Revel in the beauty of the majestic old growth redwoods that inspired the movement to Save the Trees! Celebrate our wild heritage with a melodrama, hikes and games for kids.

Old-Time Redwood Loop Walk, Part 1
9:00 am
Over the years, our half-mile Redwood Loop Hike meandered past many more interesting old-growth redwoods, all named by our early park visitors. We’ll get in a time machine with docent Scott Peden as he leads us on the first half of a 1924 Redwood Loop Walk past these now-forgotten trees. Scott has old maps and photos of the trail and trees—we’ll try find the exact spots those old photos were taken! 1.40 hours

Founders’ Day Melodrama Walk!
11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Celebrate Big Basin’s history! Take a walk into the past on the easy, family friendly redwood loop trail and meet colorful characters from Big Basin’s past—listen to the stories of a pioneering homesteader, an early conservationist, the first female ranger at Big Basin and more! Half-mile, 1.5-hour walk, wheelchair and stroller friendly.

Boating, Dancing, Dining and More!—Big Basin in its Heyday
1:00 pm
Big Basin was a very popular tourist resort in the 1900s. The park had a hotel, store, post office, barbershop, dance hall, tennis courts, a lake and more! Take a fascinating tour with Dan Friend, a ranger here in the 1970s, and “see” Big Basin as it was in those vibrant early days. This is a one-mile, two-hour walk.

Old-Time Redwood Loop Walk, Big Basin, Part 2
3:30
Over the years, our half-mile Redwood Loop Hike meandered past many more interesting old-growth redwoods, all named by our early park visitors. We’ll get in a time machine with docent Scott Peden as he leads us on the second half of a 1924 Redwood Loop Walk past these now-forgotten trees. Scott has old maps and photos of the trail and trees—we’ll try find the exact spots those old photos were taken! 1.20 hours

Children’s Games
3:00-5:00 pm
Step back in time and play some old-fashioned children’s games. Stop by anytime during this two-hour program. The games are for kids of all ages. Meet at the Old Lodge.

Old-Time Ranger Days Campfire
6:30 pm
Join Dan Friend, a ranger at Big Basin in the 1970s, as he shares entertaining stories about raccoons, rescues and being a ranger in the 1970s. Meet at our Campfire Center. Fire lighting and marshmallows (we provide the marshmallows and sticks!) at 6:30 pm; program begins at 7:00 pm. Wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Could You Survive in the Wild?
Sunday, September 26 at 12:00 pm
During this fun, interactive demonstration, you’ll learn what it takes to survive overnight in the wilderness. Dan Friend, a wilderness survival teacher, will lead this family friendly, hour-long program on how to be prepared in the wilderness—what to bring in your pack and what knowledge to have in your head. Bring your daypack and we’ll review the contents!