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
Ocean View Summit Hike
Saturday, January 14 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. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, January 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 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 will be your guide on this seven-hour hike. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Creeping Forest Ramble
Sunday, January 15 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. Rain cancels.
Winter Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 am
Sunday, January 22 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. You’ll also visit several historical spots within the park. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk that includes two chimney trees and a waterfall. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk that includes a chimney tree. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Shadowbrook Stroll
Saturday, January 21 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. Rain cancels.
Footsteps of the Pioneers
Saturday, January 28 at 12:00 noon
Join docent Doreen Devorah on an easy three-mile, two-hour round trip to the homestead of Big Basin’s earliest European settlers. 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. Rain cancels.
FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES
Big Basin Needs You!
Volunteer Training at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is looking for curious, caring individuals to become docent volunteers. You can be part of a team dedicated to helping the environment through education. Learn about the magnificent old-growth redwoods and Big Basin’s wonderful cultural history, then share your knowledge with the public. Help support State Parks! Training begins in April. Please contact the park at (831) 338-8883 for information and applications.
Ocean View Summit Hike
Saturday, February 4 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. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, February 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 will be your guide on this seven-hour hike. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Winter Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 am
Sunday, February 19 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. You’ll also visit several historical spots within the park. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk that includes two chimney trees and a waterfall. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk that includes a chimney tree. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Coffee Talk
Saturday, February 18 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
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.
Redwood Loop Walk
Saturday, February 18 at 1:00 pm
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join docent Norm Beeson 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. Rain cancels.
Footsteps of the Founders
Saturday, February 25 at 12:00 noon
This moderate five-mile, four-hour loop walk will take you back in time to the origins of our oldest state park. Discover the redwoods and other treasures that inspired the movement to save the trees. Docent Doreen Devorah will share stories of the park’s first human inhabitants, pioneering homesteaders and early redwood conservationists. We’ll pass historical places of interest and enjoy views of Slippery Rock and Sempervirens Falls. Meet at Park Headquarters. Rain cancels.
Last Chance Trail
Sunday, February 26 at 12:00 noon
Join Docent Doreen Devorah as she introduces you to one of our least-known trails. Experience the charm of a meandering stream, lush ferns and cool cliff formations on this four-mile, three-hour hike. Bring water and food. Meet at Park Headquarters. Rain cancels.