19 found
Sanborn
Youth Site
Hike In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Hike In
Person Capacity: 40
Car Capacity:
Description: lushly wooded park of 3,453 acres is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. This mountain park of redwoods and tan bark oak offers hiking, hike-in camping, RV camping, and picnicking opportunities year-round. An RV campground offers electric and water hook-ups and a dump station. The vehicle length limit is 30 feet.
Big Basin Redwoods
Sky Meadow A
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 40
Car Capacity: 15
Description: Sky Meadow Group Campground is located on Sky Meadow Road, 3½ miles from Big Basin Redwoods State Park headquarters. The two group areas are primitive, walk-in tent sites. A 70-yard walk leads to campsites. A wagon would be helpful to assist in hauling gear to the campsite.
Sky Meadow Group Campground is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Big Basin Redwoods
Sky Meadow B
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 40
Car Capacity: 15
Description: Sky Meadow Group Campground is located on Sky Meadow Road, 3½ miles from Big Basin Redwoods State Park headquarters. The two group areas are primitive, walk-in tent sites. A 70-yard walk leads to campsites. A wagon would be helpful to assist in hauling gear to the campsite.
Sky Meadow Group Campground is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Big Basin Redwoods
Sequoia A
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 50
Car Capacity: 18
Description: Sequoia Group Campground is located ½-mile from Big Basin Redwoods State Park headquarters. Two group areas are available year-round. The sites have plenty of room for numerous large tents as well as space for activities. There is room for 1-2 RVs as well.
The beauty and grandeur of Big Basin's redwood forests have been attracting visitors for more than a century. The park is a premier camping place for families with so many places to explore and things to do. Trails lead along meandering streams and out to scenic waterfalls.
The two sites at Sequoia Group Campground may be reserved together to create a campground for up to 100 people.
Big Basin Redwoods
Sequoia B
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 50
Car Capacity: 18
Description: Sequoia Group Campground is located ½-mile from Big Basin Redwoods State Park headquarters. Two group areas are available year-round. The sites have plenty of room for numerous large tents as well as space for activities. There is room for 1-2 RVs as well.
The beauty and grandeur of Big Basin's redwood forests have been attracting visitors for more than a century. The park is a premier camping place for families with so many places to explore and things to do. Trails lead along meandering streams and out to scenic waterfalls.
The two sites at Sequoia Group Campground may be reserved together to create a campground for up to 100 people.
New Brighton SB
Group #A
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type:
Person Capacity: 25
Car Capacity: 4
Description: New Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular beachfront campgrounds in California, offering over 100 developed campsites, including 11 RV hookup sites. With bluff top views of the the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, a visitor center museum, shade ramada for group picnics and special events, and campfire center with free summer programs, it’s no wonder New Brighton State Beach is such a favorite destination!
PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle/trailer. Additional vehicles not towed in will be charged an extra vehicle fee. Campers registering with discount passes—e.g. Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veteran Pass (POW)—must present discount card and picture ID at check-in time. Discount pass holder must be present when registering and while camping. Registration tags are non-transferable. Day use and annual passes are not valid in campground.
New Brighton SB
Group #B
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type:
Person Capacity: 25
Car Capacity: 4
Description: New Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular beachfront campgrounds in California, offering over 100 developed campsites, including 11 RV hookup sites. With bluff top views of the the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, a visitor center museum, shade ramada for group picnics and special events, and campfire center with free summer programs, it’s no wonder New Brighton State Beach is such a favorite destination!
PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle/trailer. Additional vehicles not towed in will be charged an extra vehicle fee. Campers registering with discount passes—e.g. Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veteran Pass (POW)—must present discount card and picture ID at check-in time. Discount pass holder must be present when registering and while camping. Registration tags are non-transferable. Day use and annual passes are not valid in campground.
New Brighton SB
Group #C
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type:
Person Capacity: 25
Car Capacity: 4
Description: New Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular beachfront campgrounds in California, offering over 100 developed campsites, including 11 RV hookup sites. With bluff top views of the the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, a visitor center museum, shade ramada for group picnics and special events, and campfire center with free summer programs, it’s no wonder New Brighton State Beach is such a favorite destination!
PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle/trailer. Additional vehicles not towed in will be charged an extra vehicle fee. Campers registering with discount passes—e.g. Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veteran Pass (POW)—must present discount card and picture ID at check-in time. Discount pass holder must be present when registering and while camping. Registration tags are non-transferable. Day use and annual passes are not valid in campground.
Boulder Creek Scout Reservation
Hike In
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Hike In, Drive In
Person Capacity: 400
Car Capacity: 100
Description: Located a little over one mile from the town of Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz mountains, Boulder Creek is dominated by a redwood forest but also has oak, conifers and chaparral in three different ecological zones. The site is open year round and available for troop camping.
The camp can accommodate up to 400 campers in 23 camping areas, offers a quiet and serene camping atmosphere, a pavilion for crafts and presentations, campfire circle, outdoor chapel, archery and rifle ranges, kitchen, swimming pool, picnic tables, and shower and restroom facilities.
Activities: Camping, Backpacking, Hiking, Archery, Rifle
Boulder Creek is owned and operated by Pacific Skyline Council, and has a full-time resident ranger. Out-of-Council BSA groups must submit a request for use of a camp facility. Requests are reviewed on most Fridays. You will be notified whether your request is approved or if it is declined for any reason. Weekend availability at Boulder Creek Scout Reservation is extremely limited for the remainder of 2023 (believe this to continue to be true).
For camping reservations and additional information call the Foster City Service Center (650) 341-5633, or review the information on the Boulder Creek Official Website.
Camp Loma
Camp Loma
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 500+
Car Capacity: 50+
Description: Privately owned and operated by a non-profit (Santa Cruz County Youth Activities, Inc), Camp Loma is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near the Soquel Demonstration Forest Trail Head. The camp features a swimming pool (unheated), Archery Range, hiking trails, flush toilets (gender separated), a very large kitchen facility and outdoor (covered) dining area. There is an amphitheater and volleyball court as well. They will extend non-profit pricing (as of 2022; contact coordinator for updated rates: $17/youth and $18/adult) to any scouting unit.
Castle Rock State Park
Castle Rock Trail Camp
Hike In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Hike In
Person Capacity:
Car Capacity:
Description: Castle Rock State Park is located off Skyline Blvd. in the mountains above Saratoga. The park has coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forest, most of which has been left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers. The forest here is lush and mossy, crisscrossed by 32 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. These trails are part of an even more extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys with Castle Rock State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and the Pacific Coast. Several hundred yards above the main parking lot is Castle Rock, a collection craggy rocks ideal for basic mountain climbing exercises, with vertical ascensions of 10-20 yards.
The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail runs 32 miles from Castle Rock State Park, through Big Basin, to Waddell Beach, near Año Nuevo. Trail Camp information, including point-to-point mileage and how to obtain maps, is available here. An on-line trail map is available here. Trailcamps on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail are reservable only by calling (831)338-8861 between the hours of 10am - 5pm. Camp stoves only. Open Fires are permitted only at Castle Rock in winter (normally December to May). Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail camps can accommodate up to six people per site. Potable water is availabe only in the trail camps at Castle Rock, Waterman Gap and Jay Camp. Do not wash in streams.
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Rock Climbing
BACKPACKING: Castle Rock has two backpacking trail camps: Waterman Gap Trail Camp and Castle Rock Trail Camp.
Castle Rock Trail Camp is an easy 2.6-mile hike from the main parking lot via the Saratoga Gap Trail. The backpack trip can be made as a round trip on different routes, and there is an easy exit via a service road to highway 35, in the event of an emergency. There are 20 first-come, first-served sites, each with a table, fire ring, nearby piped drinking water and vault toilets. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings when fire season is closed. Wood gathering is prohibited, but campers may purchase firewood at the camp. Bicyclists can access the camp via the Campground Service Road Trail, off Hwy. 35.
More info: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26658
Castle Rock State Park
Waterman Gap Trail Camp
Hike In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Hike In
Person Capacity:
Car Capacity:
Description: Castle Rock State Park is located off Skyline Blvd. in the mountains above Saratoga. The park has coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forest, most of which has been left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers. The forest here is lush and mossy, crisscrossed by 32 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. These trails are part of an even more extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys with Castle Rock State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and the Pacific Coast. Several hundred yards above the main parking lot is Castle Rock, a collection craggy rocks ideal for basic mountain climbing exercises, with vertical ascensions of 10-20 yards.
The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail runs 32 miles from Castle Rock State Park, through Big Basin, to Waddell Beach, near Año Nuevo. Trail Camp information, including point-to-point mileage and how to obtain maps, is available here. An on-line trail map is available here. Trailcamps on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail are reservable only by calling (831)338-8861 between the hours of 10am - 5pm. Camp stoves only. Open Fires are permitted only at Castle Rock in winter (normally December to May). Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail camps can accommodate up to six people per site. Potable water is availabe only in the trail camps at Castle Rock, Waterman Gap and Jay Camp. Do not wash in streams.
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Rock Climbing
BACKPACKING: Castle Rock has two backpacking trail camps: Waterman Gap Trail Camp and Castle Rock Trail Camp.
Waterman Gap Trail Camp is located 9.3 miles from the Castle Rock main parking lot and 6.3 miles from the north end of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. It's a good first stop on a 35-mile trek from Castle Rock to Sea. In a mixed hardwood and redwood forest, this camp has 6 primitive sites and a vault toilet. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the trail camp reservation line at Big Basin Redwoods State Park at (831) 338-8861. Fires and smoking are not permitted. Gas camp stoves are allowed. There is very limited drinking water so carry water with you.
More info: https://www.redwoodhikes.com/Skyline/Waterman.html
Cheseborough Scout Camp
Whole Camp
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 400
Car Capacity: 100
Description: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Camp Chesebrough includes a state-of-the-art training center with a large meeting room for 135 people, commercial kitchen, restrooms, volleyball court, archery and Air-powered BB ranges.
Whether you are joining us for one of our council hosted adventures, or just looking to get away for the weekend, Chesebrough has something for everyone, all being a short drive from civilization.
Access to the lower campsites is unavailable during the wet season. We allow vehicle access to drop off gear, but require vehicles to return to the parking lot. If you need assistance moving your gear from your vehicle, we have several metal carts that you can use to wheel your gear to your site. The other option is to pack in a manner that you can easily walk your gear to your site.
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity:
Car Capacity:
Description: Located 4 miles north of Aptos, Forest of Nisene Marks offers 10,000 acres of rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet. There are 30 miles of trails nestled in this second growth forest, which are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or a leisurely stroll. Horses are allowed on a portion of the fire road and some trails. The epicenter of the October 17, 1989, Loma Prieta earthquake was in this park.
Five Finger Falls is another popular site in the park, reachable by a circuitous route up Aptos Creek Road, past White's Lagoon, and down the Big Slide Trail. (The Aptos Creek trail was closed in 2007 due to a landslide.)
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding
BACKPACKING: The Park has six trail campsites, a 6-mile intermediate level hike (one way). Camping is first come, first served. Sites can accommodate up to six persons each, and have picnic tables and pit toilets. Water not available, must be packed in. Reservations required.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity:
Car Capacity:
Description: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Felton on Highway 9, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is home to a centuries old Redwood Grove that features a self-guided nature path. It also boasts other old-growth woods such as Douglas fir, mandrone, oak and a stunning stand of Ponderosa pines. The tallest tree in the park is about 285 feet tall, and about 16 feet wide. The oldest trees in the park are about 1400 to 1800 years old. The main park area contains the large, old-growth redwoods, while the northern area (Fall Creek) has about 20 miles of hiking trails. There are NO bridges at any river or creek crossing.
ROARING CAMP BIG TREES RAILROAD is next door to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. A brochure with general train information is available at the main entrance kiosk. You can call 831-335-4484 for more information. You can pay the day use fee, park at the Henry Cowell parking lot, and walk a hundred yards to Roaring Camp.
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding
CAMPING: There are no group campsites, but 113 family campsites at Henry Cowell State Park. Family campsites are limited to eight people per site and include: Tables, Fire Rings, Running Water, Restrooms with Flush Toilets, Showers
Manresa Uplands Sate Beach
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity:
Car Capacity:
Description: Manresa State Beach rewards visitors with sweeping views of bluff-backed sand and sea, including the Santa Cruz Mountains to the northwest and the forested hills of the Monterey Peninsula to the southwest. Sunset and Manresa state beaches are approximately one mile apart on Highway 1.
Things to Do
Tent camping at Manresa —Tents only, no RVs, mid-May through October. Parking for over 60 walk-in tent sites at Manresa Uplands is in a separate lot near the campground. Pets must not be left unattended in campsites. One vehicle is included in camping fees. Additional funds may be collected on site for up to ONE additional vehicle at a nightly rate. Visit Reserve California to make campsite reservations.
FISHING—Starry flounder, California halibut, barred surf perch, striped bass and surf smelt can be caught at Manresa. A sport-fishing license is required.
PICKNICKING— There are picnic tables along the top of the bluff which offer panoramic ocean views.
New Brighton State Beach
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity:
Car Capacity:
Description: Located in the town of Capitola, about six miles south of Santa Cruz, Brighton Beach features swimming, fishing, and camping on a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay, surrounded by Monterey pine and Coastal Live Oak.
Activities: Camping, Swimming, Hiking, Fishing
Camping
New Brighton has three group sites and 111 Family Camping Sites. Fires are permitted in the fire rings.
GROUP CAMPING: There are three groups sites, reservable by phone or on-line. Each group site can accommodate 9-25 people and four vehicles. Extra vehicles can park in the parking lot. Access to showers.
FAMILY CAMPING: There are 111 family sites, reservable by phone or line. Each site can accommodate up to 8 people and two cars each. The first vehicle is included in the camping fee. Family Camping sites include: Table, Fire Ring, Running Water, Restrooms, Coin-operated Showers
Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 8
Car Capacity:
Description: Activities
30-34 mile backpacking trip (averaging 10 miles per day of hiking between sites)
Reservations
Cost was $106 for 3 nights and 2 camp sites at each of the 3 trail camps.
We reserved 2 campsites at each of the 3 locations for $15 and there was an $8 processing fee for each campsite
Each campsite holds up to 8 people and each campsite reservation comes with 1 overnight parking permit.
For more information see: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26658
For the Santa Cruz Big Basin site. Currently this requires calling: (831) 338-8861
You cannot reserve the trail camps with www.reservecalifornia.com you have to call. The Park will e-mail you the Backcountry Permit and Parking pass to print out.
Competition for reservations is highest during the weekend, we did this trip during the Summer during the weekday on Monday - Thursday and there were not that many people at Big Basin Redwoods.
Campsites
First Trail campsite was: Waterman Gap -> no bear boxes, has water and garbage, pit toilets
Second Trail Campsite was: Jay Camp -> has bear boxes, water and garbage and showers (you need quarters 75 cents for a 2 minute shower with a quarter for each additional minute), flush toilets
This site is at Park HQ so there is a general store here to restock if you desire. It is potentially harder to get 2 campsites together as there are more people at the Park HQ sites.
Mosquitos were more of a problem at Jay Camp than at the other campsites.
Third Trail Campsite was: Twin Redwoods -> Pit Toilets, Bear boxes in some sites but not all sites, no water, you need to filter from the stream, there is garbage but not serviced regularly
(An alternate choice to Twin Redwoods was Sunset Trail camp which is near Berry Creek falls though there is no water at this site either and it's potentially a climb to get to)
Last Day is Twin Redwoods to Waddell Beach (only 2.5 miles to the beach).
Opinions differed as to whether it would have been better to cut the trip by 1 day and just hiked all the way from Jay Camp to Waddell beach and cut the trip by 1 day.
Other scouts liked breaking at Twin Redwood and having more beach time on the last day
Maps
Starting Point: Castle Rock State Park, 155000 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95033
Ending Point: Waddell Beach CA-1, Davenport, CA. When returning, there's no close In-n-Out so you'll have to pick some other fast food on the return trip back, we picked Burger King at Cabrillo highway 35 minutes from Waddell Beach at the intersection of CA Highway 1 and CA Highway 92.
Sunset State Beach Park
Drive In
Santa Cruz
Arrival Type: Drive In
Person Capacity: 8
Car Capacity: 2
Description: Located a few miles south of Aptos, on the shores of Monterey Bay and adjacent to Manresa Beach, Sunset Beach offers shady, dune-protected camping sites. The Park also has a glider port.
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Swimming is hazardous at Sunset, due to dangerous rip currents, cold water and deep holes.
Camping Sunset Beach has 1 group site and 90 family camping sites, 83 of which are reservable on line.
GROUP CAMPING: The one group site can accommodate up to 50 people and 10 vehicles.
FAMILY CAMPING: The 83 family sites can accommodate up to 8 people each. The first vehicle is included in the camping fee. Family Camping sites include:
Table
Fire Ring
Food Lockers
Running Water
Restrooms
Coin-operated Showers
FEES: As of 2008, fees include a $7.50 non-refundable on-line reservation fee, plus the following:
Group Campsite - $224 per night
Family Campsites - $11 - $15 per site per night