Pescadero Creek County Park
Hike-in camps are available to backpackers on a first come, first served basis at Shaw Flat and Tarwater Trail Camps. A permit is required, which has a fee of $10 per night, and can be obtained at the Memorial Park Ranger Station. The trail camps have vault toilets but no available water. No campfires are allowed. Call the park for up-to-date information on fire conditions at (650) 879-0238. Each Campsite is for 4 people and costs $10 per night and you get 1 parking permit per site. Shaw Flat Trail Camp has 8 camp sites and can hold 32 people. We will need to bring water or filter it, there is a creek 1/4 of mile from Shaw Flat Trail Camp. Shaw Flat has a stream crossing if you come from the trailhead. Tarwater which is farther in but accessible from the Tarwater Trail head has 6 sites and can hold 24 people. Tarwater has a nearby creek that you have to go down a cliff with a rope to get the water. Tarwater is an additional 25 minute drive down Alpine road to get to the Tarwater Trail head. From the Tarwater Trailhead to the campsite is a 2.2 to 2.9 mile hike depending on the route you choose. There are pit toilets at both sites. There is a bear boxes at both Tarwater and Shaw Flat. There are fire pits but not every site has a fire pit. Fires are sometimes allowed. There are no benches or tables. Beware of bugs and bring bugspray. Suggested time to go to Tarwater or Shaw Flat Trail camp is March through October. Good place for short backpacking under the redwoods. This is a good easy beginning backpacking trip
Information website: https://www.redwoodhikes.com/Portola/Pescadero.html
Map Link (beta): https://www.google.com/maps?q=37.2676985,-122.2587964
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