Santa Cruz Camping
Vacation Ideas

The Big Basin redwoods are massive so if you are looking vacation ideas to camp among the giant redwood trees, this is a great spot. Big Basin is really one of the most beautiful state parks in the California.

There are four campgrounds areas in the park where you and the family can pitch a tent for some basic camping fun. Or you can upgrade to Huckleberry Camps and stay one of the “tent cabins” that come with platform beds, mattress pads and a wood stove. Trail Camps and Horse Camps are also available.

Exploring the redwoods is of course a big attraction here and there are some excellent trails available. Some are easy walking trails and there are a few more strenuous trails like the Berry Creek Falls Trail.

They all provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of this California redwood state park.

Henry Cowell State Park Campground is a smaller Santa Cruz camping park just a few miles from downtown Santa Cruz, California. The park has tent camping available as well as accommodations for RVs.

It has a nice in a canyon along the San Lorenzo River which is great for scenic trail walks and there’s a nice picnic area along the river. Plus November through February is steelhead and salmon fishing season.

There are 15 miles of hiking trails in Henry Cowell State Park through a mix of oak, fir, pine and old growth redwoods.

A popular self-guided nature path runs through Redwood grove with redwood trees that are hundreds of years old. Many of the hiking trails are also great for biking and horse riding.

If you are into a primitive camping experience than Forest of Nisene Marks State Park will be a good Santa Cruz camping spot for you.

It’s a few miles inland from the coastal town of Santa Cruz. The park has a lot of rugged semi-wilderness landscape with plenty of steep mountain sides.

It’s a forested area but the trees are not the old growth trees you find at other California parks. The land was very heavily cut by loggers about a hundred years ago and although the forest is growing back nicely, you can still see evidence of the mindless clear cutting that took place.

The camping is basic primitive tail camping and there are only 6 campsites. Plus there’s a good six mile hike one-way to get there. It’s not for everyone but if you like this kind of camping than you may want to give it a try.

It’s certainly a cheap way to vacation. You will find over 30 miles of trails at Forest of Nisene Marks State Park so you can explore to your hearts content.

Castle Rock State Park is a good twenty miles north of Santa Cruz, California so it’s a little bit inland from the coast.

The forest is a lush mix of trees that include the California redwoods. Like the other parks in the area hiking, horse riding and wildlife viewing are the top activities with 32 miles of trails for you to use.

There are two Santa Cruz camping areas here which are first-come first-served, primitive and best for backpackers because the sites are remote.

Noted features are the steep canyons and the large unusual rock formations which make it a popular vacation spot with rock climbing and bouldering enthusiasts. Castle rock is a favorite hiking spot with some great views from Goat Rock and along the trails.

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