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.
MAY ACTIVITIES
Redwood Loop Walk
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
AND Monday, May 28, Memorial Day, 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. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Campfire Programs
Saturday, May 26 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 27 at 7:00 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 marshmallow roasting (we provide the marshmallows and sticks!) starts at 7:00 pm and the program begins at 7:30 pm. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome! Meet at the Campfire Center.
Junior Rangers
Saturday, May 26 at 3:00 pm
Sunday, May 27 at 3:00 pm
Monday, May 28 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 for kids ages 7-12 only. Sorry parents, this program is for the kids! Please register your child 15 minutes before the program begins at the Nature Lodge.
Big Basin Nature Club
Saturday, May 26 at 4:30 pm
Sunday, May 27 at 4:30 pm
Monday, May 28 at 10:00 am
This fun program is for children ages 3-6 and their families. Read, sing, pretend, play and explore! This half-hour program will introduce youngsters to the wonders of the redwood forest. Meet at the Nature Lodge.
What's that Bird?
Saturday, May 19 at 9:30 am
This easy, one-mile stroll with docent Karen DeMello will introduce you to the birds of the redwood forest. Beginner birders are welcomed! Bring binoculars if you have them–but they’re not required. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Wildflower Walk!
Sunday, May 20 at 10:00 am
Join docent Scott Peden to learn to identify the plants and communities of the redwood
forest. You’ll also visit several historical spots within the park. The walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk that includes a chimney tree. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Creeping Forest Ramble
Sunday, May 20 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.
Twilight Hike
Friday, May 25 at 7:30 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. This is a one-hour, half-mile walk. Meet at Park Headquarters. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Bring a flashlight. Sorry, no dogs on the trail.
Shadowbrook Stroll
Saturday, May 26 at 12:00 noon
Join docent Doreen Devorah as she guides you on a less-traveled trail that takes you by Union Creek, to the Sempervirens Falls and back through the redwoods. This is a four-mile, 3.5-hour hike. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Footsteps of the Founders
Monday, May 28 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.
JUNE ACTIVITIES
Redwood Loop Walk
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
AND Fridays, June 15, June 22 and June 29 at 12:00 noon
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 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters. Rain cancels.
Redwood Loop Walk
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
(except for a special Father’s Day Walk on Sunday, June 20 at 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 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Junior Rangers
June 1-June 20—Saturday at 3:00 pm and Sunday at 11:00 am
June 21-June 30—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3:00 pm and
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 at the Nature Lodge15 minutes before the program begins. Please be sure your child is dressed for active play in the outdoors.
Special Two-Hour Junior Rangers
Wednesday, June 27 at 10:00 am
This special Junior Rangers is for kids ages 7-12 only. We’ll be taking a hike, so make sure your Junior Ranger dresses appropriately. Please register your child 15 minutes before the program at the Nature Lodge.
Big Basin Nature Club
June 1-June 20—Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 10:00 am
June 21-June 30—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 pm and
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.
Evening Campfire Program
June 1-June 20—Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm
June 21-June 30—Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 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 sticks and marshmallows!) at 7:00 pm; program begins at 7:30 pm Wheelchair, stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome!
Afternoon Campfire Program
Wednesday, June 27 from 4:30-5:30 pm
Drop by anytime at our historic campfire between 4:30-5:30 and enjoy ranger apples, music and crafts!
Creeping Forest Ramble
Saturday, June 2 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.
Berry Creek Falls Hike
Sunday, June 10 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 guide you on this seven-hour hike. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Coffee Talk
Saturday, June 16 from 9:30-11:30 am
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.
Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 am
Sunday, June 17 at 10:00 am
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.
Family Discovery Walk
Saturday, June 16 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! Meet at Park Headquarters.
The Men of Big Basin—A Father’s Day Special Event
Sunday, June 17 at 1:00 pm
Celebrate Father’s Day by honoring some of the remarkable men who lived in, worked in and fought for Big Basin. Living history re-enactments bring you back in time where you’ll meet pioneer settlers, Big Basin founders and early park rangers. Stroll through the magnificent redwoods on this half-mile, 1.5-hour guided walk. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters.
A Walk in the Past
Wednesday, June 20 at 12:00 noon
Wednesday, June 27 at 12:00 noon
No Safeway? No Home Depot? No Pharmacy? How did the Ohlone Indians survive? Take a walk with Docent Eva Fewel and learn about some of the plants the Ohlones used for food, tools and medicine. This is a 4-mile, 2.5-hour walk. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Shadowbrook Stroll
Saturday, June 23 at 12:00 noon
Join docent Doreen Devorah as she guides you on a less-traveled trail that takes you by Union Creek, to the Sempervirens Falls and back through the redwoods. This is a four-mile, 3.5-hour hike. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Felling the Giants
Sunday, June 24 at 1:00 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 docent Paul Fewel as he tells stories of the logging days and demonstrates how loggers were able to fell these giants—without chainsaws! Meet at Park Headquarters.
Twilight Hike
Monday, June 25 at 7:30 pm
Nocturnal Animal Senses
Twilight is a special time that marks the end of day and the beginning of night. Join us for an easy, level walk for the whole family and experience the forest at dusk. This is a 1.5-hour, half-mile walk. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Sorry, no dogs on the trail. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Footsteps of the Founders
Saturday, June 30 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.