Hours & Fees
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Day-use parking costs $8 with an advance reservation ($6 entrance fee plus a $2 reservation fee) or $10 a car if you drive up and a space is free. Visitors who arrive on foot, by bike or on the Santa Cruz METRO bus pay no fee and need no reservation, and day use at the coastal Rancho del Oso unit is free.
Hours and Fees at a Glance
Park Hours
California State Parks lists the main day-use area's hours as 8 a.m. to sunset, and the 2026 park infosheet says the same. All trails close at sunset, so plan any hike to finish before dark. The agency asks hikers to carry a flashlight and warm clothes in case a walk runs long.
Since the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire the park is only partly open. The infosheet warns that it may close during bad weather, so check the official park page on stormy days before you drive up Highway 236.
Visitor Center
An interim visitor center now stands in the main day-use area by the parking lot, where staff and volunteers answer questions and show exhibits about the park. It is wheelchair accessible, and it is where to ask about the weekend Redwood Loop guided walks, offered by request. California State Parks does not publish separate opening hours for it, so plan on daytime hours.
Day-Use Fees
The fee is per vehicle, paid at the entrance kiosk or with your reservation:
- With a parking reservation: $8 ($6 entrance fee plus a $2 reservation fee)
- Drive-up, first come first served: $10 a car
- Saddle Mountain overflow lot (summer shuttle): $10, with a free shuttle ride
- On foot, by bike or by bus: free
Prices are subject to change, and California State Parks notes that special rates may apply on peak weekends and holidays. No oversized vehicles or trailers can park in the day-use area right now. See parking and reservations for how to book.
Passes Accepted
The park page lists these passes:
- California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass
- Golden Poppy Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass
- Free Fourth Grade Pass
- Disabled Discount Pass and Distinguished Veteran Pass
- Golden Bear Pass and Senior Golden Bear Pass
- California State Library Parks Pass
A pass covers the $6 entrance fee. If you reserve a space, the $2 reservation fee still applies.
Rancho del Oso Hours
The coastal Rancho del Oso unit, off Highway 1 near Davenport, charges no day-use fee and needs no reservation. Its two visitor centers, the Nature and History Center and the Welcome Center, are both open from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Call (831) 425-3758 for the Rancho del Oso centers.
When to Go
Parking reservations matter most on summer and holiday weekends, when the main lot fills and drivers are sent to the Saddle Mountain overflow lot. The infosheet warns that temperatures can pass 100°F on hot days, and the park has no drinking water. Weekdays and cooler months are quieter. More in plan your visit.
Hours & Fees FAQ
What are Big Basin Redwoods State Park's hours?
The main day-use area is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, and all trails close at sunset. The Rancho del Oso visitor centers on the coast are open noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Is Big Basin free?
Not if you drive in. Parking costs $8 with a reservation or $10 drive-up. Walking, cycling or taking the Santa Cruz METRO bus in is free, and so is day use at Rancho del Oso.
Do I need a reservation for Big Basin?
No, but California State Parks strongly recommends one. Reserved parking is guaranteed; drive-up spaces are first come, first served and can run out on summer weekends.
Does my state parks pass work at Big Basin?
Yes. California State Parks day-use annual passes and the State Library Parks Pass are accepted, but the $2 reservation fee still applies if you book a space.
Does Big Basin close for weather?
It can. The 2026 infosheet says the partly reopened park may close during adverse weather events, so check the official park page before you go.