Parking & Reservations

To park at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, reserve a space online ahead of time for $8 ($6 entrance fee plus a $2 reservation fee), or pay $10 at the kiosk if first-come spaces are left. Only a reservation guarantees a spot. The main day-use area is at 21600 Big Basin Way in Boulder Creek, 9 miles up Highway 236 from Highway 9. Trailers and oversized vehicles cannot park there right now.

Parking Reservations

Since the park reopened after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, the main day-use area has only a limited number of spaces. California State Parks recommends a reservation, especially on summer and holiday weekends, and the 2026 infosheet puts it plainly: guaranteed entry is by reservation only.

• Reserved: $8 per vehicle ($6 entrance fee plus $2 reservation fee). Book through the "Reserve a parking space" link on the official park page. The reservation system is run by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
• Drive-up: $10 per regular-size car, first come, first served, while spaces last.
• Passes: California State Parks day-use passes are honored, but the $2 reservation fee still applies.

Horse trailers can reserve one of the two bus spaces through the same day-use reservation system, when available. Other oversized vehicles cannot be accommodated.

Summer Shuttle From Saddle Mountain

On weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, a State Parks shuttle loops between an interim overflow lot at Saddle Mountain and the main day-use area. Saddle Mountain is at the intersection of Highway 236 and Little Basin Road.

• Shuttle hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Parking at Saddle Mountain: $10, first come, first served; State Parks passes accepted
• The ride: free, on a 14-passenger, ADA-accessible shuttle with a bike rack

When the main lot is full, drivers are directed to Saddle Mountain. The 2026 infosheet describes the shuttle as hourly.

By Bus: Santa Cruz METRO Route 35

Santa Cruz METRO's Route 35 serves the park on weekends and holidays, with five scheduled stops a day. You can park free at the Scotts Valley METRO Station and ride straight to the park. Fares are $2 a ride or $6 for a day pass, and K-12 students ride free with a student ID. Bus riders get free entry and guaranteed access. Check METRO's schedule before you go; the service is seasonal.

Driving Directions

The park is about 25 miles northwest of Santa Cruz by Highways 9 and 236, and about 65 miles south of San Francisco. From Highway 9 in the town of Boulder Creek, turn north onto Highway 236; the entrance kiosk is 9 miles up the highway. California State Parks warns that every road into Big Basin is curvy, so allow extra time.

Highway 236 is open to through traffic, including cars and bicycles.

Rancho del Oso Is a Separate Trip

The coastal Rancho del Oso unit is reached only from Highway 1, about 17 miles north of Santa Cruz. There is no road or trail link from the main day-use area to Rancho del Oso, so the two make separate visits.

Rideshare and Phones

There is no cell phone service near the entrance kiosk, and the park has no electricity. California State Parks warns that many visitors have taken a ride-share or car-share to Big Basin and then could not get a ride home or unlock a shared car. If you use a ride-share, make sure it will also pick you up. Download your reservation and a map before you leave.