Big Basin State Park Reopens To Visitors

Nine Trails Open; Parking Reservations Required

For the first time in three years, visitors can enjoy springtime at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek by exploring miles of recently reopened trails and fire roads.

On April 28, the park, devastated by the CZU Fire in 2020 and hit hard by storms this winter, reopened eight trail segments, increasing access for visitors as redwood regrowth and spring blooms revitalize the forest.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park hasn’t been open to the public in the springtime since before the CZU Fire.

The fire impacts on vegetation are immense but the decimated tree canopy has provided bucolic forest meadows where wildflowers thrive. Redwood violets are in full bloom, with other wildflowers on the verge of blossoming.

Currently available trails and fire roads include:

• Redwood Loop Trail

• Skyline to the Sea Trail from Old Lodge to Gazos Creek Road

• Dool Trail

• Meteor Trail

• Sunset Trail from Dool Trail to Middle Ridge Road

• Gazos Creek Road from North Escape Road to Middle Ridge Road

• North Escape Road from Park Headquarters to Meteor Trail

• Middle Ridge Road from Gazos Creek Road to Johansen Road

• Johansen Road

The CZU Fire burned over 97 percent of the park and destroyed nearly every structure, including the Park Headquarters, campgrounds and housing for park employees.

Last summer, the park reopened through a limited access day-use reservation system created and operated by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

The reservation site shows 90 parking spots available weekdays and about 45 on weekends in May, with availability dropping to 45 on weekdays in June.

Crews are working on an additional four trails and roads, with plans to reopen them later in the spring and summer this year.

Reservations are available for day-use parking and cost $8 each (including a $6 day-use parking fee with a $2 reservation fee).

State Parks day-use passes and other park entry programs are honored but a reservation fee of $2 is charged.

A total of 96 parking spots, 4 disabled spots and 2 bus spots are offered daily. Check availability. All fees support the park.

Big Basin park staff report more than 80 applications for Art About have come in from artists to spend June 3-4 overnight and produce artwork documenting the occasion.

Ten artists are to be selected and notified by May 10.

Big Basin is one of the state parks chosen for the free Bay to Bay hikes on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The date is June 3.

For San Vincente Redwoords, the date is July 1. For Hentry Cowell Redwoods, Aug. 5.

To be notified, see http://www.savedbynature.org/bayto-bay-hikes

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Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is hiring visitor service aides at $19.70 per hour to staff the entrance kiosk. Welcome visitors, collect parking fees and support park operations while working in a beautiful place. Apply at https://thatsmypark.org/jobs/

“Volunteer Awards” from page 5

Videos will highlight the top 5 honorees’ contributions to the community at the luncheon where local leaders will present each winner with their award.

The presenting sponsor of the awards is Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

“The gifts of time, dedication, and sincerity given by this year’s honorees — to both the causes they care about and the community at large — is unmatched,” states Karen Delaney, Volunteer Center Executive Director. “Our community has been through so much — from Covid to CZU and most recently, devastating floods. These volunteers have supported the community through it all. We can’t wait to honor their service, and inspire others to volunteer as well.”

Nominations are submitted by the community and vetted by a panel of community leaders who serve as judges this year.

To purchase luncheon tickets for $50 , visit: https://scvolunteercenter.org/ be-the-difference-awards

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, founded in 1967, engages with 500+ community partners and more than 15,000 volunteers who connect meaningfully to help more than 9,000 residents in need.

The Volunteer Center administers 19 programs to support community need, seniors, families, youth, disaster response, and government partnerships to make Santa Cruz County a happier, healthier place to live. For information, visit scvolunteercenter.org, Facebook and Instagram. n