Public is invited to a webinar on July 10 to learn more about the plan and preparation of environmental review document

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Join us July 10th at 6PM

for the Facility Management Plan Summary Webinar

Plan Summary Now Available

Following public input on design alternatives published in 2024, California State Parks has released a summary of the proposed Facility Management Plan for Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This summary is now available on the project website linked below.

A public webinar will be held on the evening of Thursday, July 10 at 6:00 PM to present the Facilities Management Plan and provide opportunities to comment on the scope of the environmental review for the upcoming Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The complete Facilities Management Plan will be available to the public with the publishing of the Supplemental EIR. These documents are expected to be available for public review by winter 2025.

Visit ReimaginingBigBasin.org to learn more

NOTICE OF PREPARATION

For the Big Basin Redwoods State Park General Plan Supplemental Draft EIR for the Reimagining Big Basin Redwoods State Park Facilities Management Plan and General Plan Amendments

California State Parks, as the lead agency, is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the 2013 Big Basin Redwoods State Park General Plan EIR for the proposed Big Basin Redwoods State Park Facilities Management Plan and General Plan Amendments. Publication of this Notice of Preparation provides an opportunity for public comment on the environmental impacts to be addressed in the Supplemental EIR.

Please read the full Notice of Preparation on the project website:https://reimaginingbigbasin.org

As mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date, but no later than the close of the 30-day NOP review period at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2025. Please include “Big Basin Redwoods State Park Facilities Management Plan Supplemental EIR" as the subject and submit comments via the mailing address listed above or email Reimagining.BigBasin@parks.ca.gov. Please note that all submitted correspondence and comments become part of the public record.

Facility Plan Summary Highlights

Explore Project Summary Here

Old Growth

The former park headquarters will be rebuilt as a more ecologically sensitive hub for day-use park activity with reduced paving and buildings. The site will be reconfigured to restore natural old growth redwood forest for increased education and interpretation, and to provide a small amount of visitor parking and amenities including a shuttle drop-off.

The image above illustrates what the old growth park core may look like once damaged areas are restored and facilities are renewed following the plan's vision.

Campgrounds

Campgrounds will be rebuilt on the edges of the old growth forest at Huckleberry, Lower Sky Meadow, the Upper Sky Meadow Area, Sequoia Group Camp and Little Basin and will include car camping, cabins, small group sites, large group campsites, walk-in sites and trail camps.

The former campgrounds in the more sensitive old growth areas of Blooms Creek, Sempervirens and Wastahi are proposed to be removed and restored to old growth habitat. The proposed plan includes a similar amount of camping in the park as there was before the fire.

Welcome Center and Shuttles

At the Saddle Mountain site, visitors will arrive at a new park entrance, visitor center, café and store. Parking would be available for visitors to take a 15-minute shuttle ride into the old growth core. The future park shuttle is expected to run on weekends year-round, and schedules will depend on visitation. On days when visitation exceeds available shuttle parking, State Parks plans to partner with Santa Cruz Metro to provide increased bus service to bring additional visitors from the Transit Center in Scotts Valley and points in between.

Trail Restoration Update

Trail restoration efforts are actively underway, with 15 miles of hiking trails and 25 miles of fire roads now accessible from the park core. This includes the newly reopened stretch of the iconic Skyline to the Sea Trail, connecting the main day use area to Castle Rock State Park.

While the coastal segment of the Skyline to the Sea Trail has not yet been restored, the section from Waddell Beach to Berry Creek Falls is currently undergoing an engineering and design assessment. This work focuses on ecological road removal and restoration in areas impacted by the CZU Fire and historic logging practices. The project includes the design of replacement stream crossings and conversion of former failed road segments to multi-use trail, aiming to restore sensitive habitats while enhancing the trail experience.

Park Map

Pictured above, a newly rebuilt bridge along Skyline to the Sea Trail 1.5-miles north of the park main day use area.

Interim Shuttle Program and

ongoing METRO Bus Service

To support long-term planning efforts, State Parks has piloted a free interim shuttle to expand access until permanent facilities are completed. Operating weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day (11 a.m.–6 p.m.), the ADA-accessible shuttle loops between the Saddle Mountain overflow parking area (at Hwy 236 and Little Basin Road) and the main day-use area near the park’s historic core. When the main day use lot reaches capacity, visitors will be directed to Saddle Mountain parking.

Public access is also available via Santa Cruz METRO Route 35, which offers five daily stops on weekends and holidays. Free parking is available at the Scotts Valley METRO Station, with fares of $2 per ride or $6 for a day pass. K–12 students ride free with valid ID. METRO riders receive free park entry and guaranteed access.

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303 Big Trees Park Road
Felton, CA 95018
USA