The Big Basin publications and links below will assist in planning your camping trip or day hike, where to go once you’re here, and what to do to make the most of your visit.
	Park Brochure Type: PDF Size: 499 KB The online version of the brochure you will receive when you check-in at park headquarters. The paper version has one side dedicated to the trail map. Available in Spanish.
	Popular Hikes Map Type: JPG Size: 1.70 MB The large map located near the museum. Choose your hike from the descriptions here and the matching highlighted trails on the map. Note trail length, elevation gain, and estimated times for completion.
	Big Basin Trail Map Type: PDF Size: 1.27 MB State park trail map. The same map that is included within the park brochure that you receive when you check in for day use parking or camping.
	Big Basin Trail Map Type: JPG Size: 1.09 MB State park trail map as a large (3,449 x 3,273) JPG file. The same map that is included within the park brochure that you receive when you check in for day use parking or camping.
	Big Basin Topo Map Type: JPG Size: 1.41 MB USGS 2015 Big Basin, CA quadrangle topographical map. Scale 1:24,000, contour interval 40 feet. Covers the park headquarters area.
	Franklin Point Topo Map Type: JPG Size: 1.18 MB USGS 2015 Franklin Point, CA quadrangle topographical map. Scale 1:24,000, contour interval 40 feet. Covers the West Waddell Creek State Wilderness.
	Point Año Nuevo Topo Map Type: JPG Size: 481 KB USGS 2015 Point Año Nuevo, CA quadrangle topographical map. Scale 1:24,000, contour interval 40 feet. Covers the Waddell Valley and Rancho del Oso.
	Hiker’s Guide to Big Basin Type: PDF Size: 593 KB Sections on, Navigating the Backcountry, Day Hike Essentials, Backpack Gear & Clothing, Backpack Food & Menu Planner, Big Basin Hikes – compiled by naturalist Barry Grimm.
	Dool – Creeping Forest Trail Interpretive Guide Type: PDF Size: 1.65 MB Two page trail guide highlighting specific observations for the Dool and Creeping Forest easy 2.5 mile trail loop. A mixed evergreen forest with Redwood as the dominant tree. Compiled by naturalists Peggy O’Shea and Hal Anjo.
	Field Guide for the Big Basin Redwood Forest Habitat Type: PDF Size: 1.19 MB Easy two page field guide to the common trees, shrubs, birds and mammals of Big Basin redwood forest habitat.
	Birds of Big Basin State Park Type: PDF Size: 807 KB Check list and guide for discovering birds at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Many of these birds can be found near the campgrounds and headquarters, but you’ll need to search more than one of the park’s major habitats to find them all.
	Reptiles and Amphibians of Big Basin Type: PDF Size: 3.57 MB The Herptile File, compiled by Big Basin Park Aides, is a photo rich 21 page guide to the amphibians and reptiles of the park. Identify all things creepy with this Big Basin field herpetology guide.
	Ferns of Big Basin Redwoods State Park Type: PDF Size: 3.35 MB Illustrated guide to the common ferns in Big Basin, their life cycle, where they grow and the different parts that make up a leaf. By naturalist Kathy Willott with additional photography by Scott Peden.
	iNaturalist – Big Basin Redwoods Type: Website Size: 1.38 MB People sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. Learn about the species that live in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, CA, US.
	Calflora – Big Basin Redwoods SP Type: Website Size: 528 KB A website you can use to learn about plants that grow in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, both native plants and weeds. Enter the common or scientific name, browse the photographs of a plant, to find out about it.
	Raccoon Handout Type: PDF Size: 152 KB Single page handout indicating you should not invite raccoons to dinner as they will become demanding, their table manners are poor and if they've had too much to drink will tell politically incorrect jokes.
	Why Stay on Trails? Type: PDF Size: 472 KB Single page handout detailing trail environmental etiquette, the problems with going off trail and the solutions.
	Dog Handout Type: PDF Size: 111 KB Single page handout about visiting Big Basin with your dog. Except for service dogs, dogs are allowed only on paved roads, picnic areas and in the campgrounds. North Escape, China Grade and Lodge Roads offer opportunities for hiking with your dog.
	Animal Tracks in Big Basin Type: PDF Size: 797 KB Bi-fold animal tracks brochure. A variety of animals can be found at Big Basin. Some are fairly common, such as squirrel, while others (such as mountain lions) are rarely seen. Use this handout to identify some of the tracks you’re likely to find in the forest.
	Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) Type: PDF Size: 568 KB Two page fact sheet by Save the Redwoods League about the Coast Redwoods, Giant Sequoia and the Dawn Redwood.
	Geology of Big Basin Type: PDF Size: 138 KB Introduction to the geology of Big Basin. Single page primer by Mike Humenik.
	Trail Camp Information Type: PDF Size: 9.29 MB Santa Cruz Mountains backpacking trail camp planner, 33 page handout. Information on reservations, permits, parking, rules and a trail mileage charts. Reservations open March 1, trail camps are open May 1 through October 30.
	Hike Plan Type: PDF Size: 498 KB Basic day hiking trip plan to be left on the dash or front seat of your vehicle for the park rangers. Optional and not a substitute for plans for extended trips.
	Campground Map and Rules Type: PDF Size: 801 KB Maps of the campground showing campsite numbers. Valuable to have prior to making your campsite reservations unless you like being between the bathroom and highway.
	Little Basin Type: PDF Size: 60 KB Single page informational sheet for Little Basin group cabins and campgrounds in Big Basin. Little Basin does not accommodate day use.
	California State Parks – Big Basin Type: Website Size: 2.72 MB California Parks and Recreation Big Basin website. Information for visitors and teachers, events, reservations and park news.
	Activities Schedule Type: Website Size: 1.75 MB The Big Basin activities calendar of hikes led by Big Basin Redwoods State Park volunteer docents on the popular park trails.
	Rancho del Oso Type: Website Size: 664 KB Website of the The Waddell Creek Association. Information about Rancho del Oso, the portion of Big Basin that is located on the coast, 17 miles north of Santa Cruz along Highway 1.
	Facebook Type: Website Size: 3.66 MB The official Facebook page for Big Basin Redwoods State Park. News, photography and information from the staff, docents and rangers at Big Basin.
	ReserveCalifornia Type: Website Size: 1.21 MB Reserve your Big Basin tent cabin, RV and tent campsite. For trail camp reservations download the “Trail Camp Information” handout.
	Big Basin Café Menu Type: PDF Size: 805 KB Located next to the Nature Lodge and within the Camp Store, the café serves made to order sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, coffee, fresh smoothies. Outside dining under the redwoods.
	Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew Type: Website Size: 4.2 MB The people you criticize or thank for the conditions of the trails in Big Basin. Criticisms should be neatly printed on the back of a $50 bill. Thanks should be shown by volunteering on the second Saturday of each month. (Chainsaws will be provided)
	Redwood Hikes Press Trail Maps Store Type: Website Size: 722 KB Commerical $10.95 map covering the Santa Cruz Mountains from the outskirts of Saratoga and Los Gatos to the Pacific coastline around Point Ano Nuevo. Castle Rock, Big Basin and surrounding area. The map includes the entire Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.
	Weather Forecast Type: Website Size: 664 KB Five day weather forecast from the National Weather Service for Big Basin Park Headquarters.

Questions or comments about Big Basin contact: Susan Blake State Park Interpreter (831) 338‒8883

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Webpage comments or corrections contact: Kurt Leal Website Administrator (831) 704‒6855