photo by Shih Wayland.
Recreate Responsibly
Whenever possible, consider how you can recreate responsibly and always check park websites for the latest information on available amenities, access, or closures. Due to the ongoing impact of the CZU Fire compounded with damage from extreme storms, parks may be closed or access may be limited. As we continue to experience the increased risk of wildfire, be sure to recreate responsibly with wildfire prevention in mind.
Outdoor Adventure Awaits
For many, the first time they laid eyes on a redwood tree was here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Here are some of our favorite places to visit. Check out our Hike, Bike, and Ride page for featured trails and guides by activity. Enjoy!
Witness redwoods resilient and recovering from wildfire in the largest private forest in the region.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
The pioneering park of the California State Park system.
Skyline-to-Sea Trail
An expansive regional trail connecting state parks.
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
A nature-lover’s wonderland.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
From old-growth redwoods to sandhills and grasslands.
Portola Redwoods State Park
A quiet park with waterfalls and redwoods to explore.
Help Parks Grow!
Sempervirens Fund plays a critical role in establishing and expanding public parks. Founded in 1900 to help protect redwoods from logging and create Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Sempervirens Fund has since protected more than 90 percent of the park’s 18,000 acres since it was established. Sempervirens Fund has also bought and protected the land for three other redwood parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains: Castle Rock State Park, Butano State Park, and Portola Redwoods State Park.
With the critical support of donors, we are managing two dozen redwood-forested properties we are actively working to add to the region’s parks. We led the effort for Cotoni-Coast Dairies to become a national monument in 2017. And, our cutting-edge collaboration with POST, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, and Save the Redwoods League, is bringing a public park to life at San Vicente Redwoods.
You can help protect redwoods and expand public parks today.