3.9112 reviewsPrice
$15/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
5 campsites
Season
No specific open/clo...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
No Pets
Price
$15/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
5 campsites
Season
No specific open/clo...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
No Pets
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Learn more about alerts →Jay Trail Campground
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We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Backpackers who want a short-haul basecamp in the redwoods without the drive-in crowds. Spring is the sweet spot: wildflowers on the chaparral slopes, full creeks, and daytime highs in the 60s. Reservations go through Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
No potable water on-site, no fire rings, no food lockers, and no cell signal, if any one of those is a dealbreaker, this isn't the place. Families with dogs are turned away, and supplies are a 25-mile run to Santa Cruz.
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Spring delivers the sweet spot: daytime highs between 55 and 65°F, lows in the mid-30s to low-40s. Creeks run full. Wildflowers spread across the chaparral slopes and redwood understory. Trails look their best for photography and wildlife viewing. Crowds stay lighter than summer weekends. Winter gets cold. Think upper 40s by day, dropping to the mid-20s at night. Weekly precipitation averages less than 0.1 inches, so rain interruptions are rare. Pack layers year-round.
Described as the 'sweet spot': 55–65°F days, creeks full and wildflowers on chaparral slopes and understory.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
Jay Trail Campground appears to feature primitive hike-in campsites based on available information. Each designated site (sites #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6) includes minimal amenities with specific restrictions. The campground does not offer fire rings, food lockers, or picnic tables. Campfires are prohibited, and BBQ grills are unavailable. Toilet facilities are shared and include flush toilets. The shower facilities operate on a pay-per-use basis, with shower stalls provided. However, potable water is noted as unavailable in the park, which may apply to this campground as well. The tent pad dimensions are standardized at 10 feet by 10 feet, providing ample space for standard tent setups. Accessibility features such as wheelchair-accessible parking and restrooms are also noted at the former Headquarters Area of Big Basin Redwoods SP.
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