Jay Trail Campground

5 reviews

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Quick Facts

1,145 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

No specific open/clo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Opens Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

1,145 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

No specific open/clo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Opens Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Jay Trail Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The fee for each campsite at Jay Trail is $15 per night. No amenities like BBQs, campfire rings, or food lockers are included.

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$15.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Reserve California

Provider

831-338-8867trailcamps@thatsmypark.org

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What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

10 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanwell-maintained

"Rodney Williams states the camp was 'clean and well maintained.' While this review provides positive feedback, no additional specific reviews for Jay Trail Campground have been provided."

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Campground Map

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Jay Trail Campground

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Driving directionsThe campground is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, located 25 miles northwest of Santa Cruz via Highways 9 and 236. From Hwy 9 in Boulder Creek, turn north onto Hwy 236, and the park entrance is 9 miles down the highway. Note: All roads into Big Basin are curvy.

The roads leading to the park are curvy, and currently, no oversized vehicles or trailers are allowed for parking. A pilot shuttle service is available during summer weekends and holidays. Ride-sharing and car-sharing apps are discouraged due to the lack of cell service.

Nearby places

Santa Cruz: 25 miles (approximately 1-hour drive). San Francisco: 65 miles (approximately 2-hour drive).

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be accessed in Santa Cruz (25 miles away). Specific details on supply options closer to Big Basin are not mentioned.

Best Time to Camp at Jay Trail Campground

Bundle up for your redwood adventure—this mountain retreat embraces a crisp, invigorating climate year-round. Winter temperatures hover around a brisk 48.5°F during the day before plunging to a teeth-chattering 26.2°F after sunset, creating perfect conditions for cozy sleeping bags and hot morning coffee. Moderate winds whisper through the towering trees, while remarkably dry conditions (averaging just 0.0707 inches of precipitation weekly) mean fewer rainy interruptions to your wilderness escape. Pack layers and prepare for the kind of cold, clear nights that make the stars seem close enough to touch.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Cool, shaded redwood canopy makes summer hiking pleasant; site remains primitive.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Crisp fall climate good for hiking though less deciduous color; forest still appealing.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring shows strong regeneration (ferns, sorrel) after the 2020 wildfire—good season for nature viewing.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Winter is cool (~48.5°F days) with limited services and potential impacts from recovery work.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: No specific open/closed seasons are indicated, but services and facilities are limited due to ongoing recovery after the fire.
Current Alerts: Services are limited, and facilities like drinking water are currently unavailable. Check trail conditions before planning hikes.

About Jay Trail Campground

Escape the crowds and discover Jay Trail Campground, a secluded hike-in sanctuary nestled deep within Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This primitive camping experience strips away modern distractions, offering only the essentials: a cleared space for your tent and the profound silence of the redwood forest. Without fire pits, BBQs, or grills, this back-to-basics site attracts adventurers who measure luxury in solitude and starlit nights rather than amenities. Here, the journey begins where the road ends, rewarding those willing to carry their gear into the heart of California's ancient forest.

Jay Trail Campground offers primitive hike-in campsites designed for tent camping. The sites lack advanced amenities and facilities, catering to campers seeking a rustic outdoor experience.

Historical SignificanceYour tent sits within California's pioneering conservation story—Big Basin Redwoods became the state's first park in 1902, born from a grassroots movement to save these ancient giants from the logger's saw. For over a century, these grounds have sheltered both trees and travelers, though nature reminded everyone of its power during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Today, camping here means witnessing both resilience and renewal, as the forest writes its next chapter around the charred sentinels that survived and the vibrant new growth pushing through the forest floor.

Weather and SeasonsBundle up for your redwood adventure—this mountain retreat embraces a crisp, invigorating climate year-round. Winter temperatures hover around a brisk 48.5°F during the day before plunging to a teeth-chattering 26.2°F after sunset, creating perfect conditions for cozy sleeping bags and hot morning coffee. Moderate winds whisper through the towering trees, while remarkably dry conditions (averaging just 0.0707 inches of precipitation weekly) mean fewer rainy interruptions to your wilderness escape. Pack layers and prepare for the kind of cold, clear nights that make the stars seem close enough to touch.

ElevationWhile Big Basin's dramatic terrain climbs from sea level to peaks exceeding 2,000 feet, Jay Trail Campground's exact perch within this vertical wonderland remains part of its mystery. The park's varied elevations create distinct microclimates and ecosystems, from fog-kissed lower canyons to sun-drenched ridgelines. This topographical diversity means your hiking adventures can range from creek-side strolls to lung-burning ascents, all within reach of your wilderness basecamp.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living cathedral where ancient redwoods and their younger siblings create a multi-generational forest community. The 2020 wildfire transformed this landscape into a fascinating study of nature's regeneration—blackened bark tells stories of survival while carpets of ferns, sorrel, and pioneering wildflowers paint the understory in hopeful greens. Morning fog drifts between the massive trunks like earthbound clouds, while afternoon light filters through the canopy in golden shafts. This is a place where every sunrise reveals new growth and every sunset highlights the enduring majesty of trees that have witnessed centuries.

Geological RegionPerched within the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains, Jay Trail Campground occupies a remarkable convergence of ecosystems shaped by millions of years of geological drama. The terrain showcases nature's diversity—from moisture-loving redwood groves clustered in shaded canyons to sun-baked chaparral slopes that burst with wildflowers after winter rains. Riparian corridors snake through the landscape, creating ribbons of lush habitat, while the varying aspects and elevations support everything from towering conifers to hardy shrubs. This geological variety, combined with the fire's recent influence, has created a dynamic landscape where hikers can experience multiple California ecosystems within a single day's exploration.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each campsite accommodates up to 6 guests.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutPrimitive hike-in sites with minimal amenities. Sites are flat and feature compacted soil.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Walk-in AvailabilityOnly reservations are mentioned for hike-in sites. Walk-up availability not explicitly confirmed or denied.

Cancellation PolicyThe cancellation policy is not explicitly mentioned in the source.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessibility features such as wheelchair parking and accessible restrooms at the former Headquarters Area of Big Basin Redwoods SP. Specific details for each campsite are not provided.

Site SizeTent pads are standardized at dimensions of 10 feet by 10 feet.

PrivacyPrivacy considerations for individual campsites are not mentioned in the source materials.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesChoosing sites #2 or #4 is recommended for accessibility and space.

Amenities available

Showers

Flush toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Jay Trail Campground is within Big Basin Redwoods SP, offering access to a range of activities including hiking, nature viewing, and cultural programs. While activities specific to Jay Trail Campground are not elaborated upon, the park offers trails suitable for various skill levels, including the Redwood Loop Trail showcasing ancient redwood trees.

HikingBig Basin Redwoods SP boasts numerous trails, including the Redwood Loop Trail (0.6 miles) which passes through some of the oldest trees in the park. The park provides opportunities for easy to strenuous hikes, but specific trail access from Jay Trail Campground is not mentioned.

BikingMountain biking is allowed on all fire/service roads within Big Basin Redwoods SP. Gazos Creek Road and Chalks Road are highlighted as rewarding routes.

Wildlife viewingThe park is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, raccoons, bobcats, and bird species like Steller's jays and marbled murrelets. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant within Big Basin Redwoods SP.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsBig Basin Redwoods SP offers interpretive programs, guided tours, and cultural events like the Big Basin Art About project, though none are specific to Jay Trail Campground.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVisitors should be aware of potential hazards such as downed trees, uneven terrain, and recovering forest areas due to the 2020 fire.

Active AlertsServices are limited, and facilities like drinking water are currently unavailable. Check trail conditions before planning hikes.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are not allowed in the campground. No fire pits or grills are provided.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Null

Emergency ServicesThe nearest emergency services would be accessible via Santa Cruz, which is 25 miles away. Specific details on emergency facilities are not provided in the source.

Trash & RecyclingTrash disposal and recycling facilities are emphasized as part of Big Basin Redwoods SP's 'Crumb Clean' initiative. Specific trash facilities for Jay Trail Campground are not detailed.

Water FeaturesNearby creeks and streams are likely, but specific proximity to water features is not detailed.

Camp HostNo specific host information is provided for this campground.

Weather at Jay Trail Campground

Reviews

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Jay Trail Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Rodney Williams states the camp was 'clean and well maintained.' While this review provides positive feedback, no additional specific reviews for Jay Trail Campground have been provided.

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews