Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground

4.50

14 reviews

Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Davenport, CA

Featured in:Camping Near Redwood National Park

Quick Facts

43 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

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

43 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

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

Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Equestrian primitive campsites are $24 per night, accommodating up to 6 individuals and two horses. No additional fees are noted for amenities.

Standard Site Fee$24.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

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

4.50

Recommended

Based on 14 reviews

11 Google reviews

"User reviews mention favorable experiences for walk-in camping and biking. Limited feedback is available."

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Campground Map

Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Davenport, CA

Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground

Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Davenport, CA

Driving directionsFrom Santa Cruz, take Highway 1 north for approximately 20 miles until reaching Davenport. Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground is accessible off Highway 1.

The campground is accessible via Highway 1 and includes curvy roads. Ride-sharing apps may not function due to limited cell service.

Nearby places

Santa Cruz - 20 miles (approximately 25 minutes), San Francisco - 65 miles (approximately 1.5 hours)

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be found in Davenport or Santa Cruz, 20 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground

Spring arrives at Rancho Del Oso with a crisp, invigorating character that awakens both horse and rider. Picture yourself emerging from your tent to crystal-clear mornings where temperatures hover around a bracing 28°F, perfect for seeing your breath mingle with your horse's in the dawn light. As the sun climbs higher, the mercury rises to a comfortable 55°F—ideal weather for exploring trails without breaking a sweat. The lack of rain during this season means dependable riding conditions, while the predominantly clear skies create a stunning backdrop of azure blue that makes every photograph worthy of framing. It's the kind of weather that reminds you why California's outdoor lifestyle is legendary.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round; summer likely dry but coastal conditions vary (fog/wind possible).

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

No specific peak season; fall likely mild but no detailed season data provided.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring described as 'crisp, invigorating'—good conditions for riding and hiking.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Notes of very cold temps and moderate winds during a cited period in 2024.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: No specific peak season dates stated.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground is open year-round for walk-in and bike-in camping.
Current Alerts: Big Basin Redwoods State Park is currently operating under restricted services and facilities due to recovery efforts from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

About Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground

Saddle up for an unforgettable camping experience at Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground, where the timeless bond between riders and their horses meets the raw beauty of California's coastal wilderness. This rustic equestrian haven offers everything the trail-riding adventurer needs: sturdy hitching posts for your four-legged companions, vault toilets, and traditional grills with fire rings for evening gatherings under the stars. Nestled within the coastal reaches of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the campground sits in a forest landscape that's writing its own comeback story, with young trees reaching skyward in dappled shade. When you need to refill your water supplies, a natural spring awaits just 3 miles down the trail—a perfect excuse for a scenic ride through this recovering woodland paradise.

The campground is designed primarily for primitive equestrian camping, but it accommodates non-equestrian walk-in and bike-in camping.

Historical SignificanceWhen you camp at Rancho Del Oso, you're literally sleeping in the pages of California conservation history. This land is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's very first state park, born from the visionary efforts of preservationists in 1902 who recognized these ancient giants needed protection. The towering redwoods surrounding you have witnessed over a millennium of seasons, surviving everything from Spanish explorers to the devastating 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. These resilient sentinels stand as living monuments to nature's ability to endure and regenerate, making every moment spent beneath their branches a connection to both California's natural heritage and its ongoing story of renewal.

Weather and SeasonsSpring arrives at Rancho Del Oso with a crisp, invigorating character that awakens both horse and rider. Picture yourself emerging from your tent to crystal-clear mornings where temperatures hover around a bracing 28°F, perfect for seeing your breath mingle with your horse's in the dawn light. As the sun climbs higher, the mercury rises to a comfortable 55°F—ideal weather for exploring trails without breaking a sweat. The lack of rain during this season means dependable riding conditions, while the predominantly clear skies create a stunning backdrop of azure blue that makes every photograph worthy of framing. It's the kind of weather that reminds you why California's outdoor lifestyle is legendary.

ElevationWhile specific elevation details for Rancho Del Oso remain part of the campground's understated charm, riders will discover the unique experience of camping where California's coastal mountains meet the sea, creating diverse microclimates and varied terrain that keeps every trail ride interesting.

Natural Features and SceneryPrepare to have your senses overwhelmed by the dramatic convergence of ecosystems at Rancho Del Oso. Ancient coast redwoods, some standing for over a thousand years, create cathedral-like groves where sunlight filters through in ethereal beams. Turn a corner on the trail and suddenly the forest opens to reveal sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean, its endless blue horizon reminding you of nature's infinite possibilities. The landscape transforms again as you encounter sun-baked chaparral slopes, their hardy shrubs perfuming the air with sage and wild herbs. Along creek beds, lush riparian corridors provide cool respites where your horse can drink while you listen to the music of flowing water. This remarkable diversity means every ride offers new discoveries.

Geological RegionRancho Del Oso occupies a fascinating geological crossroads within Big Basin Redwoods State Park's coastal unit, where tectonic forces have sculpted a landscape of extraordinary diversity. Here, the ancient redwood groves that define California's ecological identity share the stage with Mediterranean-climate chaparral communities adapted to fire and drought. Riparian corridors carved by centuries of flowing water create green ribbons through the terrain, supporting entirely different plant and animal communities. From certain vantage points, the mighty Pacific Ocean dominates the western horizon, its presence felt in the cool fog that nourishes the redwoods and the salt-tinged breezes that sweep across the chaparral. This unique position offers campers and their horses access to multiple ecosystems within a single ride, making Rancho Del Oso a geological classroom wrapped in natural beauty.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

02:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each campsite accommodates up to 6 individuals and two horses.

Groups

Designated group camping sites are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground consists of five primitive equestrian sites with partial shade, native soil driveways, and pit toilets.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (trailcamps@thatsmypark.org or (831) 338-8867).

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability mentioned explicitly, prioritized through reservations.

Cancellation PolicyCancellation policies are managed by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Contact trailcamps@thatsmypark.org for details.

AccessibilityCampsites #2 and #4 are designated as accessible, offering flat ground and ample clear space. Accessible parking and vault restrooms are available near the campsites.

Site SizeSites are primitive equestrian campsites with a partial shade environment and native soil driveway surfaces.

PrivacyPrivacy is limited as campsites are described as primitive with proximity to one another.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesCampsites #2 and #4 are recommended for accessibility needs, with proximity to parking and vault toilets.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Rancho Del Oso Horse Campground supports horseback riding with equestrian-specific amenities. Additional activities include hiking on nearby trails and visiting the Rancho Del Oso Welcome Center for interactive exhibits.

Hiking"Rancho Del Oso coastal unit offers access to hiking trails within Big Basin Redwoods State Park." Nearby trails may include the Skyline to the Sea Trail and other fire roads, though details specific to the campground are limited.

Biking"Great place for biking trails," according to user Connor Alexander. Bicycles are permitted on fire roads.

Wildlife viewingBig Basin, including Rancho Del Oso, supports wildlife viewing. Common animals include deer, raccoons, bobcats, and birds such as Steller's jays and acorn woodpeckers.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsRancho Del Oso Welcome Center offers cultural and educational programs via interactive exhibits, murals, and audio descriptions focusing on the local ecosystem.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak. Visitors should also be cautious of blocked trails due to fallen trees.

Active AlertsBig Basin Redwoods State Park is currently operating under restricted services and facilities due to recovery efforts from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

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

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed; grills/fire rings are provided at each site.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No details provided about quiet hours.

Emergency ServicesSanta Cruz County Hospital is the nearest major emergency service, located in Santa Cruz, 20 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingTrash disposal instructions emphasize packing out all trash and avoiding wildlife feeding. Recycling facilities for glass, plastic, and aluminum are encouraged in accordance with the park’s Crumb Clean initiative.

Water FeaturesThe nearest water source is a spring located approximately 3 miles away from the campground.

Camp HostNo campground host details are provided.