How much does camping cost at Wastahi Campground?

Camping fees at Wastahi Campground range from $6-$10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Wastahi Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Wastahi Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. null

What is the best time to visit Wastahi Campground?

Wastahi Campground is open null. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Wastahi Campground?

Wastahi Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Wastahi Campground?

Fire policies at Wastahi Campground: null. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Wastahi Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Wastahi Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Wastahi Campground?

Popular activities at Wastahi Campground include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Wastahi Campground

0 review

null

Top 11% in CAFall

Scenic Views

Featured in:Forest Camping California

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

$6 - $10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on California State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

$6 - $10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on California State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Wastahi Campground

$6.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Day-Use parking fee ranges from $6 per vehicle plus $2 reservation fee, or $10 per vehicle without a reservation.

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Reserve California

Provider

831-338-8860null

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Wastahi Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

null

Wastahi Campground

null

Nearby places

Santa Cruz - 25 miles northwest, San Francisco - 65 miles south.

Nearby supplies

null

Weather at Wastahi Campground

Current alert: The campground is currently closed due to recovery efforts from wildfire damage.

Best Time to Camp at Wastahi Campground

Fall delivers the best conditions. Afternoons warm to 55-70°F, mornings drop to 40-50°F. Coastal fog thins out after summer, and the fire-season heat breaks. Oak woodlands show fall color while redwood groves stay green. Crowds disappear after Labor Day. Winter brings rain that the recovering forest needs. Summer sees morning fog that usually burns off by midday, though the marine layer can linger.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 11% in CA

Fall noted as best: warm afternoons, thinner fog and oak fall color; ideal conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: null

About Wastahi Campground

Wastahi Campground sits at 2,000 feet in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, surrounded by coast redwood groves and the recovering landscape of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sites run $6-$10 per night. The campground remains closed following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, but trails and wildlife are returning as the park rebuilds.

Wastahi Campground is described in general terms as part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, providing traditional camping experiences before closure. Explicit details regarding the types of camping accommodations are not provided.

Historical Significance

Big Basin became California's first state park in 1902. The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire burned through much of the park, closing facilities and leaving a landscape in transition. Restoration efforts continue, with trails reopening and wildlife returning to the scorched zones.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions. Afternoons warm to 55-70°F, mornings drop to 40-50°F. Coastal fog thins out after summer, and the fire-season heat breaks. Oak woodlands show fall color while redwood groves stay green. Crowds disappear after Labor Day. Winter brings rain that the recovering forest needs. Summer sees morning fog that usually burns off by midday, though the marine layer can linger.

ElevationFrom sea level to dramatic ridgelines soaring above 2,000 feet, the park's varied topography creates distinct microclimates and diverse ecosystems. This elevation range rewards visitors with everything from creek-side strolls to ridge-top vistas, where on clear days you can glimpse the Pacific Ocean through gaps in the forest canopy.

Natural Features and SceneryThe terrain shifts from coast redwood groves and Douglas fir forests to oak woodlands and chaparral ridges. Riparian corridors cut through the landscape, creating pockets of greenery where water flows through the mountains. The forest shows signs of fire recovery. Charred trunks stand beside new growth, and the canopy is opening in places where redwoods once formed a solid roof. Elevation at 2,000 feet keeps temperatures cooler than the valley floor.

Geological RegionWastahi Campground sits within the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains, where tectonic forces have sculpted a dramatic landscape over millions of years. This geological wonderland supports an extraordinary diversity of life zones - from the iconic coast redwood groves and Douglas fir forests to oak woodlands and chaparral-covered ridges. Riparian corridors thread through the terrain, creating lush ribbons of greenery that provide critical habitat for wildlife and serene spots for contemplation.

Scenic ViewsSpectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and towering ancient redwoods.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or similar accommodations are available at Wastahi Campground or Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Programs & ActivitiesPrograms such as guided tours and events like the 'Redwood Grove Guided Walk' are offered in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, providing educational insights into the redwoods and the park's history.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations not applicable currently due to closure.

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityAccessibility information was highlighted for the park in general but not specific to Wastahi Campground. It includes trails and basic facilities under recovery efforts.

Site Size:null

Privacynull

Recommended Sitesnull

Amenities available

The Wastahi Campground is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, but is currently closed following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Official sources detail that the park is undergoing recovery efforts to rebuild facilities and infrastructure. In terms of amenities, Big Basin historically featured restrooms, parking, and basic facilities.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Activities in Big Basin Redwoods State Park include hiking, biking, nature observation, and guided tours. Wastahi Campground historically provided access to these activities, but closures have limited availability.

Hiking

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe campground is recovering from wildfire damage. Wildlife hazards include deer, raccoons, bobcats, and fire-following birds.

Fire Policynull

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are null

Trash & RecyclingThe authoritative content advises maintaining a 'Crumb Clean' park environment, which entails properly disposing of trash and recycling glass, plastic, and aluminum to protect wildlife.

Water FeaturesFeatures babbling brooks.

Cell CoverageThe official sources indicate that there is no cell phone reception near the park entrance kiosk, which may also apply to the campground.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Wastahi Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

0.0

0 reviews

Limited Reviews

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

User reviews are not available specifically for Wastahi Campground due to its closure after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. General feedback suggests Big Basin is recovering well with restored trails and wildlife returning.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

The park features ancient coast redwoods, scenic hiking trails, and diverse wildlife. Reviewers often praise its beauty and the preservation efforts post-fire.

Common Concerns

Visitors struggle with limited parking, lack of cell phone service, and closures of certain trails and facilities due to ongoing recovery.

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no site-specific reviews available for Wastahi Campground.

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors are often advised to plan parking reservations in advance and bring offline maps due to lack of cell service.

Seasonal Insights

Reviewers note the park's appeal during dry and moderately cool seasons. Winter storms and high winds make certain weeks less desirable for visits.

Camper Quotes

"Big Basin's ancient redwoods are unlike anything else - truly majestic." "The trails are recovering beautifully after the fire, but closures remain frustrating." "Plan ahead for parking; the...

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are highlighted in general for Big Basin but not specifically for Wastahi Campground.

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are not allowed within the campground or on trails, as per official sources.

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Fall day-hikers who want old-growth redwoods without summer crowds, the Redwood Loop and Sunset trails are clearing up, temperatures drop into the 40s-50s at night, and parking fees are still just $6-$10 per vehicle.

Skip if

Anyone planning to camp overnight, the campground remains closed following the 2020 CZU fire, facilities are still being rebuilt, and there's no cell service and limited parking even for day visitors.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.5

(13)

Huckleberry Campground

null

Huckleberry Campground sits in Big Basin Redwoods State Park at 1,293 feet elevation, offering five sites among recovering coast redwood groves. Sites run $35 per night and include tent camping plus cabin lodging options. Cell service is nonexistent throughout the park.