Also home to a lot of moths, spiders, and who knows what else. Portola Redwoods State Park and a few neighboring parks offer the chance for backcountry hiking and camping, so if you're looking to get out of the RV for a night or two, lace up the hiking boots and grab your tent out of the rig. This short trail heads west towards the Slate Creek Trail . A short, yet beautiful interpretive nature trail. Just 5 miles north of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Portola Redwoods State Park offers visitors solitude and some of the tallest, most majestic redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Free maps are available at the visitor center. Visitors should note that there is no gas station or store near the park. So there's plenty of challenge, all under a shady redwood canopy that makes this great route any time of year. From the Service Rd, take the Summit Trail. In just over six miles it ascends two ridges and stops in on the most impressive old-growth redwood in the park. CalGreyNomad wrote a review Aug 2019. The trail begins and ends at the Portola Visitors Center. No dispersed or off-trail camping is permitted. Pets are not allowed on any national and state park trails. This park, a favorite with trail riders, hikers and mountain bikers, is located 8 miles southwest of La Honda, California. Few people go this way so the forest along the creek becomes a cradle of solitude. Portola Redwoods is just two miles north of the much better-known Big Basin Redwoods. Part of the map (actual printed size of this area is 5 x 5"). #8 - Iverson and Sequoia Nature Loop Trail. Discover campgrounds like Portola Redwoods State Park Campground California, find information like reviews, photos, number of RV and tent sites, open seasons, rates, facilities, and activities. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. $10 park fee. Coming into Portola Redwoods State Park is akin to entering Doyle’s Lost World. The road leading to its 2,800 acres drops from a ridge top into a deeply shaded redwood forest, offering a hushed getaway from the suburban bustle of nearby Silicon Valley and the South Bay. From the rear of the Visitor Center and Park Office, take the Sequoia Nature Trail. On the Trail Map of Portola Redwoods and Pescadero Creek Waterproof printed version GPS app for mobile devices. General Information . Layered clothing is recommended at any time of the year. Slate Creek Trail Camp. The Summit Trail winds up to a small peak and then connect to the Slate Trail Don’t be fooled by late July heat and leave your rain fly behind. Thanks for joining me on another adventure. Mind you it is a very long walk back, but it's worth the effort. Please help reduce waste by recycling at the provided containers. A pleasant loop trail that goes through redwood groves. Madrone Enroute. The map is annotated with the locations of memorial grove markers, footbridges, panoramic viewpoints, and stairs, and trail mileages are marked. The back of the map has 1:12,500 scale enlargements of Sam McDonald, Memorial, and the Portola State Parks. Portola Redwoods has a rugged, natural basin forested with Coast Redwoods, Douglas Firs and Live Oaks. The park has a 55-site family campground, 4 group campsites, and a trail camp for backpackers. #1 - Old Tree, Slate Creek, Bear Creek, and Peters Creek Trails. This hike is an out-and-back with multiple options -- tack on a couple miles by hiking down to the Page Mill Site, then following Slate Creek Trail to its terminus at the crossing of Slate Creek. There are two dirt roads under old-growth redwoods that are friendly for leashed pets. The back of the map has 1:12,500 scale enlargements of Sam McDonald, Memorial, and the Portola State Parks. Portola Redwoods State Park. It starts out near the park headquarters, climbs up Coyote Ridge, descends to Peters Creek, climbs again up the Slate Creek Trail, then descends via the Summit Trail, and takes a side trip to the Old Tree, which is 297 feet tall, 12 feet across and estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Visitors should come prepared for any type of weather. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. Henry Cowell, Wilder Ranch, and Nisene Marks, A full-color, double-sided, 18 x 27" map printed on durable waterproof plastic at 1:25,000 scale, Click below to buy with credit card or PayPal$7.95 each, Please allow 3–5 business days for delivery. The park is in the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Highway 35 in one of the best hiking regions in the San Francisco Bay Area. 140 reviews of Portola Redwoods State Park "Home of Banana Slugs!! La Honda, CA Easy/Intermediate. We visited the beautiful redwood state park. Learn more about pets in the park. Portola Redwoods State Park PLEASE RECYCLE: Recycling stations for aluminum cans, as well as plastic and glass bottles, are located throughout the park. Continue. The bridge on Coyote Ridge Trail between Portola State Park Road and Escape Road is damaged and unsafe to cross. This is the essential loop at Portola Redwoods State Park. Since you can often walk for miles without seeing a trail marker, these annotations are useful for helping you keep track of your location. Please feel welcome to write about it here. If you know something about this area. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail metrics. Old Tree, Slate Creek, Bear Creek, and Peters Creek Trails. There are eighteen miles of trails, a 53 site campground, four group campsites and two beautiful creeks, the Pescadero and Peter's Creek, that run throughout the park. Despite its proximity to civilization, the park can feel more secluded than neighboring redwood forests — a boon to anyone wanting an escape. Looking for a great trail in Portola Redwoods State Park, California? Add Your Trails. Portola Redwoods State Park. It ends at Slate Creek Trail Camp, a popular overnight camping destination. Towering redwoods, fat banana slugs, shady nooks, hikes of varying difficulty– Portola Redwoods has it all, and you definitely need to reserve in advance. The first six miles are nice enough -- lots of ups and downs in second-growth redwoods -- but the real payoff is at the midpoint: Peters Creek Loop tracks through one of the last remaining stands of old-growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park. The off line map is recommended to get oriented as several users have reported that there may be poor cell reception in this area. Helpful. An 18 x 28 inch zoomable and pannable image corresponding to the front of the printed map only. Trails on this track: Old Tree Trail > Slate Creek Trail. Get directions, find nearby businesses and places, and much more. All official trails and dirt roads were drawn from GPS data with a resolution of about 100 feet. Trip Planner Use our FREE RV trip planner to begin customizing the perfect RV trip. Its a good place for picnics, hiking, playing outside, and camping. The Slate Creek Turnoff comes before you reach the Old Tree. Eighteen miles of trails follow meandering creeks, where moisture-loving coast redwoods stand tall among ferns and huckleberries. Easy/Intermediate. 6.1 mi 9.8 km #1 Old Haul Road. Portola Redwoods State Park contains approximately 18 miles of hiking trails in the 2,800-acre park, a small car-camping campground of about 50 campsites, four group campsites, and 6 trail sites at Slate Creek Trail Camp. At Portola Redwoods State Park, silence and tranquility rule. AllTrails has 12 great hiking trails, trail running trails, wild flowers trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The trail begins off of the service road. So green, with certain areas smelling of trees and moisture, some areas cooler than others, with plenty of creek water and various redwoods around. Be sure to take enough water and snacks along to keep your energy level up. This week we are at Portola Redwoods State Park in La Honda, California. There are eighteen miles of trails, a 53 site campground, four group campsites and two beautiful creeks, the Pescadero and Peter''s Creek, that run throughout the park.The Sequoia Nature Trail, which leads to the Pescadero Creek, introduces visitors to the natural history of the area. The trail follows Pescadero Creek and is under the shade of towering Redwoods. Portola State Park Rd, La Honda, CA 94020. This map shows the interconnected trail systems of Portola and Pescadero parks on a single sheet. » Official State Parks Map: A map showing all the trails but hard to read. Park Portola Redwoods State Park State California Country United States Phone Number (650) 948-9098 Directions View on Google Maps Official Website View Website Coordinates 37.254° N, 122.216° W Unknown price Tent Only: 47 Sites » Official Trail Map for Pescadero Creek County Park: Pretty good quality map showing all the trails. Water can be obtained by filtering at either Slate Creek or Pescadero Creek. This includes Fern Canyon and Tall Trees Trail. A a blue dot that shows your current position and tracks can be recorded. The Peters Creek Loop is simply amazing -- the area was so remote that it was not profitable for loggers to cut the old redwoods, so dozens of ancients trees tower skyward all along the path. The park centers on two creeks, Peters and Pescadero. Download the free Mindego Hill topo map. The park is relatively quiet, with few hikers. The entire Pescadero park complex including Sam McDonald County Park, Memorial County Park, and Heritage Grove are shown, and the trail connections to nearby parks on Skyline Ridge are also shown. The climb up Coyote Ridge is fairly steep; just take your time and enjoy the walk. Share. Unofficial trails and roads that don’t appear on the official park map are also shown. Visitors will find a forested basin with stands of redwoods, miles of trails, and chattering creeks. Its trees may be smaller, but it’s still pretty scenic and it’s also a lot less busy. Neatly tucked away and VERY quiet, no crowds, no traffic getting in & out of the park. Enjoy the pleasant serenity under the shade of the redwoods. Trails in Portola Redwoods State Park - 4. Another must visit is a side trip to the Old Tree, biggest redwood in the park. It's massive to the point of being mind-boggling. Portola Redwoods State Park is also home to the site of Page shingle Mill, for which Page Mill Road is named. Vigorous and diverse six-mile hike takes samples the best of Portola Redwoods State Park west of Silicon Valley. The Old Tree Trail is located 9.3 miles from Pescadero, California (CA) in Portola Redwoods State Park. Newly added for the third edition is a map of five state beaches from Pigeon Point to San Gregorio, all of which are a short drive from Memorial County Park. The Sequoia Nature Trail is located 8.8 miles from Pescadero, California (CA) in Portola Redwoods State Park. Portola's Slate Creek Trail Camp is equipped with six backcountry sites that can each accommodate a maximum of six people. Portola Redwoods State Park, which contains a mix of second- and old-growth redwoods, is only one hour away from San Francisco. Portola Redwoods has a rugged, natural basin forested with Coast Redwoods, Douglas Firs and Live Oaks. 140 reviews of Portola Redwoods State Park "Home of Banana Slugs!! Also as of July 2020 parts of Iverson Trail are closed making it not possible to get to TipToe Falls. While ancient redwoods are scarce because of heavy logging in decades past, the redwood forest that has retaken the hills here is still impressive. The hike up Slate Creek Trail is more gradual but it's still a healthy climb. Backcountry camping permits are required if overnighting. Portola Redwoods State Park. Portola Redwoods State Park . The Sequoia Nature Trail, which leads to the Pescadero Creek, introduces visitors to the natural history of the area. Portola Redwoods has a rugged, natural basin forested with Coast Redwoods, Douglas Firs and Live Oaks. With its primeval feel, you wouldn't be surprised to see a brontosaurus rumbling through. If you go in the winter, make sure you'll have enough daylight to cover all the miles. Dogs are allowed on paved roads (campground roads, the park entrance road, the service road between the Campfire Center and the Pescadero Bridge and on Upper and Lower Escape Roads). Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail … » Redwood Hikes Map: Annotated trail map of Portola Redwoods State Park and Pescadero Creek County Park, Second edition, 2008.This is an excellent map sold by Dave Baselt ($6.95 in Dec 2011). Portola Redwoods State Park is a treasure in Santa Cruz Mountains. Tip Toe Falls is a small waterfall along Fall Creek, a tributary of Pescadero Creek. The Old Tree is just a dot on the map of Portola Redwoods State Park – until you stand before its mind-boggling bulk and try to take it all in. It's well worth the extra half-mile. This is a great hike all year long. All-day hike to grove of ancient redwoods in Portola Redwoods State Park is a must if you can do the distance. Dogs are not allowed on trails, at any of the creeks, or in the county parks. Portola Redwoods State Park Campground is located off Highway 35 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 1½ to 2 hours from the Bay Area. Trails in Portola Redwoods are generally shaded by tall trees, sometimes next to creeks. However, there are options for walking with a leashed pet in the parks. Also, the map is now printed on tear-resistant waterproof plastic. Newly added for the third edition is a map of five state beaches from Pigeon Point to San Gregorio, all of which are a short drive from Memorial County Park. It’s a beautiful park set deep in the redwoods, on the Peninsula. Waterfalls on Fall and Pescadero creeks tumble down mossy banks over rocks and woody debris. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Eighteen miles of trails follow meandering creeks, where moisture-loving coast redwoods stand tall among ferns and huckleberries. TRAILS: Free trail maps are provided at the Visitor Center. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Portola Redwoods Campground. Driving Directions to Portola Redwoods SP From Highway 35, turn west onto Alpine Road, go 3 miles, and turn onto Portola State Park Road. And the Summit Trail descent is a bit of knee grinder. Detailed foundation maps can be purchased for $2 at the Visitor Center. Portola Redwoods State Park Portola Redwoods State Park is a 2800-acre state park in Northern California situated in San Mateo County.The parks' primary watercourses - Peters Creek, Pescadero Creek and their associated tributaries -converge at Portola Redwoods State Park. The park receives between 40 and 60 inches of rain per year and the summer months can be foggy and cool. A short loop to a primitive campsite for an easier overnight backpacking trip. Service dogs are welcome on any of our trails. 650.948.9098. Winter brings highs in the 40s to 50s and lows in the 30s. Discover trails like Portola Redwoods State Park Trail California, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. There are eighteen miles of trails, a 53 site campground, four group campsites and two beautiful creeks, the Pescadero and Peter's Creek, that run throughout the park. Date of experience: March 2020. We were married at Portola Redwood State Park, so a return visit to the park is always a special time for us. We've got 5 easy trails in Portola Redwoods State Park ranging from 0.8 to 1.6 miles and from 367 to 738 feet above sea level. This is an excellent moderate hike through the second-growth redwood forest at Portola Redwoods State Park. Download the free Mindego Hill topo map. Other redwood parks like Big Basin or Castle Rock are teeming with visitors. Read more. Due to mountain roads, expect a … It's also very shady, making Portola Redwoods a great place to hike year-round. So green, with certain areas smelling of trees and moisture, some areas cooler than others, with plenty of creek water and various redwoods around. Summer temperatures typically have highs in the 70s to 80s, lows in the 50s.