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Butano State Park: A Redwood Retreat

Discover redwood forests, diverse trails, and serene solitude in Butano State Park, a hidden gem of the California coast.

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Escape into the serene depths of Butano State Park, a coastal redwood haven established in 1957. Explore lush canyons, diverse ecosystems, and over 40 miles of trails, just a short drive from the Pacific coast.

A brief summary to Butano State Park

Local tips

  • Bring your own drinking water, as the park's water system is not fully restored.
  • Check the weather and trail conditions before you go, especially during the rainy season.
  • Dogs are only allowed in the campground and paved areas, not on the trails.
  • Reservations are required for Butano Trail Camp.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Butano State Park is located off Highway 1, approximately halfway between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. From Highway 1, exit at Pescadero Road and drive 3 miles. Turn right onto Cloverdale Road and continue for 4.5 miles to the park entrance. Alternatively, from Highway 1, exit at Gazos Creek Road and proceed 2.2 miles before turning left onto Cloverdale Road. Continue 2.4 miles to the park entrance. Parking inside the park costs $10 for regular-sized vehicles. Larger buses may have difficulty navigating the narrow park roads and finding suitable parking. Be prepared to self-pay at the entrance kiosk if it is not staffed.

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Discover more about Butano State Park

Butano State Park, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, offers a tranquil escape into nature. Established in 1957 to safeguard California's coast redwoods from logging, the park now invites visitors to explore its quiet canyons filled with second and third-growth redwood trees. Babbling creeks meander through the landscape, enhancing the park's serene atmosphere. The park's history is intertwined with both indigenous cultures and logging. Before European contact, the Quiroste tribe thrived in the area, managing the land through controlled burns to promote the growth of plants that sustained wildlife. In the late 1860s, settlers logged the canyon, transforming the old-growth redwood forest. Today, the park's diverse habitats include oak woodlands, riparian areas, and chaparral ecosystems. Visitors can explore over 40 miles of hiking trails that wind through 4,000 acres of canyons and uplands. These trails offer opportunities to spot woodpeckers, newts, and, in springtime, flowering Calypso orchids. The park's varied terrain ranges from the wetlands along Little Butano Creek to ridgetop views of the ocean. **Please note that Butano Campground is currently closed indefinitely due to damage to the water system from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire**. However, the Butano Trail Camp is open to backpackers with reservations.

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