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Rancho del Oso Walk-In Sites permit area in Big Basin Redwoods State Park - backcountry hiking destination
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Rancho del Oso Walk-In Sites Permit

Big Basin Redwoods State Park · California

Walk-in campsites at the coast when available.

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70% of the openings our scanner caught on Rancho del Oso were gone within 10 minutes.

Rancho del Oso reservation dates

route distance, out and back
0.04mi
max group size
6people

How to get a Rancho del Oso permit

As of September 2026, Rancho del Oso in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Rancho del Oso rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Rancho del Oso permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Rancho del Oso route covers 0.04 miles, rated easy.

Type
Overnight
Location
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

  1. Step 1: Create an account before permits drop

    Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation hunting

More on Rancho del Oso: Live availability activityWhen Rancho del Oso permits open up

The Rancho del Oso hike

Distance
0.04 miles
Route Type
Out & Back
Difficulty
Easy

Rancho del Oso landmarks

  1. 1Waddell Beach parking lot

    3640 Cabrillo Highway, Davenport. The campground entrance gate is a yellow gate directly across from it, north of the Waddell Creek Bridge.

  2. 2Rancho del Oso walk-in campground

    Five reservable walk-in sites, the furthest about 200 feet from parking, plus one shared bike-in site.

  3. 3Waddell State Beach

    Known worldwide as one of the spots for windsurfing and kite surfing. Dogs are not allowed on it.

  4. 4Marsh Trail

    0.4 miles, connecting the Nature and History Center to the ranger station across Waddell Creek. Ends at Waddell Creek from roughly October to late April when the seasonal bridge is out.

Five walk-in campsites across Highway 1 from Waddell Beach, the furthest about 200 feet from the car. It is a horse camp operating as a walk-in camp until the trails come back.

About this permit

Rancho del Oso is the coastal subunit of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and currently the only place to camp in that park. There are five walk-in campsites by reservation and one shared non-reserved bike-in site, available temporarily at the Rancho del Oso Horse Camp. The five reservable campsites are walk-in only and the furthest is about 200 feet from the parking area. This is a walk-in camp in name more than in effort. Campsites #2 and #4 are generally accessible for people with limited mobility.

The horse camp became a walk-in camp because the trails burned. Trails from Rancho del Oso are closed and were severely damaged in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020, and trail access north into Big Basin along the Skyline to the Sea Trail is not expected to be restored for several years. It will be reinstated for equestrian camping when that access reopens.

Booking is not through ReserveCalifornia. The walk-in campground is by reservation only via a Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks form, with the shared bike-in site first come, first served and payable on site via iron ranger envelope. There are no fees or reservations required for day-use visits at Rancho del Oso.

Unusually for this region, fires are permitted in provided rings and BBQ grills, but beach fires are strictly prohibited and firewood is not available for sale, so bring your own locally sourced or heat-treated wood.

The route

There are five walk-in campsites by reservation and one shared non-reserved bike-in site available temporarily at the Rancho del Oso Horse Camp. The five reservable campsites are walk-in only, and the furthest campsite is about 200 feet from the parking area. Campsites #2 and #4 are generally accessible for people with limited mobility.

Why it is a walk-in camp at all: trails from Rancho del Oso are closed and were severely damaged in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020, and trail access north into Big Basin along the Skyline to the Sea Trail is not expected to be restored for several years, making equestrian camping impractical in the interim. There is no horse camping available at this time.

The walking that remains is short and coastal. The Skyline to the Sea Trail here runs 0.4 miles before ending at a gate by the walk-in campground. The 0.4-mile Marsh Trail explores the marsh and Waddell Creek, though from about October to late April it ends at Waddell Creek due to seasonal bridge removal.

Why it matters

This is the only place you can currently sleep in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Every campground and trail camp in the main park is closed, and Rancho del Oso Horse Camp is operating as an interim walk-in and bike-in campground until trail access from Rancho del Oso is reopened for equestrian use.

The feeling

Coastal flat at the mouth of Waddell Creek, with a world-famous windsurfing beach directly across the highway and a marsh full of birds behind you.

Rancho del Oso hike highlights

  1. Five reservable walk-in sites, the furthest about 200 feet from the car
  2. One shared bike-in site, first come, first served, paid by iron ranger
  3. Fires permitted in provided rings and BBQ grills, unlike most camps in this region
  4. A food storage locker at the campground, which is run crumb clean
  5. Waddell Beach and its windsurfing directly across Highway 1
  6. No trail access north into Big Basin for several years

How hard the Rancho del Oso hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential2/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route1/5

Best for: Anyone who wants a coastal night with almost no carry (200 feet at the furthest) and a beach across the road. Two sites are generally accessible for people with limited mobility.

Recommended experience: None. Bring your own firewood, because none is sold.

Not recommended for: Anyone with a dog, anyone with a horse (there is no horse camping at this time), and anyone hoping to walk north into Big Basin from here.

Trailhead information

Waddell Beach parking lot / yellow gate

Primary

The campground entrance is a yellow gate directly across from the Waddell Beach parking lot, north of the Waddell Creek Bridge.

  • No restrooms
  • No water

Parking

Walk-in only; the furthest site is about 200 feet from the parking area. 6 people and 2 cars per site maximum. For extra vehicle payment use the Iron Ranger and place the pay stub on the dashboard, $10 per vehicle. Place your registration confirmation on the dashboard so it is visible.

Getting There

Travel along Highway 1 about 30 miles south from Half Moon Bay or 18 miles north from Santa Cruz to the Waddell Beach Parking Lot at 3640 Cabrillo Highway, Davenport. Speed limit on the campground entry road is 10 MPH.

Nearest Services

Davenport, about 7 miles south. Two visitor centers nearby open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

When to hike Rancho del Oso

Best time to visit

Spring through autumn, when the seasonal marsh bridge is in and the coastal weather is workable. Winter brings storms and a shortened Marsh Trail, though the surf is at its most dramatic.

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

⚠️

Backcountry Tips

  • Day 5: Extreme heat (99°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
  • Day 6: Extreme heat (98°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
  • Day 7: Extreme heat (100°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.

Today

☀️

94°

57°

Wed

☀️

94°

59°

Thu

☁️

94°

57°

Fri

☁️

94°

65°

Sat

☁️

99°

66°

Sun

☀️

98°

67°

Mon

☀️

100°

68°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Rancho del Oso photography guide

Golden Hour

Sunset over Waddell Beach, straight across Highway 1 from camp.

Best Light

Early morning on the marsh, when the birds are working and the wind has not come up.

Beat the Crowds

Waddell Beach draws windsurfers all day and empties in the evening. With five sites, the campground is never crowded.

Classic Shots

  1. Kite surfers off Waddell Beach
  2. The Waddell Marsh with the Santa Cruz Mountains behind
  3. The gate where the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail currently ends
  4. Coastal flat campsites a few steps from the car
  5. Winter surf on the beach across the highway from your tent

Rancho del Oso rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • Your own firewood, locally sourced or heat treated: none is sold here
  • Warm layers for a windy coastal flat
  • Rain gear outside high summer
  • Cash for the iron ranger if using the bike-in site or paying for an extra vehicle
  • A printed registration confirmation for the dashboard

Recommended gear

  • Extra stakes and guylines for coastal wind
  • A wetsuit if you intend to use the beach
  • Long sleeves and long pants for marsh-edge trail
  • Binoculars for birding along the Marsh Trail
  • A check of the park page for current conditions before you go

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Check-in time is 2 pm and check-out time is noon.
  2. 026 people per site and 2 cars per site maximum. Switching sites is not permitted.
  3. 03No dogs permitted. Dogs are not allowed in any portion of Rancho del Oso nor on Waddell State Beach.
  4. 04No generators permitted. No smoking.
  5. 05Beach fires are strictly prohibited. Fires are permitted in provided rings and BBQ grills only. Do not gather wood for fires.
  6. 06Firewood is not available for sale at this time. Bring your own locally sourced or heat treated firewood.
  7. 07Ropes, lines, swings and hammocks may not be fastened to any tree.
  8. 08Games that are disruptive to other campers or to the environment are prohibited. Drones are prohibited.
  9. 09Radios and other sound-producing devices must not be audible beyond the campers' immediate campsite. Quiet hours are 10 pm to 6 am.
  10. 10Speed limit on the campground entry road is 10 MPH.
  11. 11Campground is crumb clean: place all food-related items in the food storage locker and all trash securely in the trash bin.
  12. 12Place registration confirmation on the dashboard so it is visible.

Hazards & considerations

  • Coastal wind and exposure on an open flat.
  • Waddell Beach is a serious windsurfing and kite surfing break with strong winds and occasionally heavy surf.
  • Beach fires are strictly prohibited.
  • Trails from Rancho del Oso are closed and were severely damaged in the 2020 CZU fire.
  • The Marsh Trail's seasonal bridge is removed from about October to late April.
  • No dogs anywhere in the Rancho del Oso area or on Waddell State Beach.

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Rancho del Oso.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Rancho del Oso · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

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Rancho del Oso FAQ

How do I get a Rancho del Oso permit?

PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Rancho del Oso cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Rancho del Oso permits use a reservation system.

When is the best time to visit Rancho del Oso?

Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Rancho del Oso permit?

This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.

What if I can't get a Rancho del Oso permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.

Rancho del Oso trail conditions and trip reports

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Alternatives to a Rancho del Oso permit

  • Same AreaNo permit needed

    Big Basin Day-Use Access

    Limited day-use access to the main Big Basin park via Highway 236, with parking reservations encouraged but not required.

    Tradeoffs

    The old-growth core of the park, but there is no camping there at all and no trail connection from Rancho del Oso.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Butano Trail Camp

    Backcountry sites 5.7 miles from the Butano parking lot via the Jackson Flats and Canyon trails (or 4.9 miles via the Año Nuevo Trail and fire roads), with pit toilets and no potable water.

    Tradeoffs

    Real backcountry with a proper approach, in the next redwood canyon north. But no fires, no water and a serious carry.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Andrew Molera Trail Camp

    Walk-in tent camping near the Big Sur River and beach.

    Tradeoffs

    A comparable coastal walk-in, but it has seasonal closures and is a long drive south.

Where to stay near Rancho del Oso

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