Description

Discover a hideaway about 1.5 miles from the Big Basin Redwoods State Park Visitor Center and a quick drive from nearby Santa Cruz. The Wastahi Campgrounds are quiet and beautifully forested to offer more of a backcountry camping feel.

With a limited 27 campsites available, you'll feel one with nature and enjoy the scenic history around you. There are even a few campsites (86 and 97) that are nicknamed the “Honeymoon Suites" for their privacy.

In addition to the smaller private walk-in sites, there are some large group sites. It's usually busy and one of the hiking trails (the Sequoia trail) runs right through the campground. Book your stay at Wastahi campground. You truly don’t want to miss out on this unique Big Basin Redwoods State Park camping experience.

Campsite area
Tent sites
26 sites
Up to 8 guests per site
Other
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Showers available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Mountain bikes aren’t allowed on the single track lanes, however there are still some great rides. They are excellent for begin...Read more

Hiking

So you want to hike through some of the oldest gigantic Redwoods in the state AND frolick around a waterfall? Well, that’s a li...Read more

Horseback riding

Horses are allowed in Rancho Del Oso and there is a horse camp! Make sure to check out the information for horse camping befor...Read more

Wind sports

Waddell Beach, located across Highway 1 from the park entrance, is known worldwide as one of THE spots for windsurfing and kite...Read more

Surfing

Waddell Creek is known as one of the great kiteboarding and windsurfing spots, but it also provides some excellent surf (on the...Read more

Wildlife watching

Big Basin is teeming with wildlife (this is a good thing). Sliding along a mossy piece of fallen tree you’ll find banana slugs,...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Wastahi Campground.

Beach
Forest
Waterfall
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14 Reviews

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Drop some Wastahi Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper A
A H.
didn't provide a recommendation.
July 9th, 2019

Overall enjoyable experience, with clean/functional bathrooms and away from the busy atmosphere of the main big basin parking area. No reception, but free wifi at the visitor's center a five minute drive away. "Walk in", but only a few minutes' walk from the lot.

Went in mid June, and regretted not having DEET spray; the natural citronella spray didn't do anything for all the mosquitos (and whatever else bit me) at the campgrounds.

This campground is described as 'remote' and 'quiet', but you can definitely see (and hear) at least three or four other tents near yours. Maybe on a weeknight in the off season you'd get quiet, but otherwise prepare for the typical speakers blasting at night, kids screaming in the early morning experience.

Hipcamper Kristin
Kristin C.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
June 25th, 2018

Big Basin is beautiful, historic, and extremely family friendly (too family friendly for my purposes). Wastahi Campground is exceptionally hilly--few sites are remotely level--and partly due to this it's pretty loud. There is a lot of echoing of sounds, and the weekend I spent there seemed to have attracted particularly inconsiderate campers. There seemed to be little oversight on the site--music blasting at midnight--and toilet paper ran out early. If you are energetically sensitive like me, be aware that you are not out of the City sphere here. I could still feel the mass of people, and there are several airplanes per day that fly overhead.

Hipcamper Serena
Serena W.
didn't provide a recommendation.
July 10th, 2015

Campsite 85 is uphill but definitely secluded and had lots of space for our kids to run around. First night was super buggy, second night wasn't. No issues with animals at night. Beautiful space to camp. Ranger programs, great gift and camp shop and cafe.

Hipcamper A H.
recommends this listing.
July 9th, 2019
Hipcamper Alekhya K.
recommends this listing.
July 15th, 2019
Hipcamper Naomi L.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
August 4th, 2018
Hipcamper Lucy C.
recommends this listing.
August 29th, 2018
Hipcamper John L.
recommends this listing.
February 14th, 2019
Hipcamper Mary M.
recommends this listing.
June 3rd, 2018
Hipcamper Rhianna C.
recommends this listing.
March 17th, 2018
Hipcamper Chris W.
recommends this listing.
February 20th, 2018
Hipcamper Stephanie A.
recommends this listing.
August 10th, 2017
Hipcamper Amanda R.
recommends this listing.
August 5th, 2017
Hipcamper Ramona S.
recommends this listing.
April 18th, 2017
Park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(831) 338-8860
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
37.176° N, 122.21° W
Unknown price
Tent Only - Hike In: 26 Sites
(Up to 8 people per site)