Wastahi Campground
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.
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.
14 Reviews
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.
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.
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.
- 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)