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West Ridge Trail Camp

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This park has a primitive campground with six sites that are reservable by phone only.

And when we say primitive, we mean PRIMITIVE: as in no water, no toilets, and a 4 to 6 mile hike in. Once you are there, though, it is absolutely worth it, as sleeping under the stunning and silent beauty of the surrounding forest truly makes for an incredible experience. Campers are required to check in and pay the $5 camping fee (per site) at the kiosk. If no one is present at the kiosk, you can pay using the iron ranger instead (you know the drill: fill out the envelope, stick in the cash). Reservations are available but not usually needed: if you want to make a reservation, call (831) 763-7064.

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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

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More to explore nearby

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1 ratings · 4 reviews

Christie K.recommends

September 27, 2021

Great hiking trails in and around The Forest of Nisene Marks.

S B.

January 2, 2019

This listing is not correct. Fires and dogs/pets are prohibited. From the official website: "With a reservation, you can bike or backpack about six miles from the West Ridge trailhead to the park’s trail camp.... An outhouse and picnic tables are provided, but no water. Fires and dogs are prohibited. For more information or to reserve a site, call the park at 831-763-7063."

Christine C.recommends

July 13, 2017

I live here, My writing retreat is a neighbor. This is my faveorite neighbor.

Aja P.

June 22, 2015

bug spray. we had a magical hike over father's day weekend and ended at the campsite where we had forgotten not only our tent poles, but our bug spray as well. the camp, confusingly, as it is nowhere close to water, is mosquito central. bug spray is essential!

Your guide to camping in West Ridge Trail Camp

Overview

Biking

With a whopping 30 miles of trails that wind through this park’s 10,000 acres, you can bet it is a phenomenal place to bike. While not all trails are open to cyclists (you’ll have to pay attention to trailhead information), there are two pretty stellar options for exploring the lush environs that make up this park. The main fireroad will take you up to a delicious view of Monterey Bay, and, if you are so inclined to pursue the inclination, you can continue up to connect with the the Soquel Demonstration Forest. The second option is to ride the singletrack loop south of the steel bridge (also a nice ride). Check out those and a few others here, (you can also consult the official trail map here , scroll to the bottom) then get to biking!

Hiking

If you thought the biking was good, just you wait until you get an eyeful of these trails. Those before mentioned 10,000 acres won’t just explore themselves, and, luckily, there are wayyyy more than a weekend’s worth of paths wandering past enchanted pools and towering groves, just waiting for you to get out there. Trails range dramatically in length and difficulty, and take you to some of the coolest parts of the park, be that the epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake or the reward of a breathtaking waterfall after 13 miles. Check out a few of the best ones here, as well as some awesome ones in the area here .

Horseback riding

While the park doesn’t have quite as many options for riding via horseback, there are still a few opportunities to explore those hallowed woods a la equestrian. Horses are allowed on a portion of the fireroad and some trails, which, including the neighboring Soquel Demonstration Forest, add up to more than 20 miles of equestrian paths. Check out the map here (scroll to the bottom).

Wildlife watching

Ten thousand acres of dense forest, spanning several different types of landscape and rising nearly 2,600 feet means that there is most certainly some good wildlife watching here. This park contains grassland, scrub, charparral,woodland and forest riparian communities (yup, you counted correctly, that’s five different types). Hikers should keep their eyes out for a wide variety of wildlife species, including raccoons, cougar, deer, yellow-legged frogs and the infamous banana slug. Careful observers might also grab a glimpse of the American dipper, winter wren, or saw-whet owl, or spot Coho salmon or steelhead span in the bridge and Aptos creeks.