Rancho del Oso Campground Big Basin Redwoods State Park California

Rancho del Oso Overview

Rancho del Oso Campground is located next to Waddell Creek and less than 1/2 mile to Waddell Beach in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The campground has 5 tent-only campsites and 1 hike/bike campsite. The hike/bike site is first-come, first-serve and the 5 tent sites are reservable.

The campground use to be for equestrian camping, but is operating as an interim tent campground. It may be reopened for equestrian use if/when the Skyline to the Sea Trail can be restored.

Campers with reservations can access the campground through the (yellow) entrance gate across from the Waddell Beach Parking lot. Use the Iron Ranger to pay for an extra vehicle. Check-in time is 2pm and check-out time is noon. Up to 6 people and 2 vehicles per reservation/campsite. The parking lot is about 150 to 200 feet from the camping area.

Amenities include drinking water, vault toilets and trash receptacles. Each site also has a table, fire pit and food storage locker. There’s also a visitor/welcome center at the campground, as well as a visitor/nature center on the south side of the Waddell Creek Bridge. Both are open on the weekends.

Rancho del Oso Campground -Area Recreation & Activities

Outdoor recreation in the area includes hiking, biking, beachcombing, surf fishing, swimming, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding and picnicking. Bird watching and other wildlife viewing is also great in the area. DOGS are not allowed in any portion of Rancho del Oso nor on Waddell State Beach.

You might also like Memorial Park, Butano State Park or Portola Redwoods State Park.

Make a Reservation for Rancho del Oso

Amenities

• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service Fair
• Cell Service Poor
• Drinking Water
• Equestrian trail
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Food Storage Locker
• Hike/Bike Campsites
• Nature Center
• Overflow Parking
• Picnic Tables
• Recycling Center
• Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
• Trash Collection
• Visitor Center

Activities

• Beach
• Beach Access
• Beach Combing
• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Creek
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Horseback riding
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Trails
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Sailboarding
• Stargazing
• Surf Fish
• Swim Beach
• Swimming
• Visitor Center
• Walking Trails
• Wildlife Viewing
• Wind Surfing