Butano State Park in
Pescadero (CA)

There's a lot more old growth in this park than is advertised. The trees are smaller in much of it but you'll notice there are no cut stumps. Plus a lot of unique OG trees were left in the cut areas. There are at least 8 sections of complete old growth redwood. It's just smaller so people mistake it for younger but look at the flat dissimilar tree tops and the lack of stumps, it's old. No one is ever out here. This park is a gem.

Complex and diverse, this lovely park shows interesting recovery from fires a few years back. The long loop we like to do is multiple ecosystems and so interesting. Beautiful views from the ridge We like to do the long loop counterclockwise because our reward at the end is a lovely stroll through a redwood forest

Nice park, almost no one there, including workers. You pay your $10 on the honor system. The trails are well maintained and it is hard to get lost. You will see the sad theme of fire everywhere. Good for a warm day, because the shade is plentiful. The only wildlife I saw were two banana ? slugs.

Butano State Park is a peaceful spot tucked deep in the redwoods, great for folks who want to disconnect and take in nature without distractions. The trails are quiet and shaded, with gentle elevation and creek crossings that add a nice touch. It’s not overly marked, so grabbing a map or snapping a trailhead photo helps. The vibe is calm and slow-paced—perfect for solo hikers or small groups looking for a reset. Camping here is basic but solid. Sites come with fire pits and tables, and while restrooms vary, they’re usually clean enough. Nights are cold and quiet, which some people love and others might find a bit too still. It’s not a flashy destination, but it’s dependable and grounding—especially if you’re after a quiet forest walk and a good night’s sleep under the trees.

Nice Redwood park with entry fee. This is roughly mile or two away from beaches. P. S there is no water available . Portable restrooms were there. There were picnic tables available next to the parking. Overall nice hike ,can be confusing without the maps.

We love Butano State Park. Just a 1/2 hour north of our home in Santa Cruz. Were there today and saw no one else on the trails. Resources like camping and water access have suffered because of the devastating CZU fire a few years ago, but it’s a great place for day hikes.

It's one of my favorite parks in the Peninsula. Some very shady hikes make it a good one to visit on hot days. Make sure to bring cash ($6) for the entrance fee.

Certainly off of the beaten path, but that is also one of the benefits. There are not too many other people at the park to take away from your nature experience. The trails are not supposed to be dog friendly, so if that is a deal breaker for you, this will be, "another time", plan. However, the change from redwood to chaparral is beautiful and certainly a worthwhile hike.

Six Bridges Trail to Canyon Trail in Butano State Park is a 10-mile loop trail with a 1,500 ft elevation gain. Generally considered moderately challenging, it was relaxing, quiet, and peaceful. Campgrounds are closed for the winter season, and as a result, there is no water in the park, including in the restrooms next to the Picnic area. It's necessary to plan accordingly and bring enough water for your hike.

Great place for hiking. There are multiple trails based on your skill level. Most of the trails are full of shade. Carry a light jacket if you are hiking early in the morning or evening Wish the trail had more sigh boards.

A nice hike once we found a good trail. Some of the trails are closed due to fire damage. There is a map at the entrance that shows which trails are closed. The campgrounds are also closed. Entrance to the park is $10 dollars. If you arrive before the park ranger at 8:00 am, you will need to grab an envelope at the entrance and put $10 cash in the envelope. Then, drop the envelope in the box. Make sure to tear the tag off and place it in your front window. We started our hike along the Six Bridges Trail but quickly turned around due to the overgrown grass, weeds, and trees along the trail. So, we headed back to the entrance to ask the park ranger what trail would be best to hike. He gave us directions to walk on the main road until we reach the big water container, and turn right past the water container. Once past the water container, walk toward the camp grounds, then turn left on the Goat Hill Loop. Stay walking along the Goat Hill trail until you get back on the road, then walk back toward the entrance. The trail the ranger instructed us to follow was perfect. The hike was easy. The park has an abundance of redwoods and very shady.

Serene and lush green park which quiet and less traffic in the morning. Many trails to explore and great family picnic.

For the outdoor enthusiast who doesn’t need lots of amenities, you’ll find a secluded coastal park that is a gem. Outdoor center may or may not be open. As always, check the local website (not Google) for park updates and trail closures. Surprise. It’s wet in the winter. Re-growth is occurring after the fires in the upper flat areas. Lots of fallen trees, but the paths have been cleared. Note: Six bridges trail (one of the bridges) was washed out on our visit Feb 2024.

Great park to visit up tword the front there's plenty of picnic tables the trail we went on was fun to explore. Quite a few trails are still in recovery from the Santa Cruz fire. Over all good place to spend the day and the beach is not far away by car if your looking to do some more activities.

Really enjoyed the hike here and the parks tranquilly. The staff is great and the visitor center was really cool. I’d definitely check it out if you have a day to explore. Definitely one of the better parks to explore In the area for hikers who want to get away. Parking was $10-$15 I don’t remember. Bring water and use the bathroom before you hike as there is no bathrooms on the trails I hiked on. The trails were very well kept especially after a big storm season. Great place for nature photographers!

First trip out to Butano on a beautiful Saturday morning. From the visitors center the park is in good shape and nicely kept. Unfortunately from the fires of 2020 many of the further out trails are still dangerous and closed for ongoing repairs. No camping is allowed for another few years unfortunately. With a creek running along the entrance road there is lots of green growth and shady areas. It really is a beautiful park and I look forward to coming more as new sections open up again. Currently, there is a 5mi loop available for hiking that circles around the front portion of the park.

Whether you live, taking some time to recharge in this green and beautiful place filled with redwoods and pines, moss and ferns. Kids will enjoy little creek with crossing bridges and spots a tons of banana slugs! Parking $10.

Visited in January after rains and it was absolutely gorgeous. One nice thing about it being foggy at the coast is that it does not get busy. We were almost by ourselves the whole time and it was awesome to just marvel listening to nature.

Absolutely wonderful park! Came in for a gentle hike during the last weekend of 2019 and felt like the park was to myself. I was greeted by untouched trails wandering though the lush ferns and moss covered tree trunks with fungi growth. The trail ground was pristine, absent of previous exploration throughout this seemingly underrated park. Trail signs made a slight degree of difficulty navigating the small stretches of carving pathways transporting eager day hikers. A visit during the winter is a most for solitude, I hope this pattern continues in the warmer months for a quick getaway.

Backpacked out to trail camp. Nice, moderate hike with clear trail markings (though I still got lost). "Winter" camping is still quite warm and campsites are flat have bear boxes and and an outhouse. Views are limited to the forest and the valley, but pescadero beach is nearby if that's what you need. Finally, it's just over an hour and a half from dt SF.

Gorgeous! Felt like Robin Hood and the Merry Men were gonna poke their heads out. Would be amazing for tent camping, but only short RVs (24') will fit in the campground and access road.

Native CA moved to NC Coast and back to visit family - never been to Butano. While visiting Half Moon Bay wanted to check out local coastal redwoods. Yosemite was my backyard growing up (Central Valley). Butano was super close to HMB and while it’s a self-proclaimed “least popular” or “least visited”... it was amazing!!! So many options - day camping, overnight camping, rivers….. So many hiking options. Flowers, grasses, birds, banana slugs.... etc. We did the 5 mile Jackson Flats Loop. Do NOT let “flats” trick you, it’s a hike. LOVED all the different terrains and variety of greens. So wished I would have pushed us to do more exploration in the Bay Area while living in the Silicon Valley. Glad we did this time. Highly recommended! So much to offer.

First time visiting this State Park as i plan on visiting all of them in California. I loved it. Beautiful trees and wildlife. The upper ridge loop trails, if well connected, let you walk thru different settings of forests.

This is a great place for camping or day trips. It’s easily accessible from the peninsula and South Bay area, and the drive along 1 is lovely. There are many tent sites and RV spots amidst beautiful redwoods, in addition to a creek that is easily accessible from the main road and many hikes. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating.

One of the best places for camping in the Santa Cruz mountains. The walk-in campground is our favorite. No cars to worry about. There's a ton to explore and good programs for the kids. Nice hikes too.

I LOVE this place!!! It's absolutely beautiful. I was staying with my mom at the nearby pigeon point and decided to head over, I wanted to stay in the park forever! Different level difficulties of trails for everyone, mild walks to long hikes, all with beautiful views no matter where you are! So gorgeous and ethereal, it's like fairies live there. Beautiful green moss covered trees and flowing streams. Plenty of adorable banana slugs. Look but don't touch! Touching them can harm their skin! ??

Very relaxing park with few tourists. We did the loop trail that goes all the way to the end of the park then come back. It takes about 4 hours. You will see different trees, landscapes, animals and insects. We overall loved our time there.