Ben Ries Campground

Closed — Closed indefinitely due to fire-related damage to the water system from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The backcountry trail camp is open with reservations required.

About

Ben Ries Campground is located in the heart of Butano State Park, nestled along the hillside above Little Butano Creek Canyon floor. The campground is enveloped by towering second and third-growth coastal redwood trees, creating a comfortable and serene camping environment just three miles from the Pacific Ocean. The 21 drive-in sites accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet and include picnic tables, food lockers, and fire rings. The 18 walk-in sites are tucked deeper within the redwoods, requiring a short 20 to 50-yard walk from parking areas, offering campers a more secluded experience away from roads and driveways. The campground serves as a central basecamp for exploring over 40 miles of hiking trails that wind through diverse ecosystems including redwood groves, wet riparian zones, oak woodlands, and sunny chaparral. Wildlife is abundant, with banana slugs, California newts, squirrels, woodpeckers, and owls commonly encountered. Trails range from the gentle 1.5-mile Little Butano Creek Trail to the challenging 9.5-mile Canyon Loop. The park was established in 1957 to protect the coast redwoods from logging, and today offers visitors a quiet retreat in one of California's most biodiverse forest environments.

Directions

Located off Highway 1 on the San Mateo Coast. From Pescadero, take Pescadero Road and Cloverdale Road southeast for about 4.5 miles. From the south, take Gazos Creek Road northeast from Highway 1 for 3 miles.

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