Big Basin Redwoods Sp Wastahi Campground

Closed — Closed indefinitely due to the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. All campgrounds at Big Basin remain closed as of late 2025. The park's rebuilding plan proposes permanently removing Wastahi Campground to restore the area to old-growth habitat.

About

Wastahi Walk-in Campground was one of several camping areas within Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park established in 1902. The campground featured 27 walk-in sites situated among ancient coast redwood trees, some over 1,000 years old and more than 50 feet around. Unlike drive-up campgrounds, Wastahi required campers to park in a lot and carry their gear up to 200 yards to reach their sites, rewarding visitors with greater seclusion and a more backcountry feel while still providing basic amenities like tables and fire rings. Big Basin's landscape was dramatically altered by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in August 2020, which burned through 97% of the park. While most of the ancient redwoods survived and the forest is recovering with new growth, all campground infrastructure was destroyed. According to the park's rebuilding plan, the former campgrounds in sensitive old-growth areas including Wastahi, Blooms Creek, and Sempervirens are proposed to be removed and restored to old-growth habitat rather than rebuilt. New camping facilities are planned for other locations within the park on the edges of the old-growth forest.

Directions

From Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, turn north onto Highway 236. The park entrance is 9 miles down Highway 236. Wastahi Campground was located within the main park area, approximately 1.5 miles from park headquarters.

Nearby Campgrounds