Portola Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates April through October but is currently closed due to construction on a new water storage tank that began September 16, 2025, and is scheduled to finish March 23, 2026. Most campsites are closed during construction, though some group sites may remain open. Day use reopened December 27, 2025, after temporary closure due to storm damage.

About

Portola Campground is nestled in a rugged natural basin within Portola Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains of San Mateo County. The campground features 55 family campsites, four hike and bike sites, and four group camps set among towering coast redwoods, Douglas fir, and live oak trees. The park encompasses 2,800 acres of forested terrain where Peters Creek and Pescadero Creek converge, creating a tranquil environment far from the bustle of nearby Silicon Valley. Eighteen miles of trails wind through the park, ranging from easy walks like the 0.75-mile Sequoia Nature Trail to strenuous hikes such as the 13-mile round-trip Bear Creek Trail leading to Peters Creek and its magnificent old-growth redwoods. The park protects one of the tallest redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 300 feet high. Waterfalls on Fall and Pescadero creeks tumble down mossy banks, and interpretive exhibits reveal marine fossils from when the area was covered by ocean. The Slate Creek Trail Camp provides a backcountry option for backpackers seeking a more remote experience. With its steep, winding access roads and remote location, the park offers a genuine wilderness escape.

Directions

From Highway 35, turn west onto Alpine Road, go 3 miles, and turn onto Portola State Park Road. The road dead ends in the park. Use low gear as both roads are steep and winding. Check in at the park office 1 mile inside the park on the main road.

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