This website is sponsored by the Waddell Creek Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We seek to inspire the appreciation and stewardship of nature by working in cooperation with California State Parks to support educational and volunteer programs at Rancho del Oso.
VOLUNTEER Please join us! DONATE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for our 30th annual Wildflower Weekend!
Saturday May 2 & Sunday May 3
10am to 4pm
Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center
Photo by Ken Koll
Springtime blossoms are already appearing in the Waddell Valley despite the hot, dry winter.
Now April’s showers are coaxing more along and helping to extend the flowering season.
Come see what’s in bloom!
*Featuring flower displays, along with guided and self-guided hikes,
that will increase your knowledge of the plants growing along the central coast.
*Flower-related crafts – botanical gel print bookmarks, and other crafts for all ages.
2pm Saturday May 2 – Beginner’s watercolor workshop focused on flowers
led by Santa Cruz artist Erika Perloff
Sign up here
DOCENTS WANTED
Have you ever considered volunteering at a State Park?
Rancho del Oso is looking for new docents to welcome visitors and
introduce them to the natural and cultural history of the area.
To sign up, go to Get Involved – Volunteer.
Photo by L.-Shaw
RANCHO DEL OSO NATURE & HISTORY CENTER
Located on the south side of Waddell Creek
Explore displays featuring the plants, animals, and people
who’ve made the Waddell Valley home over the centuries.
Saturdays and Sundays, noon – 4 pm
RANCHO DEL OSO WELCOME CENTER
Located on the north side of Waddell Creek
Open Saturdays and Sundays noon – 4pm
Stop in to see the interactive exhibits and beautiful wall murals.
THE HOOVER LOOP TRAIL IS OPEN
The trail begins across from the Nature and History Center and provides an up close look
at the recovering Monterey Pine forest, spring wildflowers,
and sweeping views of Waddell Beach, Año Nuevo island, and beyond.
Young Monterey pines
CAMPING AT RANCHO DEL OSO
Five walk-in campsites are now available by reservation in the former Horse Camp, with parking nearby. A sixth, non-reserved, shared bike-in site is also available. Horse camp will eventually be reinstated for equestrian use once trail access is restored. In the meantime campers can enjoy a great location on Santa Cruz county’s north coast. The Nature & History Center and Hoover loop trail can be accessed via the Marsh trail and Waddell Creek seasonal bridge, May through October.
To make a reservation or for more information, visit: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31302
The green sections of the park are open. ALL OTHER TRAILS REMAIN CLOSED
OPEN
The north side of Waddell Creek is open for pedestrian use from the gate at Hwy 1 to the gate just past the picnic area and bathrooms. On the south side of the creek, the Hoover loop trail begins across from the Nature and History Center. The Marsh trail connects both sides of the creek during the dry season (usually May – October) when the seasonal bridge is in place.
CLOSED
The Skyline-to-the-Sea and Bypass trails remain closed due to hazardous conditions left by the August 2020 CZU Complex Fire and excessive rains in 2023. Please honor these closures for your personal safety, as well as to allow these fragile areas time to recover.
For up-to-date trail information, go to https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28975
To read about the long term plan to re-store and re-open the entire park, visit https://reimaginingbigbasin.org/
SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
Call the Nature and History Center (831) 427-2288 or use our contact page to arrange a trip for your class.
GUIDED BACKPACKING
Guided Backpacking is cancelled at Big Basin until further notice.
Check the CASPBA website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28503
or these Santa Cruz Mountain Parks for info about their programs:
Portola Redwoods State Park https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=539
Castle Rock State Park https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538
