Portola Redwoods State Park Campground

Tucked away in a quiet forested basin off Highway 35 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Portola Redwoods State Park offers a peaceful retreat just 1½ to 2 hours from the Bay Area. Visitors are surrounded by towering redwoods, scenic hiking trails, and the soothing sounds of nearby creeks.

The drive into the park involves a steep, winding access road, so plan accordingly. Keep in mind that there are no gas stations or stores nearby, so it's best to come prepared. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the peak season.

Campground Features and Amenities

The campground is mostly geared toward tent campers, with nearly all sites designated for tents only, including several walk-in sites for a more secluded experience. Campers choose from

5 standard sites suitable for tents, RVs, or trailers
1 RV-only site
4 group tent-only sites

While there are coin-operated showers available, there are no RV hook-ups in the park.

Important Notes

Be aware that poison oak is common throughout the park, so stay on designated trails and use caution when exploring off-path.

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Campground Basics
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Location:	Portola State Park Road off Alpine Road off Highway 35 in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Elevation:	400 feet
Camping season:	April - October
Number of Sites:	53
Max. People per Site:	8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site:	2 (fee for 2nd vehicle)
Pets:	On leash, always attended
Park Headquarters:	(650) 948-9098

Reservations
Reservations Recommended:	Portola Redwoods State Park Campground reservations are available for camping dates from mid-May through Labor Day; other times campsites are first-come, first served.
Booking Window:	Reserve your campsites from 2 days up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date.
Maximum Vehicle Length:	Trailers 21 feet, RVs 24 feet
Accessible Sites:	#53
Fees:	$35 plus an $8 reservation fee
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:	Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Reservations or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Check-in, check-out:	Check-in: 2:00 PM Check-out: Noon

Campground Amenities
Campsites:	Picnic table, food locker, fire ring
Campground:	restrooms with flush toilets, tap water, campfire center, bicycle trail
Showers:	Yes, 25 cents for 2 minutes
Dump Station:	No
Campground Map:	Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Map
Nearby Attractions:	Hike along the Slate Creek Trail, the Iverson Trail, and the Sequoia Nature Trail. Enjoy campfire programs in the summer. Tour the visitor center.
Updates	Last Updated September 2025

group campground at Portola Redwoods State Park, CA

Portola Redwoods State Park Group Campground

Portola Group Camps

All 4 of the group camps are tents only (no RVs or trailers). A 50 to 200-yard walk is needed to reach the campsites from the parking areas. Group campsites must always be reserved ahead of time. A minimum of 9 people is required to reserve a group site.

Point and Circle Group Campgrounds: a maximum of 50 people and 12 cars.
Ravine Group Campground: a maximum of 25 people and 6 cars.
Hillside Group Campground: a maximum of 50 people and 12 cars.

Reservations: Portola Redwoods State Park Group Campground Reservations
Fees: $165 per night for Ravine, other sites $335 per night

campground at Portola Redwoods State Park, CA

Portola Redwoods State Park Campground

Reviews from Previous Campers

2022 - 2024

Favorite campsites: # 7,8 10,11

Enjoyable visitor center.

Tiptoe Waterfall very pretty.

Listened to owls at night and lots of other birds by day.

Clean restrooms and showers.

Portola Redwoods Attractions

Portola Redwoods State Park is one of the newest in California's state park system. It offers a variety of attractions for visitors. Those who stay at Portola Redwoods State Park Campground are close to all the park's attractions.

Explore a rugged basin, forested with redwoods, Douglas fir, and live oak.
Hike along eighteen miles of trails and beside two beautiful creeks.
Stroll along the Sequoia Nature Trail along Pescadero Creek.
Enjoy interpretive programs in the summer.
Consider an adventure to back country trail-camps along trails connecting to Castle Rock and Big Basin.
Watch for wildlife such as deer, raccoons, coyotes, and squirrels.
Tour the visitor center with displays and dioramas.

Key Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Regulations

Quiet Hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.
Wood collecting is not allowed, including twigs and leaves.
Generators may only be operated sparingly from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Scooters, skates, and skateboards are prohibited.
Dogs must be on leash and attended at all times. Dogs are not allowed on trails or in the creeks.

Portola Redwoods State Park Campground

Portola Redwoods State Park Campground

San Mateo County