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Activities
Berry Creek Falls Information
Big Basin is home to some of the biggest trees and waterfalls in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the late spring, listen carefully for endangered marbled murrelets nesting near this waterfall.
Watch for:
Ancient coast redwoods, four waterfalls, and wildlife including woodpeckers, Steller's jays, and deer.
Hiking Details for Berry Creek Falls Hike
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation change: 2100 feet
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Trail surface: Packed dirt
Best Season: Spring
Managing agency: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Parking lot location: Click here for directions
Overview: Located in Big Basin State Park, the Berry Creek Falls trail offers a full day of hiking along Berry Creek. As you walk among many of the largest Old Growth redwood trees in the park, you’ll pass four sparkling waterfalls. Don’t miss Golden Cascade Falls, which slides over smooth rocks with a beautiful and unique yellow-orange hue.
From the park headquarters, head to the Skyline to the Sea Trail and turn right. Take a quick left onto Dool Trail, which connects you to the Sunset trail on your left. Follow the Sunset Trail to the Berry Creek Falls Trail and return by turning left onto the Skyline to Sea Trail.
Berry Creek Falls Photo Gallery
More About Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Founded in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the oldest state park in California. It was created as the result of a meeting held at Stanford in May of 1900 to discuss the land, which was threatened by logging. After the meeting, a group of businessmen, journalists, environmentalists, and politicians founded the Sempervirons Club. The club worked with the state legislature to approve a bill to purchase the land, which became known as California Redwood Park (the name changed to Big Basin Redwoods State Park in 1927). Over the years, the Sempirvirens Club has continued to push for conservation and land aquisition in the area, and has worked to develop the park and its trails, campsites, and picnic areas.