Wilder Ranch State Park
The Park is currently OPEN.
Please check the hours of operation.View our guided hikes and other public programs schedule and make a reservation by visiting our Parks Events page!
New Parking Fee Payment Option
CA State Parks is providing parking services through LAZ to provide you a convenient, cashless parking experience that is as easy as snapping a QR code or sending a text!
Customers can simply snap the QR code or follow the texting instructions on our signage, choose your stay and pay with either Apple Pay, Google Pay or credit card.
There is no app to download, no reservation needed, or account set-up required.
Please note: LAZ is available to pay for parking entrance fees for day-use only. Visitors are advised that pay-by-phone is not a reservation and entry is subject to availability at each park unit. If parking lots are full, visitors should wait to park before taking advantage of the pay-by-phone option. All sales are final and there are no cancellations or refunds.
Visiting Wilder Ranch
The Santa Cruz coastline awaits discovery on Wilder Ranch State Park’s 7,000 acres. From the crest of Ben Lomond Mountain, the landscape rolls down ancient wave-cut terraces through the marsh lands of a nature preserve to the seashore. Step back in time to the late 1800's and visit an early dairy ranch. You can explore California's early ranching history by visiting an 1897 Victorian home, or experience a 1896 water-powered machine shop. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the front lawn, and visit the farm animals. With more than 35 miles of trail, you can adventure into the Santa Cruz Mountains or walk along the coastal bluffs.
Crumb Clean Campaign
This park is Crumb Clean! Watch this short video to learn about the marbled murrelet, an endangered bird that nests in the park, and how you can protect it. Vea el video en español aquí.
Things to Do
EXPERIENCE HISTORY – Discover California's early ranching history and experience what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. Explore the 1897 Victorian home, 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, 1896 water-powered machine shop, rodeo arena, barns and other historic buildings on our hour long tours on weekends at 1pm (call the park to confirm).
HIKING – for recommend hikes, please click here.
BICYCLING – for recommended biking routes, please click here.
PARK EVENTS – Free Public Ranch Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. No reservation required. Meet inside Visitor Center. To view a complete list of upcoming events and activities, please click here.
HORSEBACK RIDING & CAMPING – Equestrians are allowed on all park trails and unpaved roads except those on the ocean side of Highway 1. Six equestrian-only campsites are available first-come, first-served year round. Call 831-423-9703 for access to this staging and horse-camping area near Dimeo Lane. There’s no other camping in the park.
Basic Park Information
FEES - There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee. Regular sized autos $10 (seniors $9, age 62 or older), $50 bus parking (10-24 passengers), and $100 for bus parking (25+ passengers) $100.
DOGS are not allowed at Wilder Ranch (except for service animals). For a list of locations you can take your dog in Santa Cruz County, please click here.
HORSES are allowed on all park trails and unpaved roads except those on the ocean side of Highway 1.
BICYCLES are allowed on all trails and roads at Wilder Ranch. Please obey the 15 mph speed limit; stop when approaching a horseback rider; walk bicycles through ranch complex and be respectful of hikers.
DRONES are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight.
WEDDINGS, PARTIES, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS—Please call (831) 400-8519 or email SCD.specialevents@parks.ca.gov
Teachers
Wilder Ranch offers virtual and in-person programs for school groups of 10 or more. Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Please click here for more information.
Photograph courtesy of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
Kids2Parks is an innovative park-equity program to bring students from Title 1 schools to State Park field trips. The program, a partnership between California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, increases the number of students who have visited a state park or beach by reducing barriers to access. The program offers transportation funding for field trips to select Title 1 schools in Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. For more information, and to apply please visit www.thatsmypark.org/visit/k2p/.
Volunteering
Do you enjoy nature and being outdoors? Do you want to share knowledge with others and promote conservation and stewardship? There are many ways in which you can become more involved with your parks. Please click here to find out more.