Bay Area Backcountry: Franklin Point

Big Basin has 19,000 acres of first-growth redwood forests. Nice temperatures all year round. Very wet early in the year.

There is no potable water at any of the trail-camps. The streams are polluted by nearby civilization, so boil, filter, or treat all water before consumption.

The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail runs through Big Basin - you can follow it uphill to Castle Rock State Park or downhill to the Rancho del Oso nature center near Highway 1.

Reservations are accepted for campsites, and a permit must be obtained from the Ranger's Station before camping at the trail sites.

Butano occupies a large canyon climbing inland from the coast. The canyon is heavily forested with redwoods, with occasional meadows and fern grottos. An especially nice trail runs around the rim of the canyon.

You can hike the fire roads all the way to Big Basin State Park.

Bicycle friendly - there are over 10 miles of fire roads for riding. Bikes are not permitted on the trails.

Campground have restrooms, each campsite has a table and stove. Some of the sites are walk-in, although not a long walk. Water and toilets are available.

There is also a trail camp - no potable water, but some unreliable streams are nearby.