The Big Basin Redwoods State Park Facilities Management Plan (BBFMP) describes design strategies, site plans, and phasing to rebuild the park after all park facilities were lost in the 2020 CZU Fire. This story map summarizes the BBFMP (to be released in Fall 2025) and describes the plans to rebuild the park based on the multi-year engagement and planning process.
To get started, hover your cursor over the orange circles on the map below. Each of the circles corresponds to one of five planning areas: Saddle Mountain, Old Growth Core, Overnight Areas, Upper Sky Meadow Area, and Little Basin. Pages for each planning area include site plans and some of the key design and planning considerations that informed decision-making. California State Parks is excited to share these plans to rebuild Big Basin Redwoods State Park!
Parkwide Design Considerations
A primary goal for rebuilding is to once again provide types of visitor experiences that were available to park visitors prior to the 2020 CZU Fire, including day-use and camping. While circulation and the locations of some buildings, campgrounds and parking areas will change, the capacity of amenities such as camping, day-use hiking and picnicking, interpretive programming, and concessions are anticipated to be similar to pre-CZU Fire levels. Similarly, staff facilities such as housing, offices, storage, and operational yards will remain at similar capacity.
Consideration: Consolidate visitor facilities for overnight stays.
Response: Main campgrounds for car camping, cabins, and RVs will be relocated out of Former Headquarters and Old Growth forest to Huckleberry, Lower Sky Meadow, and Little Basin. Walk-in and bike-in camping will be expanded to new areas on Lower Lodge Road, collectively referred to as the Upper Sky Meadow Area, which will be closed to vehicular use.
Consideration: Restore critical habitat and watershed health in the Old Growth Area.
The overall footprint of development within the Former HQ will be reduced by approximately 50% allowing for enhancement of redwood habitat and restoration of natural water flow, which is a primary park goal.
Consideration: Construct safe, efficient, and high-functioning buildings.
All buildings will be constructed with fire resiliency, energy efficiency, sustainability, and reverence for place and history of the park. At designated sites such as the Saddle Mountain Visitor Center, buildings will be destinations onto themselves, with innovative exhibition and interpretive space welcoming visitors back to the park.
Consideration: Empower parks staff with quality housing options that meet different needs.
The plan will provide space and amenities that allow the park community to be supported while balancing the need for temporary workers and residences near key operation hubs. Staff housing will be developed in two consolidated communities, with a mix of co-housing and single-family units.
Consideration: Facilitate tribal stewardship and build trust between governments by designating space for tribal use.
A Mixed Tribal Use Space for shared use and cultural awareness of Indigenous people will be a prominent feature of Little Basin, honoring an ongoing legacy of stewardship and sovereignty by Indigenous peoples.
Consideration: Create an iconic and memorable hub of visitor activity worthy of California’s oldest State Park.
Most facilities for park operations and visitor contact will be located at Saddle Mountain. The Visitor Center is a statement for the Park and is designed to accommodate large numbers of visitors, and serves as the hub of park activity.
Consideration: Reduce visitor miles traveled and offer car-free options for exploring Big Basin.
Parking will be very limited in the Main Day Use Area, with available spots requiring timed reservations during the peak season. During peak season, most visitors will park at Saddle Mountain or Scotts Valley and get to the Main Day Use area on internal park shuttles, buses, and hiking or riding on enhanced trail connections. In addition to connecting the MDU and Saddle Mountain, the park shuttle will provide for convenient connectivity to and from the Overnight Areas and Little Basin.
