Butano State Park
Butano2
Butano5
Butano
Butano5
Butano1
Butano

About

Featuring 40 miles of hiking trails through over 4,000 acres of canyons, redwoods, oak woodland, wet riparian and sunny chaparral ecosystems, Butano State Park offers a diverse ecosystem of wildlife and plants. Created in 1957 to protect California’s coast redwoods from logging, today the park serves as a peaceful getaway from the city. Observant hikers will find find woodpeckers, newts and flowering calypso orchids in springtime can be seen among the trails.

The park sustained significant damage in the 2020 CZU Fire and some areas, including all campgrounds, remain closed.

Learn more in the California State Parks brochure.


Operating Hours

Day-Use Area Sunrise to Sunset


Directions

Butano State Park is located outside of Pescadero on the San Mateo Coast off Highway 1. The park is 3 miles northeast of the Gazos Creek Coastal Access Point by way of Gazos Creek Road, and about 4.5 miles southeast of Pescadero by way of the Pescadero and Cloverdale Roads.


Things to do

Hiking and Mountain Biking

The park has 40 miles of hiking trails, including some that are mountain-bike friendly.

Interpretive programs

Guided nature walks and weekend campfire programs are offered during the summer and on a limited schedule in winter.

Bird and plant watching

Learn about native flora and fauna in the Visitor Center.


Visitor Center

The Butano State Park Visitor Center is located at the park entrance. It features exhibits about local flora and fauna, including taxidermy mammals and birds. The visitor center is open on weekends and accepts donations.


Fees and Passes

Parking is $10 and supports the park. Credit card payments are encouraged.

Annual State Parks passes also are available to purchase at the entrance kiosk.


Services

  • Restrooms
  • Drinking water
  • Accessibility: The Nature Center is accessible and there is designated accessible parking. The restroom in the campground by site #10 also is accessible, but assistance may be needed to get to the sidewalk from the adjacent parking space.

Camping

Camping is not available at this time due to the impacts of the CZU Lightning Fire.

Ben Ries Campground’s 39 family sites have tables, food lockers and fire rings. The 21 drive-in sites can accommodate various sizes of trailers, campers and motorhomes, up to 24 feet. The 18 tent camping sites are “walk-in” and require carrying gear 20 to 50 yards from the parking area. Restrooms with flush toilets (but no showers) are nearby. All campsites can be reserved by calling 800-444-7275 or going online.

In addition, the park offers eight trail campsites for backpackers. These are 5.5 miles from the park entrance. Reservations can be made by calling 831-338-8861, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pit toilets are available. Bring drinking water. Campfires and dogs are not allowed; please use only gas or backpack stoves. Go online to learn more about trail camps.

The Ben Ries Campground is open April 1 to Nov. 30. The trail camp is open May 1 to Oct. 31.

View the Ben Reis Campground Map here.


Volunteer

To volunteer for Butano’s trail crew, call the park at 650-879-2040.


History

Butano State Park is in the unceded homelands of the Awaswas-speaking Ohlone Tribe known as the Quiroste, who stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Centuries of colonial violence led to the removal and displacement of the Quiroste. Today, their descendants continue their stewardship and presence here, in partnership with State Parks.

The name Butano probably came from the Spanish name for a drinking cup made from a bull’s horn. The park’s history has been shaped by native people, European explorers and settlers, and, more recently, loggers and preservationists.


Regulations

  • Campgrounds are “Crumb Clean.” Visitors are required to watch this short video about the impact your food has on park wildlife.
  • Dogs are permitted in the campground and in paved, developed areas, providing they are controlled with a leash of no more than 6 feet at all times. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.
  • All single-track trails at Butano are closed to bikes and horses. Fire roads are open to bicycling.
  • For safety and resource protection, games such as ball, horseshoes, badminton and similar activities are not allowed in the park.
  • Build fires in the fireplaces provided; do not leave fires unattended. Camp stoves are permitted.
  • Quiet time in the campground is 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily. Do not operate generators between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m.

Recreate Responsibly

Before you visit, check the Recreate Responsibly page to protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these measures during your visit.


More Info

(650) 879-2040

Plan Your Visit

Get Directions

show options hide options