Rules & Regulations

The key rules at Portola Redwoods State Park: dogs only in campsites, picnic areas, on paved roads and the Upper and Lower Escape Roads, on a six-foot leash; bikes and horses only on the Old Haul service road (bikes also on paved roads); no drones; no fishing; no gathering firewood; and leave no food out for the birds. Quiet hours in the campground run from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Dogs

Dogs may be in campsites, picnic areas, on paved roads and on the Upper and Lower Escape Roads, on a leash no longer than six feet and attended at all times. At night they stay inside a tent or vehicle with their owner. Except for service animals, they are not allowed on hiking trails, dirt roads, in the visitor center or at Slate Creek Trail Camp. Details on the dogs page.

Bikes and Horses

Bicycles and horses are not allowed on any hiking trail. The Old Haul service road is open to both, and bikes may also use paved roads. Helmets are required for riders under 18. See Old Haul Road.

Drones

Model aircraft, drones (unmanned aircraft systems) and gliders are not allowed in flight anywhere in the park. State Parks cites wildlife, cultural resources, and the safety of visitors and staff.

Fishing

No fishing is allowed in the park. Pescadero Creek holds protected coho salmon and steelhead trout.

Firewood and Fires

Buy firewood at the park office or from the camp host. Do not gather wood; fallen wood feeds the forest. At Slate Creek Trail Camp, fires are not allowed at all, though backpacking stoves are allowed except in extreme fire danger.

Food and Wildlife: Crumb Clean

Leave no food out, not even a crumb. Jays, ravens and crows drawn to scraps also eat the eggs and chicks of the endangered marbled murrelet. State Parks requires visitors to watch its short crumb-clean video.

Protected Features

All natural and cultural features are protected by law and must not be disturbed or removed. That includes plants, wood, rocks and historic sites such as the Page Mill and Iverson Cabin sites.

Campground Rules

• Check-in 2 p.m., check-out noon.
• Quiet hours 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.; no generators from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.; no sound beyond your site at any time.
• Up to 8 people and 2 cars per family site; group camp limits are strictly enforced.
• Trailers up to 21 feet and motor homes up to 24 feet, in RV sites 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 19 only.
• Without a reservation, register one night at a time for a listed open site.
• Under-18s without a parent or guardian need written permission; under-15s need a parent present.

Trail Camp Rules (Slate Creek)

Reservation only, no dispersed camping, six people per site, carry your permit, be off the trails by sunset, no dogs, no horses, no smoking, no washing dishes or bathing in the creek, and hammocks only with tree straps and never on redwoods.

Events and Permits

Weddings, parties and special events need a permit: call (831) 335-6324 or email mtnspecevent@parks.ca.gov.