The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park contains over 40 miles of trails that are a 50/50 mix of old logging roads and singletrack. The park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet (790 m). For a longer run and to avoid the fee, you can park in the lot at the corner of Soquel Dr and Aptos Creek Road. #2 – The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park – Aptos, CA. Today, the forest has regrown and is preserved as a spectacular State Park. Due to these restrictions, the Favorite Runs described below are not dog friendly. This loop covers a significant portion of the park. Elevations in the park range from sea level to more than 2,600 feet. The park was named after Nisene Marks, a passionate nature lover and the mother of a Salinas farming family that purchased the land from lumber companies (and others) in the hopes of finding oil. Other trees species include: alders, maples, and cottonwoods near creeks; tanoaks in the understory of redwoods; and Pacific madrone, California bay, and several oak species. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a state park of California, USA, protecting a secondary forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood trees in the Forest of Nisene Marks, California Department of Parks and Recreation, "Chapter 4 - Forest of Nisene Marks State Park: Epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake", Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front, California State Mining and Mineral Museum, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, University of California Natural Reserve System, Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Forest_of_Nisene_Marks_State_Park&oldid=974113487, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 21 August 2020, at 05:14. The California Annual Day Use State Parks Pass allows for vehicle parking at 125 California State Parks that charge a day use parking fee. Start the run by heading up the Aptos Creek Fire Road from George's Picnic Area, about 1.1 miles past the entrance station. The park also offers picnic tables and barbecue pits, as well as a trail camp located near Sand Point, about 6 miles from the parking lot.
For a day parking pass, i believe it was $8. It is located outside Aptos, California and contains over 40 miles (64 km) of hiking trails and fire roads through 10,223 acres (4,137 ha) of variable terrain. The park is a popular spot for running, hiking and horseback riding. Not all trails welcome furry hikers, however, so be sure to stick to the designated paths if you're visiting with your pup. Today the park is a popular spot for running, hiking and horseback riding. The trees are very nice.
At 1600' you'll reach the high point of the run, Sand Point, which provides great ocean views on a clear day.
Your pooch will surely have an unfurgettable time at the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park! The “Golden Poppy” Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass hangtag – Priced at $125, this pass includes many of the premiere “destination” parks in the redwood region, and most of the state reservoirs. :(. Not all trails welcome furry hikers, however, so be sure to stick to the designated paths if you're visiting with your pup. The trails also pass by a couple of picnic areas where you and Fido can take a pawse from exploring and dig into a packed lunch. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Forest Of Nisene Marks and Soquel Demonstration Forest bike trail in Santa Cruz. 162 reviews of Forest of Nisene Marks State Park "Great hiking trail for avid hikers that love going through strenuous terrain. This hike in Nisene Marks leads through a scenic forest views ending at the falls. After drilling efforts failed to find any oil, Marks' children donated the original 9,700 acres (3,900 ha) of land in her memory to the state of California (with the help of the Nature Conservancy) in 1963.[1]. On the climb up Aptos Creek Fire Road, you'll pass the Bottom/Top-of-the-Incline that marks the site of a narrow-gauge railway once used to transport timber. From the park entrance, you and Fido can access the Split Stuff and Aptos Rancho Trails, which lead to sunny and shady areas along the creek and connect with many other trails in the lower portion of the park. Leashed dogs are allowed on Aptos Creek Fire Road and four “hike-and-bike” single track trails below the steel bridge. The park is named for Nisene Marks, a nature lover and mother of the Salinas farming family that purchased the land in the hopes of finding oil. Located in Aptos, CA – there are plenty of trees and wilderness locations to shoot. Dogs on leash are allowed ONLY on Aptos Creek Fire Road and the following multi-use trails: Aptos Rancho Trail, Split Stuff Trail, Terrace Trail, and Vienna Woods Trail. All rights reserved. Be prepared for several creek crossings.