> Canonical: https://caparks.org/parks/the-forest-of-nisene-marks-state-park > Content revision: 2026-10-20T20:49:56.974Z [State parks](https://caparks.org/types/state-park)[Santa Cruz](https://caparks.org/counties/santa-cruz) # The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Santa Cruz · California Department of Parks and Recreation BEFORE YOUR VISIT Closure noticeTrails & roads ### The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park: Aptos Creek Trail, Five Finger Falls approach and West Ridge Trail Camp Park-specific information - [Aptos Creek Trail, Five Finger Falls approach and West Ridge Trail Camp](https://caparks.org/parks/the-forest-of-nisene-marks-state-park) Storm damage and erosion close these routes and the trail camp. Road erosion also creates single-lane sections; check the current park map and follow closures. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 PLAN YOUR VISIT ## The practical details. **Managing agency**: California Department of Parks and Recreation **Telephone**: [(831) 763-7063](tel:8317637063) **Hours**: Sunrise to Sunset [Official park information](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666) We have not yet verified entry fees, accessibility details. Confirm these with the managing agency before traveling. Check notice timestamps and official updates. Conditions can change between source checks. ## Weather & forecast National Weather Service · [Official forecast ↗](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.9856&lon=-121.905) ## About The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is listed in official public-land records for Santa Cruz, California and is managed by California Department of Parks and Recreation. Our research into visitor facilities is ongoing. Check the managing agency’s information for public entrances, permitted activities, and current access. ## Activities & facilities [Picnicking ↗](https://caparks.org/activities/picnicking)[Geocaching ↗](https://caparks.org/activities/geocaching)[Hiking ↗](https://caparks.org/activities/hiking)Remote CampingParkingRestroomsHistorical/Cultural SitePicnic AreasInterpretive ExhibitsHiking Trails Recorded from park sources. Availability and restrictions may vary by season or visitor area. ## Mapped hiking trails. OpenStreetMap routes that intersect recorded park boundaries. Distances cover each route’s mapped California portion, which may extend beyond this park. Check official maps and current access rules. - [Aptos Creek Fire Road ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/aptos-creek-fire-road-osm-14060934)13.5 mapped mi - [Aptos Creek Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/aptos-creek-trail-osm-14064301)3.7 mapped mi - [Aptos Rancho Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/aptos-rancho-trail-osm-14061159)1.7 mapped mi - [Big Slide Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/big-slide-trail-osm-14064302)1.2 mapped mi - [Big Stump Gap Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/big-stump-gap-trail-osm-14064305)0.4 mapped mi - [Bridge Creek Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/bridge-creek-trail-osm-14064299)1.9 mapped mi - [Buggy Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/buggy-trail-osm-14061167)0.4 mapped mi - [Buzzard Lagoon Road ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/buzzard-lagoon-road-osm-14064308)4.4 mapped mi - [Corral Road ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/corral-road-osm-14064311)1.7 mapped mi - [Cusack's Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/cusacks-trail-osm-14064307)1.1 mapped mi - [Hihn's Mill Road ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/hihns-mill-road-osm-14064309)7.8 mapped mi - [Hinckley Basin Fire Road ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/hinckley-basin-fire-road-osm-14064306)3.1 mapped mi - [Loma Prieta Grade ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/loma-prieta-grade-osm-14064298)3.4 mapped mi - [Mill Pond Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/mill-pond-trail-osm-14064300)0.1 mapped mi - [Oak Ridge Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/oak-ridge-trail-osm-14061163)0.8 mapped mi - [Old Growth Loop Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/old-growth-loop-trail-osm-14061161)0.7 mapped mi - [Porter Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/porter-trail-osm-14064297)0.9 mapped mi - [Ridge Connection Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/ridge-connection-trail-osm-14064304)0.8 mapped mi - [Ridge Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/ridge-trail-osm-14064310)3.4 mapped mi - [Split Stuff Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/split-stuff-trail-osm-14061160)0.2 mapped mi - [Terrace Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/terrace-trail-osm-14061164)0.8 mapped mi - [Terrace Trail Connection ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/terrace-trail-connection-osm-14061165)0.2 mapped mi - [The Advocate Tree Spur Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/the-advocate-tree-spur-trail-osm-19227302)under 0.1 mapped mi - [Twisted Grove Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/twisted-grove-trail-osm-14061162)under 0.1 mapped mi - [Vienna Woods Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/vienna-woods-trail-osm-14061166)0.9 mapped mi - [West Ridge Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/west-ridge-trail-osm-14064296)5.4 mapped mi - [White's Lagoon Trail ↗](https://caparks.org/trails/whites-lagoon-trail-osm-14064303)0.3 mapped mi [All mapped hiking routes ↗](https://caparks.org/trails) Trail data © [OpenStreetMap contributors](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright) · [ODbL](https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/) ## Find your way. Map points represent park land, not verified visitor entrances. Follow the managing agency’s entrance directions. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. This point represents park land, and may not be a public entrance. Follow official entrance directions. [Official visitor information & directions ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666) ## Read before you roam. [THE FIELD GUIDE ### Reading trail closures before a California park visit Plan around the named trail, road, or visitor area in an official notice, and distinguish a partial reopening from complete access. Read the guide](https://caparks.org/guides/trail-closures-and-partial-reopenings) ## Sources & verification Park facts and notices are checked separately. Missing facility information does not mean a facility is absent. Official visitor page checked Oct 20, 2026. - [California State Parks visitor directory](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21805) · Oct 20, 2026 [Suggest a correction](https://caparks.org/about#corrections) · [Markdown version](https://caparks.org/parks/the-forest-of-nisene-marks-state-park.md) ## Nearby parks. Within 35 miles in a straight line. Travel distances and entrances vary. [All parks](https://caparks.org/parks) [Santa Cruz ### Seacliff State Beach Camping · Picnicking](https://caparks.org/parks/seacliff-state-beach) [Santa Cruz ### New Brighton State Beach Camping · Interpretive programs](https://caparks.org/parks/new-brighton-state-beach) [Santa Cruz ### Manresa State Beach Camping · Interpretive programs](https://caparks.org/parks/manresa-state-beach)