Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Hollister Hills is slowly moving towards utilizing the camping reservation and payment processing system, Reserve California. (Posted September 1, 2022)

Currently, the ONLY reservable sites are:

2 remote campsites in Hudner Ranch 4x4 area
ADA campsites in Lower Ranch (dirt bike & ATV area)
Walnut Camp will be added to the reservation system in the near future

All other camping and day use remain first-come, first-serve based on availability.

This park unit is fully open. State Parks will continue to use a monitor and adapt strategy to meet any new guidance it may receive from local and state public health officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly, especially for the elderly, immune-compromised and the unvaccinated.

COVID-19 Guidelines (February 16, 2022)

Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Effective March 1, 2022, state guidance recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue masking in indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers. Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings. Please plan ahead as local county guidelines may differ from state guidance and visitors are urged to follow county guidelines when required. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

Phone Number

(831) 637-3874

Park Hours

Red Sticker Operation: OPEN October 1 through May 31. Closed June 1 through September 31.
Hours: Open 365 days a year. Vehicle operation and day use is from sunrise to sunset
Fees: Day Use $5 per vehicle. Camping $10 per vehicle per night

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dog are allowed on leash in day use and camping areas. Dogs are allowed in the Nature Area and Mudstone Ranch.

Driving Directions to Hollister Hills SVRA

Hollister Hills SVRA has multiple entrances located along Cienega Road in Hollister – the main entrance to pay fees and receive a gate combination if needed is at 7800 Cienega Road, Hollister CA 95023. (To read more about the 4x4 park and how the gates work, visit our 4x4 Recreation Page.)

The park is located approximately 5 miles south of the town of Hollister. From Union Road, head south on Cienega Road. At stop sign, make a right to continue on Cienega Road. Drive approximately 4 miles; the main entrance is on the right. The park is divided into different areas based on the type of recreation (motorcycle & ATV, four-wheeled vehicles, and non-motorized.) Each area has a separate entrance located along Cienega Road.

View on Map

All camping is first come, first serve. To learn more, visit our camping site.

Online Reservations

Upcoming Park Events

See more events for Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

10 Dec

Mad Hatter Family Poker Run - Hollister Hills Off-Road Association

1 Jan

First Day Hike

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
RV Access

TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding

DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Off-Highway Vehicles
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Family Programs
Geocaching

OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Camp Store
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Drinking Water Available

Current Trail/Weather Conditions

Hollister Hills Weather Monitoring Station

To opt-in to receive text messages on your mobile phone regarding park updates, text "hollisterhills" to 74121

OPEN

Lower Ranch (motorcycle & ATV) - Granitic, Adobe, Renz (See map)
Upper Ranch (4x4)
Hudner Ranch (4x4)

CLOSED (For public safety and natural resource, everything on Adobe Clay soil closes when wet due to its unique slick and sticky properties.)

Welcome to Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Safety Starts with You

Lower Ranch | Motorcycle & ATV Area

Upper Ranch & Hudner Ranch | Four-Wheeled Vehicles Area (non-ATVs)

Mudstone Ranch | Hiking, Bicycling, & Equestrians

Camping

Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA) is California State Parks’ first SVRA. Located in the Gabilan Mountains, just an hour’s drive south of San Jose, this unique park features over 6,800 acres and nearly 200 miles of trails in scenic and varied terrain. Visitors are drawn to the natural beauty of the park’s oak woodlands, rolling hills, lush canyons, and seasonal creeks with elevations ranging from 660 feet to 2,425 feet. Hollister Hills SVRA offers numerous off-highway vehicle (OHV) opportunities as well as designated hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails.

The park straddles the San Andreas Fault. The North American tectonic plate (North East side) consists of clay-rich adobe soil with rolling hills covered in grassland and oak woodlands. The Pacific tectonic plate (South West) consists of granitic soil with steeper terrain with pine, sage, and chaparral taking root in the sandy soil. The Pacific and North American tectonic plates have been sliding past each other for 30 million years at a current rate of about 1.5 inches per year.

To read more about the geology, plants and animals of the park visit our natural history site.

To read more about the park's story, visit our cultural history site.