Portola Redwoods State Park, State park with ancient redwoods in San Mateo County, United States
Portola Redwoods State Park covers 2,800 acres (1,100 ha) in San Mateo County, where Peters Creek and Pescadero Creek converge with their tributaries. Its 18 miles (29 km) of trails pass redwood groves and lead to Tip Toe Falls, a small cascade on Fall Creek. Moss-covered rock faces above the waterline carry bands of ferns along their base.
The land passed to the Masonic Lodge in 1924, who later sold it to the state of California. The park was established in 1945 to protect this forest area.
The Quiroste people, part of the Ramaytush Ohlone communities, lived here and fished for salmon and trout in the local waters. Their connection to this land remains woven into the landscape today.
The park provides 50 car-camping sites, four group campsites, and six trail campsites at Slate Creek Trail Camp for overnight stays. Weather conditions can affect trail quality, so checking conditions before your visit helps ensure a smooth experience.
The Old Tree, reached by a 1.2-mile roundtrip trail, is estimated at 1,200 years old and stands over 300 feet tall. The park also holds the site of Page shingle Mill, for which Page Mill Road is named.
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