The signs used to say “Lane-Sunset Trail Camp”, but the “Sunset” was peeled off.
This archived page shows what Big Basin was like before the August 2020 lightning fire. It does not describe current conditions. See the main Big Basin page for current park information.
Lane Trail Camp is one of the more secluded camps in Big Basin. It’s a very nice backcountry camp that’s literally off the beaten path, on a ridgetop just off the little-used Basin Trail. The area has small trees and little groundcover and is very dry-looking by Big Basin’s standards. There are a few small redwoods in the shadier areas, but the camp isn’t really in the redwoods; its elevation is too high. Due to the dry environment, thet camp has few bugs and no poison oak.
All the sites are pretty good; there’s a lot of separation between them and they’re all wooded. Site 5 is the best, since it’s on top of a small knoll that gets good late-afternoon light through the trees. Site 4 has the most privacy but is small and the least attractive.
The campground is usually quiet, but it’s right on the road to the Cutter Scout Reservation. In the winter the road only gets maybe one or two cars per hour; I haven’t been there when the scout camp is in session.
There’s no water at the camp and no creeks anywhere nearby. Fires are not allowed but backpacking stoves are OK. The camp isn’t maintained from November through April, meaning that campers have to bring their own toilet paper and pack out their trash. Even though the camp isn’t that busy, the maximum stay is 1 night, just like all of Big Basin’s trail camps.
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Site 6
© 2018 David Baselt
