The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Home
United States
Aptos, CA
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Home to redwood forest both ancient and rejuvenating, epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

Home to redwoods both ancient and rejuvenating, lumber boom towns, epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

01/22/2026

Update of Prescribed Burn in The Forest of Nisene Marks 🔥

With the help of CalFire and Mid Pen, we successfully completed ignition across our 13-acre plot at the top of Nisene Marks yesterday. Crews will monitor the burn around the clock until it’s fully out, which may take up to 10 days.

Some smoke is expected in the area. Please avoid the burn site and be mindful of air quality—especially if you’re sensitive to smoke.

The park remains open.

01/20/2026

California State Parks is planning a prescribed burn in the northeast corner of The Forest of Nisene Marks on January 20 to early February.

About thirteen acres of forest along the Santa Rosalia Ridge along the Aptos Creek Fire Road have been prepared for treatment in the multi-day burn plan.

Prescribed burning is used to reduce fuel in the case of a wildfire. This project will aid in forest health, improve emergency access and increase biodiversity. These burns are permitted, planned and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts on the surrounding communities.

People around Soquel, Corralitos, and the Monterey Bay area may see smoke on the days of burning.

While the park will remain open, it is recommended to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible near the active burn areas.
If conditions are not conductive for the burning, burns will be rescheduled.

For more information, call the Santa Cruz District prescribed burns hotline at 831-216-6459 or email [email protected]

12/30/2025

🌧️Due to the high chance of rain and potentially strong winds, the First Day Hike at Nisene Marks has been canceled. 🌧️

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to see you at a future state park event. 🌲

12/20/2025

🎉 Start the New Year in the Forest with fresh air, history, and redwoods!🌲
Join us for a guided walk at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park on January 1 at 9:00 AM.
We’ll take you to the Porter estate, the former town of Loma Prieta, the old lumber mill remains, discover marine fossils, and learn about the incredible survival of giant redwoods.

📍 Meet at George’s Picnic Area (before the Steel Bridge)

💵 $8 park entrance fee (parking is limited—carpool if you can!)

👟 Bring water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and dress for cold/wet weather

🌧️ Steady rain cancels

🚫 No pets, please

👉 Sign up here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30737

❔ Questions? Please call 831-685-6444

We'll see you there!

📍Aptos Tribal Land.

07/11/2025

🌲 New Sign Alert! 🌲

Heading to The Forest of Nisene Marks? Keep an eye out for our new entrance sign on Aptos Creek Road! If you see it—you’re almost there! Just follow the road to the entrance kiosk.

Huge thanks to Swenson Builders for funding the sign 🙏

🌿 Coming soon: The Advocates of Nisene Marks will be landscaping around the sign with native plants to make it even more beautiful. Stay tuned!

📍 Aptos Tribal Land

05/28/2023

Are you missing us? 😢 We have officially moved to our new account, Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks. Head over there to stay up to date with all the latest happenings within state parks in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Image Description: Four photos of the Santa Cruz Mountain Parks (a shaded river, a scenic mountain view with two large trees in the foreground, a banana slug crawling over bark, and looking up at many tall redwoods) with the text “We Moved! ” centered in the middle.

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Mountain Parks Foundation Portola and Castle Rock Foundation Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Save the Redwoods League Sempervirens Fund

05/27/2023

⏰ Time is running out! There is only 1 day left until we transition to our new account, Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks. This account will be your one-stop shop for all things park related including park updates, interesting nature/historical facts, and connecting with fellow park lovers.

☝️ Be sure to follow us at Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks!

Image Description: a sign hanging with the text, “we’re moving” and a large number 1

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Mountain Parks Foundation Portola and Castle Rock Foundation Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Save the Redwoods League Sempervirens Fund

05/26/2023

Do you love state parks? 🌲 Do you enjoy learning about nature? 🧐 Want to brush up on California history? 🌁 If you answered yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow us on Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks.

We officially make the transition on May 26th so be sure to follow us on the new account! See you there!

Image Description: a sign hanging with the text, “we’re moving” and a large number 2

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Mountain Parks Foundation Portola and Castle Rock Foundation Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Save the Redwoods League Sempervirens Fund

05/25/2023

📣 We have something exciting in store for you! Beginning May 26, 2023, we will be moving to a new account, Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks. Be sure to follow along so you can stay up to date with the latest park happenings and connect with the community of park lovers!

Image Description: a sign hanging with the text, “we’re moving” and a large number 3

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Mountain Parks Foundation Portola and Castle Rock Foundation Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Save the Redwoods League Sempervirens Fund

04/29/2023

📨 This is your invitation to follow our new account !

Our current accounts for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Castle Rock State Park, Portola Redwoods State Park, Butano State Park, and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park will be moving over to this new account on May 26. Please join us there for more great State Parks content!

📍 Ohlone Tribal Land

04/14/2023

Have you followed our new account Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks yet? It’s got great info and fantastic photos and videos of some of your favorite state parks, including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Castle Rock State Park, Portola Redwoods State Park, Butano State Park, and the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. What are you waiting for? Join us today!

⚠️Make sure to follow Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks soon as the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park account will be closed in May 2023.

Image description: A circle of 6 round photos highlighting Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks including two hikers on a trail at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a view of the Santa Cruz Mountains, a State Park Interpreter and children looking up at redwood canopy, a cluster of ceanothus flowers, a rough skinned newt, and a upward view of a redwood canopy. The photos have different whimsical arrows that point to the circle center where text reads, “Follow Us! ”

📍Ohlone Tribal Lands

04/13/2023

⚠️Park Update ⚠️

While the entire park remains closed to vehicles due to a road failure, Aptos Creek Fire Road is now open to pedestrians and cyclists. The last section of the Bridge Creek Trail to Maple Falls remains closed until further notice due to storm related damage.

We look forward to having you in the park and thank you for observing these trail and road closures.

Image Description: A redwood forest on a sunny day with the text "Park Update - The entire park closed to vehicles"

📍Aptos Tribal Land

Address

Aptos Creek Road
Aptos, CA
95003

Telephone

(831) 763-7063

Website

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Aptos?