Camping Memorial Park SMCP

There's a humbling feeling when you're in the presence of redwoods. A gentle peace envelopes you like a fog that drifts in. This peace is found every day at Memorial Park. Its 499 acres provides an opportunity to view outstanding old-growth redwoods and has picnic facilities, a visitor center, a camp store, a creek swimming area, and campfire programs. The park is known for its family camping areas and the Tan Oak and Mt. Ellen Nature Trails.

All programs and facilities may not be available, and are subject to change. Please call the park at (650) 879-0238.

History

Timber surrounding this area was logged in the late 1800's and early 1900's, both for redwood lumber and the bark of the tan oak tree. In fact, four small sawmill sites are either on or adjacent to the present park boundaries. Fortunately, many of the areas in the park were saved from the logger's saws and were eventually acquired by the County in 1924. The park was memorialized for for the men of San Mateo County who died in the First World War.

The Depression brought many to the area when Memorial Park was established as a project camp for the Work Projects Administration created by President Roosevelt. Many of the existing restrooms, roadways and picnic sites are the result of their efforts.

Trails

Over eight miles of hiking trails, including the Mt. Ellen Nature Trail (1 mile), lead the visitor through a changing panorama of habitats from Pescadero Creek, through the woods and to the summit of Mt Ellen (elevation 600 feet). The self-guided Mt. Ellen Nature Trail offers a short and easy interpretive loop through the park's northern area.

The other trails are: Mt Ellen Summit Trail (1.6 miles), Homestead Trail (.9 mile), Creek Trail (.75 miles), Tan Oak Whole Access Nature Trail (.4 mile), Wurr Trail (.5 mile), Pomponio Trail (3 miles), and Sequoia Trail (.7 mile). A wonderful panoramic view can be seen from the westerly loop of the Pomponio Trail (elevation 995 feet).

It is always required that one stay on the marked trails, particularly in the open meadow and grassland areas where endangered plants and animals may exist. Please respect your fellow trail users and follow the guidelines for safe and courteous trail use.

Facilities

Memorial Park is open year-round for camping, picnicking and youth group activities. Family picnic sites are located at the East End of the park. They are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Memorial Park has two large family camping areas. The 158 campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites are available for up to two weeks. A maximum of eight people is accommodated per site. There are water and shower facilities and firewood is sold. The showers are coin operated - 25¢ for 2 minutes. A limited number of sites can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 35 feet in length. A dump station is available for registered recreational vehicles. A campsite availability line is available at (650) 879-0212.

There are six youth group areas (Homestead Flat Areas 1 - 6) available for overnight use. They are available by reservation for organized youth groups.

Homestead Youth Areas

Four group picnic areas accommodating 50 to 300 people can be reserved (Huckleberry Flat Areas 1- 4) and are found in the middle of the park. The sites have water, tables, electricity and barbecue pits. Bay Tree Areas 1-2 provide group picnicing and overnignt camping to for people with disabilites. These areas are available by reservation only.

Huckleberry Flat Area #1
Huckleberry Flat Area #2
Huckleberry Flat Area #3
Huckleberry Flat Area #4
Bay Tree Flat Area #1
Bay Tree Flat Area #2

Two group camping areas are located in the Wurr Flat at the southeasterly portion of the park. Each area (Wurr Flat #1 and Wurr Flat #2 accommodate 75 people) and are available by reservation.

Wurr Flat #1
Wurr Flat #2

Tan Oak Day Camp is available without need of a reservation and is filled on a first come first serve basis.

An amphitheater is located at the center of the park. There is seating for 300 plus a fire pit and stage. It is used for visitor activities and is also available for interpretive and naturalist activities. It is also a popular site for weddings and special events. The amphitheater is available by reservation.

Memorial Park Amphitheater

A camp store features camping supplies, groceries, wood, ice, ice cream, candy, and soft drinks. It is open Memorial Day through September. It is located near the park entrance in the picnic area.

Activities

An interpretive center is located next to the park office. Open daily, May-September, the center has natural and historic exhibits, game boards, and hands-on articles for visitor experience.

The park provides regular campfire and naturalist programs during the summer months. A Park Naturalist leads evening campfires, nature programs and walks on various trails. Pamphlets are also available for self guided walks on the Mt. Ellen Nature Trail.

During the summer months, a wading hole forms in Pescadero Creek just east of the amphitheater. Kids, young and old alike, enjoy wading and playing in the clear stream water and sunbathing on the beach.

Days and Hours of Operation

Memorial Park is open for day use every day of the year including holidays. It opens daily at 8:00 A.M. The closing time varies by time of year. The closing times are:

January - February 5:00 P.M.
March 6:00 P.M.
April 7:00 P.M. (before Daylight Savings Time starts)
April 8:00 P.M. (after Daylight Savings Time starts)
May - August 8:00 P.M.
September 8:00 P.M. (before Labor Day)
September 7:00 P.M. (beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day)
October 7:00 P.M. (before Daylight Savings Time ends)
October 5:00 P.M. (after Daylight Savings Time ends)
November-December 5:00 P.M. Camping is available by self-registration "iron ranger" 24 hours per day October-May.
8:00 am - midnight camps are assigned by staff June-September.
Call (650) 879-0212 for information.

Natural Features

Common plants, which may be found here, are huckleberry, poison oak, ferns, redwood sorrel and horsetail. Animals seen in abundance are Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, western grey squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and banana slugs.

Pescadero Creek is a winter home for steelhead trout as they migrate upstream to spawn and then move back to the sea in the spring. This stream is viewed as a very significant part of the local watershed and riparian corridor system. Bloomquist, Hoffman, McCormick, and Peterson Creeks join Pescadero Creek within the park boundaries.

The summer temperature is pleasant and occasionally a cool fog drifts in from the ocean. In winter, the air is crisp and the ground and plants are moist. The yearly rainfall averages 40 inches and frosts are frequent.

All of the plant and animal species are protected in the Park, and their habitats may be off limits to park users. Please observe signs carefully, and stay on marked trails and out of areas designated as protected.

Directions to the Park

When coming to Memorial Park from the bayside of the peninsula, use Highway 84 west from either Highway 280, 101 or 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Travel westbound down Highway 84 from Skyline Boulevard to Pescadero Road near the Town of La Honda. Turn left (south) on Pescadero Road. Follow Pescadero Road to the park entrance.

When coming to Memorial Park from the coastside, use Highway 1 to Pescadero Road. Follow Pescadero Road to the park entrance.\

Reservations

Memorial Park has four group picnic areas that can be reserved in Huckleberry Flat. They are Area 1 (accommodates 225), Area 2 (accommodates 100), Area 3 (accommodates 50), and Area 4 (accommodates 75).

The Wurr Flat area of Memorial park is available by reservation for group camping activities. Each area (Wurr Flat #1 and Wurr Flat #2 accommodate 75 people).

The Homestead Youth Camp has six separately areas that can be reserved, and that hold 50 youth and leaders each (total 300 for the entire area).

The Memorial Park amphitheater is available by reservation for special events. With its seating capacity of 300 and a stage, it is suitable for weddings and interpretive and naturalist presentations.

These areas are booked for the entire day. Fees are charged for using these areas. To make a reservation, call the Reservations Desk at (650) 363-4021 during normal business hours. Payment in full, by credit card, is requested at the time that you make the reservation.