The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a state park in Santa Cruz County, California, 4 miles from Aptos. Day use costs $8 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park map
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Entry to The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park costs $8 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.
- No, day use at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is 4 miles from Aptos. It is 10 miles from Santa Cruz.
- Yes, dogs are allowed at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.
Before you go
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is 4 miles from Aptos. It is 10 miles from Santa Cruz.
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Trails
- Aptos Creek Fire Road Main park road open to dogs on leash; connects to backcountry routes
- Aptos Creek Trail Follows Aptos Creek toward Five Finger Falls; upper section may be closed
- Aptos Rancho Trail Hike-and-bike single track below the steel bridge; dogs allowed
- Split Stuff Trail Hike-and-bike single track below the steel bridge; dogs allowed
- Terrace Trail Hike-and-bike single track below the steel bridge; dogs allowed
- Vienna Woods Trail Hike-and-bike single track below the steel bridge; dogs allowed
What to see
- Feature Five Finger Falls Backcountry waterfall; trail closed at Big Slide Trail intersection when posted
- Feature Second-growth redwood forest Dense coastal redwoods recovering from historic logging
Public lands next to The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
- State parkSeacliff State Beach, a state park, is 0.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkNew Brighton State Beach, a state park, is 0.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)