Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

*HEAT ALERT: With temperatures set to exceed 110 degrees throughout much of the state this week, California is urging everyone to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July. Governor Newsom has directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center. Read about how California is preparing for this heatwave. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of California from 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, through Sunday, July 7, at 8 p.m. PDT. Please be sure to take extra precautions when heading outdoors and know before you go by checking the park’s webpage ahead of time. Visit our safety tips webpage and get the latest on the weather at weather.gov.

The Park is currently OPEN.

Reservations

Additional Reservation Info

Contact Number

(831) 637-3874

Park Accessibility Information

View the Park Accessibility Information

Park Hours

Red Sticker Operation: OPEN October 1 through May 31. Closed June 1 through September 31.
Hours: Open 365 days a year. Vehicle operation and day use is from sunrise to sunset
Fees: Day Use $5 per vehicle. Camping $10 per vehicle per night

Park Activities

Are Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dog are allowed on leash in day use and camping areas. Dogs are allowed in the Nature Area and Mudstone Ranch.

Day-Use Activities & Facilities

Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Off-Highway Vehicles
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Family Programs
Geocaching

Trail Use

Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding

Park Facilities

EV Information

E-Bike Locations
EV Charger Icon

EV Charger Locations

Overnight Facilities

Family Campsites
Group Campsites
RV Access

Other Facilities & Visitor Information

Camp Store
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Drinking Water Available

Park Directions

Get directions through Google Maps

Hollister Hills SVRA has multiple entrances located along Cienega Road in Hollister – the main entrance to pay fees and receive a gate combination if needed is at 7800 Cienega Road, Hollister CA 95023. (To read more about the 4x4 park and how the gates work, visit our 4x4 Recreation Page.)

The park is located approximately 5 miles south of the town of Hollister. From Union Road, head south on Cienega Road. At stop sign, make a right to continue on Cienega Road. Drive approximately 4 miles; the main entrance is on the right. The park is divided into different areas based on the type of recreation (motorcycle & ATV, four-wheeled vehicles, and non-motorized.) Each area has a separate entrance located along Cienega Road.

Current Trail/Weather Conditions

Hollister Hills Weather Monitoring Station

To opt-in to receive text messages on your mobile phone regarding park updates, text "hollisterhills" to 74121

CLOSED (For public safety and natural resources, everything on Adobe clay soil closes when wet due to its unique slick and sticky properties.)

The following areas are closed until further notice.

Some of Renz Ranch in the Lower Ranch (Motorcycle & ATV) (See Map)

OPEN

Upper Ranch (4x4 vehicles, ROVs)
Granitic areas, Adobe areas, and most trails in Renz Ranch (see below) of Lower Ranch (Motorcycle & ATV) (See Map)
- Open Renz Trails: Fault Line, Four Corners, Lights Out, Garcia Gulch, OK Corral, Dinosaur Loop, Windmill Maze, Back Tank, San Andreas Drop
Hudner Ranch (4x4 vehicles, ROVs)
Mudstone Ranch (Hiking, Biking, & Equestrian)

CAUTION: Always be aware of changing hazards on trails. Ride at your own risk!

Welcome to Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Safety Starts with You

Lower Ranch | Motorcycle & ATV Area

Upper Ranch & Hudner Ranch | Four-Wheeled Vehicles Area (non-ATVs)

Mudstone Ranch | Hiking, Bicycling, & Equestrians

Camping

Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA) is California State Parks’ first SVRA. Located in the Gabilan Mountains, just an hour’s drive south of San Jose, this unique park features over 6,800 acres and nearly 200 miles of trails in scenic and varied terrain. Visitors are drawn to the natural beauty of the park’s oak woodlands, rolling hills, lush canyons, and seasonal creeks with elevations ranging from 660 feet to 2,425 feet. Hollister Hills SVRA offers numerous off-highway vehicle (OHV) opportunities as well as designated hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails.

The park straddles the San Andreas Fault. The North American tectonic plate (North East side) consists of clay-rich adobe soil with rolling hills covered in grassland and oak woodlands. The Pacific tectonic plate (South West) consists of granitic soil with steeper terrain with pine, sage, and chaparral taking root in the sandy soil. The Pacific and North American tectonic plates have been sliding past each other for 30 million years at a current rate of about 1.5 inches per year.

To read more about the geology, plants and animals of the park visit our natural history site.

To read more about the park's story, visit our cultural history site.