The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Category: State park

Address: Aptos Creek Rd, Aptos, CA 95003, USA

Phone: +18317637063

Opening hours

Sunday: 8AM–7PM

Monday: 8AM–7PM

Tuesday: 8AM–7PM

Wednesday: 8AM–7PM

Thursday: 8AM–7PM

Friday: 8AM–7PM

Saturday: 8AM–7PM

Reviews

Supriya Reddy

Aug 21, 2022

Our goal was to go to Maple falls. Google maps took us to some unknown road and said it was Maple falls. AllTrails app told us to go to Aptos Creek Trail head. Where we paid $8 for park entrance and parked the car at Porter Family picnic area and walked beyond the locked gate. After few mins we took Loma Prieta Grade Trail. After almost 0.5 miles encountered fork with names of the trails. We were told to take Bridge creek trail go to Maple falls, but we didn't see that name. So we took trail toward Porter House and played in the creek for sometime and turned back from there.

Dennis Millan

Feb 23, 2022

Awesome place for a nice hike or bike ride (on road and dirt roads only). Lots of trails ranging from easy to expert, with beauty in every direction. Not to mention two different waterfalls (both are quite a hike with one being a much longer hike than the other), and a couple of small areas where you and/or your kids can get wet. Dogs are only allowed on the trails near the entrance of the park and they must be on leashes. Still, this place is a must visit (at least five different times if you want to do all the trails and waterfalls). Oh, and there is a fee of $8.00 to get in. The best hikes are at the end of the road, so I recommend driving in to where the road stops (I think it's called the Porter picnic area).

Stephen Joaquin

Jan 19, 2022

Beautiful place to hike. Very green and luscious environment. The trail travels only 50-100 feet from a paved road where u can hop on the trail from many different locations. Pretty popular place so parking fills up pretty quick! Many different routes to take from 1 mile to 11 miles

Gregg Wagener

Nov 20, 2021

This is a popular park for mountain biking and hiking. It's mostly thick woods with a lot of redwoods. There are scenic spots like Sand Point. Maple Falls is lovely but the last half mile is rough terrain along the stream. The Aptos Creek Trail is closed and I lost the trail on the Big Slide Trail, so I didn't make it to the Five Fingers Falls.

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Questions & Answers

Are dogs allowed

Connie Graybeal | Aug 25, 2018
Theresa Avery | Aug 25, 2018

DOGS are only allowed on Aptos Creek fire Road and the four single-track trails below the steel bridge (named above). Except for service animals, dogs are prohibited beyond the gate at the Porter picnic area parking lot. Dogs must be attended and on leashes no longer than six feet at all times.

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Where can I get maps of this park?

marie alyse | Aug 24, 2021
Juan Ruiz | Aug 24, 2021

At the entrance of the park

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Are there public restrooms?

Robin Morrison | Aug 25, 2019
mike latta | Aug 25, 2019

Yes

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Is there geocaching at this park?

Isabella Saphorghan | Aug 25, 2018
Quinn Wildman | Mar 27, 2022

Yes!

How do strollers do on the trail?

Candice | Aug 17, 2022
Stuart Easson | Aug 17, 2022

The main 'trail' is a road, heavily used by walkers, runners, cyclists and cars. Pushing a stroller is definitely possible, and you'll see a few jog strollers.

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Are there old growth trees particularly Redwood?

Sharon Mullenaux | Sep 28, 2021
David Martinez | Oct 28, 2021

Yes there are a small number of Old Growth towards the entrance of the park and some smaller old growth along the ridge tops.

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Can you bring your pet.?

Mario Hernandez | Aug 24, 2021
Goldie Briscoe | Aug 24, 2021

Certain areas and trails.Ours LOVED it

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Can you do off roading?

raymond clavano | Aug 24, 2021
Viktor S | Aug 24, 2021

No

What kind of wildlife is found over there?

George Vasilescu | Aug 24, 2020
Esperanza Pena | Aug 24, 2020

Tadpoles, little fish, squires. Didn't see anything big but definetly beautiful place for a hike

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Which trail leads to the waterfall? Are the trails open to the public with everything going on?

Sara Kalassina | Aug 24, 2020
Mischievous Mermaid | Aug 24, 2020

They are definitely open to the public....no mask required (just keep the 6 ft.) and there are guides and other people who are really helpful. I don't know where the waterfall is....but someone will help you get there. Have a beautiful time 🌼

Will West Ridge Trail Camp be opened again?

Gerardo Diaz | Aug 24, 2020
B Do | Aug 24, 2020

It should, typically opens 30 minutes after sunrise.

What's the story with the upside down car inside the park?

Danielle Laursen | Aug 24, 2020
משה פלסר | Aug 24, 2020

، ء ء

What trails are dog friendly ?

Shaktiman K Mall (शक्ति) | Aug 24, 2020
Tina Caldwell | Aug 24, 2020

All the trails are clearly marked whether they're for dogs, or not. Also, the map you get at the gate shows all the dog friendly trails.

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Is bike trail on rough surface im riding a street/ mountain bike more on the street side

Richard Dickey | Aug 24, 2020
phil cullen | Aug 24, 2020

Not rough mtn is better not a road bike

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Are their trails kid-friendly? Meaning, will my kids survive a hike on one of their trails and not whine and complain the entire time? Will also be lugging a 11 month old in a kid carrier so please advise if any trails are do-able for my family. Thx!

Robin Morrison | Aug 25, 2019
Andrew DiMizio | Aug 25, 2019

Yes, very. Lots of shorter loops near the entrance in the trees. There were many families there when we went.

Are they open on the 4th?

Andrew Cheng (Druoo) | Aug 25, 2019
mike latta | Aug 25, 2019

Yes

Good place for wild flowers?

Radhika Malpani | Aug 25, 2019
Kim Thomas | Aug 25, 2019

This area is mostly dense forest. As such, there are not a lot of wild flowers like you would find in open meadows. That said, there are a lot of ferns, one of my favorites, and a variety of shade loving plants like wild iris, salmon berry, and lemon weed that have colorful blossoms for those that enjoy the surprise of discovering them in this beautiful setting. In the process, you will also be rewarded with yellow banana slugs, orange newts, and an assortment of mushrooms and other forest fungi.

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Do they accept card for parking

Jeb | Aug 25, 2018
Joe “PePeLePuu” P | Aug 25, 2018

yes

Can I enter the trail before 8am? Meaning if I arrive at 7am is there access to the parking lot and trial system?

Michael Byrd | Aug 25, 2018
Paul Beisser | Aug 25, 2018

Yes, just pay and go at sunrise to sunset.

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Can you park in lot by green gate?

Gaye Muir | Aug 25, 2018
Neal Weinstein | Aug 25, 2018

You can park in any lot except the one marked for campers

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Are drones allowed here?

Exploring Mundos | Aug 25, 2018
Neal Weinstein | Aug 25, 2018

It's a state park -- no drones

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is the rake real?

Armandas R | Aug 25, 2018
chris schott | Aug 25, 2018

No

Is camping allowed

Amp Luigi | Aug 25, 2018
Joe Fabris | Aug 25, 2018

There is no easy public camping at Nisene that you can drive to and park. There is a hike-in camp site on Westridge. But as of 4/2/18 it is listed as closed from damages from the last big storm.

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Hello, Is gold panning allowed in the park. Just using a pan - no sluice or dredge. Thanks

j stevens | Aug 25, 2018
Lansing Huck | Aug 25, 2018

I don't know if there is a rule about that. But I doubt if it would be a problem if you left everything the way you found it.

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Does anyone know if e-bikes are permitted on Aptos Creek Fire Road and mountain bike trails within this State Park, as they are in other Ca State Parks

tom poore | Aug 25, 2018
David Millett | Aug 25, 2018

Bikes are limited to fire roads with in the park. All singe track is Closed To Bicycles north of the steel bridge. Bikes are allowed South of the bridge on Aptos Rancho Trail, Split Stuff Trail, Terrace Trail, and Vienna Woods Trail.

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Open on Christmas?

Ellie Carranza | Aug 25, 2018
Theresa Avery | Aug 25, 2018

You self pay at the lot.

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