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Wilder Ranch State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,618 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Cruz, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- 35 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Wilder Ranch State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Natural landscape with diverse activities including hiking trails, picnic areas & horseback riding.
What runners say about Wilder Ranch State Park
“Whether you are looking for a casual afternoon stroll or a longer trek to take in the ocean views, the paths are well-maintained and clearly marked.”
“As of June 2026, the park is especially stunning, with colorful wildflowers carpeting the hillsides and adding even more charm to an already spectacular landscape.”
“A more quiet state park which my partner and I thoroughly enjoyed.”
“There are easy walking and biking trails with nice ocean views, perfect for a relaxed outdoor day.”
A little slice of paradise. Small slice although. The land is surrounded by farms. It's to wonder if we couldn't leave more space to all these animals. Lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place. Highly recommend to come by bicycle from Santa Cruz if you can and avoid driving there unless you can't.
Wilder Ranch State Park is a great spot for families with kids. The historic ranch area has farm animals like goats and chickens, which younger children really enjoy. There are easy walking and biking trails with nice ocean views, perfect for a relaxed outdoor day.
The Fern Grotto is a must destination in the park. The vegetation seemed to drip down water like a rain forest. Taking the Old Cove Landing Trail takes about 45 min, but yields breath-taking views of the cultural preserve beaches and cliffs. A shorter back trail will also get there in 30 minutes, but is not as scenic.
We drove by and turned in, didn’t know what to expect. We saw a mom changing diaper in the parking lot and thought she probably would know the park. It was 1:30 in the afternoon. She said what about taking the Old Cove Landing Trail of 2.1 miles, along the coast. It’s a loop, said she. That was what we did. Wow!
Trail conditions & character
“As of June 2026, the park is especially stunning, with colorful wildflowers carpeting the hillsides and adding even more charm to an already spectacular landscape.”
“🚗 Parking Logistics and Smart Workarounds Navigating the vehicle logistics is an important factor to consider before making the trip down the coast.”
“The whole loop is 4km long so it takes 1 hour to walk, or 2 hours most likely since you'll stop everywhere to watch and enjoy the beauty of this coast.”
“The trail system is incredibly approachable, making it flat, level, and very easy to walk for visitors of all fitness levels.”
“There is plenty of parking available, along with restroom facilities near the main visitor area.”
“A more quiet state park which my partner and I thoroughly enjoyed.”
“There is a bike paved path for a bit that allows cyclists and walkers to smoothly traverse the initial sections of the park before transitioning into more rugged dirt paths.”
“No dog on the trail to keep the wildlife from being disturbed.”
“5 mile loop and stopped numerous times to take in the breathtaking scenery.”
Plan your run at Wilder Ranch State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Loop distance35 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteparks.ca.gov
- Phone(831) 423-9703
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8:30 PM |
Running trails near Santa Cruz
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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