California's Oldest State Park Expands With 153-Acre Redwood Forest Addition

Big Basin Redwoods State Park acquires critical gateway property to aid long-term recovery from 2020 wildfire

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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California State Parks and the Sempervirens Fund have announced the permanent addition of the 153-acre NoraBella property to Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek. The $2.415 million acquisition marks the first expansion of Big Basin since 2011 and represents a major step forward in the park's long recovery from the devastating 2020 CZU wildfire.

Why it matters

The NoraBella property sits at a critical entrance to Big Basin and is expected to play a central role in the park's long-term rebuild. By shifting parking and facilities outside the heart of the redwoods, planners aim to reduce impacts on the sensitive forest ecosystem and provide a new welcome center and shuttle service to better manage visitation.

The details

Once almost entirely clear-cut at the turn of the 20th century, NoraBella is now forested across three ridges that drop into creeks, waterfalls and canyons. It includes a key tributary to Boulder Creek, part of the larger San Lorenzo River watershed. Wildlife sightings on the land have included mountain lions and gray foxes, alongside healthy stands of redwoods, Douglas-fir, coast live oak and madrone.

  • The $2.415 million acquisition was finalized in 2026.
  • Sempervirens Fund acquired the NoraBella property in 2021.
  • The devastating CZU wildfire occurred in 2020.

The players

California State Parks

The state agency responsible for managing California's network of state parks, including Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Sempervirens Fund

A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and expanding redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including facilitating the acquisition of the NoraBella property.

Roy Kaylor

The former owner of the NoraBella property, who was featured on the A&E show "Hoarders".

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What’s next

State Parks plans to establish a new welcome center at nearby Saddle Mountain, with shuttle service into the old-growth core on busy weekends.

The takeaway

The expansion of Big Basin Redwoods State Park through the acquisition of the NoraBella property represents an important step in the park's recovery and long-term resilience, allowing for better management of visitation and protection of the sensitive redwood forest ecosystem.