About Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Campsites in the Lower Campground and Upper Campground remain First-Come, First-Serve based on availability and are currently non-reservable on our website. Please come see us at the kiosk for available sites. The only reservable sites currently are the 2 remote campsites in Hudner Ranch (4x4 area), and the ADA campsites in Lower Ranch (dirt and ATV area).

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.

EV Information

e-bike icon E-Bike Locations
  EV Charger Locations

Overnight Facilities

  • Family Campsites
  • Group Campsites
  • RV Access
Other Facilities

  • Camp Store
  • Parking
  • Restrooms / Showers
  • Drinking Water Available
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
OHV Parts and Supply Store

HHSVRA 50th Anniversary Celebration 10/11/25

Join us on Saturday, October 11, 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hollister Hills! Festivities will be in Lodge Campground from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Learn about the park's history from presenters, shop and eat from various vendors, and enjoy free day use entry! 

Current Trail Conditions

TRAIL CLOSURES
Check current weather at the Hollister Hills Weather Station
   Status  * Closed Trails *  Reason for closure  Estimated to open
 Motorcycles/ATVs        
 Adobe Area
OPEN
Walnut Campground closed
Seasonal closure
Fall 2025
Renz Ranch 
OPEN*
 
 
 
 
 
Fenceline closed 
Storm damage 
Spring 2026 
Granitic Area 
OPEN 
 
 
 
 
4x4s/ROVs 
 
 
 
 
Upper Ranch 
OPEN 
 
 
 
Hudner Ranch 
OPEN  
 
 
 
 
Hiking/Cycling
 
 
 
 
Mudstone Ranch 
OPEN 
 
 
 
Nature Area 
OPEN*  
Bird Creek Road at seismic station
Storm damage 
 Spring 2026

CAUTION: Trail conditions can change at any minute. Please be aware of your surroundings and ride at your own risk!


 

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foggy grasslandsHollister 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.

Basic Park Information

Fees: The day use fee for all areas is $5. Camping is $10 per vehicle. Self-pay stations can be found at the Mudstone parking lot and at the Ranger Office at the main park entrance. 

Park Hours: Day use is sunrise to sunset. The park is open 365 days a year including holidays.
(*Please note, the Adobe and Renz areas close during wet conditions for public safety and natural resource protection.)

Special Passes: We accept OHV Annual Passes, Distinguished Veteran Passes, and Disabled Discount Passes for entry. The OHV Annual Pass allows for free entry for day use only, while the discounts associated with the other two apply to day use and camping. You can apply for these passes in person at our office or online at reservecalifornia.com.

We do not allow the following passes for entry, but they can be purchased in the office: Golden Bear Pass, Senior Golden Bear Pass, and the California Explorer Pass.

More information about pass eligibility and locations to buy them can be found at the State Parks Passes website.

Events: We offer a variety of ranger-led education activities and special events. View a list of our upcoming events on our events calendar.

Dogs are allowed on a tended leash (leash maximum is 6 feet). 

Equestrians are allowed in Mudstone Ranch.

Fireworks are prohibited.

Drones are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight.

Loaded firearms and hunting are not allowed in units of the State Parks System. Possession of loaded firearms or air rifles is prohibited.

e-bicycles Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed to ride at Mudstone Ranch and in the Nature Area. The main California State Parks website has more information on the Department's e-bike policies.