Lehi Park Recreation Camp

For Californians seeking a truly expansive and versatile outdoor experience, Lehi Park Recreation Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains stands out as an exceptional destination. Spanning over 1000 acres of breathtaking mountain property, this unique park, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers a diverse range of opportunities for groups, families, and individuals alike. Whether you're planning a large youth camp, a serene family reunion, or a simple weekend getaway to reconnect with nature, Lehi Park provides a rich and accommodating environment. Its blend of vast natural beauty and thoughtfully provided facilities makes it a remarkable find for local users looking for more than just a typical campsite.

Imagine a place where ancient redwood groves provide a spiritual backdrop for devotional services, where miles of trails invite exploration, and where children can enjoy dedicated playgrounds. Lehi Park Recreation Camp is designed to facilitate all these experiences and more, making it a beloved retreat for many. This article will delve into the various facets of Lehi Park, offering a comprehensive overview of its unique location, the extensive services and amenities available, and the distinct features that make it such a highly recommended choice for residents across California.

The demand for quality recreational spaces that can host both large groups and offer individual solitude is high in California. Lehi Park masterfully meets this demand, providing tailored experiences for LDS Ward and Stake groups, but also welcoming families and individuals throughout the year. Its commitment to providing a holistic experience, combining outdoor recreation with spaces for spiritual and communal gatherings, sets it apart. We understand the importance of detailed information when planning your next outdoor adventure, and we aim to provide just that, ensuring you can make the most of your visit to this remarkable Santa Cruz Mountain gem.

Let's explore what makes Lehi Park Recreation Camp an ideal choice for your next outdoor gathering or personal retreat in the heart of California.

Lehi Park Recreation Camp boasts an impressive location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near the charming towns of Felton and Boulder Creek. Its official address, Helaman Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA, points to its presence within this iconic Californian landscape. This positioning offers both a sense of serene remoteness and practical accessibility for locals. For residents of the Bay Area and central California, the drive to Lehi Park is a scenic journey into towering redwoods and lush forest, immediately setting a tone of natural immersion.

The park's vast size, over 1000 acres, contributes to its ability to feel secluded while still offering robust facilities. While specific access routes within the park might be managed for various groups, the main entrance is generally well-known and accessible. The park is open every month of the year, a significant advantage for those seeking off-season camping or retreats. This year-round operation ensures that whether you're looking for a summer camp, a winter retreat, or anything in between, Lehi Park is likely available.

Access to the park for various groups and individuals is managed by reservation. Visitors are encouraged to call for current fees, reservation details, gate combinations, and any restrictions, such as when Girls Camps are in session. This organized approach ensures a smooth arrival and a well-managed experience for all users. The location's natural features, including vast redwood groves and views of the Pacific Ocean, are easily accessible once inside the park, with numerous trails catering to different hiking levels.

Lehi Park Recreation Camp is exceptionally well-equipped, offering a wide array of services and facilities that cater to its diverse users, from large youth groups to individual campers.

• Campsites: The park features 63 individual campsites, each thoughtfully equipped with a picnic table and a BBQ grill. Water access is conveniently close to each campsite.
• Large Kitchen and Dining Facilities: For groups, there are extensive kitchen and dining facilities capable of accommodating large numbers of people, making meal preparation and communal eating straightforward.
• Restroom Facilities with Showers and Hot Water: A major highlight, the park provides clean restroom facilities that include showers with hot water, a significant comfort for campers after a day of activities.
• Archery Range: An on-site archery range offers a dedicated space for this popular recreational activity, particularly appealing for youth groups.
• Pavilion and Group BBQ Area: Large covered pavilions and designated group BBQ areas are available, perfect for gatherings, events, and outdoor cooking regardless of weather.
• Playgrounds for Kids: Dedicated playgrounds ensure that younger campers have ample space and equipment for fun and active play.
• Chapel Areas in Redwood Groves: Secluded areas within the redwood groves are designed as chapel areas, ideal for church services, devotionals, and spiritual gatherings, particularly for LDS Ward and Stake groups.
• Diverse Recreational Activities: The park facilitates a wide range of activities including camping, backpacking, mountain biking, nature awareness programs (amidst redwood groves, pine trees, ferns, and diverse wildlife), and scoutcraft.
• Miles of Hiking Trails: An extensive network of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, provides endless opportunities for exploration and exercise.
• Year-Round Access: The park is accessible and usable every month of the year, offering flexibility for planning trips.
• Fee Options: Various fee structures are available for day use, family camping, kitchen use, and group rates, with discounts for affiliated Stakes and potential fee waivers for wards participating in maintenance projects.

Lehi Park Recreation Camp boasts several outstanding features and highlights that contribute to its popularity and make it a truly unique destination for campers in California.

• Expansive Mountain Property: With over 1000 acres, Lehi Park offers vast spaces for exploration and relaxation, ensuring a sense of seclusion and immersion in nature even with large groups.
• LDS-Focused Facilities: The park is specifically designed to support LDS Girls Camps, youth and adult groups, and ward/stake activities, including dedicated chapel areas within redwood groves, making it a unique spiritual and recreational hub for the community.
• Comfortable Amenities: The presence of clean restroom facilities with showers and hot water is a significant comfort feature, enhancing the overall camping experience beyond typical rustic sites.
• Unique Recreational Opportunities: Beyond standard camping, the park offers specialized activities like an archery range and structured programs for scoutcraft and nature awareness, providing a richer, more engaging experience.
• Views of the Pacific Ocean: From certain vantage points within the park, campers can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, adding a spectacular dimension to the natural scenery.
• Diverse Trail Network: The extensive hiking trails cater to all skill levels, from easy walks perfect for families to more challenging routes for experienced backpackers, ensuring everyone can enjoy the natural beauty.
• Versatility for All Groups: While catering primarily to LDS groups, the park also welcomes families and individuals, offering a flexible and inclusive environment for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts.
• Educational and Spiritual Focus: The integration of spiritual spaces and nature awareness programs highlights a holistic approach to recreation, promoting both physical activity and personal growth.
• Organized Management: The requirement to call for reservations, fees, and gate combinations indicates a well-managed park, ensuring a more organized and predictable experience for visitors.

For inquiries, current fees, reservations, or more detailed information about Lehi Park Recreation Camp, please use the following contact details. It is highly recommended to call in advance, especially for group bookings, to confirm availability and any specific requirements.

Address: Helaman Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Phone: (831) 423-7313

Mobile Phone: +1 831-423-7313

Please note that as the park is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, certain programs and scheduling may be tailored to their groups, so direct communication is key for non-affiliated users to ensure suitability and availability.

Lehi Park Recreation Camp is an exceptionally suitable destination for locals in California, particularly those in the Santa Cruz and broader Bay Area regions, for several compelling reasons. Its sheer size – over 1000 acres – provides an unmatched sense of natural immersion and seclusion, a rare luxury so close to populated areas. For Californians seeking a true escape from the urban sprawl, this park offers the perfect antidote, allowing for deep reconnection with nature amidst ancient redwoods and stunning mountain vistas, even boasting views of the Pacific Ocean.

The park's versatility is a key highlight for locals. It expertly caters to both large organized groups, such as scout troops and youth camps, and smaller family or individual camping trips. This means whether you're planning a massive event or a quiet weekend with loved ones, Lehi Park has the infrastructure and natural space to accommodate your needs. The inclusion of amenities like 63 well-equipped campsites, a large kitchen, hot showers, and dedicated playgrounds significantly enhances comfort, making the outdoor experience more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, including those new to camping.

Furthermore, the year-round availability is a tremendous advantage for Californians, offering flexibility that many other campgrounds lack. This allows for spontaneous trips during any season, providing consistent opportunities to enjoy the unique beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The diverse range of activities, from extensive hiking and mountain biking trails to an archery range, ensures there’s always something to do, promoting active outdoor lifestyles. For local residents, Lehi Park Recreation Camp represents a comprehensive and invaluable resource for creating cherished memories and fostering a deep appreciation for California's natural heritage.

Lehi Park Recreation Camp

Helaman Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA