Butano State Park, a 4,000-acre redwood sanctuary located near San Jose, California, has been recognized as one of the nation's best-kept secrets by the travel site Islands. The park provides an alternative to more crowded redwood destinations, offering visitors a tranquil experience with its mature trees, winding creeks, and extensive trail network.
The park features approximately 40 miles of trails that traverse canyons and uplands. These paths lead hikers through redwood groves, oak woodlands, riparian areas, and chaparral. Visitors may encounter wildlife such as woodpeckers and newts, and the park is also known for its spring wildflowers, including calypso orchids.
For those with limited time, the 1.5-mile Little Butano Creek Trail is recommended for a shorter walk among the redwoods. More experienced hikers can opt for the five-mile Jackson Flats Loop, which provides views of wetlands and ridgetops, or the 9.5-mile Canyon Loop for a more immersive experience in the forest.
Established as a state park in 1957, Butano State Park was created to preserve its canyon and coast redwoods from logging activities. However, the park experienced significant damage in 2020 due to the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which impacted its infrastructure and led to the indefinite closure of some campgrounds.
Islands included Butano State Park on a list of 13 state parks across the country that have managed to avoid large tourist influxes. The list also features less-visited parks in other states, including Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon.