Ask any mountain biker in Central California for their top trails and one in Soquel State Demonstration Forest (SDSF) is sure to make their list.

Established in 1990, the forest is located just north of Soquel and Nisene Marks in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California's Central Coast. It contains 2,700 acres of rolling hills, redwoods, and banana slugs ranging from 450 to 2,400 feet in elevation. The land was granted to the United States as a part of the 1844 Mexican land grant addition to Rancho Soquel. It was used primarily for logging, until the State took ownership in 1988. Unique among CA Demonstration Forests, SDSF is the only forest in proximity to major metropolitan areas— both the SF Bay Area and the Monterey Bay Area.

With a keen eye, you might make a few friends in SDSF!

Trails in Soquel Demonstration State Forest

Today, SDSF is a hub for mountain biking and outdoor activity, while still serving its mandate as a Demonstration Forest. In fact, locals frequently call SDSF just that— Demo! We’ll talk about what that means shortly. Hikers and equestrians are welcome, though far less common than mountain bikers.

The forest is home to advanced, sanctioned MTB trails; e-bikes are explicitly not permitted. Trails include Braille, Corral, and Ridge, plus the SCMTS-built Flow Trail and updated Sawpit Trail Reroute.

SCMTS estimates that nearly 60,000 visitors flock to SDSF trails each year, and many also get involved in trail maintenance in the forest. The organization hosts dozens of volunteer trail work events in the forest each year to improve overall trail conditions and ecological health in the recreational area. Their weekly “Demo Days” events see the same friendly volunteers every Friday morning out digging on the trails, and larger Dig Day events regularly welcome over a hundred volunteers at a time. The community-driven stewardship behind SDSF trails is an impressive display–consider joining the fun at one of SCMTS’ upcoming events.

Balancing Conservation, Education & Recreation in SDSF

A Demonstration Forest, SDSF exists to restore & enhance natural resources within the forest (like watershed protection and sustainable timber harvesting), develop forestry education programs, foster research opportunities, and protect old-growth redwoods, all while allowing public recreational uses— like mountain biking. The designation is an important one, as it ensures proper trail maintenance and upkeep, but does mean that trails might close from time to time.

SDSF Closures Coming May 1

Demo’s guiding principles are alive and well—sustainable logging is currently underway in the forest, with heavy work planned for the Summer of 2024. So get in your riding while you can! From May through mid-October 2024, the forest will be closed to all visitors during the week, with Corral Trail & Corral Road remaining closed on weekends.

See all the closure details on the CAL FIRE website here.

The closure will facilitate sustainable timber operations, led by CAL FIRE. SDSF primarily produces cordwood In total, California State Forests grow approximately 75 million board feet of timber annually and harvest an average of 20 million board feet each year, with roughly 5% coming from SDSF.

Looking to make a visit? Here are the basics:

• Closure: From May to mid-October 2024, SDSF will be closed to all visitors during the week, with Corral Trail & Corral Road remaining closed on weekends.

• Fire: Smoking or fires of any kind are not allowed in the forest due to associated fire risks

• Fishing: Fishing is prohibited by state law in the East Branch of Soquel Creek

• Hours: The forest is open from dawn to dusk. Camping is not permitted

• Location: You can find the entrance at 29400 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA

• Motors: No motorized vehicles are allowed in the forest. That includes e-bikes and those with pedal assist

• Rain: If it’s raining or the soil is saturated, trails are closed to mountain bikes

• Pets: Looking to bring a furry friend? Pets are welcome, but must stay on a leash

This piece was contributed by Matt Palmer. Thanks, Matt!