Skylark Ranch
Camp Skylark Ranch spans 280 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains above the beautiful California coast. Skylark Ranch offers a peaceful outdoor retreat with basic comforts, fun activity options, and access to Big Basin State Park. Skylark also features old growth redwoods that are protected by a conservation easement with the support of The Sempervirens Fund. Sleeping accommodations vary from platform tents, yurts, and small cabins to hike-in outposts for pitching tents with access to toilets, potable water, and a fire circle.
Driving directions, sitemaps, and additional information are provided upon reservation.
Rental Period
22 hours, 4:00 PM–2:00 PM
Seasonal Note: Due to Santa Cruz County user restrictions, Skylark is open from April 1 to October 31.
On-Site Resources & Amenities
- Archery range: available to rent. You must provide equipment and level 1 certified instructor. For questions regarding archery programs at Skylark, please email getoutdoors@gsnorcal.org.
- High Ropes or Low Challenge course available through GSNC Outdoor Program staff. Click here for more information.
- Hiking trails: request a topographical map and trail descriptions.
- Large Group Campfire Circle for shared use if other groups are present.
Site Information
Total Camp Capacity: 200 people/night
Dining Hall:
Fully functional commercial kitchen and dining hall that has a capacity of 200 (California food handler’s certification required).
Platform Tent Units:
Each unit (Meadowlark, Cardinal, Starling, Chickadee) has 7–9 canvas platform tents with 4–6 beds per tent. Flicker has 4 platform tents with capacity for 4 people and 1 tent with capacity for 8 people. Hummingbird has 5 tents with capacity for 4 people and 1 tent with capacity for 6 people. Units also include an outdoor cooking area including a campfire circle, picnic tables, and food storage. Units are equipped with toilets, a hand-washing sink, and potable water.
Yurt Village:
New in 2015, "Raven" has three yurts—two with 4 sets of bunk beds, and one with 2 sets. Village includes a covered open-air platform with a picnic table, an outdoor cooking area including a campfire circle, picnic tables, and food storage. Village is equipped with toilets, a hand-washing sink, and potable water. New yurt village "Pajarita" has two yurts with a capacity for 8 people and one yurt for 4 people.
Outposts:
Each outpost has a camping area, toilets, potable water and fire circle. Optimal use of these outposts is to pitch backpack tents. Outposts require a short hike from 1/2 mile to approximately one mile. The Outpost hosts eighteen people. Capacity numbers are:
- The Outpost: 18 people
- Toby’s Meadow: 18 people (includes lean-to shelter for sleeping or cooking with a gas stove)
Local Attractions
Local attractions within 1 hour:
Scroll horizontally to see the full table!
2019 Rental Rates for GSNorCal Members
| Name of Rental Unit | Capacity | Rate |
| Pajarita (yurts) | 20 | $150 |
| Meadowlark (cabins) | 28 | $150 |
| Cardinal (cabins) | 28 | $150 |
| Flicker (cabins) | 24 | $150 |
| Hummingbird (cabins) | 26 | $150 |
| Starling (platform tents) | 34 | $125 |
| Chickadee (cabins) | 28 | $150 |
| Raven (yurts) | 20 | $150 |
| Toby's Meadow | 18 | $65 |
| Director's Cabin | 4 | $75 |
| Staff House | 6 | $125 |
| Health Center | 6 | $75 |
| Small Buildings | 8 | $50 |
| Cook's Cabin | 3 | $50 |
| Dining Hall | 200 | $275 |
| Kitchen | N/A | $150 |
| Shower House | N/A | $80 |
| Entire Site | 260 | $2,320 |
2019 Rates for Non-Profit Groups
| Name of Rental Unit | Capacity | Rate |
| Pajarita (yurts) | 20 | $300 |
| Meadowlark (cabins) | 28 | $300 |
| Cardinal (cabins) | 28 | $300 |
| Flicker (cabins) | 24 | $300 |
| Hummingbird (cabins) | 26 | $300 |
| Starling (platform tents) | 34 | $250 |
| Chickadee (cabins) | 28 | $300 |
| Raven (yurts) | 20 | $300 |
| Toby's Meadow | 18 | $130 |
| Director's Cabin | 4 | $150 |
| Staff House | 6 | $250 |
| Health Center | 6 | $150 |
| Small Buildings | 8 | $100 |
| Cook's Cabin | 3 | $100 |
| Dining Hall | 200 | $550 |
| Kitchen | N/A | $300 |
| Shower House | N/A | $160 |
| Entire Site | 260 | $4,240 |