Skylark Ranch will not be available for rental for some time due to fire damage from the CZU fire. Please see our CEO update for more information on the property and how you can help.
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 Ranch 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!
2020 Rental Rates for GSNorCal Members
| Name of Rental Unit | Capacity | Girl Scout Rate | Non-Profit Rate |
| Pajarita (yurts) | 20 | $150 | $300 |
| Meadowlark (cabins) | 28 | $150 | $300 |
| Cardinal (cabins) | 28 | $150 | $300 |
| Flicker (cabins) | 24 | $150 | $300 |
| Hummingbird (cabins) | 26 | $150 | $300 |
| Starling (platform tents) | 34 | $125 | $250 |
| Chickadee (cabins) | 28 | $150 | $300 |
| Raven (yurts) | 20 | $150 | $300 |
| Toby's Meadow | 18 | $65 | $130 |
| Director's Cabin | 4 | $80 | $160 |
| Staff House | 6 | $120 | $240 |
| Health Center | 6 | $80 | $160 |
| Small Buildings | 8 | $50 | $100 |
| Cook's Cabin | 3 | $50 | $100 |
| Dining Hall | 200 | $275 | $550 |
| Kitchen | N/A | $150 | $300 |
| Shower House | N/A | $80 | $160 |
| Entire Site | 253 | $2,025 | $4,150 |