Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Thank you to one of our park guests for sending this fishy story in! "Nearing the end of my ride I had nearly reached the bottom of 'North Canyon Return' when a bird swooping over Lodge Lake caught my eye, at first glance I thought it could be a bald eagle but it was too small and the head wasn't completely white. It apparently had just caught a fish and was circling the lake several times with the fish in its talons, my guess being that it was gaining altitude to find a ...perch. Since I also needed to keep my eyes on the road I soon lost sight and figured that it may have landed. I looped back around coming up 'Harmony Gate Rd' and sure enough it hand landed in a tree about halfway up the east side of the lake. I didn't want to get too close and scare it off but I was able to park in the shade and watch it for several minutes. I'm certain it is an osprey, not so sure about the species of fish. Maybe a carp/goldfish hybrid?" Ospreys or 'fish hawks' are fish-eating birds of prey that can be found near bodies of water almost worldwide.

We are increasing our camping capacity. Day use capacity remains the same. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move through this pandemic together. We are listening to your questions regarding the park’s capacity limitations; while it’s our mission to keep Californians outdoors and active, it’s also our mission to help keep you safe. Beginning on Sunday, March 14 San Benito County moved into the Red Tier. While the Red Tier allows for certain activities to beg...in to reopen, the majority of activities are required to remain at reduced capacity. We continue to work with state and local officials including the San Benito County Public Health Department to determine capacity. However, the situation remains fluid and park operations may change at any time. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hollister Hills is experiencing a rise in visitation. Reducing capacity is not only mandated by the state government via COVID-19 regulations, it also helps keep you safe by: - Keeping public use less crowded (i.e. restrooms, parking lots, picnic tables, staff interaction) and discourages large group gatherings. - It minimizes the strain on our medical staff and hospitals - Helps keeps our staff and volunteers safer Please remember: - Do not gather in large groups - Do not gather with multiple households - Bring a mask , hand soap/sanitizer - Stay safer at six feet

Thank you everyone for your patience and following COVID regulations to help keep us open. A few reminders for the upcoming busy holiday weekend... - We are still under COVID regulations, which means that the maximum capacity is reduced for day use and camping to meet physical distancing requirements. We recommend calling ahead, following our Stories, or signing up for our text alert system to stay updated on capacity. - Everything is first come, first serve.... - Please keep everyone safe and do not park on Cienega road to keep an open roadway. - Bring with you soap , hand sanitizer, and a mask #hollisterhills #hollisterhillssvra

Although Hollister Hills is required to regulate sound emissions, riding with an appropriate sound decibel doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. An often-overlooked task is replacing your muffler packing. You can help us be good neighbors without getting exhausted. This short video will show you just how easy it can be to maintain your muffler.

Starting to feel the spring vibes Thanks for sharing @namastenadine Friends in high places . .... . . . . . . . . #hollisterhills See more

Now that its rained a bit and there is enough soil moisture, we’ve begun our annual heavy equipment trail maintenance. Please be aware, and remember that if a trail is closed, it’s closed for a reason. If you happen on a situation like this, wait at least 100 feet behind all heavy equipment until the operator sees you, and then moves out of the path of travel. ... #hollisterhills #safetyfirst #SafetyStartsWithYou #ohv

Whether you're a young rider going up a size or an active rider replacing gear, you can agree a brand new helmet makes a great stocking stuffer. Unwrap in this video what makes a helmet so dependable for your safest off-road adventure.

Hungry for knowledge from your favorite off-road adventure? Well Hollister Hills is big enough for two plates! Tune in to learn about the geology of Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area in this animated short video.

Due to the critical need to stop the #COVID19 surge, state campground sites in the San Joaquin & So Cal regions will temporarily close. As of Sunday, December 6th at 11:59 pm, Hollister Hills SVRA campsites are not available for overnight camping until further notice. Day-use recreation will remain available with the current capacity limitations, open from sunrise to sunset. ... For more information on campground closures, visit: www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19CampgroundClosures

California has issued a Regional Stay at Home Order to stop the surge of #covid19 cases & a strain on our health care system. This action will help protect critical care patients. The order includes the closure of campground sites in impacted regions. To read the full press release, visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/992. #stopthesurge #slowthespread #youractionssavelives At Hollister Hills SVRA, as of Saturday morning day use use remains open. Camping is day by day.

Sunday Morning 11/8

Thank you everyone for your patience and helping keep us open by following the COVID regulations. Please note that SOON we will be implementing a reservation system for camping only. Day use is still first come, first serve. Due to the new COVID regulations, the maximum capacity allowed in the park is reduced to meet social distancing requirements. Because we have less available camping, we are switching to a camping reservation system using www.ReserveCalifornia.com. ... We will announce as soon as the reservation system is live on social media and our website. To learn more about the new camping reservation system and how it works, visit our website ohv.parks.ca.gov/hollisterhills.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our spooky October events! #hollisterhills #spooktober

Happy Halloween from Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area! We're ending Spooktober in high spirits and we would like to share with you a few tales from tree ghosts past's. Gather around and don't get too spooked!

We have a new self-guided Junior Ranger activity for you and your family at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area. Here are the very first visitors to complete the all new Scavenger Hunt. This scavenger hunt will take you through the main roads into five different day use areas within the Lower Ranch park. If you are up for the challenge, ride to each point of interest and collect clues. Learn about the historic value and the natural surroundings of Hollister Hills.... Discover a secret phrase and collect a code to open a treasure box for your prize located inside the visitors center. Four-wheeling vehicles are not allowed on the trails but are permitted on the main roads. Follow the safety measures listed in your vehicle manual. Obey park rules and regulations. Pick up a copy of the Scavenger Hunt inside the small visitors center located in the first day use area. We look forward to seeing you on your next off-roading adventure!

Friday afternoon 10/30

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our socially distanced Clean Wheeling trash pickup this past Saturday. #hollisterhills

We’re continuing our spooktober *giveaway* We put out 2 new themed tombstones throughout the campgrounds this week. The first 10 people to comment a selfie with it, will win one of our newly designed park stickers. #hollisterhills

Saturday morning 10/24

In celebration of Spooktober, we hope you can get all caught up on our local eight-legged friends, the Californian Tarantulas. Fall is when the males come out of their burrows in search of a possible mate. They might seem a little creepy, but they pose no threat to humans. If you spot one, observe them from a distance as they crawl on by. Keep an eye out, in fact, keep all eight eyes out for a tarantula crossing the path on your next off-roading adventure.

Hello park visitors! In an effort to bring awareness to the damages caused to trees from regular visitation, you might have noticed interpretive tree related tombstones placed at various campgrounds. The first ten people to comment on this post with a selfie taken next to one of our tree related tombstones will win our newly designed park sticker. If we comment on your picture that you won, please instant message us your address to have your stickers mailed out.