Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

The moon , stars, and timing of life could not have lived up better for us and our decision to revisit after a not-so great experience 25 yrs ago!

When my hubby told us, we were going to Hollister for our annual off-roading trip with our grandkids, I immediately became apprehensive and worried of other inconsiderate and dangerous riders, infestation of bugs and ticks (more than I have ever witnessed in my life during my past visit years ago), among garbage and other things.

All the worry was for nothing! This trip could not have been more peaceful, magical, and all the campers were very respectful of others space, quiet and children present.

It was just the right crowd, amount of dispersed visitors, and super clean!!!!

What I liked most was - the presence of caring and kind park rangers! Making sure safety was a priority, but knowing we were there to have fun as well! Thank you!!!

I’m 54, an outdoor enthusiast, and pay a lot of attention to my environment. It was unreal that there was no annoying bugs to be seen anywhere, although I’m sure they were present in. Forest - just not out being annoying. Could be the presence of so many kinds of birds as well. I’ve never seen so much beauty flying around in one place and comfortable with dropping in and saying hello to our grandkids! Made for picture perfect postcards incase any of you visitors love bird watching.

The trails were so well maintained and tracks groomed for safety . I have zero complaints and will definitely be returning!

I everyone of us had an awesome time!

Our original plans didn’t work out and so we ended up staying here at this dirt bike haven for two nights. I’m giving this place 4 stars because as much as this is NOT the type of place I want to spend time in, and I hope never to come to again, it’s actually a great place for what it’s intended to be. 

You pay your fee at the kiosk at the entrance, and once you enter you have your choice of several camp areas.  You are free to drive around and choose a spot in any of the campgrounds.

We camped here for 2 nights, but most use this area just to ride dirt bikes for the day. During the day the camp areas become a parking & staging area for people to unload their bikes and get ready for a day of zooming around on the dirt. As insanely noisy as it is during the day, riding is prohibited after sunset and so the place blissfully clears out in the evening and you have it pretty much to yourself in complete silence. Also, decibel limits are in place and enforced here so I guess the sound could be louder, which is hard to imagine. To be fair, we stayed here on a Friday and Saturday night in late Feb. It may be quieter during the week or during the hotter months. 

Overnight fee is $10 - can’t be beat. 

First come first served 

FREE hot showers 

Flush toilets

There is zero cell signal in the park but there is surprisingly fast free wifi available at Bee, Madrone, and Lodge campgrounds. 

There is a working payphone outside the store at Lodge. 

Garbage and recycling available 

Road in is paved but very narrow and winding and some potholes. Once in the park the roads are hard packed dirt, smooth, no washboarding. 

There is a store at Lodge campground with basic snacks and camping supplies, and a full selection of motorbike gear and equipment. Firewood available for sale here as well. Check store hours, they aren’t open every day. 

No RV dump facility, but there are a few water unthreaded spigots throughout. 

Picnic table and metal fire rings available. 

Would have given this place 5 stars if the Madrone campground, which backs to the biking (non-motorized) and hiking trails, would have been off limits to the dirt bikers. We attempted to set up camp there but the area was so noisy with partiers and group campers and their off road vehicles. As it was, we weren’t interested in exploring the hiking trails because we’d have been run off the road by the dirt bikes on our way to the hiking trails. 

In sum- if you just need a place to stay, this is a good place as a last resort because of the cheap price and plentiful availability and hot showers. If you are into off road dirt biking or 4 wheeling this place is probably heaven for you.