Thousand Trails opens its campgrounds to the public
Nestled among century-old trees in the rustic Cienega Valley 15
miles south of Hollister, the Thousand Trails San Benito Preserve
is a popular spot for campers, but may not be so well known to the
general public.
Managers of the getaway spot are hoping that will change with
the recent announcement that the formerly members-only gated
retreat is now open to non-members who are interested in camping,
picnicking or just getting away from the daily grind.
Thousand Trails opens its campgrounds to the public
Nestled among century-old trees in the rustic Cienega Valley 15 miles south of Hollister, the Thousand Trails San Benito Preserve is a popular spot for campers, but may not be so well known to the general public.
Managers of the getaway spot are hoping that will change with the recent announcement that the formerly members-only gated retreat is now open to non-members who are interested in camping, picnicking or just getting away from the daily grind.
“We are very family-oriented,” said Linda Lenoir, recreation director for the local Thousand Trails. “We want the kids to come here and enjoy themselves and have fun in a good, wholesome environment.”
From miniature golf and ping pong, to swimming pools and recreation centers, the preserve offers amenities designed to enhance the recreational experience. The park includes basketball and shuffleboard courts, a fireplace room where movies are shown and an adult spa. There are pool tables, exercise equipment and a big-screen television as well.
Lenoir said guests are encouraged to bring their own recreational vehicle or tent or they can rent trailers ranging from 24 to 35 feet long. The trailers are stocked with all of the essentials for camping and cooking.
Thousand Trails is a gated facility located off Cienega Road south of the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area. Lenoir said the security of the park is a selling point.
“If you go to any state park, they are not locked and anybody can go in and out there,” she said. “Here, you have to come through a gate and we have a security guard on duty 24 hours a day.”
The park features two lodges, one for families and one set up for adults, and it also features a church that holds services every Sunday. A cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a band visits the park every other Saturday to perform at dances.
“We’ve got a lot going on,” said Lenoir, who acknowledged that owners of the more than 500-campsite facility hope that some guests will like their visits enough to sign up for a Thousand Trails membership, which grants access to all of the company’s parks around the country.
However, no formal sales pitch will be made to non-member guests, Lenoir said.
“We have a few brochures and a flyer available and we’ll discuss the membership option with them if they are interested.”
Lenoir said she and her family have been visiting the park for more than 20 years, including using it as a spot for birthday parties for her grandchildren. She worked at the on-site country store for nearly three years before joining the recreation park about a year-and-a-half ago.
“It’s a nice, quiet place,” she said. “There’s no rowdiness – it’s just a really great place for the family. We have lots of hills and there are trees everywhere. Plus, we’ve got wildlife up here. In the afternoons, you can catch eight or 10 deer grazing on our grass through the park, and we’ve also seen bobcats and coyotes.”
Guests interested in day-use of the park are welcomed as well, Lenoir added, noting that visitors can gain entry for a $5 per car rate.
For more information about overnight camping or to request a Thousand Trails brochure, call 831-389-4477. Thousand Trails will hold its annual Fall Horseshoe Tournament on Sept. 24-26 at the park, located at 16225 Cienega Road in Paicines. For details on that event, call 831-206-5308.
