State Parks Near Menlo Park, California
50 state park units lie within 50 miles of Menlo Park. The closest is Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property, about 14 mi west of town. 19 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property14 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 19of 50 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 23parks list campsites
- Dog-friendly
- 32pets allowed
State parks near Menlo Park, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Menlo Park; driving distance is usually longer.
Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property
Visitors come for horseback riding, historic sites, wildlife watching, geocaching, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property →Portola Redwoods State Park
The park supports historic sites, swimming, geocaching, picnicking, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Portola Redwoods State Park →Half Moon Bay State Beach
Visitors come for surfing, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Half Moon Bay State Beach →Castle Rock State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, geocaching, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Castle Rock State Park →San Gregorio State Beach
Things to do include surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for San Gregorio State Beach →Pomponio State Beach
Things to do include surfing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Pomponio State Beach →Pescadero State Beach
Visitors come for surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Pescadero State Beach →Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
Things to do include surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and geocaching. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Candlestick Point State Recreation Area →Montara State Beach
Visitors come for surfing, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Montara State Beach →Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Things to do include surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Gray Whale Cove State Beach →Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
Popular activities here are surfing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach →Pacifica State Beach
The park supports surfing, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, and geocaching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Pacifica State Beach →Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Popular activities here are surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, swimming, and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Basin Redwoods State Park →San Bruno Mountain State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, and geocaching.
Hours, fees and rules for San Bruno Mountain State Park →Butano State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, geocaching, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Butano State Park →Bean Hollow State Beach
The park supports surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Bean Hollow State Beach →Martial Cottle Park State Recreation Area
In Santa Clara County, about 3 miles southwest of San Jose, Martial Cottle Park State Recreation Area covers about 137 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Martial Cottle Park State Recreation Area →Thornton State Beach
Covering about 63 acres, Thornton State Beach lies in San Mateo County, in Daly City.
Hours, fees and rules for Thornton State Beach →Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
The park supports surfing, historic sites, swimming, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park →Año Nuevo State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Año Nuevo State Park →Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, boating, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area →Emeryville Crescent State Marine Reserve
The park supports surfing, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and biking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Emeryville Crescent State Marine Reserve →McLaughlin Eastshore State Park State Seashore
Popular activities here are surfing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for McLaughlin Eastshore State Park State Seashore →Mount Diablo State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, and geocaching. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Mount Diablo State Park →Albany State Marine Reserve
Things to do include surfing, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Albany State Marine Reserve →Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, fishing, ranger programs, and wildlife watching. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park →Angel Island State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, surfing, historic sites, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Angel Island State Park →Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
Its trail network totals roughly 80 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area →Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
The park supports historic sites, ranger programs, geocaching, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park →Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area
Visitors come for surfing, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and biking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area →Wilder Ranch State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, and geocaching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Wilder Ranch State Park →New Brighton State Beach
Visitors come for surfing, fishing, geocaching, and hiking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for New Brighton State Beach →The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
The park supports historic sites, geocaching, picnicking, and hiking. The official site lists about 30 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park →Twin Lakes State Beach
Popular activities here are surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and geocaching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Twin Lakes State Beach →Natural Bridges State Beach
The park supports surfing, historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, and geocaching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Natural Bridges State Beach →Marsh Creek State Park State Historic Park
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Marsh Creek State Park State Historic Park →Lighthouse Field State Beach
Things to do include historic sites, fishing, wildlife watching, geocaching, and biking. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Lighthouse Field State Beach →Seacliff State Beach
Popular activities here are surfing, fishing, geocaching, biking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Seacliff State Beach →Henry W. Coe State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Henry W. Coe State Park →Mount Tamalpais State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites, group camping, and equestrian camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Mount Tamalpais State Park →Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
Popular activities here are historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Benicia Capitol State Historic Park →China Camp State Park
Visitors come for surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, boating, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for China Camp State Park →Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe Park Property
The park supports historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe Park Property →Benicia State Recreation Area
The park supports fishing, wildlife watching, geocaching, biking, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Benicia State Recreation Area →Manresa State Beach
Things to do include surfing, fishing, geocaching, and hiking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Manresa State Beach →Sunset State Beach
The park supports surfing, fishing, geocaching, picnicking, and hiking. Water access includes a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Sunset State Beach →Franks Tract State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are boating and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for Franks Tract State Recreation Area →Zmudowski State Beach
Popular activities here are surfing, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, and geocaching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Zmudowski State Beach →Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, wildlife watching, geocaching, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, equestrian camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Samuel P. Taylor State Park →Moss Landing State Beach
Visitors come for surfing, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Moss Landing State Beach →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Menlo Park
- Portola Redwoods State Park 15 mi south · Campground listed
- Half Moon Bay State Beach 16 mi west · Campground listed
- Castle Rock State Park 18 mi south · Campground listed
- San Bruno Mountain State Park 22 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Butano State Park 22 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 18 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Menlo Park
- Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property 14 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Portola Redwoods State Park 15 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Half Moon Bay State Beach 16 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- San Gregorio State Beach 18 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Pomponio State Beach 19 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 27 more in the list above
Swimming near Menlo Park
- Portola Redwoods State Park 15 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Half Moon Bay State Beach 16 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- San Gregorio State Beach 18 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Pomponio State Beach 19 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Pescadero State Beach 20 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 26 more in the list above
Hiking near Menlo Park
- Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property 14 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Portola Redwoods State Park 15 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Half Moon Bay State Beach 16 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Castle Rock State Park 18 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Pescadero State Beach 20 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 34 more in the list above
Fishing near Menlo Park
- Half Moon Bay State Beach 16 mi west · Fishing listed
- San Gregorio State Beach 18 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Pomponio State Beach 19 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Pescadero State Beach 20 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Candlestick Point State Recreation Area 21 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 26 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Menlo Park
What is the closest state park to Menlo Park?
Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property is the closest, about 14 miles west of Menlo Park in a straight line. Next are Portola Redwoods State Park and Half Moon Bay State Beach.
How many state parks are near Menlo Park?
50 state park units are within 50 miles, and 19 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Menlo Park have camping?
23 parks list camping, the nearest being Portola Redwoods State Park, Half Moon Bay State Beach and Castle Rock State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Menlo Park?
Yes, at 32 parks, including Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property, Portola Redwoods State Park and Half Moon Bay State Beach. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Menlo Park?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Newark, CA7 mi east
- Near Sunnyvale, CA9 mi southeast
- Near San Mateo, CA11 mi northwest
- Near Union City, CA11 mi northeast
- Near Fremont, CA11 mi east
- Near Saratoga, CA16 mi southeast
- Near Oakland, CA20 mi north
- Near San Jose, CA22 mi southeast
Or see all California state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.