Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
add photosHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park has about 20 miles of trails, ranging from 0.4 miles long to 3.3 miles long. Some trails are very steep. Terrain varies from forest to chaparral. Dogs are welcome in the park but must be on a leash at all times, and kept in your car or tent at night. Fishing is permitted in the San Lorenzo River during the Steelhead and Salmon season, approximately November through February. Roaring Camp Big Trees Railroad is next door to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. You can pay the day use fee, park in our parking lot, and walk a hundred yards to Roaring Camp.
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5 Reviews for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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1 family found this helpful
"From the redwood forest... this land was made for you and me"
The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is definitely a place for getting close to some of those behemoth California redwoods. We came here in June 2010 and did the easy 0.8 mile Redwood Grove Trail which was completely flat and easy for our 3 year old O-dogg to walk for the entire time.
The trail head is near the Nature Center and parking lot and there are restrooms both at the trailhead and halfway through the trail. The path is wide and smooth enough for strollers and wheelchairs
You can definitely take those iconic pictures of the group hug around a redwood or hiding inside a redwood.
We also left our car in the parking lot and just walked over to Roaring Camp for a train ride afterwards. Everything was so close that our little guy was able to walk it all without too much whining.
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1 family found this helpful
"Redwoods galore!"
This is by far one of my favorite State Parks. It has numerous hiking trails through the beautiful and fragrant Coastal Redwoods. As with all state parks, there is an entrance fee. However, it's well worth it. There is about a 1 mile nature loop complete with a guide that can be obtained at the visitor's center. For little ones, there are a few trees, including the infamous Fremont Tree, that the kids can either go into, or run around. Most of the trails are such that kids who have mastered walking can be let free to roam and be relatively safe. It is also a fun family game to see who can spot the area's mascot: the Banana Slug. There are horse trails as well. The park runs next to the San Lorenzo River which takes fresh water to the Santa Cruz Wharf area. While you are here, check out the Visitor's Center and Museum for kid-friendly historical information on the area.
One caveat, there is a beach spot along the river, sort of off the beaten path, known as "The Garden of Eden". While GOE is gorgeous and a beautiful place for a picnic, it is known to have patrons in their birthday suits on occasion.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
A rare opportunity to see first-growth redwoods in 1,800 acres of stream canyons, meadows, forests, and chaparral-covered ridges along the meandering San Lorenzo River and Eagle Creek. An observation deck overlooks the Monterey/Santa Cruz coastlines and the mountains. A lovely shaded picnic grove on the river has barbecues and water. Among 20 miles of trails is the short, easy Redwood Grove Nature Trail to the Big Trees Grove. The redwood-dotted campground in the park contains more than a hundred tent and RV sites, for vehicles up to 24 feet, with no hookups (831–438–2396).
Nearby is a photo op at the Felton Covered Bridge. Built in 1892, this is the tallest bridge of its kind in the country and one of the few left in the state.
3 families found this helpful
"Camp Among the Redwoods!"
This is a great place to camp and hike. The redwoods are gorgeous. It is very shady in places so pack some warm clothes. Keep an eye out for banana slugs. Kiss one if you dare, they make your lips tingle!
I am looking forward to camping there sometime when I visit Santa Cruz. Here in San Diego we don't get to see any redwood trees and I really miss them.
This park has a trail that connects to Roaring Camp Railroads. Hiking in is a great way to save some cash. Roaring Camp charges for parking. Even if you don't want to pay to ride the train, Roaring Camp Steamtrains are fun to watch and wave to. There are also lots of great places to picnic and run around.
1 family found this helpful
"easy hike through redwoods"
I think this is the best place to see the redwoods in the Bay Area. Here's why:
1. Relatively easy access from Hwy. 17.
2. The nature trail through the main redwood grove is leveled, and easy enough to take strollers on.
3. The visitor/nature center has a few good activities for kids.
4. It's right next to Roaring Camp, so you can combine two trips into one.
We've been camping at the campground, and liked it as well. The campground is separate from the day-use section of park with the redwood grove.
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