The Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has over 20 miles of hiking trails that take you through second-growth forests. A team at Cardiff University has now identified 92 genes that significantly increase the risk of having Alzheimer's, whereas just three genes were known when their research began in 2009. Share Your Local Tips! Try finding it on the Redwood Grove Loop Trail, an easy 0.8-mile hike where centuries-old redwoods grow. This part of the park has its own separate entrance and easily accessible hiking trails off Graham Hill Rd. 6. 303 Water Street, Suite 100 In this post, we cover 9 of the best things to see & do at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and many other helpful visitor tips. One of the sites was tiny, no room for a tent and completely open.no shade trees. The fact that the general public was unable to experience these beauties just didnt sit right with Hill. His knowledge obtained from a business-savvy wealthy family paid off, and soon, his empire grew to include property from San Luis Obispo to Washington State. By submitting your email address you agree to our Terms of Use Other Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park highlights include: Roaring Camp is one of the main attractions in Felton that was created to resemble an old logging village. All campers here are provided with a food locker, a picnic table, a fire pit, and a grill. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Hiking 32 Miles52 Kilometersof Trail 1 Recommended Route 6 Easy Trails 8 Intermediate Trails 0 Difficult Trails Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Tent and RV camping with no hook-ups are available several miles from the main entrance to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Its way cooler than the parking lot under the trees so bring a sweater. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks members receive a discount at the Mountain Park Store. The Roaring Camp is a great place for a family outing. The Central Coast RV camp is situated by the boardwalk, where youre bound to splash around the water. Welch refused to let any commercial photographs be taken of his redwoods unless they offered to pay, leaving Hill no choice but to return to San Jose without any visuals to complete his article. Some span the length of the giants' mighty trunks, nearly 100 feet long, running up. These campsites are quite large and come equipped with picnic-style tables, storage lockers, and grills for cooking or enjoying a firepit at night. $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Bar Pub Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Pizza Vegetarian Friendly. The park is located at 1101 Felton Empire Road, about 4 miles west of Highway 9 in Felton. Free with $10 parking (RSVP required). The Bay Area isn't blessed with a bounty of freely accessible, dog-friendly swimming holes. This gives you easy access to amazing trails and natural beauty. The property began to decline after the factory was closed. With an expert engineer that has been in charge of this excursion for nearly 50 years and a fun tour narrator dishing our interesting facts about the redwoods, this is a great activity for the entire family! The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Visitor Center is conveniently located less than a mile away. The trees are magnificent, and the forest will enchant you. ? Do you have a favorite campsite at this park??? Before you head into any of the trails, at the Visitor Center you can check out a map of the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and where the park highlights like the Cathedral Redwoods are located. Also Read: Why Do Hotels Have Bibles in Them? Roaring Camp is located right next to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park so you can combine a visit to both on the same day. More trails crisscross the San Lorenzo River and its steep, redwood-covered canyons. Your email address will not be published. Thus, on August 18, 1954. These magnificent virgin redwoods reached a whopping 300 feet in height, but before Hill could do anything to capture their striking glory, a man by the name of Joseph Welch (the owner of the grove) came and chased him off. This allows you to easily reach the river shore and cool off in the summer. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking . About a quarter-mile of its bumpy dirt road passes through the redwoods, and the other quarter-mile connects to the Roaring Camp train stationtheres a lot of wildlife to catch along the way. and the silence of the redwoods is occasionally pierced by the loud hoots of steam trains. Pick up a map that will tell you about each of the stops along the way. For hikes with the pup, use the main park entrance off Highway 9 and access the Pipeline Trail. hides the lesser-known Indian Creek Loop. One of the largest trees within this loop is called the Giant with a noteworthy 270-foot height and 17-foot width. About a quarter-mile of its bumpy dirt road passes through the redwoods, and the other quarter-mile connects to the Roaring Camp train stationtheres a lot of wildlife to catch along the way. Easy to walk trail. Take a day off from sightseeing and visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Actually spotted a banana slug thanks to another group on the trail. Me. As soon as you enter the grove, the temperatures significantly drop and you can feel the stillness of the redwoods all around you. This trail winds along a river that is surrounded by ancient redwoods. And with prices ranging from $77 per night to $224 per night, it's easy to find lodging or campsites near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park that suits your . The park also features a visitor center, a campground, Wi-Fi internet access, picnic areas, and interpretative programs. The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is only 0.9 miles long and flat so its a wonderful option for families and little kids. The Redwood Grove Trail was our first stop. Does your business rank among the best in California? It's a peaceful place for reflection, respect, and reverence. The Redwoods are spectacular and the trails are picturesque. The Mystery Spot is located a short drive from Felton and is one of the best things to do in the area. We tried several different wines here and my favorite was the Pinot Noir. If youre looking to spend a few days RV camping in Felton, weve got the perfect place for you! This state park is going to give you everything you need, and then some. The train was operated by a tour guide and a gentleman who has been operating Roaring Camp train rides since the 1960s. If youre up for a fun adventure, taking the Roaring Camp Train through an old-growth redwood forest is one of the top things to do in the area! Unfortunately, we missed the opening hours on our latest trip to Felton but my mom has visited the Bigfoot Discovery Museum before and really enjoyed hearing all the stories from the owner who manages it. Its get very busy and with the road works going on at the moment parking gets tough. Henry Cowell Redwoods Day Use Think indoor mini golf, cheap eats, quirky cafes, old school cinemas and way more Thanks. The train ride is about an hour long and goes through an old-growth forest with trees dating back 10,000 years. That is not a train ride to the park by any definition! The Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort is in the prime location to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park as well as the main attractions of Felton. So happy we did, it was magical. The train stop is nowhere near the entrance to the nice paved walkway through the trees. From serene redwood hikes to wooden covered bridges and exciting steam train rides, there are plenty of adventures awaiting you in Felton! At the end of the tour, we had some free time to walk around the cabin and take a few photos of the slanted stairs and distorted floors. It covers 4650 acres of wilderness. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is known for its rich history and lush, towering redwoods native to the land. Here RV Resort guests can enjoy conveniences like a Clubhouse, firepits, bathrooms with hot showers, and full hook-up RV sites. A great spot for family outings is the Roaring Camp. The Fall Creek Unit, off Felton Empire Road, offers miles of hiking, the old Lime Kilns, creeks and, of course, lovely redwoods. Children had so much fun, it was not crowded. Required fields are marked *. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. As soon as you enter this rainforest you will feel the temperatures drop and sense the stillness of the redwoods all around. There is also a train which the kids will love. For more information, call the Henry Cowell Campground at 831-438-2300 between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Most of this trail follows a meandering river surrounded by ancient redwoods that feels very calming and peaceful. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad. Im Laura, a California local always in search of new adventures around me. At 36 feet in length, this is the shortest covered bridge in the United States. The largest tree in this grove is called The Giant which is over 270 feet tall and 17 feet wide. Eagle Creek Falls, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Redwood Grove Loop Trail Renowned among Henry Cowell State Park hikers, Redwood Grove is nearly a mile-long wondrous journey through a typical old-growth forest. Hotels near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Restaurants near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Attractions near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: 96% of travelers recommend this experience. This grove contains more than 300 feet of high trees and is over 2000 years old. The grounds were clean and beautiful with redwood trees. Estimated Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. This park section is accessible via Graham Hill Road and has its entrance. The Observation Deck is situated 805 feet above sea level within a sandhills plant community that cant be found anywhere else in the world. 113 No Hookup Rates: $35.00 Open: All year Facilities Hot showers Wi-Fi Nearby Gas Stations Coffee Shops Restaurants Hotels Attractions Airports Search nearby Things to do See all Golden Gate Bridge Tripadvisor (50K) All proceeds from the Nature Store support our work and interpretive programming for the visitors of Big Basin Redwoods and Henry Cowell Redwoods, including Henry Cowell's lesser-known Fall Creek unit. To make the most of your experience, we strongly recommend popping by the Visitor Center and talking to the docents about hike ideas, wildlife sightings, and whatever info they think you should know that day. We've been to Thousand Trails / Morgan Hill RV Resort a couple of times and we love it there too. Campsites can be booked on Reserve California under Henry Cowell Redwoods SP. Your trek is going to feel remarkably cool and lush, with a groundcover of ferns and redwood sorrel, and a peaceful silence that comes from all the sound-dampening foliage. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. John returned to Wrentham shortly after, while Henry began a successful drayage business at only 30 years old. Thanks for signing up. The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Visitor Center is conveniently located less than a mile away. Each campsite has picnic tables and fire rings. To make the most of your experience, we strongly recommend popping by the Visitor Center and talking to the docents about hike ideas, wildlife sightings, and whatever info they think you should know that day. These large campsites have picnic tables, storage bins, grills, and firepits. Our family hike took place at this amazing park. A trip to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a great outdoor escape all year long! This thrilling ride allows you to see parts of Feltons redwood forests that would otherwise be impossible to reach. This could be a good place to get useful information. The main visitor area is located by the N Big Trees Park Rd Parking, and it costs $10 to park here for the day. Eventually, the bridge was retired and now is used by pedestrians heading to Felton Covered Bridge County Park. This observation deck is situated on a rare sandhill 805 feet above sea level that overlooks the Santa Cruz coastline and the surrounding mountain ranges. Limit the Use of Sensitive Personal Information. The atmosphere was very relaxing and just what we needed after several days of hiking! I researched the train ride and was glad we just drove ourselves. The trails of nearby Fall Creek State Park are far less traveled. How much time should we reasonably need to see some Redwoods. He kept the audience engaged and pulled people from the crowd to take part in the mysteries that can be found here. In this list, youre bound to find something exciting for everyone in your family! The train rides can run multiple times per day, depending on the season. Also Read: Marriott Suite Night Awards: Complete Guide 2022, 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska: Ultimate Guide 2022, Why Do Hotels Have Bibles in Them? Felton has a small downtown area that is a wonderful spot to spend a few lazy afternoon hours. The Mystery Spot tours run multiple times a day. Trailhead Location: Fall Creek Unit, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Top ways to experience nearby attractions Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip from San Jose 15 Full-day Tours from 212.19 per adult Afternoon Whale Watch 55 Recommended from 57.35 per adult Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey 439 Recommended from 65.54 per adult Whale Watching Tour 159 Recommended Private and Luxury from 49.15 It feels peaceful and calming. This is a limited review because of severe storms we were not able to see everything. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The parks stillness stands in sharp contrast to the sounds of the early industrial operations that once echoed through the canyons. It takes you half a mile to walk from the campground through rare sandhill plants communities to reach the parks highest point, the Observation Deck (805 feet). Theres a 3D trail map that you can check before embarking on a hike, in case elevation change is something thats important to you. Other trees in this area include evergreens, riparian, madrone, oak, and ponderosa pine. Its been years though and would love to go out there again! Weather Averages High Low Precip And that's just the beginning, lies a gem so lush, youll be seeing green in your dreamswelcome to, . Maximum trailer length is 31ft; maximum motorhome or camper length is 35ft. This State Park is home to some of the oldest and tallest redwood tree species in the world that will simply leave you in awe. 9 Best Things To Do At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 1. Here are the top 9 things to do at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park! This hidden treasure is a part of the San Lorenzo River, and can be accessed from two different entry points in the park. To get there turn off on Felton Empire Road from Highway 9 and continue until you see a large parking lot on the left. While the location itself is pretty small, the stories kept us mesmerized and entertained for the entire hour. It is quite interesting and a must-do if youre planning a visit to the Santa Cruz region! The train travels for about an hour and crosses wooden train trestles that climb steep switchbacks up to Bear Mountain. They shared interesting facts about the trees and the trains used here, and how the redwood grove was preserved. Featuring 15 miles of hiking and riding trails that take you through towering redwoods, mixed evergreens, sandhills, and ponderosa pines, the park boasts trees that are close to being 1,800 years old. The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day and the Visitor Center is open from 10am to 4pm. This remote cabin resort is located at the edge of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. I would classify this trail as easy because it only gains 500 feet in elevation and is a great choice for beginner hikers, families, and kids. Exit on Graham Hill Rd & Hwy 9 (Covered Bridge). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hiking, fishing (depending on season), seasonal camping (including RV), birdwatching, and several dog-friendly trails await at this state park. Bring a sweater. That morning, a fourteen-car South Pacific Coast Railroad excursion train arrived at Big Trees, today's Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Campgroundreviews has a good list for Scott's Valley area. The Roaring Camps Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad is a recreation of historic railway lines and trains that were used to haul logged trees out of the forests in the 1800s. ." Jessica Louise on Instagram: "The last time I walked through Henry Cowell state park it was the most perfect spring afternoon. I also recall this park fills up pretty quickly so get ahead of the crowds. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Though not technically in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, this campground is still a treat. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad. The tickets cost $8 per person and $5 for parking. Some span the length of the giants' mighty trunks, nearly 100 feet long, running up into . what you know about this area! water, electricity, cable TV, and picnic tablesand is also suitable for a visit with your four-legged best friend. This covered bridge measures 36 feet long and is the longest in America. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park really is the place to be. Rancho del Oso, the ocean side of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, is partially reopened following the wildfire. When it was high temperature in the center of Silicon Valley, this refuge with century old giants gave fresh and cooler experiences to the visitors. #4 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The worst is the lack of bathroom facilities. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, draws visitors from all around the world. Check Out Fern River Resort On Booking.com Here! Each full hookup site includes water, sewerage, electricity, cable, and other amenities. We've picked out the best places to head to on a rainy day in the Big Smoke, mainly near to our St Christopher's hostels. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The train tickets currently cost $33 for adults and $24 for kids (plus $10 for mandatory parking). Check out these posts next: Ive been out in the Santa Cruz area, and the small town of Felton and absolutely fell in love with it!! Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 North Big Trees Park Road Felton, CA 95018 (831) 335-4598 www.parks.ca.gov Hours of Operation Sunrise to sunset Type of Activity Parks Museums Sightseeing Tours Bird Watching Dog-Friendly Parks Hiking Wildlife Watching Heritage Tourism Overview Each year, a tree creates a new ring. This park has 107 sites for tent camping among shady pine and oak forest trees. Written June 26, 2022. In 1952, he acquired the grove and named it in memory of his father, Henry. The Fern River Resort is nestled in a wooded property off Highway 9 that connects many historic logging towns and the surrounding redwood State Parks. In 1952, he acquired the grove and named it in memory of his father, Henry. Some of the other popular attractions at Montaa de Oro State Park include: watching for Humpback whales, peering into the tidepools in Corralina Cove and hiking up the 1,347-foot Valencia. Park so you can combine a visit to the main parking lot under the are... 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