But, if you dont mind a few fellow campers, the parks river provides summer swimming, spring bounces with wildlife, and the fall makes for a front-row seat to vibrant rust-orange foliage. 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 Listen all the way to see who came out with the best squad and hear what the guys had to say about the Baker Mayfield trade!. Required fields are marked *. In 1952, he acquired the grove and named it in memory of his father, Henry. Our tour guide Arizona was a young kid from Santa Cruz that kept us laughing the entire time. Apply to Assembler, Assistant, Real Estate Analyst and more! This campground is also near the Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat, an ancient marine deposit home to imperiled wildlife and vegetation. Tucked away in between towering redwood trees and historic logging communities, Felton is a wonderful vacation spot, especially for those who love outdoor activities and small-town charm. Free with $10 parking (RSVP required). If youre thinking about going do it! If there is one hike that you should do in Felton, its the Redwood Grove Loop Trail. While not the biggest youll find in the county, Henry Cowell State Park has biking trails and equestrian options that go beyond what you initially imaginethe things you encounter on your way cannot be found in most guides. You can start at the N Big Trees Park Rd Parking and follow a loop of 0.8 miles that runs through a 40-acre forest with some of Californias oldest and tallest redwood trees. 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. All of the cabins have their own designated parking spaces, entrances, and private decks with chairs to enjoy the garden views. One of the most noteworthy attractions of this charming town is the Roaring Camp Covered Bridge that serves as an entryway into the town. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The Old Lime Kiln Ruins mark the location of historic lime kilns, a barrel mill, and other remains of an old industrial complex that once operated in the forest between 1874-1919. Banana slugs and beautiful lichen and trees to enjoy. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Unfortunate for such a nice park. Is alcohol really not allowed here or is just hard liquor that you can't bring. Now what remains of the ruins are overgrown with fern, moss, and trees as nature claim back the land. 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. The State Park contains some of the most impressive and oldest redwood tree species. The. 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. Butano State Park. This remote cabin resort is located at the edge of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. To see the Mystery Spot you will need to buy an entrance ticket for a guided tour of the location. Here RV Resort guests can enjoy conveniences like a Clubhouse, firepits, bathrooms with hot showers, and full hook-up RV sites. To get there you can take the trail that goes past the duck ponds and continue straight for about 10-15 minutes until you reach the trestles. The Roaring Camp is a great place for a family outing. The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Visitor Center is conveniently located less than a mile away. Near the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park visitor center, you can see a display with one of the oldest known coastal redwood trees. Camping is $35 per night. I researched the train ride and was glad we just drove ourselves. 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. The trail shares stage with the. The showers were hot and somewhat clean. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is another park of old and massive redwoods , it's located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. 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. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a wonderful destination in Central California that offers incredible hiking trails and the opportunity to walk amongst some of the tallest and oldest coastal redwoods. Reviews BringFido Guest Rating During the tour, they were dishing out interesting facts about the trees, the train systems used here, and how this redwood grove was acquired for preservation. Cable Car Beach is a great place to stop along the route. What sets this area apart from the rest of the park are the unique sandhills and the rare ecosystems that can be found here. Henry Cowell is known for its old-growth redwoods; some trees here are 1400 to 1800 years old. 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. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offers great amenities and is an alternative to camping in State Parks. He and his brother John left their hometown of Wrentham, Massachusetts in 1849, right when the lure of gold was drawing people to the Golden State. Address: 5250 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018, United States, Also Read: The 10 Best Hotels & Resorts In Yellowstone 2022. Hill packed his equipment and set out on a journey to Felton, where he found the perfect subjects for his magazine piece. The train ride is about an hour long and goes through an old-growth forest with trees dating back 10,000 years. The Fall Creek to Lime Kilns Trail offers a great mix of towering redwood trees, fern-covered terrain, a meandering creek, and even a look into this regions history. The Fall Creek Unit, off Felton Empire Road, offers miles of hiking, the old Lime Kilns, creeks and, of course, lovely redwoods. The main attraction here is the ruins of an old mining complex that operated in this forest between 1874-1919 and consists of historic lime kilns, a barrel mill, and other remains. A tree produces a new ring every year so you can figure out how old the tree is by counting its rings. Many of the State Park attractions and trails can be reached within a 10-15-minute walk from the property. Redwood Grove is nearly a mile-long wondrous journey through a typical old-growth forest. It feels peaceful and calming. Many visitors park along Highway 9 and walk 1-2 miles into the park. Limit the Use of Sensitive Personal Information. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There is a bus that goes from Santa Cruz to the park.. and you can also take greyhound from Monterey to Santa Cruz if that helps?! We stopped by here in the afternoon to enjoy a glass of wine on their cozy outdoor patio overlooking the surrounding forest and meadows. Lovely walk through the redwoods. Park on the side of the road (arrive early to guarantee yourself a spot) and hike down the quick, steep trail to the water. This train takes about an hour and travels across wooden train trestles up steep switchbacks to Bear Mountain and back. All year long you can buy tickets and go on train rides through an ancient redwood forest. The top attractions of the park are located just a short drive from downtown Felton offering easy and convenient access to incredible trails and nature. The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day and the Visitor Center is open from 10am to 4pm. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is situated at the perfect spot in Felton for outdoor adventures. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, camping and fishing on more than 4,650 acres of forested and open land in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The campground is available for use during the season. Three miles north of Santa Cruz, on Graham Hill Road, is the parks campground with 113 sites. We then followed the River Trail to the Big Rock Hole Trail. Google maps has a good map of the campground and as I recall over 100 reviews where campers posted comments about locations close to restrooms, quiet areas and so on. The trails of nearby Fall Creek State Park are far less traveled. Eagle Creek Falls, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. What hotels are near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park? This forest is home to the remains of an old mining operation that was active between 1874-1919. Everything about the cabin looks crooked and was built to trick the visitors perception. Your email address will not be published. I also recall this park fills up pretty quickly so get ahead of the crowds. The park's 4,650 acres offer impressive 360-degree views of surrounding mountains and Monterey Bay, and a diversity of habitats but its best known for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees which launched a movement. You can purchase firewood. Exit on Graham Hill Rd & Hwy 9 (Covered Bridge). The 40-acre old-growth redwood grove is a 5 minute drive or a short hike from the campground. #4 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The train was operated by a tour guide and a gentleman who has been operating Roaring Camp train rides since the 1960s. The tallest tree in the park is about 285 feet tall and 16 feet wide. 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. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a beautiful redwoods forest near Santa Cruz that spans across 4650 acres of protected wilderness lands. A notoriously private persona, Henry Cowell was an integral part of the California state park creation. ? This trail leads to a younger cathedral grove within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park where once ancient redwood trees stood. There is an audio tour you can download which explains the numbered signs. This is a small but beautiful park with two sections: The main area, off Hwy 9, has a Visitor's Center, Nature Store and trails. Once it reaches the top, the train reverses back down to the starting point. how to get married at henry cowell redwoods state park. I hope youre able to plan a trip and return there again next year! You can also walk to the wooden train tracks if you have extra time. During our visit, the train was operated by a tour guide and a gentleman that has been in charge of Roaring Camp train rides for nearly 50 years. Going on this exciting ride is one of the best ways to experience parts of the redwood forests in Felton that are otherwise inaccessible. There are guided tours offered every Saturday at 11AM led by naturalists who can provide a wealth of knowledge about the Santa Cruz Mountains. And that's just the beginning, lies a gem so lush, youll be seeing green in your dreamswelcome to, . Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground is a great place to camp if you love camping. Also Read: Why Do Hotels Have Bibles in Them? Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Camping Ground provides easy access to many park trails and has its entrance from the Graham Hill Road. The. Parking was a little confusing. Hi all! Our recommended businesses are top-quality and are committed to their communities. Top ways to experience nearby attractions Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip from San Jose 13 Full-day Tours from AU$394.23 per adult Big Sur Monterey California Pacific Coast One Day Tour 11 Recommended Bus Tours from AU$440.15 per adult (price varies by group size) Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz 11 Recommended Surfing Lessons from You can admire the Redwood Grove Loops giant trunks and tall trees, which block most sunlight from entering the grove. The Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has over 20 miles of hiking trails that take you through second-growth forests. Locals and visitors alike love the beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Henry Cowell has it all. Arrived by 8am. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Thanks for signing up. We also used an offline hiking map Maps.Me to track our route as reception in these parts of the forest is pretty limited. The park has been established to preserve forests and the areas next to the watershed of the San Lorenzo River, including a number of huge redwood trees. 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! Other trees in this area include evergreens, riparian, madrone, oak, and ponderosa pine. Not sure if there's a self-pay station. Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California and protects and preserves 87,000 acres of scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Mountain Range. This campground offers 107 shaded camping sites and has a separate entrance off Graham Hill Rd. This is a second-growth redwood forest in Felton that was once logged and has regrown since. RELATED ITEMS: Big Basin Redwood Forest: California's Oldest State Park Henry Cowell State Park We visited with the family, reserving 3 separate sites. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are several ways to access Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: If youre craving a lesser-known hike, the 4-mile out-and-back trail to Cathedral Redwoods is a great choice. Starting from the N Big Trees Park Rd Parking you can head on a 0.8-mile long loop that passes through a 40-acre grove with some of the tallest and oldest redwood trees in California. This largely undeveloped park welcomes backpackers, equestrians, mountain bikers, day-hikers, and anyone seeking solitude in a nearly untouched setting. HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK - 1643 Photos & 542 Reviews - 101 Big Trees Park Rd., Felton, California - Parks - Phone Number - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 542 reviews Claimed Parks, Hiking, Campgrounds Edit Closed 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM See hours See all 1684 photos Write a review Add photo Save It has a hollowed-out trunk that visitors can climb through to see the inside. Camping reservations are highly recommended. Thanks for posting about it and reminding me how beautiful it is, Im definitely going to plan a trip with family maybe for Spring of 2022! The Mystery Spot is a unique tourist attraction that is well worth visiting. There is a $10 fee to enter and park. The train travels for about an hour and crosses wooden train trestles that climb steep switchbacks up to Bear Mountain. Recommended option Bus Take the bus from San Francisco to San Jose A few miles north is the Fall Creek Unit, 2nd growth redwood forest and river canyon. If youre looking for a place to relax after hiking and exploring the redwoods, the historic Hallcrest Vineyards is a hidden gem located near downtown Felton. Felton Covered Bridge Walking through the Felton Covered Bridge Its way cooler than the parking lot under the trees so bring a sweater. The Lime Kiln Trail is an incredibly beautiful hike within the Fall Creek Unit that travels through a serene redwood forest to old overgrown industrial ruins. By submitting your email address you agree to our Terms of Use If I ride the beach train will I have time during the stop to walk around the redwoods before we go back to the beach? It would be nice to gather for campfires or meals together. Pretty cool walking self guided trail. The redwoods in this grove are younger than their ancestors and have grown in a loop that looks like a perfect circle especially if you look up at the treetops. It takes about five minutes to drive there. be the first to know On top of the deck, you might spot Acord Woodpeckers making holes in the surrounding trees for storing acorns in the winter or peep through the magnifying glass at the coastline in the distance. 2023 California.com All Rights Reserved. A display of one of the oldest coastal redwood trees can be found near the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park visitor center. All around the property you can enjoy stunning views of towering redwood trees, the San Lorenzo River, and lush, well-kept gardens. Nestled in a mixed evergreen forest near the Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat, this Henry Cowell campground offers 107 sites, all of which can hold 35-foot long RVs. You can hike, walk and even kayak if you're so inclined. The Freemont Tree is another interesting tree that has a hollowed-out trunk where visitors can crawl through to explore the inside of the tree. This grove contains more than 300 feet of high trees and is over 2000 years old. 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. The trail is flat and short, making it an ideal choice for families with little children. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park encompasses more than 4,650 acres (1,882 hectares) of wilderness and offers a peaceful escape from Santa Cruz, San Jose, or San Francisco. 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. This is one of the top attractions in Felton where you can roam through a western-style town consisting of a train depot, general store, picnic areas, and other interesting historical buildings. An avid outdoorsman, Harry was especially fond of the familys property next to the Welch Grovethe one Andrew P. Hill was denied access to. We would like to visit a Redwood park and wonder if Henry Cowell Park is too out of the way? Before we dive into the details, here are a few tips for parking: The main visitor area is located by the N Big Trees Park Rd Parking and it costs $10 to park here for the day. Most of this trail follows a meandering river surrounded by ancient redwoods that feels very calming and peaceful. The trail shares stage with the Roaring Camp Railroads and the silence of the redwoods is occasionally pierced by the loud hoots of steam trains. 9 Best Things To Do At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 2022. Be prepared for a bit of an uphill climb towards the end but soon after you will reach the towering Cathedral Redwoods grove. Fern River Resort cabins are equipped with all the amenities of the home and have thoughtful touches to make your stay comfortable. Take your pick from standard RV camping sites for $80 a day, or if youre up for a splurge, the river view sites go for $125 a day. Check Out Fern River Resort On Booking.com Here! Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park really is the place to be. Just across the railroad tracks from Redwood Grove Loop Trail hides the lesser-known Indian Creek Loop. This provides shade and privacy. Some fun demonstrations included water that flowed upwards, being able to walk vertically up the walls, and a gravity-defying wrecking ball that was nearly impossible to move. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park includes 4,650 acres of beautiful forest and open land. Many people park on Highway 9 and walk 1-2 miles to the park. zFeaturing 15 miles of hiking and riding trails, the Henry Cowell Redwood State Park boasts trees that are close to being 1,800 years old. Is there another place you would recommend? If hunger strikes, you can grab a hot dog or burger at the Food & Drink area and enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the outdoor picnic-style tables. Apply to Rehabilitation Technician, Physical Therapy Aide, Clinical Supervisor and more! Easy to walk trail. Roaring Camp is located right next to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park so you can combine a visit to both on the same day. Learn more about our selection criteria and vetting process. Theres a 3D trail map that you can check before embarking on a hike, in case elevation change is something thats important to you. 104 Lockheed Martin jobs available in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, CA on Indeed.com. Kip Tllez, Felton . There are a variety of trails to choose from that span across 4650 acres of protected redwood lands. Trees were magnificent. The 4,623-acre state park was established in 1954, and it includes a non-contiguous extension in the Fall Creek area north of Felton. You can visit the Print Shop, which houses one of the few Linotypes left around, and you can see a recreation of a Sheriffs Office. From serene redwood hikes to wooden covered bridges and exciting steam train rides, there are plenty of adventures awaiting you in Felton! The visitor center hours are 10-4. The Visitor Center has a map of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It includes a general store, a train depot, and picnic areas. Here you can explore a town built in western style. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad. You can follow the trail past the duck ponds to reach the trestles. Lots of education in the trail guide paper. Near the trailhead, you can see a display with one of the oldest coastal redwoods that was over 2200 years old. A popular swimming hole known as the Garden of Eden can be found in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. is a front-row seat to the towns famous monthly festivals. While these beauties are perhaps at their most striking in the winter rain and fog, you can pretty much visit the state park whenever you want. You understand that your consent is not a condition of purchase, and that you can opt-out at any time. Here are the top 9 things to do at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park! Santa Cruz, CA 95060 . Flash forward to 1950, when there was only one member of the Cowell family left, Samuel Harry Cowell, who was almost ninety years old. Another interesting tree is the Freemont Tree. Each of the full hook-up sites includes water, sewer, electric, and cable. It will take you about 10-15 minutes. Welcome to California Wanderland! Was at Big Basin 9 years ago and wanted to bring the kids there this trip, but with the fire recovery and all the rain we chose to come to Henry Cowell instead for this trip.