Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Ancient redwoods on an easy loop near Santa Cruz
⏱ 1-2 hours👤 All ages$
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The grove has been a tourist destination since the nineteenth century, when visitors came by train to see the big trees, and it was protected long before most redwood forests. Today the park covers far more than the grove: trails climb to an observation area in the sandhills, follow the river and link to the Fall Creek unit to the north. The grove itself, though, is the reason most people come, and it rewards slow walking.
The visit craft: arrive in the morning to beat weekend crowds, start at the visitor center for a map and the self-guided brochure, and bring a light jacket (the grove stays cool even in summer) plus a flashlight for the Fremont Tree. Dogs are not allowed on the Redwood Grove Loop. If you want more mileage, the River Trail and other routes extend the walk. Then cross to Roaring Camp for a train ride, or head into Felton for lunch.
Practicals and fit: Highway 9, Felton, about 15 minutes from Santa Cruz and roughly an hour and a quarter from Monterey. Open sunrise to sunset; the visitor center keeps daily hours. Fit: families, first-time redwood visitors and anyone pairing big trees with a Santa Cruz day.
What to Expect
Format
A flat 0.8-mile loop through a 40-acre old-growth redwood grove beside the San Lorenzo River, with a walk-in hollow tree, a visitor center and longer trails beyond.
Best Time
Mornings and weekdays for quiet; any season works, with winter adding a fuller river and summer offering cool shade.
Duration
About an hour for the grove loop; two hours with the visitor center and a river walk.
Tips
Pay the day-use fee by QR code or text at the lot. Bring a flashlight for the Fremont Tree and a layer for the cool grove. Leave dogs at home for the loop. Pair with Roaring Camp next door.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Easy old-growth redwoods close to Santa Cruz.
Families
Ideal: a short, flat loop with a tree you can walk inside.
Couples
A quiet forest stroll, then lunch in Felton or the steam train.
Pair With
Roaring Camp Railroads next door, or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk below.
Time Needed
One to two hours.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Redwood Grove Loop?
About 0.8 miles, flat and easy, circling a 40-acre old-growth grove. Most people take 45 minutes to an hour with stops.
Is there an entrance fee?
There is a modest vehicle day-use fee, payable at the lot by QR code or text. Special rates may apply on peak days.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on the Redwood Grove Loop. Some other areas of the park permit leashed dogs; check park rules before you go.
Is it near Roaring Camp?
Yes. Roaring Camp Railroads operates right next to the park, so a steam train ride and the grove walk combine easily in one morning.
How does it compare with Muir Woods or Big Sur redwoods?
The grove is smaller than Muir Woods but far less crowded, needs no reservation and is much closer to Monterey Bay. The Big Sur redwoods are wilder; Henry Cowell is the easiest old-growth walk in the region.
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Roaring Camp Railroads
Narrow-gauge steam locomotives from the 1890s haul open cars up a steep, switchbacking grade through old-growth redwoods to the top of Bear Mountain, in the Santa Cruz Mountains above the bay.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
California's classic seaside amusement park, with free admission, the century-old Giant Dipper wooden coaster, the 1911 Looff Carousel and a wide surf beach right below the rides.
Mystery Spot
A tilted cabin in a Santa Cruz redwood forest where balls seem to roll uphill and people appear to shrink and grow: a gloriously goofy guided tour that has charmed visitors since the 1940s.