Participate in weekly Star Strolls up to the Observation Deck or enjoy a live jazz concert every month at Full Moon Madness that takes place near the Visitor Center. This grove contains more than 300 feet of high trees and is over 2000 years old. We have the perfect spot for you if you want to spend a few nights camping in Felton. Things to do near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Things to Do near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad #2 of 14 things to do in Felton 328 reviews 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton, CA 95018-9745 0.3 miles from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Roaring Camp Railroads #5 of 84 things to do in Santa Cruz All campers here are provided with a food locker, a picnic table, a fire pit, and a grill. Take a day off from sightseeing and visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Park on the side of the road (arrive early to guarantee yourself a spot) and hike down the quick, steep trail to the water. Its a pretty interesting location if youve never seen train trestles before. If you have more time, you can hike one of the longer trails or take a dip in the San Lorenzo River, which flows through the park. is situated by the boardwalk, where youre bound to splash around the water. I prefer water anyway. and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from California.com about news, events, offers, and partner promotions. Fantastic park. Bodies of Water Nature & Wildlife Areas. Its been years though and would love to go out there again! Now what remains of the ruins are overgrown with fern, moss, and trees as nature claim back the land. The Fern River Resort cabins come equipped with all the comforts of home and are filled with thoughtful touches for a comfortable experience. 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. What hotels are near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park? As soon as you enter this rainforest you will feel the temperatures drop and sense the stillness of the redwoods all around. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After the factory closed, the property slowly deteriorated. Is there any public transport from Monterey to Henry Cowell Park. Jeep Tour Full Day Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo with lunch and drinks included. This 6 mile out-and-back hike is on a paved road that travels through redwood trees, follows . These large campsites have picnic tables, storage bins, grills, and firepits. If youre visiting Felton in the summer season, you have the option to stay and camp at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. We arrived a bit early, purchased our tickets, and waited around for the next tour. So happy we did, it was magical. 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. The park features trails open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horses, swimming holes, and the Roaring Camp Railroad. The park also features a visitor center, a campground, Wi-Fi internet access, picnic areas, and interpretative programs. Photo by ars5017. We tried several different wines here and my favorite was the Pinot Noir. From San Jose, the park is a twisty 40 minute drive down highway 17. Each campsite has picnic tables and fire rings. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offers great amenities and is an alternative to camping in State Parks. Maximum trailer length is 31ft; maximum motorhome or camper length is 35ft. We would like to visit a Redwood park and wonder if Henry Cowell Park is too out of the way? I researched the train ride and was glad we just drove ourselves. Though not technically in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, this campground is still a treat. A free permit is required to drive the access road and hike the Tall Trees Trail. 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. From serene redwood hikes to wooden covered bridges and exciting steam train rides, there are plenty of adventures awaiting you in Felton! Lots of poison oak everywhere though! The Mystery Spot is a unique tourist attraction that is well worth visiting. The grounds were clean and beautiful with redwood trees. I also recall this park fills up pretty quickly so get ahead of the crowds. Campground Location: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. In Fall Creek, a 2,390 acre unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, redwoods now bear charcoal scars. It gives it an almost eerie feel. The Bigfoot Discovery Museum is easily accessible off Highway 9 and is open Friday to Monday from 1-5 pm. From the top of the deck, you might spot Acorn Woodpeckers creating holes in the surrounding trees for storing acorns in the winter or peep through the magnifying glass at the coastline in the distance. Read in some reviews that rangers are strict and do not allow occupants at one site to congregate at another site. Each year, a tree creates a new ring. The atmosphere was very relaxing and just what we needed after several days of hiking! Check Out Fern River Resort On Booking.com Here! The train was operated by a tour guide and a gentleman who has been operating Roaring Camp train rides since the 1960s. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. This campground is also near the Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat, an ancient marine deposit home to imperiled wildlife and vegetation. ? There are 4 ways to get from San Francisco to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park by bus, train, subway or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. The layout of the property ensures that the guests have plenty of space and privacy. There is an audio tour you can download which explains the numbered signs. 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. Address: 4980 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018, United States. In 1952, he acquired the grove and named it in memory of his father, Henry. 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. 2600 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92625. , (949) 720-1289. Many visitors park along Highway 9 and walk 1-2 miles into the park. Some of the highest and driest ridge slopes in the park support fairly unusual chaparral communities known as "elfin forests.". The Mystery Spot tours run multiple times a day. 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. On the way, you can stop by Cable Car Beach where you can easily access the river shore to cool down in the summer. Located around the beautiful redwoods, makes for plenty of shadeperfect for a hot summers day. 9 Best Things To Do At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 2022. Often on Saturdays, you can catch live music performances on the redwood deck at the center of the main shopping area. Some span the length of the giants' mighty trunks, nearly 100 feet long, running up into . This Observation Deck is located near the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground and can be easily reached via a 0.5-mile-long trail. The tallest tree is about 277 feet tall, 16 feet wide and over 1,500 years old. Before we get into the details, here are a few parking tips: Also Read: 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Alaska: Ultimate Guide 2022. Required fields are marked *. Stop at the trailhead and scan your smartphone for a QR code. Our recommended businesses are top-quality and are committed to their communities. 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. The trails were well maintained, marked so easy to follow, appreciated the handy trail guides. The RV campground is armed with most modern amenitieswater, electricity, cable TV, and picnic tablesand is also suitable for a visit with your four-legged best friend. Three miles north of Santa Cruz, on Graham Hill Road, is the parks campground with 113 sites. This is separate from the day-use entrance of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and can be accessed through Graham Hill Road in Scotts Valley. Its way cooler than the parking lot under the trees so bring a sweater. Picnickers enjoyed the early afternoon walking through . This forest is home to the remains of an old mining operation that was active between 1874-1919. The Hallcrest Vineyards tasting room can be a bit tricky to find if youre not familiar with the area. An avid outdoorsman, Harry was especially fond of the familys property next to the Welch Grovethe one Andrew P. Hill was denied access to. You can get a hot dog, burger, or sandwich at the Food & Drink Area and then enjoy a relaxed lunch at one of the outdoor picnic-style tables. The trees are magnificent, and the forest will enchant you. Apply to Assembler, Assistant, Real Estate Analyst and more! Garden of Eden is not a party place. This covered bridge measures 36 feet long and is the longest in America. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Bring your showers. Since the grove was already given to the state, Cowells representatives met with the officials, underwent lengthy negotiations, and were eventually successful. You can easily follow this trail loop because many trees are marked. 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. You can purchase firewood. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Typically open from sunrise to sunset, Henry Cowell State Park has a number of free interpretive activities that happen during summers only and after dark. 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. Cable Car Beach is a great place to stop along the route. 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. Actually spotted a banana slug thanks to another group on the trail. From here you can easily access Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and combine a trip to both within the same day. 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. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Find all the transport options for your trip from Santa Cruz to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park right here. 800.833.3494or 831.425.1234. This will bring up an electronic guide that highlights the trail highlights. Here you can find incredible trails including the 3.3-mile-long Fall Creek to Lime Kilns Trail that goes to old mining ruins. Arrived by 8am. A few miles north is the Fall Creek Unit, 2nd growth redwood forest and river canyon. 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. 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. I've heard good things about Smithwoods RV Park, but I have not been there myself. A mere mile away from the state park, Smithwoods RV Park is a front-row seat to the towns famous monthly festivals. Do you have a favorite campsite at this park??? California Wanderland is here to help you discover the best hikes, outdoor activities, things to do and best places to eat in Central California. Rome2rio makes travelling from Santa Cruz to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park easy. We visited with the family, reserving 3 separate sites. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. At the beginning of the Redwood Grove Loop, you can scan your phone for a QR code that will pull up an electronic guide of the trails main attractions. Banana slugs and beautiful lichen and trees to enjoy. It also shows where highlights such as the Cathedral Redwoods are located. The largest tree in this grove is called The Giant which is over 270 feet tall and 17 feet wide. This trail winds along a river that is surrounded by ancient redwoods. You also agree to our Terms of Use and our use of your information as set forth in our Privacy Policy. It includes historic lime kilns, a barrel mill, and other remnants. Campgroundreviews has a good list for Scott's Valley area. Once the tour started our guide gave us a quick intro about the Mystery Spot and how it all got started before diving into some hands-on demonstrations. For hikes with the pup, use the main park entrance off Highway 9 and access the Pipeline Trail. Fern River Resort is located in a wooded area off Highway 9, connecting several historic logging towns to the Redwood State Parks. We loved it for that reason. This allows you to determine how old the tree is by counting its rings. Its get very busy and with the road works going on at the moment parking gets tough. While it is closed in the winter season, visitors can reserve a space during the spring and summer months and enjoy everything the Santa Cruz Mountains have to offer. Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Felton near 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. 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. $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Bar Pub Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Pizza Vegetarian Friendly. Tent and RV camping with no hook-ups are available several miles from the main entrance to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. A tree produces a new ring every year so you can figure out how old the tree is by counting its rings. Or you can look out through the magnifying glasses at the coast in the distance. 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. Im Laura, a California local always in search of new adventures around me. Also, you will learn more about Henry Cowell State Park by scanning your phone for a QR code. Excellent relatively easy for older and/or physically-challenged individuals walking path through a well-maintained grove of Coast Redwoods. That year, an English publication hired Andrew P. Hillan artist, photographer, and author from San Joseto write a story about the massive beauties of the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day and the Visitor Center is open from 10am to 4pm. Its such a beautiful little gem! Complete Guide 2022. We've been to Thousand Trails / Morgan Hill RV Resort a couple of times and we love it there too. Pick up a map that will tell you about each of the stops along the way. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Dog Friendly. 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