The train rides can run multiple times per day, depending on the season. The main attraction of the Mystery Spot is a slanted cabin that appears to be gravity-defying. This is one of the most popular hikes that you can do at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and is just over 3 miles long out and back. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Dog Friendly. Its get very busy and with the road works going on at the moment parking gets tough. The largest tree in this grove is called The Giant which is over 270 feet tall and 17 feet wide. On the way, you can stop by Cable Car Beach where you can easily access the river shore to cool down in the summer. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad. There are several cabin options to choose from at Fern River Resort, for various budgets and traveling group sizes. I am clueless about this. Each of the full hook-up sites includes water, sewer, electric, and cable. Henry Cowell is known for its old-growth redwoods; some trees here are 1400 to 1800 years old. It's a peaceful place for reflection, respect, and reverence. Getting To Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Henry Cowell is just off highway 9 outside Santa Cruz. 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. Also, if you have the chance to go down to Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County, I highly recommend that you do. Its such a beautiful little gem! 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. 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. Visit Website Or call (831) 335-4598 for more information. A free permit is required to drive the access road and hike the Tall Trees Trail. The property began to decline after the factory was closed. The park also features a visitor center, a campground, Wi-Fi internet access, picnic areas, and interpretative programs. The Fall Creek Unit, off Felton Empire Road, offers miles of hiking, the old Lime Kilns, creeks and, of course, lovely redwoods. 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. $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Bar Pub Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Pizza Vegetarian Friendly. Hi which side is the best to camp on ???? Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The tallest tree in the park is about 285 feet tall and 16 feet wide. 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 Fern River Resort is nestled in a wooded property off Highway 9 that connects many historic logging towns and the surrounding redwood State Parks. Henry Cowell Redwoods Day Use 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. From serene redwood hikes to wooden covered bridges and exciting steam train rides, there are plenty of adventures awaiting you in Felton! Cable Car Beach is a great place to stop along the route. Distance from SF: 72 miles. A notoriously private persona, Henry Cowell was an integral part of. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. 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. 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. It has a hollowed-out trunk that visitors can climb through to see the inside. 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! Many people park on Highway 9 and walk 1-2 miles to the park. Is alcohol really not allowed here or is just hard liquor that you can't bring. Share Your Local Tips! As soon as you enter this rainforest you will feel the temperatures drop and sense the stillness of the redwoods all around. Minimal muddy spots on trails. Since the grove was already given to the state, Cowells representatives met with the officials, underwent lengthy negotiations, and were eventually successful. To get there turn off on Felton Empire Road from Highway 9 and continue until you see a large parking lot on the left. You can hike, walk and even kayak if you're so inclined. 101 North Big Trees Park RoadFelton, CA 95018. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There are several cabin options to choose from at Fern River Resort, for various budgets and traveling group sizes. The Observation Deck, located 805 feet above sea level in a sandhills vegetation community, is unique. From Santa Cruz, the park is just a short drive up the road. This forest is home to the remains of an old mining operation that was active between 1874-1919. Or you can look out through the magnifying glasses at the coast in the distance. [International, TV Sizes & More], 14 Delicious Halal Thai Restaurants in London 2023, 10 Best Things To Do In Puerto Rico: Top Rated Attractions [2023], 15 Best Things To Do In Labadee, Haiti: 2023 Ultimate Guide, 12 Best Black Sand Beaches In The World [2023]. From here you can easily access Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and combine a trip to both within the same day. It is quite interesting and a must-do if youre planning a visit to the Santa Cruz region! He kept the audience engaged and pulled people from the crowd to take part in the mysteries that can be found here. Complete Guide 2022. This forest was originally purchased in 1867 for logging but the family decided to protect the trees instead and it became the first redwood preserve in the United States. The park has a more modern visitor center. Weather Averages High Low Precip 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 museum consists of artifacts, exhibits, and evidence of Big Foot sightings. California Wanderland is here to help you discover the best hikes, outdoor activities, things to do and best places to eat in Central California. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. I love seeing redwoods, & this park had excellent ones! In Fall Creek, a 2,390 acre unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, redwoods now bear charcoal scars. 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!! Near the trailhead, you can see a display with one of the oldest coastal redwoods that was over 2200 years old. This is a very special old-growth forest with the original trees that were preserved in the 1800s instead of being logged. After the factory closed, the property slowly deteriorated. This park has 107 sites for tent camping among shady pine and oak forest trees. Fern River Resort offers a variety of cabin options for different budgets and groups. This groves redwoods are older than their ancestors. You can follow the trail past the duck ponds to reach the trestles. You might be able to see Acorn Woodpeckers digging holes in the trees around the deck for winter storage. The trees are magnificent, and the forest will enchant you. If youre visiting Felton in the summer season, you have the option to stay and camp at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. I've heard good things about Smithwoods RV Park, but I have not been there myself. Located around the beautiful redwoods, Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort makes for plenty of shadeperfect for a hot summers day. We stopped by here in the afternoon to enjoy a glass of wine on their cozy outdoor patio overlooking the surrounding forest and meadows. 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. I know they do not allow hard partying or drinking or noise but you should call the park and see if they will let your family group get together. Its get very busy and with the road works going on at the moment parking gets tough. Butano State Park. Note that the campground entrance is different from the day-use areas of the park. 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. We started at the Redwood Grove Trail, then continued on the River Trail which connected with the Big Rock Hole Trail. Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Felton near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. 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. If youre wanting to extend the hike, the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails through a second-growth forest that was once logged but has since regrown back. These campsites are quite large and come equipped with picnic-style tables, storage lockers, and grills for cooking or enjoying a firepit at night. A trip to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a great outdoor escape all year long! It can be reached easily via a 0.5-mile-long trail. John returned to Wrentham shortly after, while Henry began a successful drayage business at only 30 years old. Also, you will learn more about Henry Cowell State Park by scanning your phone for a QR code. A popular swimming hole known as the Garden of Eden can be found in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Store via Glen Arbor. Lets dive in! Located in Felton, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks wheelchair and stroller-accessible Redwood Grove Trail circles around the parks oldest and largest trees. 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?! This trail is short and flat making it a great option for families and little kids. John returned to Wrentham shortly after, while Henry began a successful drayage business at only 30 years old. Hiking, fishing (depending on season), seasonal camping (including RV), birdwatching, and several dog-friendly trails await at this state park. The train travels to the top of Bear Mountain along one of the steepest grades built in North America. You can also see the John C. Fremont tree where Lt. Fremont camped while surveying for the US government prior to California statehood. Roaring Camp is next to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, so you can combine both visits in one day. Your email address will not be published. His frustrations would soon be answered when a man by the name of Henry Cowell entered the picture. 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. This popular hike is approximately 3 miles long and can be done at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. If you see bad things happening, feel free to text me at 831-345-7081. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a great place to see the big trees. These large campsites have picnic tables, storage bins, grills, and firepits. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad. We visited with the family, reserving 3 separate sites. 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 Here you can check out and peek inside a recreation of a Sheriffs Office and a Print Shop that houses one of the few Linotypes still around. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground features 107 wooded campsites nestled amongst pine and oak trees proving plenty of shade and privacy. It would be nice to gather for campfires or meals together. There is also a train which the kids will love. The State Park contains some of the most impressive and oldest redwood tree species. Check Out Fern River Resort On Booking.com Here! Check Out Fern River Resort On Booking.com Here! In 1952, he acquired the grove and named it in memory of his father, Henry. The Visitor Center has a map of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offers great amenities and is an alternative to camping in State Parks. 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. The entrance into the park though had a terrible line, with only one person checking people in & answering questions. You have many options to reach the Cathedral Redwoods grove. 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