Reviews

SK HD

If you ever need a reminder of just how magical nature can be, go spend a day at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 🌲✨ The trees there aren’t just tall—they’re ancient giants, the kind that make you feel wonderfully small in the best possible way. Walking through the Grove Trail feels like stepping into another world. The light filters down through the canopy in this soft, golden glow, and everything is quiet except for the crunch of leaves and the occasional bird call. It’s peaceful, humbling, and honestly a little surreal. And then there’s the train 🚂 — such a fun, nostalgic touch! Hearing it chug through the forest while surrounded by towering redwoods somehow makes the whole experience even more special. It’s like nature and history meeting in the most charming way. But the highlight of the day? Our completely unofficial (but very serious) banana slug competition 🍌🐌 We always play this game of spotting as many as we can—and today we absolutely crushed it with 22+ slugs spotted! Bright yellow, just casually hanging out on the trail like they own the place. It turned into this hilarious mix of excitement and determination every time someone yelled “I found another one!” Between the majestic trees, the peaceful trails, the adorable wildlife, and the pure joy of a silly slug-counting game, this place is just pure magic. Already counting down to the next visit 💛

Hannah Lambert

Did a lovely 0.8mile hike with small kids. They loved it. The trail is very well marked (you are closed in by little fences to protect the essential undergrowth). Lots of neat facts and cool info to learn.

Sohrob H

🌲 An Awesome and Accessible Natural Wonder If you are looking for an awesome place that is easy to walk and great for families, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is hard to beat. My main takeaway from this visit is just how accessible these ancient giants are. Often, seeing old-growth redwoods requires a strenuous hike or navigating steep terrain, but here, the experience is incredibly welcoming for everyone. Whether you have small children in tow or just want a peaceful stroll without the heavy cardio, this park delivers a world-class nature experience that feels both grand and manageable. 🚶 Effortless Exploration Among the Giants The layout of the park is perfectly designed for those who want to see the best scenery with minimal effort. The Redwood Grove Loop: This trail is the highlight. It’s almost entirely flat and very well-maintained, allowing you to look up at the towering trees instead of constantly watching your footing. Inclusive Trails: Because the main paths are so level, it’s a perfect spot for strollers or family members who might have a harder time on traditional hiking trails. You can truly immerse yourself in the forest at a leisurely pace. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A Perfect Family Destination The park is exceptionally family-oriented, making it a "no-brainer" for a weekend outing. Interactive Nature: Kids love the scale of the trees, especially the famous "Fremont Tree," where you can actually step inside the hollowed-out base of a living redwood. It’s the kind of hands-on nature experience that children remember for years. Proximity to Fun: Being located right next to Roaring Camp Railroads adds another layer of excitement. Hearing the steam train whistles echo through the redwoods while you walk adds a unique, historical charm to the whole day. 🌳 Final Thoughts and Recap To recap, this is an awesome place that I highly recommend for anyone visiting the Santa Cruz area. It strikes the perfect balance of being an ancient, awe-inspiring forest while remaining easy to walk and great for families. The combination of well-marked, flat trails and the sheer majesty of the 1,500-year-old trees makes it a 5-star experience every time. It’s a rare find where you can enjoy the "big trees" without the "big hike." I’ll definitely be returning with family in the future!

Sonia

This location offers a truly exceptional experience, showcasing the remarkable beauty of nature. The grandeur of the trees is particularly impressive. All pathways were clearly marked and meticulously maintained. This is an essential destination if you are visiting Santa Cruz. Please note that not all paths are accessible to dog owners; kindly adhere to park regulations. The Pipeline Road Trail is highly recommended for those accompanied by dogs. For visitors without canine companions, all trails are available for exploration. The Redwood Grove Trail features the world's tallest and second-tallest standing trees. When you're on any trail, please make sure to pay close attention to the ground, there are several species of mushrooms growing around the park and among them were the death cap mushrooms, please stay away from them! The Roaring camp can also be accessed from the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Dakota Pierson

Probably my favorite state park in the Bay Area. Very clean, beautiful paths with various accessibility levels, kind employees/rangers, fun items in the gift shop, and great educational visitor's center! The main Redwood Grove loop is kept nice enough to even take my daughter in her stroller. Plenty of shade and typically cooler weather due to the trees and proximity to the coast. Gorgeous all year long!

Danish

Such calm, peaceful and serene trails. During my last visit, I learned that Pine Trail and Eagle Creek Trail have a lot of sand because they are part of ancient sea floor. Would recommend coming before 9:30am to beat the rush of car traffic getting in and parking. Lots of Redwood grove trail is a must do!

Guru D

I've been here a couple times and had only done the loop closest to the parking lot, I had no idea how big this park really is. All this time I thought it was just that lil loop, wow was I surprised to find out that loop is a really small section of an amazingly big park. I'm planning on another visit this time with my Segway so I can see the whole park n not just what my lil legs can handle. This time I also hiked up to the lookout to see the ocean and the Santa Cruz board walk from the top of the hill. I also really like that the trains were still running at roaring camp which is also right off the parking lot. So here's a pro tip, come real early if you wanna parking spot, I got there at 830am and had my pick, by 9am it was completely packed. Also saw some folks park out on the 9 on the south east side of the road and they hiked in. Definitely one of my favorite redwood parks in California. Definitely bring money for the trains, there's two and I recommend both. The 4x4 train is steam and super cool the other takes you to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. I figure why spend $28 for 2 hours for parking and 45 minutes waiting for a spot in and leaving when you can park at Henry Cowell for $10 pay 45 for the train get dropped off and take a later return avoiding both the traffic and the really expensive parking. Did I mention the rain goes through the redwoods? Amazing!!

Cortney Dalton

We’re in the area for my brother’s treatment for a rare form of cancer at Stanford, and before his surgery, we wanted to check something off his bucket list — seeing the redwoods. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was only 45 minutes from our Airbnb and recommended by our host, and lemme tell ya, it was absolutely 💯 worth it. Pictures don’t do it justice — you can’t truly fathom how massive and peaceful those trees are until you’re standing beneath them. The 0.8-mile loop trail is super easy, flat, and accessible for just about anyone. It’s quiet, serene, and feels almost magical as you walk beneath those towering giants. Seeing the Seymour Tree was really cool, but our favorite was the one that almost looks like a giant saguaro cactus — it’s incredible in person! 🌲 We’re so glad we went. It was one of those experiences that just stays with you — peaceful, grounding, and absolutely unforgettable. ❤️

Libby Taylor

Our favorite hiking spot in the Bay Area! Huge redwood trees, deep ferny glens, year round streams and rivers, this park has it all! While it is a dog friendly park, you must keep your dog on a leash and keep to Pipeline road. Without your pup, you can explore miles and miles of forested trails and rarely come across another human being! Highly recommended to hikers of any level. Also, we love parking at the Roaring Camp Railroad and walking into the park that way.

Kim Allen

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a gem! We had made reservations to visit Muir Woods; however a tree fell and they closed the park for a few days. We really wanted to see redwoods and found this amazing state park that I would say is even better than Muir Woods. It was about a 2 hour drive (with traffic) from downtown San Fran. Once we arrived, we went to the visitor center where we picked up a written trail guide that details a 0.8 mile trail with 16? different stops labeled by wooden signs. At each stop, there's about a paragraph to describe what you are looking at and give the history of the redwoods. The trail was flat and easy for me and my family to walk. It is colder and muddy so bring a jacket and some boots or shoes that can get dirty. It was the perfect way to explore and learn about the redwoods. Afterwards, we went to the gift shop where they have lots of neat items, including buying your own small redwood to plant.

Mike Fowler

We originally wanted to go to Big Basin, but it had a fire earlier that year so we thought we’d check this place out. We weren’t disappointed. These redwoods were fun to explore in and it wasn’t very crowded. After setting up camp we went into redwoods and hiked around. We kept hearing this train whistle and wanted to see this old train so we kept going until we found it. It’s a smaller train that originally was used for hauling cut trees out before they stopped cutting down the giants. We also found this tree that we were able to go inside of and stand up (see pics). If you want to ride the train you need to purchase tickets in advance.

renaygarseeya

On the weekends, there might be a might be a 10-15 minute wait at the entrance to pay for parking. We took our time and spent about an hour enjoying the enormous trees and taking pictures. I saw someone using a walker, so the pathway is easy to manage. There are plenty of clean bathrooms, a souvenir store, and a visitors center for extra information. There are volunteer docents available for guided tours. Pack a lunch for afterward because there are plenty of picnic tables available. The Roaring Camp Railroad is located nearby, about a 3 minute walk from the parking lot.

Jonathan Phan

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a serene escape into nature, featuring majestic redwoods and a variety of trails for all skill levels. My family and I loved walking among the towering trees, marveling at their size and the peaceful atmosphere they create. The park is well-maintained, with clear signage and accessible paths, making it easy to navigate. The visitor center provides helpful information about the park's history and ecology, adding depth to the experience. Whether you're hiking, picnicking, or simply soaking in the beauty of the redwoods, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers a rejuvenating retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Paul L

Incredible park, so clean and green. Every time I come here it’s an absolutely amazing hike. Kids usually enjoy it a lot, and there are tons of places for picnics (please pick up your trash). The train passing through is also a great experience. The restrooms here are really clean too!