State park and redwood trails

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Adjacent to Roaring Camp; about 265 meters straight-line between mapped visitor entrances

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is Roaring Camp's strongest independent neighbor, protecting an old-growth grove and offering current trail, access and visitor-center planning.

The place

About Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park protects redwood forest, river habitat and rare Santa Cruz sandhills beside Roaring Camp's Felton property. The day-use side includes the 40-acre old-growth grove, visitor center, nature store, picnic areas and developed trails. The park's identity is independent from Roaring Camp even though both regular train routes pass through the surrounding park landscape.

The park has three separate entrances and planning areas: the main day-use entrance, the campground and the Fall Creek Unit. This page anchors directions to the official day-use coordinates at 101 North Big Trees Park Road. It does not treat a campground reservation or Fall Creek trailhead as equivalent to arriving at the visitor center and Redwood Loop.

Current state guidance publishes sunrise-to-sunset park hours, daily visitor-center and nature-store windows, day-use parking fees, detailed access information and a storm-damage closure on part of Rincon Fire Road. Conditions, fire restrictions, river safety and trail work can change. Check the live park page before a visit and keep the park's parking charge separate from Roaring Camp's own lot.

What stands out

Walk the old-growth Redwood Loop

The developed 0.75-mile loop enters the park's 40-acre old-growth grove and is the most practical short pairing after a train ride.

Connect two versions of the same landscape

Roaring Camp interprets geared logging railroads while the state park protects the redwood, river and sandhills habitats through which the rail routes travel.

Use specific access guidance

California State Parks publishes route lengths, accessible segments, visitor-center caveats, parking and free manual-wheelchair information rather than one generic badge.

Choose the entrance before driving

The day-use redwood grove, campground and Fall Creek Unit are separate. Selecting the correct entrance avoids losing train-day time to a wrong arrival point.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Roaring Camp Railroads trip

Roaring Camp and Henry Cowell are immediate neighbors, and both the Redwood Forest and Beach Train routes travel through the park landscape. That makes the park the strongest train-first independent pairing: ride first, then add the 0.75-mile Redwood Loop or visitor center if daylight and mobility allow. The two properties remain independently operated. Paying Roaring Camp parking or holding a train ticket does not include state-park parking, and using the park lot does not establish railroad parking or admission. Build extra time for moving between entrances instead of treating the mapped 265-meter straight-line separation as a guaranteed accessible walking route.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Current day-use hoursThe park is open sunrise to sunset. The current page lists the visitor center daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and nature store 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; holiday or emergency changes can supersede those windows.
  • Parking feesThe current park page publishes $10 vehicle day use, $9 for seniors age 62 and older, $50 for a small bus and $100 for a large bus. Peak or special-event prices may apply and all prices can change.
  • Use the correct entranceThe day-use area, campground and Fall Creek Unit have separate entrances. These directions target the day-use visitor center and Redwood Loop at 101 North Big Trees Park Road.
  • Current closureRincon Fire Road is closed from Pipeline Road to River Trail Connector due to 2023 storm damage. Check the official page for changes before choosing a route.
  • Redwood Loop accessThe official access guide describes the 0.75-mile Redwood Loop as accessible and offers an audio tour. Conditions and maintenance can still change.
  • Other accessible trail segmentsThe Meadow Trail is accessible for at least 0.5 mile, and the first 4,000 feet of River Trail after Meadow Trail access are described as accessible.
  • Visitor-center accessMost exhibits and aisles are generally accessible, but a slightly high threshold may require assistance. The center is about 350 feet from parking, and a drop-off may help.
  • Manual wheelchairsThe park lists two manual wheelchairs available without charge, one at the visitor center and one at the nature store. Ask staff about availability and fit.
  • DogsDogs are limited to specified areas and trails on a leash no longer than six feet. They are not allowed on Redwood Grove Loop or in the Fall Creek Unit; service-animal rules are distinct.
  • BicyclesBicycles are allowed only on specified fire roads, not every trail. Check the park map and current closure before riding.
  • Separate parking systemsThe park's pay-by-phone option does not reserve a space, and lot capacity controls. The state-park fee is separate from Roaring Camp's parking charge.
  • Water and natural hazardsRiver conditions, heat, falling limbs, wildlife and fire restrictions can change quickly. Carry water, stay on open routes and follow posted warnings.

Pair redwood railroading with the protected forest

Add Roaring Camp Railroads

Ride through the park landscape with Roaring Camp, then visit the independent day-use area for the old-growth loop and visitor center. Parking and rules remain separate.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park part of Roaring Camp?

No. The properties are adjacent and the trains pass through the park landscape, but California State Parks operates Henry Cowell independently from the railroad.

What are the current park hours?

The current park page says sunrise to sunset, with the visitor center daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and the nature store 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Check for temporary changes.

What does day-use parking cost?

The current page publishes $10 per vehicle and $9 for seniors age 62 and older, with separate bus prices. Peak or special-event pricing may apply, and prices can change.

Does a Roaring Camp ticket include state-park parking?

No. The railroad and park have separate parking systems and fees. A payment at one property does not grant parking or admission privileges at the other.

Is the Redwood Loop wheelchair-accessible?

The official access guide describes the 0.75-mile Redwood Loop as accessible and provides an audio tour. Check current conditions and ask staff about the best route for your needs.

Can I borrow a wheelchair?

The park lists two manual wheelchairs available free of charge, one at the visitor center and one at the nature store. Availability is limited, so ask staff when you arrive.

May I bring my dog on the Redwood Loop?

No. Current state guidance says dogs are not allowed on Redwood Grove Loop or in the Fall Creek Unit. Dogs are allowed only in specified areas and trails on a leash up to six feet.

Are all three park entrances interchangeable?

No. The main day-use area, campground and Fall Creek Unit use separate entrances. Use the day-use directions for the visitor center and Redwood Loop.

What trail is currently closed?

At the cutoff, Rincon Fire Road was closed from Pipeline Road to River Trail Connector due to 2023 storm damage. Recheck the official park page before departure.

Can I fit Henry Cowell after a train ride?

Often, if the train returns with enough daylight. The 0.75-mile Redwood Loop is the most practical add-on, but allow time for separate parking, moving between entrances and current trail conditions.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-15. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.