Roaring Camp Railroads
At a Glance
- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationCA
- Rating4.6 ★4,467 Google reviews
- UpcomingThu, Aug 13
About Roaring Camp Railroads
The 3‑ft (914 mm) narrow‑gauge Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad departs daily from its Felton depot, climbing 3.25 mi of steep grades through towering redwood forest to the summit of Bear Mountain. Steam‑powered trains, featuring several locomotives dating from the 1890s, provide regular passenger service and are among the oldest such narrow‑gauge engines operating in the United States. A weekend beach train runs Saturdays and Sundays.
Upcoming Events
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingFree lot · paid lot · street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- HoursMonday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad runs on a 3 ft (914 mm) gauge line that stretches 3.25 miles (5.23 km) from the Roaring Camp depot in Felton to the summit of Bear Mountain. Regular passenger trains are hauled by two Shay locomotives—including Shay #1, a 1912 three‑cylinder engine known as Dixiana, and Shay #7—and are occasionally assisted by the 1899 Heisler #2, named Thomas S. Bullock, while the 1928 Climax #5, called Bloomsburg, and the 0‑4‑2ST “Kahuku” serve special‑occasion and shuttle duties. All of these historic geared engines pull wooden‑bodied coaches and open‑air cars along the steep 10.5 % switchback and the original trestle‑loop‑free route through the redwood forest.
History
The narrow-gauge logging tourist railway commenced operations in Felton, California.
The operator acquired the standard-gauge line to Santa Cruz to run beach excursions.
The railway celebrated the centenary of its historic 1899 Shay locomotive number one.
See full history
Roaring Camp Railroads begins its heritage‑railroad operations in 1963 when founder F. Norman Clark (1935–1985) acquires a 99‑year lease on 170 acres of the Big Trees Ranch, a property originally bought in 1867 by Joseph Warren Welch to protect giant redwoods and partially sold to Santa Cruz County in 1930. In 1958 Clark rescues the abandoned Shay locomotive Dixiana, reconditions it, and places it in service that same year. A 1976 fire destroys the original “corkscrew” trestles at Spring Canyon; within six months a switchback with a 10.5 % grade is built to restore service. After Clark’s death on December 2 1985, his wife Georgiana assumes ownership and management as Vice President of Operations. The railroad’s profile expands with the inaugural “Day Out with Thomas” event in 2003 and a December 28 2015 collision on the switchback that injures six passengers, while the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designates its Shay, Climax and Heisler engines a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1988.
Around the Depot
California's Roaring Camp Railroads is close to two more rides: the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad about 14 mi off and the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation roughly 22 mi away.
Billy Jones Wildcat RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.7 (680)14 miView →
California Trolley and Railroad CorporationTrain Ride·★ 5 (4)22 miView →
SPCRR HomeTrain Ride·★ 4.1 (9)36 miView →
The Centerville DepotTrain Ride·★ 5 (4)36 miView →
Naples Depot MuseumMuseum·★ 4.7 (265)37 miView →Old Train Trestle BridgeAttraction·★ 4.7 (40)<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Roaring Camp Railroads located?
Roaring Camp Railroads is located in CA.
How do I get tickets to Roaring Camp Railroads?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at https://www.roaringcamp.com.
When is the next event at Roaring Camp Railroads?
The next scheduled event is "Redwood Forest Train" on Thursday, August 13, 2026. See the full upcoming-events list on this page.