Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Park State park preserving old-growth redwood forest
Old-growth coast redwood grove near Santa Cruz with boardwalked trails, river access and campground facilities; visitors hike among towering trees, photograph the groves and mountain-bike on nearby routes.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a California state park in Santa Cruz County that protects coast redwood forest and adjacent mixed woodland. The park includes a well-known old-growth redwood grove and extensive trail networks.
Visitors come to walk through the preserved old-growth redwood grove, hike riverside and forest trails, camp at park campgrounds and join interpretive programs. The park’s boardwalks and trails provide easy access to large redwoods and riparian scenery along nearby waterways.
The park was created to conserve remnant old-growth coast redwoods and surrounding lands in the Santa Cruz Mountains; management has combined preservation of key redwood stands with visitor facilities and trail maintenance. The park bears the name of Henry Cowell and includes multiple management units.
The park is located in Santa Cruz County near the community of Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains, inland from the central California coast. It is part of the regional system of redwood and mountain parks in the county.
- Old-growth redwoods and recreation: Protects an accessible old-growth grove of coast redwoods near the community of Felton and offers hiking, camping and interpretive programs.
What to See #
- Redwood Grove: The Redwood Grove features an old-growth stand of coast redwoods with interpretive trails and boardwalks that allow close views of large trees and root systems.
- Trail networks and Fall Creek unit: The park includes upstream river trails and a second unit around Fall Creek, offering mixed forest, campgrounds and trail networks.
How to Get to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park #
From Santa Cruz: take Highway 17 north to CA‑9 (north) toward Felton. Turn left on Graham Hill Road and follow signs to North Big Trees Park Road; the main parking lot and visitor center are at 101 N Big Trees Park Road (about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Santa Cruz). From San Jose or points north, take Highway 17 south and exit on CA‑9 toward Felton.
Tips for Visiting Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park #
- Enter from Highway 9 at Felton and park at the main lot on North Big Trees Park Road - the Grove trailhead is a five-minute walk from the lot.
- Walk the Redwood Grove Loop early morning to avoid crowds and hear the river; bring a jacket - the canopy keeps it cool even in summer.
- Combine a visit with the nearby Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton if one wants to add history and steam to the day.
- Don't miss the interpretive signs near the grove that point out fire scars and coppiced stumps - human history is written in the wood.
Best Time to Visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park #
Best visited spring through fall for hiking and warmer weather; winters deliver dramatic, mossy forests and fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park #
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 4°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (785 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (169 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
