Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park protects 4,650 acres of coast redwood forest, mixed evergreen woodland, ponderosa pine stands, and riparian habitat along the San Lorenzo River — all within 15 miles of the Santa Cruz beach. For families who want to experience old-growth redwoods without driving to Humboldt, Henry Cowell is the closest and most accessible old-growth grove in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains.

The centerpiece of the park is the Fremont Loop, a 0. 8-mile self-guided nature trail through the park's ancient redwood grove. This grove contains trees estimated to be 1,400-1,800 years old, including the park's famous 'Giant' — a tree with a trunk circumference of 51 feet that takes a line of 8-10 adults holding hands to encircle.

The interpretive signs along the loop explain how redwoods survive fire, why they grow so tall, and how the grove community functions as an interconnected ecosystem. The trail is nearly flat and accessible for strollers on its first half.

The San Lorenzo River, which cuts through the eastern section of the park, creates a series of summer swimming holes that are among the best-kept secrets of Santa Cruz family life. Local families visit weekly throughout July and August, setting up on the sandy banks while children wade, swim, and explore. The water temperature peaks around 65-68°F in late summer — cold but invigorating.

There are no lifeguards, so parental supervision is required, but the calm river is dramatically safer than ocean swimming for young children.

The park's campground offers 113 sites including tent and RV accommodations. Camping here produces a qualitatively different experience than a day visit — the grove at night, lit by ambient starlight filtering through the canopy, is extraordinary. Morning mist in the canyon, deer grazing at the meadow edge, and the chorus of birds at dawn are experiences that overnight visitors alone can access.

Beyond the central grove and river, the park's trail network extends into chaparral and mixed evergreen forest on the ridges above, with connections to Wilder Ranch State Park to the west and the Roaring Camp Railroad property to the south. For families seeking multi-day adventure, the combination of these adjacent parks creates one of the finest family outdoor recreation corridors in Northern California.