Overview
Henry Cowell Redwoods has the old-growth grove families dream about without the reservation headache of Muir Woods. The 0.8-mile Redwood Grove Loop passes trees up to 277 feet tall and 1,500 years old, including the Fremont Tree — a fire-hollowed giant wide enough for your whole family to step inside. Add the River Trail to the San Lorenzo River swimming hole in summer and you have a complete day: big trees in the morning, cold river in the afternoon, Roaring Camp steam railroad next door for a bonus.
How to Do It
The park is in Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 75 minutes from the East Bay and 45 from San Jose. There are three separate vehicle entrances. The day-use area — where you want to go for the redwood grove — is at 101 Big Trees Park Road off Highway 9; follow the brown state park signs. The campground has a separate entrance off Graham Hill Road and is not adjacent to the old-growth grove, which surprises many first-time visitors. Park in the day-use lot and pay the $10 vehicle fee at the kiosk (cashless via QR code, Apple Pay, or credit card — no cash needed). From the lot, the Visitor Center is a short walk and worth a 5-minute stop for the self-guided brochure and trail map. The Redwood Grove Loop begins just past the Visitor Center and is flat, wide, and easy for kids who can walk a mile. After the grove, pick up the River Trail by heading back toward the picnic areas near the main entrance — ask a ranger or look for the small path that leads down about 30 feet to the river trail, then turn left toward the swimming beach. In summer, you'll hear the rope swing before you see it.
Tips & Tricks
The Fremont Tree is the headline highlight for kids — it's a fire-hollowed redwood that has been used as a honeymoon room and a photo landmark for over a century. Bring a flashlight; stepping into a dark hollow 10 feet wide genuinely stuns kids of any age. The Garden of Eden swimming hole is separate from the main River Trail beach and requires a short hike — park at the Ox Fire Road Trailhead on Hwy 9, 0.75 miles south of the main entrance. It's worth knowing about for families with older kids (5+) who want more of an adventure, though dogs are not permitted there. The River Trail beach near the main entrance is easier and better for toddlers — shallow, sandy bank, rope swing, and a calm summer current. Poison oak grows throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and borders many of the park trails; leaves of three, glistening finish. Keep kids centered on the trail and pack Tecnu or a similar soap if anyone has a history of reactions. Weekend mornings fill the parking lot by 10am from May through September — arrive before 9am or expect to circle. Dogs are allowed in the picnic areas and on some trails but not on the Redwood Grove Loop Trail specifically.
Planning
Vehicle day-use fee is $10 (seniors 62+ pay $9). The park accepts California State Parks annual passes. Hours are sunrise to sunset daily. The Visitor Center is open Friday through Sunday, 10am to 3pm, and rangers host free guided walks on weekends — check the park events page for current dates. Bring water shoes or sandals that can get wet if you plan to hit the river. Layers are a must: the Santa Cruz Mountains can be 20 degrees cooler than the East Bay and foggy in the morning even in summer. Pack lunch — picnic tables are available in the day-use area and the options in Felton town proper are limited. No strollers on the redwood trail (the surface is natural, with roots), but it is manageable for a strong 2-year-old carried in a soft carrier or on a short-legged hiker's back. For a full day, pair the redwoods and river with a ride on Roaring Camp Railroads immediately adjacent to the park — steam trains that run into the Santa Cruz Mountains or down to the Boardwalk. Best months are April through October; summer is prime for the swimming hole but crowded; spring has wildflowers and fewer people.
