Bring a flashlight. That’s the one piece of gear most first-time visitors to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park don’t think to pack, and it’s exactly what you need to step inside the hollowed-out trunk of the famous Fremont Tree, a coast redwood old enough that General John C. Fremont reportedly camped inside it in the 1840s. The park’s signature grove holds trees up to 1,500 years old and 277 feet tall, all within an easy, flat loop trail just outside Santa Cruz. It’s one of the most accessible old-growth redwood experiences in California, though a few fee, dog, and seasonal camping details are worth sorting out before you go.
Here’s what to know for a 2026 visit.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Location | 101 Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA (Santa Cruz Mountains) |
| Park hours | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily |
| Day-use parking fee | $10 regular vehicle; $9 for seniors 62+ |
| Free parking alternative | Graham Hill Pullout |
| Bus parking fee | $50 (10–24 passengers); $100 (25+ passengers) |
| Redwood Grove Loop Trail | 0.8 miles, flat, wheelchair accessible |
| Largest tree | About 277 feet tall, roughly 1,500 years old |
| Total trail mileage | Over 15 miles |
| Camping fee | $35/night, 113 sites |
| Campground season | Typically closed late fall through early spring |
| Max RV/trailer length | 35 feet (motorhome); 31 feet (trailer) |
| Dog policy | Leashed on select trails (Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail, Powder Mill Fire Road, Meadow Trail); not allowed on Redwood Grove Loop or most interior trails |
The Redwood Grove Loop: What Makes It Special
This is the park’s centerpiece and the reason most visitors make the trip. The Redwood Grove Loop is a flat, 0.8-mile self-guided trail running through a 40-acre stand of old-growth coast redwoods, with the largest specimens reaching approximately 277 feet in height and an estimated 1,500 years in age. Because the trail sits within about 150 feet of the parking area, it’s genuinely accessible to visitors who can’t manage steep or lengthy hikes, families with strollers, and anyone simply wanting to experience ancient redwoods without a major physical commitment.
The Fremont Tree, a hollowed-out redwood with a large enough interior cavity to step inside, is the grove’s most memorable stop, and yes, bringing a flashlight to fully appreciate the inside is worth the extra prep. Pick up a self-guided brochure at the Visitor Center, or download the audio tour if you’d rather listen to the grove’s history than read about it as you walk.
Understanding the Parking Fee Structure
Henry Cowell charges a $10 day-use parking fee at the main entrance and campground lots, dropping to $9 for seniors 62 and older. If you’re camping, your reservation permit covers parking at both locations, so there’s no need to pay twice during a single overnight stay. For budget-conscious visitors, the Graham Hill Pullout offers a free parking alternative, though it requires a bit more walking to reach the main attractions compared to paying for a spot closer to the grove itself.
Group visits by bus carry their own fee structure, $50 for smaller buses carrying 10 to 24 passengers, and $100 for larger buses with 25 or more, worth knowing if you’re organizing a school trip or larger group outing.
Camping: Seasonal Closures Worth Knowing About
The park’s 113-site campground sits in a shady pine and oak forest a short walk or drive from the Redwood Grove Loop and Visitor Center, running $35 a night with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Maximum vehicle sizes are capped at 35 feet for motorhomes and 31 feet for trailers, so double-check your rig’s dimensions before booking if you’re bringing a larger camper.
One detail that catches visitors off guard: the campground typically closes from late fall through early spring, and reopening dates can shift year to year, sometimes delayed beyond the expected start of the season. If camping specifically is part of your 2026 plans, calling the park’s public information line or checking current status before finalizing travel dates is worth doing, rather than assuming the campground will be open on a fixed calendar schedule. During peak summer months, calling the campground directly for detailed, season-specific information is also a good habit given how quickly conditions and availability can change.
Dog Policy: Where Pets Are and Aren’t Welcome
This is one of the more restrictive pet policies among California’s redwood parks, and it’s worth understanding clearly before bringing your dog along. Leashed dogs (six feet maximum) are welcome in the campground, picnic areas, and on a specific set of trails: Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail, Powder Mill Fire Road, and Meadow Trail. They are explicitly not permitted on the Redwood Grove Loop Trail or most other interior trails and roads throughout the park.
If experiencing the old-growth grove with your dog is part of your plan, know upfront that this specific trail isn’t an option, regardless of how well-behaved your pet is. Plan your dog-friendly hiking around the approved trail list instead, and consider that this restriction exists specifically to protect the fragile ecosystem within the grove itself.
Beyond the Grove: Sandhills, River Trail, and Longer Hikes
While the Redwood Grove Loop draws the most visitors, Henry Cowell offers more than 15 miles of additional trails worth exploring if you have more time. The upper elevations of the park hold the Santa Cruz Sandhills, a genuinely rare habitat supporting numerous species found nowhere else, a striking contrast to the shaded redwood grove below. For a half-day commitment, a roughly 5-mile round trip route connects the campground through ponderosa pine and chaparral sandhill terrain down to the Redwood Grove Loop and back, passing along the San Lorenzo River partway through.
The park’s Observation Deck, at 805 feet elevation, marks the highest point in the park and is reachable via a half-mile walk from the campground through the sandhill plant community, offering a different perspective on the landscape than the shaded grove trails below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I bring my dog on the Redwood Grove Loop Trail?
No. Dogs aren’t permitted on the Redwood Grove Loop or most other interior trails, though they’re welcome on a specific set of approved trails (Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail, Powder Mill Fire Road, Meadow Trail) along with the campground and picnic areas.
Q2. Is there a free way to visit without paying the day-use parking fee?
Yes. Parking at the Graham Hill Pullout is free, though it involves more walking to reach the main grove and Visitor Center compared to the paid lots closer to the entrance.
Q3. Is the campground open year-round?
No. The campground typically closes from late fall through early spring, and reopening dates can shift or be delayed depending on the year. Call the park’s public information line for exact current-season dates before finalizing a camping trip.
Q4. How long does it take to see the main redwood grove?
The Redwood Grove Loop Trail itself takes about an hour at a relaxed pace, making it accessible even for visitors with limited time. If you want a fuller experience including the sandhills and river areas, budget closer to half a day for the roughly 5-mile combined route.
