Our Parks
HENRY COWELL REDWOODS
STATE PARK (including Fall Creek)
Photo by Lee Williams
Henry Cowell is a Wonderful Place
Explore this San Lorenzo Valley gem with its old-growth redwood forest, plants and animals that you’re not likely to find anywhere else in the world, and the remnants of an ancient inland sea that exists nowhere else but here in Santa Cruz County!
Visiting Henry Cowell
There is so much to do in this beautiful spot. See for yourself below.
Hiking.
Henry Cowell has about 20 miles of trails, ranging from 0.4 miles to 3.3 miles long. Terrain varies from forest to chaparral. Get information about terrain, steepness, distance,and hiking-time duration for many popular trails here.
Photo by Lee Williams
Camping.
We understand that your ultimate park experience may include camping in our beautiful forest. While we do not handle camping reservations for Henry Cowell, we offer website links to connect you to the reservation services you need here.
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Picnicking.
There are lovely picnic areas for individuals and groups just inside the park, near the main entrance. Other picture-perfect picnic spots await you as you wander around the park.
Photo by Lee Williams
FAQs.
Before you visit Henry Cowell, get the information you need. From where to walk your dog to where to get a map of the park, you can find many answers right here.
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Photo by Bill Rhoades © CA State Parks
Events.
Henry Cowell activities and events are co-sponsored by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks. All activities are posted on the State Parks website.
Redwood RX Classes
Mountain Parks Foundation is partnering with California State Parks to provide a nature-based wellness program called Redwood Rx. Redwood Rx offers a variety of new opportunities to connect with nature and experience the health and wellness benefits of our Redwoods State Parks.
Upcoming classes at Henry Cowell
Can’t Get to the Park?
A Virtual Tour is Now Available for Henry Cowell Redwood Grove Trail
A Bit of Henry Cowell History
© CA State Parks
The areas now described as Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park were Rancheros in the 1830′s and 1840′s. Various landowners have purchased parts of the Rancheros throughout history. In 1867 Joseph Warren Welch purchased 350 acres containing the forty-acre stand of virgin redwood now part of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Who was Henry Cowell?
Henry Cowell arrived in Santa Cruz area in 1865 and bought half of the shares of the Santa Cruz limestone business from Albion Jordan for $100,000.
By 1886 he was reported to have the highest income in Santa Cruz County in addition to owning 10,000 acres of land in the area. His businesses included limestone quarries, shipping, logging, cattle, cement trade and large land holdings, ranches and lime deposits in 15 counties. His property included over 1,600 acres of forest adjacent to Welch’s Big Trees Resort.
He developed lime quarries at Rincon and Fall Creek. The limestone were an excellent grade and available where there were large quantities of fuel for the kilns. During the years of highest demand, 80% of the statewide need for lime was supplied by Santa Cruz County.
The California State Parks website has much more information.
News in Henry Cowell
Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods
A few miles north is the Fall Creek Unit– a second-growth redwood forest with a fern-lined river canyon and remnants of a successful lime-processing industry. Fall Creek is open for day use only, and includes almost twenty miles of connecting trails. Parking and trailheads are marked on Felton Empire Road off Highway 9.
Photo by Dave Kuty
Get Involved!
Donate.
Ensure the future of our parks by supporting our work.
Explore.
Experience the magic of the redwoods without getting lost.
Volunteer.
Join our team and make a difference in our parks today.