Big Basin and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Some Places Change You
Mountain Parks Foundation invites you into the wonder of Henry Cowell and Big Basin Redwoods State Parks — so these remarkable places are experienced, treasured, and protected for generations to come.
Photo by Bill Rhoades
The connector between people and two of California's most extraordinary places.
Since 1973, Mountain Parks Foundation has been
We fund programs, support park staff, mobilize volunteers, and build the conditions where wonder leads to understanding and understanding leads to stewardship. Every year, our work touches more than 2 million visitors, including hundreds of school groups who step beneath the redwood canopy for the first time and leave changed by it.
Living Cathedrals
Henry Cowell and Big Basin Redwoods aren't just parks. They're living cathedrals, places where the scale of a single tree can reset your sense of what matters.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or someone who's been coming back your whole life, something extraordinary is waiting for you.
2 Million+ Park visitors welcomed every year across Henry Cowell and Big Basin
150 Miles Of trails maintained and supported across both parks
23,000+ Acres Of ancient redwood forest protected and stewarded
Two Parks. One Mission.
Henry Cowell and Big Basin are different places that do the same thing to people- they stop you in your tracks.
Henry Cowell Redwoods
Minutes from town and completely otherworldly. Ancient trees that have stood for 1,500 years, trails that go quiet the moment you step onto them, a river running through it all. It's the kind of place that makes a Tuesday feel sacred.
Felton, CA · 4,650 acres · 20+ miles of trails
Big Basin Redwoods
Something else entirely right now. California's oldest state park survived the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, and it's open, healing, and more worth visiting than ever. The ancient redwoods are still standing. New growth is pushing up through the forest floor. Coming to Big Basin today means being part of the story, not just watching it from the outside.
Boulder Creek, CA · 18,000+ acres 
These Parks Belong to All of Us
The redwoods have stood for more than a thousand years. They have survived drought, fire, and time. What keeps them standing now is people — people who visit, who volunteer, who give.
Every dollar you donate funds the field trips, restoration projects, volunteer programs, and visitor experiences that keep Henry Cowell and Big Basin alive and accessible for everyone. Make a gift. Sponsor a tree. Set up a monthly donation. However you choose to give, it matters.
News & Updates
From stories out of the field to upcoming events and park news, this is your place to stay connected to Henry Cowell, Big Basin, and the work we do together.
Make a Donation
Every act of generosity—big or small—helps build a world that reflects our shared values. Your support moves us all closer to a brighter tomorrow.
Our Mission
Our mission is to welcome and inspire the next generation of stewards of Big Basin and Henry Cowell by connecting people with our redwoods state parks and the natural wonders they contain. Ongoing programs and special projects funded by Mountain Parks Foundation serve 2 million park visitors annually, including hundreds of school groups who participate in on-site curriculum-based educational experiences.
Our Work
We partner with the community to invest in educational experiences that inspire protection of the redwoods state parks in our area. We also help support the maintenance of 150 miles of park trails and the stewarding of more than 23,000 acres of forest.
Our Parks
Visit Big Basin, Henry Cowell, and Fall Creek and discover your next adventure. These magical places are waiting for you to explore every day of the year.
Can’t Get to the Park?
Take A Virtual Tour of Henry Cowell Now!
Experience the majesty of the old-growth forest by taking a virtual walk along the redwood loop trail. Be sure to check out the Henry Cowell Visitor Center along the way! Click the video below to begin your adventure …
A Small Sampling of Our Community Supporters
