Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a state park situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, characterized by its varied landscapes including old-growth redwood groves, riparian corridors along the San Lorenzo River, unique sandhills, and mixed evergreen forests. This diverse terrain provides a setting for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more. The park's natural features, such as its ancient redwoods and varied ecosystems, create a dynamic environment for outdoor exploration.
126
Routes
4.7
(171)
Average rating
3129
People visited

4.8
(32)
208
hikers
7.71km
02:24
190m
190m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly walkable paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(4)
120
hikers
2.26km
00:35
20m
20m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

4.6
(11)
79
hikers
11.3km
03:48
470m
390m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly walkable paths. Sure-footedness required.

27
hikers
1.91km
00:30
10m
0m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
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6.43km
00:42
80m
290m
Easy mountain bike ride.

5.0
(13)
148
riders
31.8km
03:00
670m
670m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.

5.0
(2)
136
riders
14.8km
01:17
280m
280m
Easy mountain bike ride.

4.5
(10)
119
riders
42.0km
03:26
720m
720m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.
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4.8
(4)
100
riders
19.7km
01:08
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.

47
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

37
riders
14.2km
01:31
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

31
riders
14.3km
01:26
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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5.0
(1)
76
riders
45.0km
02:11
520m
520m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

48
riders
16.8km
00:47
120m
120m
Easy road ride. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
104km
05:29
1,720m
1,720m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(1)
53
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(5)
66
riders
36.6km
02:52
560m
560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(5)
24
riders
47.4km
03:55
780m
780m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(1)
30
riders
20.6km
01:35
350m
350m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(3)
31
riders
23.5km
01:39
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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5.0
(1)
15
runners
7.34km
01:02
160m
160m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
19
runners
8.96km
01:21
270m
270m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

14
runners
9.02km
01:10
170m
170m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

13
runners
28.7km
03:45
790m
790m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The park features over 15 miles (24 km) of hiking trails and designated fire roads for cycling. It spans more than 4,650 acres, encompassing diverse habitats.
The park is renowned for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees, some reaching 277 feet (84 meters) tall and estimated to be 1,500 years old. Other significant features include the San Lorenzo River, unique Santa Cruz Sandhills, and diverse mixed evergreen forests. An Observation Deck Loop provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Monterey Bay.
Yes, the 0.8-mile (1.3 km) Redwood Grove Loop Trail is an accessible path suitable for families and beginners, winding through ancient redwoods. The park also offers other easy hikes. For more options, refer to the Family-friendly hikes in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park guide.
Mountain biking is permitted on designated fire roads within the park. Popular routes include Pipeline Road, Rincon Fire Road, and Powder Mill Fire Road. E-bikes are also allowed on some trails. More information can be found in the MTB Trails in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park guide.
Dogs are permitted on paved roads, in the campground, and on the Graham Hill Trail and Pipeline Road. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet (1.8 meters) at all times. For specific dog-friendly routes, consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park guide.
The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is a 0.8-mile (1.3 km) accessible path that winds through the park's old-growth redwood grove. This trail allows visitors to experience some of the oldest and largest trees, including the historic Fremont Tree. It is a popular choice for its ease of access and impressive scenery.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features 93 routes across various sports on komoot. These routes have an average rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars from more than 1,800 ratings. Over 36,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the park.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for the park, including Hiking in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Family-friendly hikes, and MTB Trails. Other guides cover topics like easy hikes, dog-friendly trails, and road cycling routes. These resources provide detailed information for planning visits.
The official website for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is www.parks.ca.gov. For general park inquiries, the phone number is +1-831-335-4598. Campground-specific information can be obtained by calling +1-831-438-2396.
The park supports mountain biking on designated fire roads and accommodates road and touring cyclists. A dedicated bicycle campsite is available for those touring the area. The surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains also offer numerous road biking routes.
Visitors to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park may observe a variety of wildlife. Common sightings include banana slugs, black-tailed deer, coyotes, and bobcats. Various bird species also inhabit the park's diverse ecosystems.

