Redwood Grove Loop

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located just a few miles north of the city of Santa Cruz, along Highway 9. The park is home to an array of hiking and biking trails, but the crown jewel of the park is the Redwood Grove Loop Trail, which is only a 1/4 mile in from the park's entrance.

Many people will enter the State Park and pay the $10 fee, but a better option is to park right outside the park's entrance and walk in. Since you're coming to see the redwoods and walk around, an additional 1/4 quarter walk is fairly easy to manage.

The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is located right next to the ranger hut as well as a small store where you can purchase some souvenirs. The grove loop is an easy to follow trail and is less than a mile long, but is loaded with impressive redwood trees. Be sure to take on the of the pamphlets before you head out as it lists the different stops and gives a little history and detail about each marked area. Along the walk, you may hear the blasting of a train's horn nearby. That loud sound would be coming from Roaring Camp, which has a track through the forest as it offers guests a way to see the redwoods from the comfort of an old fashioned steam train.

Nearby the trail, there is a cool creek that is home to trout and the salmon as they make their way upstream. This creek is an excellent spot to cool off on a hot day as well as find wildlife such as birds, amphibians, and mammals such as deer or raccoon.

So next weekend, take a short drive to Henry Cowell Redwood State Park to take in the amazing old growth forest!