Hiking in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has two sections: the main park and the ‘Fall Creek Unit’. The main park is well developed and touristy. The Fall Creek Unit is less disturbed by urbanization but offers much better hikes.

The ‘Fall Creek Unit’

Website — Trail Map — Yelp reviews. Address: 1400 Felton Empire Rd Felton, CA 95018. Tel: (831) 335-4598. Directions: Take CA 17 south. Exit Mount Hermon Rd in Scotts Valley. Drive 3.5 miles northwest along Mount Hermon Rd. Turn right on Graham Hill Road. In 0.1 miles, go through traffic light (Graham Hill becomes Felton Empire Rd at this intersection). Drive about 0.6 miles on Felton Empire Rd. Trailhead on right. List of Hikes: 7.2 miles 1480 ft Bennett Creek Trail / Ridge Trail / Truck Trail / Big Ben Trail / Fall Creek Trail / North Fork Trail /Fall Creek Trail / Bennett Creek Trail — Details and Map. 8.2 miles 1760 ft Bennett Creek Trail / Fall Creek Trail / South Fork Trail / Cape Horn Trail / Lost Empire Trail / Big Ben Trail / Fall Creek Trail / North Fork Trail / Fall Creek Trail / Bennet Creek Trail — Details and Map. 12.6 miles 2600+ ft A loop that combines the above trails — this loop covers all major trails in the Fall Creek Unit — Map 1 and Map 2. The above hikes are among the best Redwood hikes available to bay area residents.

The Main Park

Website — Trail Map — Trail Map — Trail Map Address: 101 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA 95018. The park has multiple trailheads. There is free parking outside the park close to trailheads. In Sep 2009, parking fees inside the park was $10 and maps cost $3 each. RedwoodHikes has very nice Descriptions of Hiking Trails in the park. List of Hikes: 5.0 miles Redwood Grove Trail / River Trail / Big Rock Hole. Ends in a river where you can relax 6.6 miles 1360 ft The “Four Crossings” Hike — Trail Map — you have to wade through a river four times!