Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (SP)

This park features almost 20 miles of hiking and riding trails through a variety of plant communities including redwoods, mixed evergreens, riparian (riverside), ponderosa pine, as well as rare ancient marine deposits called Santa Cruz sandhills. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is home to a magnificent old-growth Redwood Grove featuring a self-guided nature path. Other trees such as Douglas-fir, madrone, oak and a stunning stand of Ponderosa pines grow within the park boundary. A lush picnic area full of large sycamore and bay trees is located near the San Lorenzo River. The park’s four distinct ecosystems allow for many wildlife viewing opportunities. Many birds, banana slugs, black-tailed deer, coyote, and bobcats, along with others animals, live in the park. Steelhead can be seen in the river and the fishing season is during the winter (catch and release). The park has a Visitor Center and Nature Store. The main day-use area contains the large, old-growth redwoods, while the northern area (Fall Creek) has about 20 miles of hiking trails through a second-growth redwood forest and remnants of an old lime kiln. The tallest tree in the park is about 277 feet tall, and about 16 feet wide. The 113-site campground in the oaks and pines of a rare sandhill makes for a unique camping experience is located on the other side of the park from the main day-use area.