Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, CA
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, CA

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

Santa Cruz County


Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground is located off Graham Hill Road, about 5 miles north of Santa Cruz. Note that the campground entrance is different from the day-use areas of the park. Campsites are set among oaks and other foliage which provides good privacy for many sites. So close to the ocean, the campground can have fog in the morning, so visitors should be prepared for cool weather.

Reservations are highly recommended at this popular park. The campground has amenities such as coin-operated showers, but no RV hook-ups. There are 4, tent-only sites. A Bike Campground is located just inside the entrance to the main campground.

Visitors should be aware that poison oak grows in the park.

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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Basics
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Location: 5 miles north of Santa Cruz, take Mt. Herman exit off Hwy. 17, then left on Graham Hill Rd.
Elevation: 650 feet
Camping season: Closes seasonally "in the winter season", call park for dates
Number of Sites: 107
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 if they fit (trailer is a vehicle)
Pets: On leash, always attended
Campground Kiosk: (831) 438-2396
Park Headquarters: (831) 335-4598

Reservations at
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Reservations Recommended: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Booking Window: from 2 days up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date.
Tent Only Sites: #36, 37, 38, 51
Maximum Vehicle Length: Trailers 31 feet, RVs 35 feet
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: #17, 23, 24, 109, 112
Favorite Campsites: #2, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 33, 35, 42, 45, 47, 49, 52, 63, 64, 65, 78 (view), 81, 84, 88, 103, 104, 106, 110
Fees: $35 per night
Hike/bicycle site $7
(plus an $8 reservation fee)
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Reservations
or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, Noon

Henry Cowell Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, food locker, fire ring
Campground: restrooms with flush toilets, tap water
Showers: Yes, 25 cents for 2 minutes
Dump Station: No
Campground Map: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Map
Attractions near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground: Wander along shaded hiking trails. Enjoy summer campfire programs. Tour the visitor center and the nature museum. Head down to nearby Santa Cruz Beach. Ride the Roaring Camp Railroads.


Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, CA

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park


General Camping Information

Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. Check carefully on the reservation site when you make your reservation to be sure your vehicle will fit your campsite.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.


Campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, CA

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Attractions

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers more than 4,600 acres of towering redwoods, hiking trails, creeks, and visitor amenities. The nearby Fall Creek Unit of the park contains an additional 2,400 acres of redwood forest. Visitors camped at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground can take advantage of all these attractions

  • Enjoy viewing wildlife, including deer, a variety of birds, and an occasional bobcat or coyote.
  • Hike along the Redwood Grove Loop Trail among 1,500-year-old redwoods up to 280 feet tall.
  • Fish catch-and-release for steelhead in the San Lorenzo River.
  • Ride horses along park trails.
  • Visit the nature center and bookstore.
  • Enjoy campfire programs during the summer months.
  • Hop on the Roaring Camp Railroad just outside the park. Ride it through the woods or down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Key Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Regulations

  1. Wood collecting is not allowed, including twigs and leaves.
  2. Generators may only be operated sparingly from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
  3. Bicycles are allowed on designated fire roads and paved roads, but not trails.

    Check Henry Cowell State Park for any park and campground updates.