Notice: Due in large part to supply chain disruptions affecting critical infrastructure upgrades, the campground opening has been delayed until April 1, 2026. See more information at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground is located off Graham Hill Road, about 5 miles north of Santa Cruz. Fifteen miles of scenic hiking trails wind through the park among 1,500-year-old redwoods. Campers can easily make day trips to Santa Cruz area beaches or hop on the nearby Roaring Camp Railroad which offers connections to Santa Cruz Beach.
The park features a picnic area above the San Lorenzo River. Anglers fish for steelhead and salmon during the winter. The Park also has a nature center, bookstore and campfire center. A few miles north is the Fall Creek Unit – a second-growth redwood forest with a fern-lined river canyon and remnants of a successful lime-processing industry.
Campground reservations are highly recommended at this popular park. The 107 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.
Campground amenities include picnic tables, campfire rings, and coin-operated showers, but no RV hook-ups. There are 4, tent-only sites, and a Bike Campground is located just inside the entrance to the main campground.
Note that the campground entrance is different from the day-use areas of the park. Visitors should be aware that poison oak grows in the park.
| 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: | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground reservations can be made from camping dates from 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: | Check-in: 2:00 PM Check-out: Noon |
| Henry Cowell Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsites: | Picnic table, food locker, fire ring |
| Campground: | restrooms with flush toilets, tap water, campfire center |
| 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. |
| Updates | Last Updated January 2025 |
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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.
Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
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
Check Henry Cowell State Park for any park and campground updates.
Reviews from Previous Campers
2024