Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A train ride into a private redwood stand.
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- Richard WPenn Valley, California729 contributionsA ride back in history through majestic redwood trees and a historic steam locomotive.The setting is beautiful in a small valley surrounded by giant redwood trees. The "camp" has picnic areas, activity areas, restrooms, a small store, food options and vintage equipment to see. The steam train is a 1912 Shay gear driven locomotive specifically designed for heavy pulling on steep grades that regular steam and diesel trains cannot handle. The tracks take you up a hill through majestic trees and their is a stop at the top for restrooms and viewing a circular stand of redwoods , known as a Fairy Circle, where wedding ceremonies can take place. The entire trip is narrated by a conductor who shares history, logging stories and information on the forest. Our group had ages 75 - 4 months. The 3 year old found it fun and learned some things about the forest. All staff were friendly, well trained and worked hard to make this a fun experience for all. The ride lasts a few hours and is not cheap, but operating a large facility and historic equipment is not inexpensive. The Camp also offers train rides to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and back at least twice a day.Visited June 2022Written June 27, 2022
- KenVicLeeHuntington Beach, California2,091 contributionsFun Half Day Event, A Must Do For Train LoversLooking for different things to do in the Santa Cruz area, this popped up and looked like it would be a lot of fun. And it was. I enjoyed the history of how this narrow gauge railroad in the California redwoods came to be. One man's dedication resulted in this adventure. The whole thing is not over-commercialized although it also is a little too rustic for some people's liking. Parking in the dirt lot requires quite a hike to the actual grounds. There did not appear to be a lot of focus on ADA type of issues. That wasn't a concern for us but we saw a number of older folks who could have benefited from easier access to the site, the general store and even getting on and off the train. An earlier reviewer pointed out one of the highlights was the narrator on the train. This was a gal who was also our ticket taker. She provided commentary almost continuously while also monitoring the well being of the passengers on the five cars. In our case most cars were open to the air. Only one had a canvas cover. The train moves slowly which it did even back in the day. The train was used to pull logs out of the forest so there was no need to meet a time schedule. Seeing the natural beauty in this part of the world was incredible. The stop at the top of the mountain was just long enough to stretch your legs (there is no moving from your seat while the train is moving) before heading back down the mountain. After our ride my daughter asked if this would be a good experience for her 6 year old and 3 year old. Sure, it is a train ride but for younger folks not interested in hearing the commentary, and being forced to sit for an hour and a half, I told her they are probably too young to enjoy this ride. I will leave you with that.Visited September 2021Written October 4, 2021
- MoonsterUK1,606 contributionsFamily funKids (5 and 7) really enjoyed the train. There's a small section over tresels, and then a switchback that was interesting. Good view of the forest as you go up. Stops for 10 minutes at the top but there isn't really anything to see. The camp itself is a bit weird, maybe just because it was slightly out of season and not much going on. Restrooms out of action and only portaloos. Cross the tracks into Henry Cowell State Park and walk the short Redwood Loop which was beautiful. Paid in advance $10 for parking at roaring camp on the website, noone was checking parking payment and we needn't have paid if we hadn't done so in advance so don't bother booking it.Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Party!
New York City, NY43 contributions
Jul 2021
The views from the train are wonderful. The train itself takes you back in time. But, the ambiance is destroyed by the “conductor“ who can’t seem to stop talking (loudly) once he got the microphone in his hand. He laughed at his own jokes (no one else did), and he actually said the ride would be boring it it weren’t for him. Good grief.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JenJen85254
Scottsdale, AZ153 contributions
Aug 2022
Absolutely stunning railroad trip with lots of information! We booked this to see the redwoods as one of our group members has mobility issues. It was perfect! Of our entire trip this was everyone's favorite. There are other things to do at Roaring Camp but most were closed for the season now. Do not follow your GPS -it took us to the wrong spot a few minutes away. The tour was about 75 minutes and included a 10 minute stop at the top where you can get out and wander. Definitely a must if in the area.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Homecroft56
Nineveh, IN418 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Great day riding the rails through a wonderful redwood forest behind an 1899 steam locomotive. A step back in time plus wonderful beauty of the forest. We did this on Mother's Day and had a special package brunch and train ride. They have an opera house (large dining hall) which was perfect for a buffet breakfast. Good food, excellent service, and great surroundings. They have an old west town set up, great fun for the family. We've ridden trains in 26 states - this is Top 10 for sure.
Written May 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ariesgal
Los Angeles, CA373 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Redwood lovers don't miss this. Funny and knowledgeable tour guide. It's not cheap but I think it's worth it. Good Covid practices. Very clean trains. Easy to find and very accessible.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
foolstar
san jose california3 contributions
Raoring Camp railroads is a great place for those interested in the history of old steam locomotives. They occasionally hold "special events" such as the Halloween Ghost Ride Train and the Christmas Train. The Ghost Ride Train is a rendition of the Legend of Sleepy Hallow supposedly ranked as one of the best Halloween attractions in the country by USA Today. Don't waste your time or your money. For 20 bucks, you will be herded onto the train like cattle, you will be unable to hear the person narrating the story through a sound system created in 1950, and you will spend the final 30 minutes of the train ride listening to the narrator shrieking "RUN ICHABOD RUN" until you feel ill. We could not wait for it to end.
Written January 29, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fat_tyres
san francisco1 contribution
the good:
* anticipation of riding thru the redwoods on a steam train on a hot summer's day
* nice re creation of the 1880's era with a school and a few old buildings
* easy to find and close to santa cruz
the bad:
* parking $6 per car .. you're in the middle of nowhere for goodness sake!
* charge for day use of picnic tables!
the ugly:
* tickets are sold without any idea of train capacity. we had our tickets for the 11am train, but so did a lot of other people and it's a free for all to get on the carriages remaining after large groups with special reservations have boarded.
hopefully there will be some future way to monitor ticket sales against capacity and advise of the chance of not being able to board the current train.
* anticipation of riding thru the redwoods on a steam train on a hot summer's day
* nice re creation of the 1880's era with a school and a few old buildings
* easy to find and close to santa cruz
the bad:
* parking $6 per car .. you're in the middle of nowhere for goodness sake!
* charge for day use of picnic tables!
the ugly:
* tickets are sold without any idea of train capacity. we had our tickets for the 11am train, but so did a lot of other people and it's a free for all to get on the carriages remaining after large groups with special reservations have boarded.
hopefully there will be some future way to monitor ticket sales against capacity and advise of the chance of not being able to board the current train.
Written August 24, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
critics_critic
Los Angeles, CA338 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Where else can you ride an authentic 19th Century narrow gauge steam engine up a mountain through redwoods averaging 1200 years old for only a few dollars. Only at the Roaring Camp Railroads.
Take a trip back in time to when steam engines were king, and folks were grateful for what they had.
You can get tickets online directly from Roaring Camp Railroad.
If you have kids or grand kids, they will enjoy the ride as well as the roaring camp. It you are a couple without kids, you will also enjoy the ride. They have both open and covered cars. To appreciate the height of the redwoods as well as the open sky you will need to sit in the open cars. Bring a hat, lotion, snacks and water for the kids and you are good to go.
Park at the Roaring Camp for $8 and you will also have access to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (where they charge you $10 to park). This way you get the best of both and save a couple of bucks.
Enjoy the ride.
Take a trip back in time to when steam engines were king, and folks were grateful for what they had.
You can get tickets online directly from Roaring Camp Railroad.
If you have kids or grand kids, they will enjoy the ride as well as the roaring camp. It you are a couple without kids, you will also enjoy the ride. They have both open and covered cars. To appreciate the height of the redwoods as well as the open sky you will need to sit in the open cars. Bring a hat, lotion, snacks and water for the kids and you are good to go.
Park at the Roaring Camp for $8 and you will also have access to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (where they charge you $10 to park). This way you get the best of both and save a couple of bucks.
Enjoy the ride.
Written May 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyKate789
Sonoma County, CA10 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
I visited Roaring Camp for a Day Out With Thomas (DOWT) event in August 2015. I am planning to take my twin 3-year-olds back to Roaring Camp for DOWT in October 2016, and am writing the review to give people a head's up about what you will find and how to prepare if you go.
The Good: If your kid likes Thomas, it can be a great event for him or her. The Thomas train looks very authentic and my kids were just spellbound by it last year. There are story readings, temporary tattoos and game booths with train themes set up around the park. There is a big souvenir shop where we got very nice quality souvenir t-shirts to commemorate the event. We are going again this year, so... on the whole it was a win.
The Neutral: You must buy your train tickets online in advance and get them mailed to you, to avoid a big line at the venue. You pay $8 for parking, sometimes on a dirt lot.
The Bad: The concessions. The venue did not provide nearly enough service for the number of guests. Lines were 1 hour long. You had to wait in the food line to get water. Food was very poor - I ate a protein bar because I'm gluten free (there was NO accommodation made for food allergies). My twins, who love to get their hands on French fries when we travel because it's a treat, did not eat their fries. The hamburgers and fries we got were terrible quality and the eating area was quite dirty. How bad must it be if little kids don't eat French fries?! The kids split one of my protein bars instead of eating the concession food.
The Bad Again: The bathrooms. There were not nearly enough restrooms to support a Day Out With Thomas event. Big lines to wait through every time someone had to go. Restrooms not too clean, which you would expect when so very many people are trying to use so very few facilities.
It was a very hot day when we were there - definitely in the 90s. Of course that's not the fault of the venue, just our bad luck! =) But the weather added to the misery -- crowds, bad food, dirty eating area, very long restroom and concession lines.
Here's how we'll gird ourselves when we go again this year: (1) We're going in October when I sincerely hope it'll be better weather. (2) We'll bring our wagon and pack a cooler with lunch and picnic blanket. (3) We'll bring all our water with us. (4) We have on-the-go potties for the kids, which will help with that concern.
We'll plan to picnic on the ground -- I saw a few picnic tables but I can imagine it'd be hard to secure one on a DOWT weekend.
Given all that, we're going to Roaring Camp again and I anticipate we'll have a fine time. The key to enjoying this place is knowing what you're getting into and being prepared.
The Good: If your kid likes Thomas, it can be a great event for him or her. The Thomas train looks very authentic and my kids were just spellbound by it last year. There are story readings, temporary tattoos and game booths with train themes set up around the park. There is a big souvenir shop where we got very nice quality souvenir t-shirts to commemorate the event. We are going again this year, so... on the whole it was a win.
The Neutral: You must buy your train tickets online in advance and get them mailed to you, to avoid a big line at the venue. You pay $8 for parking, sometimes on a dirt lot.
The Bad: The concessions. The venue did not provide nearly enough service for the number of guests. Lines were 1 hour long. You had to wait in the food line to get water. Food was very poor - I ate a protein bar because I'm gluten free (there was NO accommodation made for food allergies). My twins, who love to get their hands on French fries when we travel because it's a treat, did not eat their fries. The hamburgers and fries we got were terrible quality and the eating area was quite dirty. How bad must it be if little kids don't eat French fries?! The kids split one of my protein bars instead of eating the concession food.
The Bad Again: The bathrooms. There were not nearly enough restrooms to support a Day Out With Thomas event. Big lines to wait through every time someone had to go. Restrooms not too clean, which you would expect when so very many people are trying to use so very few facilities.
It was a very hot day when we were there - definitely in the 90s. Of course that's not the fault of the venue, just our bad luck! =) But the weather added to the misery -- crowds, bad food, dirty eating area, very long restroom and concession lines.
Here's how we'll gird ourselves when we go again this year: (1) We're going in October when I sincerely hope it'll be better weather. (2) We'll bring our wagon and pack a cooler with lunch and picnic blanket. (3) We'll bring all our water with us. (4) We have on-the-go potties for the kids, which will help with that concern.
We'll plan to picnic on the ground -- I saw a few picnic tables but I can imagine it'd be hard to secure one on a DOWT weekend.
Given all that, we're going to Roaring Camp again and I anticipate we'll have a fine time. The key to enjoying this place is knowing what you're getting into and being prepared.
Written July 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fredric C
Gilroy, CA340 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
nice for all ages, good location for photographers fun day, only drawback to me the train that goes to Santa Cruz is only weekends and your only in Santa Cruz an hour, if its summer vacation you wouldn't have time to do much in Santa Cruz
if the train ride is the main thing then its OK, price is kind of high Beach Train Adult 29.00 Child 23.00
if the train ride is the main thing then its OK, price is kind of high Beach Train Adult 29.00 Child 23.00
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ngraham
San Francisco, CA95 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We've taken our kids several times and it's a hit every time. The steam train ride up the mountain is always good, and everyone on the train looked to be having fun. The kids really enjoyed watching the Blacksmith and panning for gold. The handcart racing is quite fun and a good work out!
Written June 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane E
Hollister, CA4 contributions
Which is generally the least busy day for steam train rides? We are looking to go May 24th or 25th.
Krze4dolphins
Denham Springs, LA161 contributions
Does the steam train run in October? Or is it a diesel train?
How long is the ride through the Redwood Forest?
Thank you
David T
Ashby de la Zouch, UK426 contributions
Mine was running a steam engine but to my surprise it was burning oil to generate steam.
Well worth the money
bobbobbillybob
Murrieta, CA
how many people are in with you? is it a group experience or one on one? shared or private
valenciadonna63
Lakewood, CA2 contributions
Hi. My boyfriend and I went together for this. The cars on the train hold about 30 people. As the train is moving everyone is looking at all the beautiful redwoods along the way. Some are small groups together and others are large groups. The cool thing is you can always find someone to talk to about the whole experience.
Sunshine213
Morgan Hill, CA11 contributions
I bought 5 tickets for Sat, Aug 12th for the steam train ride. I may have to cancel 1 ticket. Do I need to call up to get a refund on one ticket?
Kalyse G
85 contributions
Yes , I would call them as soon as possible to see what their policy is for refunds. They over sell the ride on occasion so the quicker they know, they can resell your ticket. 😊
Burt W
New York City, NY2 contributions
In rainy or cool weather such as this week are the train cars enclosed & heated ? Will be in the area with small kids soon and this train looks like fun.
Donna
Rome, Italy38 contributions
There are 2 different trains....1 that goes in the Redwood forest and 1 that goes by the Beach. When we went, we did the Redwoods and they had 2 open cars/no cover, and 1-2 that just had a canopy cover and at the very end they had 1 car that was covered with Windows...not sure if it was heated because we sat in the canopy car so we can take pictures of the tall trees. You can look at the pictures on their website and see the different types. Depending on the events that they have for the season there may be activities for the whole family. You can bring your own food and have a picnic or buy from the canteen or BBQ area. Plenty of seating area. And there's a fee for Parking.
dd5775
Galt, CA15 contributions
Is there a schedule for the trains?
bethhage
Santa Clara, CA32 contributions
Their excellent website shows the schedule for both the narrow gauge (steam) and the full size beach train (diesel electric).
During the summer both trains make multiple runs.
During the winter I think steam only runs once a day and the beach train (to Santa Cruz Boardwalk) runs on weekends only.
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Claim your listingRoaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad (Felton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
- Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad:
- (0.50 mi) Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
- (0.49 mi) Charming & colorful cabin with a furnished deck & forest views - dog-friendly
- (0.58 mi) Fern River Resort Motel
- (0.56 mi) Smithwoods RV Park
- (0.63 mi) Mount Hermon Christian Camps & Conference Center
- Restaurants near Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad:
- (0.77 mi) Cowboy Bar and Grill
- (4.64 mi) Marianne's Ice Cream
- (5.87 mi) Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
- (5.84 mi) Linda's Seabreeze Cafe
- (4.99 mi) Laili Restaurant
Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad Information
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