701Reviews20Q&A
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 584
- 105
- 5
- 3
- 4
Traveler type
Time of year
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
The Fall Creek Unit is now my favorite place to hike in the Bay Area, by a factor of 14. Purisima Creek has 3 tree bridges right off the trail, Fall Creek and its surroundings has 40+ of varying heights, trunk widths, lengths, steepness and rottenness. There are 30+ tree bridges and cantilevered trunks between the Fall Creek trail junction with Bennett Creek Trail and the South Fork trail to Lime Kilns. The South Fork trail has another 5-10. Then, take the Cape Horn Trail to Lost Empire Trail to Big Ben (not the most impressive tree, BTW) , which has another 5 or so, including the one at Lost Camp that crosses a shallow pool with a small waterfall. Descend Big Ben trail to the upper section of Fall Creek Trail, where there are another 40+ in the Barrel Mill area, plus wading pools and small waterfalls and fern covered gullies. An adventure for any kid or anyone with a kid's heart.…
Read more
Date of experience: July 2020
Helpful
This review is about CAMPING at Henry Cowell only. My family of 4 including 2 school aged kids camped here for 3 nights in July. Many of the sites here are generously spacious! The impressive site size was perfect for camping in times of Covid - I felt well spaced from neighbors. We had site 96 which though looks like it may be small on the site map, is actually decently large. Most of the sites were well shaded with tall study trees worthy of hammocks. We saw very few mosquitos and yellow jackets. The exception to the shady/ spaciousness were sites along the ridge in the 2-50 loop. However those ridge sites had beautiful vistas. The sites are so full of trees that one cannot view the loop roads, in case for example, you want to keep an eye on your kids biking around the loops. Dogs are allowed to camp here as long as they remain on leash. There are very few trials that are dog friendly, but the loops are plenty lovely for walks with dogs. The bathrooms were reassuringly clean. Many trash and recycling collection areas. Watch out for poison oak. Firewood is delivered to campsites for $10 a bundle. Easy 20 minute drive to Santa Cruz beaches, and less than 10 minutes to a supermarket in Felton. Highly recommend the Roaring Camp Railway ride for young and old alike.…
Read more
Date of experience: July 2020
Helpful
Creeping_Death_LA wrote a review Jun 2020
Los Angeles, California3,606 contributions387 helpful votes
Awesome park to hike in, bring your swim suit if you plan on jumping in the water. We followed the old railroad tracks to a watering hole and it was an easy hike. Getting to the river was a bit more challenging for some of us but easy if you have the right shoes.
Read more
Date of experience: May 2020
Helpful
Always have a good time here. Love the powder trail. Well maintained. Lovely view - can see the ocean.
Read more
Date of experience: December 2019
Helpful
While driving down the coast, we stayed in Santa Cruz one night. Our waitress at dinner suggested we visit this park to see the giant redwoods. It was only a few miles from town and we wanted to visit a redwood forest anyway. We took a walking trail along the river for about 20 minutes, but turned around in the interest of time. The redwood trees are majestic and the tallest in the world. Douglas Firs abound in the forest, and they are the 2nd largest. There was another interior trail that we didn’t have time to walk. We hoped to see the huge banana slugs, but they must have been hiding that day. The gift shop had some nice offerings and prices seemed reasonable. We were very glad we visited the park.…
Read more
Date of experience: March 2020
Helpful
