Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Redwood Grove Loop Trail is a 0.8 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Felton, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.

Distance: 0.8 miles Elevation Gain: 36 feet Route Type: Loop

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The Redwood Grove Loop Trail showcases the tallest measured tree in the park and the two trees with the widest circumferences. Known as the Mother, Father, and Santa Clara Trees, these famous redwoods are among the most photographed trees in Big Basin. The easy accessibility of this half-mile, level trail allows park visitors an unobstructed view of the Mother and Father Tree, a wonderful view of the Santa Clara Tree (measuring in at 17 feet in diameter!), as well as many other interesting sites featured along the way. This short loop walk highlights the old growth Henry Cowell Redwood Grove. It's a compact, yet densely featured stand that competes with the best of the old growth groves, conveniently located near populated areas and on touring routes. For families with kids, this is a perfect walk. For tourists in the region, it's a great place to stop, stretch your legs, and get some quality time out of the car. The trail is flat, making it mostly handicap accessible and stroller friendly. In addition to the groves, Henry Cowell Redwood SP offers so much more. The park has over 15 miles of trails through a variety of mountain and canyon forests and meadow lands along the San Lorenzo River. Trails are available for equestrian use, biking, walking, and hiking. Fishing is available seasonally; picnicking and camping opportunities can be accommodated too. Adjacent to Henry Cowell is the Roaring Camp Tourist railroad. Combined, these two attractions make for a very full day or casual weekend outing. They work well together, highlighting both local history and nature.

Park Entrance
The day use entrance address is: 101 North Big Trees Park Road Felton, CA 95018. The road sweeps through trees then across a meadow area and to the entrance kiosk. The meadow can be spectacular, especially in the late winter and spring with blooming wildflowers that include California poppy, mustard, and vetch. The field is home to a number of animals that include a variety of bird species, rodents, jackrabbit, and deer. Day-use picnicking is along the wooded area on the southern and western line of the forest. Trails are also located through the meadow area.
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Park Entrance Station
Park Entrance Station location.
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Environmental Education Center and Book Shop
The Nature Center is open from 10am - 4pm on weekends, holidays and in the summer, and 11am to 3pm on weekdays in the winter. The Gift Shop opens every day at 10am and closes at either 6pm or sunset, whichever comes first. I found the volunteers who run the Nature Center to be some of the best I've ever encountered: personable, informative, and very helpful! Mountain Parks Foundation is the non-profit group that runs the Nature Center and who support and help staff Henry Cowell, Big Basin, and the nearby Fall Creek State Parks.
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Parking Area
A paved, all weather parking area suitable for trailers, RV's, and buses.
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Redwood log Cross-Section
Head toward the Trail Head and redwood log cross-section. If you haven't seen one of these logs, they are tagged with key dates in human history and log the tree's growth at that moment in time. This particular tree was harvested in 1924. It began life more than 2,200 years ago in Humboldt County up north, around the time when much of the antiquities we see in museums were being made. It was a time when Ancient Greece and Egypt were fading, Rome was growing, the Mayans and Olmec were well developed in the Americas, and the Han and Ci'in Dynasties controlled China. Follow the nearby path toward the trail head.
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State Park Visitor's Center
The park's Nature Center is located just inside the grove near the trail head. It contains both live and prepared exhibits covering geology, natural history, the Ohlone Indians, and logging impact to the region.
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Trailhead - A large three-way intersection
A large three-way intersection. Follow the path in a counterclockwise direction.Located in a dispenser near the trail head are handy flyers describing points of interest along the Nature Trail. The trail itself is designed with ADA access and strollers in mind. Most of its length is fenced to protect the surroundings from harm. One will find very rapidly that an Old Growth forest is a vertically oriented world - Henry Cowell packs a lot in a small area. It's a world where one expects to see gnomes, elves and the like. Immediately we'll be confronted with a lush, green world; massive gnarled and fire-scarred living trunks of redwoods thrust a couple hundred feet into the sky, disappearing into the tree's foliage, their tops hidden from view. Few northern hemisphere forests have the soft, lush, and spectacular greens such as the ones displayed here in this redwood forest. Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of the tree caves scattered along the trail's length. Nature Trail Point 1 is between here and the next way point. 1. Close to the Coast. The large trees are original growth coast redwoods. They are adapted to temperate, foggy moist conditions. Never more than 20 to 40 miles from the ocean, they grow along a narrow band of coastline from central California to the Oregon border.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point -Why are Redwood Trees red?
Why are Redwood Trees red? Redwood bark and wood are rich in tannic acid which gives the trees their red color. The bark's thickness and acidity repel insects, disease, fungus, and to some extent fire. These problems frequently kill other trees.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Tree Caves
Tree caves abound in any redwood forest that's seen fire through its long history. If it's not fenced, feel free to explore. Bring your flashlight if you have one - it can be really helpful. Periodic fires are part of the redwood forest life-cycle and the vegetation is so well adapted to these disasters that many plant species actually benefit from it. Clearing of the undergrowth and exposing of soils can provide opportunities for seeds to begin growing. Tree caves represent points where fire broke through the tough, protective bark and began smoldering or burning the tree's heartwood. It's common for the fire to burn out, allowing the living tissue to continue delivering nutrients and the tree to slowly recover.
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Nature Trail Poin - It has been over 100 years since the last fire burned through this grove.
Redwood and Fire It has been over 100 years since the last fire burned through this grove. Most fires cannot penetrate redwood bark which is 7 to 12 inches thick, fibrous, and heat resistant. An intense fire may burn through the bark and hollow out a tree. If sufficient living tissue remains undamaged, the tree will continue to live and slowly heal the fire scar.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - Another Redwood Tree?
Another Redwood Tree? This is a Douglas-fir, often found in the company of redwoods. The bark is gray and furrowed. Douglas-fir needles resemble a bottle brush while redwood leaflets lie flat in opposite rows. Cones of a Douglas-fir are about two inches long and have paper-like scales.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - Cathedral Groups and Fairy Rings
Cathedral Groups and Fairy Rings Circular groups of trees are a common sight in the coast redwood forest. A redwood can sprout new trees from its roots on all sides. The young trees eventually mature encircling the parent tree.* Some of the rings can get quite large, representing generations of parent trees long gone. * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Bench
Along this trail you will periodically find benches, most of which have been placed with something very compelling within sight. If it's a quiet day, do stop, sit, and explore, using all your senses.
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Nature Trail Point- New Life from Dead Trees
New Life from Dead Trees When trees fall they take on a new role in the life of a forest. They provide homes for insects which are food for birds and small mammals. Fallen trees also provide a nutrient rich garden for new plants. Can you find three different types of trees growing out of the fallen tree? * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - One of the Tallest Trees in the Park
One of the Tallest Trees in the Park This tree is about 270 feet (82.3m) tall and over 17 feet (5.2m) wide. That is almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty. Imagine, a tree this large can grow from a seed about the size of an oatmeal flake. Redwood seeds come from cones which are about an inch long and contain about 50 seeds. Most of the ground in the redwood forest is thickly covered with leaves, so seeds rarely find their way to the soil except after a fire or flood. * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Junction - Pipeline Road
This junction has a gated road that will connect to Pipeline Road, a major feeder for the rest of the park. Restroom available. Picnic benches available.
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Nature Trail Point - A Great Story
A Great Story Pioneer John C. Fremont explored this part of California from 1843 to '46. It was said that he and his group camped here. When Fremont re-visited in 1888, he was asked if he ever slept in this tree. He said, "it makes a great story, let it stand." Today you can stand inside the Fremont tree and (with a light) look high into the hollow center.* A handy picnic bench in this little grove, a great place to stop and explore. * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - Tan Oak and Bay Trees
Tan Oak and Bay Trees - a Common Sight Two trees here have long slender leaves. The California Bay tree has a flexible leaf with a pungent odor. The Tan Oak leaf is stiff and has thick veins on the underside. Although not a true oak, this tree has acorns which are a valuable food source for many animals. The bark was used to tan leather hides so the tree became known as the Tanbark Oak.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Railroad Grade
Just up the hill is the grade for the Roaring Camp Railroad. Keep an eye out for glimpses of the train working its way up the hill. Of real interest are the Shay and Heisler locomotives. They have a fast-puffing steam exhaust, working very hard and going nowhere slowly. The locomotive types were optimized for hauling lumber on cheaply built roadbeds through woods just like this one. Fascinating equipment and an important component of both coastal lumber history and the move to preserve places like this. Roaring Camp Railroads http://www.roaringcamp.com/
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Nature Trail Point - Burls
Burls These bumpy growths are masses of dormant buds which are natural and do not harm the tree. If a tree is damaged or growth conditions change, burls can sprout new foliage. Some burls appear to be growing out of the ground, but they are actually growing on roots just underneath your feet.* The wood from burls is cherished by artistic woodworkers for its spectacular grain structure. Also, keep an eye up the sides of trunks; while not common, don't be surprised to see burls growing well up the sides of trees. They can get huge. * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - Shade Lovers
Shade Lovers The low growing clover-like plant is the Redwood Sorrel. It covers much of the ground and thrives in shady, cool conditions. When sunlight hits the leaves they fold down, resembling a closed umbrella. This helps keep the plant cool and moist.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - Ever-Living Trees
Ever-Living Trees The scientific name for the Coast Redwood is Sequoia sempervirens. Sempervirens means ever-living. The trees are aptly named because redwoods reproduce by sprouting new trees from their roots, the only conifer (cone bearing tree) to do so. Roots of individual trees spread out, mingle and fuse, which helps them withstand strong winds.* Also in this area, the forest becomes transitional. The redwood forest thins, making way for Bays, Tan Oaks, Maples, and other sun-loving trees. * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - A White Redwood?
A White Redwood? Albino redwood leaves and stems lack chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color and enables them to make food. These white redwoods survive by sharing a root system with a green-leafed tree.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Nature Trail Point - A Odd Redwood
A glen with a large redwood with mammoth "sucker" redwood trees growing from its side 50-60 feet above the ground. The trunks look to be around 4 feet in diameter. Possible cause for the growth? It's not uncommon for the tops of redwoods to snap off during heavy wind storms, earth quakes, or lightning strikes. Frequently a branch growing near the top can grow upward, forming new vertical growth for the tree and help it compete for sun with its neighbors.
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Bench
A convenient bench to study the tree on the last way point.
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Nature Trail Point - Redwood Relatives
Redwood Relatives This Dawn redwood is deciduous. It was thought to be extinct until 1944 when it was rediscovered in a remote valley in China. A larger example is growing near the park entrance station by another relative of the redwood, a Giant Sequoia from the Sierra Nevada range in California.* * For your convenience and to save paper the Mountain Parks Foundation Flier text is included here.
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Jaimie Gosselin

hiking

6 days ago

Stellar short path. I spent ages here taking photos. Park outside and walk in to save the park fee.

Maryam Khademi recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

hiking

11 days ago

Beautiful and clean! Lots of paths

Melinda DiGiacomo

hiking

12 days ago

Nice and easy shaded trail. I love picking up the trail guide to learn about each station as you walk along the trail. Great for everyone!

Gretchen Dunn

hiking

19 days ago

Super easy, and perfect. $10 to park. my 3 & 6yo loved it. Well maintained. Signs up to designate one-way traffic to encourage social distance.

Raymond Lee

hiking

23 days ago

Great for dogs. $10 entrance fee (cash,card)

Jimmy Martinez recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

hiking

30 days ago

Go for kids , good for everybody

Stacy Roibal recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

hiking

fee

1 month ago

Absolutely beautiful trail

Kalani Andrew Brown

4 months ago

Visited last week and it was a really nice stroll. Had a couple seniors and a stroller, and the path was fine. A lot of trees, shade, and not too many people on the trail. Beautiful historic trees that are a must see. You can pack a lunch and there are a couple picnic benches available. Would recommend. Especially for out of town guests who want to experience seeing trees Northern California has.

Christie Behta

hiking

5 months ago

A nice, short stroll to see the redwoods up close. So beautiful.

Jesus Magana

hiking

6 months ago

Short easy trail. Great for families, including elderly and children. Lots of points of interest - pick up the Redwood Grove Loop Trail guide at Visitor Center

Renzo Patricio Carpio recorded Recording - Sep 27, 12:36 PM

hiking

9 months ago

Easy trail. Super kids friendly. Recommended for a short walk with the family. A lot of interesting things to see along.

Jack Cain

hiking

9 months ago

Short easy trail.

Erica MacKay

hiking

9 months ago

Beautiful Redwoods, great for kids, self guided tour, easy river trail for swimming.

Jessica Carnevale

hiking

10 months ago

Beautiful walk! Staying up the road and found this loop as a last minute decision. So glad we went. 10$ to get in and for parking. Did the .8 loop, easy walking, and not too many people at all. There’s maps and a guide on the way in that tells you some history and what the numbers on the trail mean. On route we saw a bunch of wildlife .. including yellow slugs that were pretty cool. Absolutely breathtaking trees. Check it out!

Jonathan Bueno

hiking

10 months ago

Nice break from the heat! Totally shaded and cool. Great for the whole family. Very clean and organized. Take time and enjoy all the information provided by the park, knowing the history makes it exciting. We wanted to do the train ride but way to expensive for a family. Hope they are able to get that down, would have loved to do it.

Brandon Olson recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

hiking

bugs

11 months ago

Dave Grorge recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

hiking

11 months ago

Redwood grove to cathedral grove

Shiree Goins

Tue Jun 11 2019

The Redwoods make you feel like you are in a fairy tale.

Kate M.

hiking

Sun Jun 02 2019

Go early and avoid the crowds. Easy trail great for kids, the map shows you points of interest along the way.

Christine F.

Fri May 31 2019

Nice, relaxing hike for all levels; Pick up a guide at beginning of trail for an explanation of landmarks; No dogs permitted.

AutumnCardone de Rayncheval

hiking

Mon May 13 2019

This trail starts next to the ranger station, museum, and parking lot. It’s the perfect trail to bring guests on. It is very easy, short, beautiful, shady, impressive trees, level, smooth, good for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. No animals or bikes.

Kate Bullen

hiking

Mon May 13 2019

A beautiful spot, but quite crowded on a Sunday. Spotted some black tail deer. It’s a great easy loop and very wide flat terrain for those who aren’t up for a longer walk. If you are, combine the pipeline road with this for a more diverse redwood scene.

justin horton

Mon Apr 15 2019

Short, but nice walk.

Adventuring Angels

hiking

Fri Mar 29 2019

This loop is less than a mile and it’s all about the gigantic redwood trees. It’s a flat well maintained bark dust path. The path is a loop and starts at the visitors center. Be sure to walk over to the Roaring camp and check out the trains. There is a path that connects the park to Roaring Camp. There are educational activities for kids inside the visitors center and a great 3D map of the park. It was this map that lead us to also hike the pipeline road trail to the observation deck. This was a 5 mile out and back. Incredible views from the top. Peekaboo of Monteray Bay. Amazing experience to hike in sand at the top. To think once upon a time that was the bottom of the ocean. Magical place. There is a trail inside this park for all levels of exercise. My wife and I logged 11 miles exploring this beautiful park and still left several trails untouched.

Julie Hancher recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

hiking

Thu Mar 14 2019

Beautiful 2000 yr old trees; views of Monterey bay & ocean at lookout point. Amazing.

Kristi Cl recorded River Trail, Eagle Creek, and Rincon Road Loop

hiking

muddy

Sun Feb 24 2019

Patty Victorino

Tue Jan 08 2019

Beautiful walk through the redwoods. Walked today after stormy Sunday storm.

Asish Mohapatra

Wed Jan 02 2019

beautiful walk in the loop among giant old redwood trees.

jose vizoso

hiking

Fri Sep 28 2018

Magic... peaceful!!

Justin Mitchell

Fri Sep 28 2018

I grew up in a house along the San Lorenzo river- across Henry Cowel park and in the summer got to enjoy the constant sound of train whistles and bus loads of loud unappreciative school kids- the redwood loop is my favorite- such rich history from a president falling asleep on a log- to a hallowed out tree where if my memory serves me right, a squatter tired of society’s pace took shelter. Can’t bring dogs though, low blow park- low blow- I love my dog, and I love breaking big and bending as many rules , laws and decrees as possible- soooooo.......Great place to take your dog!

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Redwood Grove Loop Trail

wheelchair friendly

kid friendly

stroller friendly

camping

hiking

mountain biking

nature trips

walking

bird watching

running

forest

views

wild flowers

wildlife

no dogs

Maryam Khademi recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Jimmy Martinez recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Stacy Roibal recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Renzo Patricio Carpio recorded Recording - Sep 27, 12:36 PM

Brandon Olson recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Dave Grorge recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Kate M.

Christine F.

Julie Hancher recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Kristi Cl recorded River Trail, Eagle Creek, and Rincon Road Loop

christine baird recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Danny Baird recorded Recording - Jul 07, 10:34 AM

christine baird recorded Fall Creek and Lost Empire Trail Loop

Danny Baird recorded Recording - Jul 06, 11:03 AM

Yupeng Fu recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Danny Baird recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

christine baird recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Meng Wang recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Javi V. recorded Recording - Jul 04, 8:43 PM

christine baird recorded Fall Creek and Lost Empire Trail Loop

Danny Baird recorded Recording - Jul 04, 11:00 AM

Ming Chen recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Jen J recorded Recording - Jul 03, 4:59 PM

Ravi Srinivas R. recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Shelly C. recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Kaila Rohning recorded Pipeline Road Trail

Mario Hernandez recorded Recording - Jun 27, 2:32 PM

Maryam Khademi recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Jen J recorded Recording - Jun 22, 6:31 PM

Constantine K. recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Jen J recorded Recording - Jun 19, 3:57 PM

Mark Hu recorded Recording - Jun 18, 9:03 PM

Ken Doyle recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Jen J recorded Pipeline Road Trail

Bear S. recorded Recording - Jun 13, 2:42 PM

Shelly C. recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Timothy Morey recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Jimmy Martinez recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Lauren Fitts recorded Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Dan Maltbie recorded Bear Mountain and Observation Tower