Henry Cowell and Fall Creek: Our Favorite Family Trails, Right in Felton's Backyard
We're lucky enough to have Henry Cowell close enough to Felton that it functions like an extension of our backyard, and I still catch myself stopping mid-trail some mornings just to look up. If you're planning a redwood hike with kids and don't know where to start, here's the honest breakdown of what works and what to skip, all within a few minutes of downtown Felton.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is the one to do first, especially with younger kids — it's a flat, easy loop through some of the park's oldest and biggest trees, right off the main Felton entrance and short enough that a five-year-old can finish it without a meltdown. The park runs interpreter-led activities in the campground from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, including junior ranger programs and campfire nights, which are worth building a weekend around if your kids are the badge-collecting type.
For families ready for something longer, the Observation Deck Loop climbs up through the sandier, sun-drenched part of the park where the redwoods give way to ponderosa pine and views open up over the San Lorenzo Valley. It's a genuinely different ecosystem within the same park boundary, which is a fun thing to point out to kids old enough to notice.
Fall Creek: The Quieter Sibling
The Fall Creek Unit is technically part of Henry Cowell, accessed from a separate entrance closer to downtown Felton, but it feels like its own world — fewer crowds, more shade, and old lime kiln ruins tucked into the hillside that make a great mid-hike destination for kids who need a concrete goal to hike toward. It's steeper in sections than the main Redwood Grove Loop, so I'd save it for kids who can handle some real elevation change, or plan for a lot of piggyback negotiation on the way back.
Roaring Camp: Add the Train
If you want to turn a hike into a full day, Roaring Camp Railroads sits right in Felton at the edge of the park and runs a steam train through the redwood forest, down through the San Lorenzo River Gorge, and across a 1909 steel truss bridge. It's a genuinely different way to see the same forest you just hiked through, and it tends to be the thing kids remember most vividly afterward, even more than the trail itself.
What to Actually Bring
Layers — it's noticeably cooler under the canopy than it is in the Felton parking lot, even in July
More water than you think you need, especially for the Fall Creek climbs
Cash or a card for the small day-use parking fee, which varies by entrance
A camera you don't mind getting dusty, because the light through the canopy is worth it
None of this requires planning weeks in advance. Some of our best mornings in Felton have been the completely unplanned ones — a Tuesday with nothing else going on, a thermos of coffee, and however far the kids feel like walking that day. If you're new to the area and want recommendations tailored to your kids' ages or energy levels, I'm always happy to talk trails.