Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95060, United States
Overview
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features 83 sites for tents or RVs, 30 tent-only sites, and a single bike-in site. The Cowell Campground is divided into north and south sections, and both are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Amenities at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park include flush toilets, paid showers, water, fire rings, picnic tables, and a camp host. There is also a water station for RVs and trailers to refill their tanks.
Dogs are allowed within the campground and on Meadow Trail, Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail, and Powder Mill Fire Road. Horses are permitted on Ridge Road, which connects to the campground.
Best Campsites at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground.
Best for Dog Owners: Sites #52, #98
- Quick access to the dog-friendly Powder Mill Fire Road
- Close to water and camp host
- Short distance to parking lot, Campfire Center, and RV water station
- Downside: farther from restrooms and showers
Best Accessible Sites: #23, #24
- Across the camp road from accessible showers and restrooms
- Next to water
- Not far from observation deck trail or Ridge Road
- Downside: farther from dog-friendly trails and parking
Closest to Amenities: Sites #108, #111
- Next to restrooms and showers
- Across the camp road from water
- Short distance from Eagle Creek Trail that leads to the Redwood Grove
- Easy access to the east–west path within the camp
- Downside: farther from dog-friendly trails and parking
Unique Experiences
- Stop by the Visitor Center to download an enlightening audio tour that will teach you about the history of the park’s 40-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees.
- Visit nearby Roaring Camp Railroad for a chance to see steam locomotives from the 1880s on a Redwood Forest Steam Train excursion with unforgettable views of the surrounding forests and Bear Mountain.
- Drive up to Leggett in Mendocino County to drive through the Chandelier Tree and experience natural history from inside and out!
- Hike Ridge Fire Road to reach an observation deck that stands 805 feet above the park, providing exceptional views of Monterey Bay.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
31 feet for trailers. 35 feet for RVsMax Length of Stay
7 daysMax People per Site
8 for individual sites. 6 for bike-in siteMax Vehicles per Site
2–3Fires Allowed
YesHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
NoReservations for all sites are available online at www.reservecalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275. A non-refundable fee of $7.99 will apply. Individual sites can fit up to 8 guests and 3 vehicles at a rate of $35 per night. The number of vehicles permitted at each site varies. There is also a bike-in site for $7 nightly that can fit up to 6 people.
Group Camping Reservations
There is no group site at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, but guests are welcome to reserve multiple individual sites to use as a shared space. All individual reservation requirements apply.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
Cancellations should be requested by calling 1-800-444-7275 or visiting the online portal at www.reservecalifornia.com. A $7.99 cancellation fee will be assessed for all requests. Any late cancellations submitted after 6 p.m. the day before arrival will also be charged the cost of the first night’s stay.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Campground Cost
Standard Site
$35Bike-in Sites
$7Activities
Bike Trails
Geocaching
Historic Sites
Nature Trails
Wildlife Viewing
Stargazing
Picnicking
Photography
Horseback Riding
Fishing
Exhibits / Guided Tours
Hiking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Grills
Campfire Rings
Campground Host
Visitors/Rec Center
Picnic Tables
Wood for Sale
Potable Water
Storage Lockers
Restrooms
Showers
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a unique setting for camping because of its Redwood Grove and extensive trail network throughout the wilderness. Although it offers chances for swimming or fishing at San Lorenzo River, Cowell Campground doesn’t have access to a major beach.
With 83 sites for tents or RVs, 30 tent-only sites, and 1 bike-in site, there are plenty of options for guests at Cowell Campground. The $35 nightly rate (or $7 for the bike-in site) is fair and affordable. Amenities such as water, flush toilets, and paid showers make it easy to stay in comfort, but guests who prefer full hookups will be better served elsewhere.
Some of the trails in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park allow dogs and horses for guests who enjoy experiencing nature with their four-legged companions. This makes it easier to travel with pets or go horseback riding compared to parks and beaches that only allow pets within the campground.
[New Brighton State Beach](http://www.parks.ca.gov/newbrighton/)
New Brighton State Beach offers beachfront camping with bluffs that overlook the water, making this a much different environment than the forest setting of Cowell Campground. This campground features over 100 campsites, including 11 that have electric hookups and 8 premium sites without hookups that are closest to the water. Hookup and premium sites are $50 per night. Besides hookups, amenities are otherwise comparable to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
** **Seacliff State Beach Seacliff State Beach has 27 sites with full hookups and 37 sites without. No tents are allowed in the campground, so tent campers will be better served at Cowell Campground. Seacliff can fit trailers up to 36 feet and RVs up to 45 feet, so this location is better for larger rigs compared to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Regular sites are $55 with the option to upgrade to hookups for an additional $10 per night. Therefore, budget travelers will find Cowell Campground to be the more affordable option by a wide margin.
** **Manresa State Beach Camping at Manresa State Beach is located close to the water in a beach setting that’s much different from the wilderness surrounding Cowell Campground. There are 60 walk-in sites for tents only along the bluffs. Showers and restrooms are available, but some sites are farther away and will require a longer trip to reach the facilities.