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Felton · Davenport · Santa Cruz · Capitola

Henry Cowell Redwoods

Also known asHenry Cowell Redwoods · Henry Cowell State Park · Redwood Loop Trail
Forest · Redwoods · Trails · River

California state park in Felton, ten minutes north of Santa Cruz. 4,650 acres of towering coast redwoods with a flat 0.8-mile loop trail through the densest grove.

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You may see a few photos from nearby locations here. Many shoots span multiple spots in the same session.

$550 – $1,850

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Henry Cowell Redwoods

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Where we shoot, on a map

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From the photographer
Chris Schmauch
by Chris Schmauch, owner of GoodEye Photography

California state park in Felton, ten minutes north of Santa Cruz.

California state park in Felton, ten minutes north of Santa Cruz. 4,650 acres of towering coast redwoods with a flat 0.8-mile loop trail through the densest grove. River and meadow openings let golden hour break through. For sessions, the setting works best when there's a clear plan: which light, which path in, what the weather is doing. Chris's note on this location is in the field below — every destination here gets a real, photographer-tested read rather than a glossy travel description.

What to expect

The lay of the land

Footwear
Flats, boots, or anything stable. Trail surfaces vary, roots cross paths, and a dim canopy means seeing the ground matters. Save the heels for indoor portrait portions.
Best Time of Day
Midday filtered light is the secret here. The heavy canopy lifts dim shadows; harsh sun barely reaches the ground. Late afternoon and overcast days look equally lovely.
Best Season
Spring through fall. The filtered light is consistent year-round; heavy winter rains may close trails or muddy footing — we'll work around those.
Weather
Cool and damp under the canopy year-round; temperatures stay moderate even on hot days. Light rain often improves the look — saturates the moss and bark.
Privacy
Quieter than most beaches. Off-peak weekdays effectively private. The trees create natural visual privacy even when others are nearby.
Drive times

Getting here

Downtown Santa Cruz10 min
Capitola15 min
Aptos20 min
San Jose45 min
San Francisco1 hr 30 min
Approximate, off-peak driving.
Worth knowing

A few things about Henry Cowell Redwoods

  • Trailhead parking — may require a state-park day-use fee.

  • Dog-friendly in most areas; leash rules vary by season.

  • Canopy filters most of the sunset; aim for the meadow openings or top-of-canopy backlight an hour before sunset.

  • Cool and damp under the canopy year-round; bring an extra layer even on warm days.

Also known as

Henry Cowell Redwoods also appears as Henry Cowell Redwoods, Henry Cowell State Park, or Redwood Loop Trail.