Fall Creek Unit
Latest News
All trails are now open!About
Here are some guidelines for people visiting the Fall Creek Unit: All trails are now open! Get more information on the California State Parks response to COVID-19 here.
Fall Creek is the northern area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. One of the park’s best kept secrets, it is 2,390 acres with about 20 miles of hiking trails.
Learn more in the California State Parks brochure: English | Spanish.
Directions
The park is located at 1101 Felton Empire Road, about 4 miles west of Highway 9 in Felton.
By Bus: Take Santa Cruz METRO route 35 towards Highway 9/Scotts Valley to Boulder Creek Mt. Store via Glen Arbor. Exit on Graham Hill Rd & Hwy 9 (Covered Bridge). Head northwest on Graham Hill Rd toward Hwy 9. Slight left onto Felton Empire Rd. Turn right to enter Fall Creek Unit.
Things to do
HikingFall Creek contains about 20 miles of trails. Pick up a trail map at Henry Cowell State Park Visitor Center.
Fees and Passes
Parking is free.
Services
There are no facilities.
History
In the early 1950s, Samuel “Harry” Cowell proposed combining his family-owned property with an adjacent county-owned park to create a single park. Named after his father, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was established in 1954.
The Fall Creek Unit was later deeded to the state in 1972 by the Cowell family’s foundation. The park contains nearly the entire Fall Creek watershed, extending southeast from Ben Lomond Mountain.
Portions of the park were damaged by the CZU Fire in 2020 and closed, but trails were rebuilt and the park fully reopened in spring of 2022.
Regulations
- Horses are permitted only on designated trails.
- Dogs, bikes, firearms, camping, fires and smoking are not allowed in the park.
- All plants, animals and historical artifacts are protected. Do not remove them.
More Info
(831) 335-4598
