Roaring Camp Railroads
“TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Please be advised there is ongoing road work Monday through Friday on Graham Hill Rd. right in front of Roaring Camp’s main entrance that might cause traffic delays. Please allow extra travel time so you don’t miss your train.
Redwood Forest Steam Train
Adult fare (13 and up): 24.00
Child fare (2 to 13): 17.00
Under 2: Free
Parking $8
Redwood Forest Steam Train
RIDE INTO THE PAST ON 19TH CENTURY STEAM TRAINS!
In the 1880s, narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains. Roaring Camp’s steam engines date from 1890 and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines providing regularly scheduled passenger service in America.
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest! One hour roundtrip.
Now through June 10 the schedule for Redwood Forest Steam Trains narrow-gauge excursions to Bear Mountain and return (1:15 hours roundtrip) is:
Weekdays April 25-29: 11:00 a.m., 12:30 & 2:00 p.m.
All Other Weekdays: 11:00 a.m.
Weekends: 11:00 a.m., 12:30 & 2:00 p.m.
Adult Fare (13 & up): 26.00
Child Fare (2 through 12): 20.00
Under 2: free
Parking at Railroad Company: $8. Parking at the boardwalk varies.
Santa Cruz Beach Train
The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Trains travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back can also be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Beach Train riders can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz according to this schedule (three hours roundtrip):
Trains depart from Roaring Camp in Felton traveling to the beach in Santa Cruz at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Trains depart from the beach in Santa Cruz traveling to the Roaring Camp in Felton at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please note that the 4:30 pm train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the Santa Cruz beach.
Mountain man Isaac Graham settled here in the 1830s. Soon after, Mexican authorities named Graham’s wild settlement “Roaring Camp.”
In 1842, Graham established the first saw mill west of the Mississippi. Fortunately, the Big Trees here were spared the woodman’s axe, and 25 years later became the first virgin stand of coastal redwoods to be protected from logging.
The area’s first railroad, the Santa Cruz & Felton, began carrying tourists to the Big Trees and the beach in 1875. In 2003, the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge RR celebrated its Ruby Anniversary (40 years) and the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific RY has been operating along the 1875 Santa Cruz & Felton route since 1985.
The dream of preserving a piece of the 1880s and early California was the dream of Roaring Camps Founder F. Norman Clark. Tragically in December 1985, Norman Clark passed away of pneumonia resulting from his selfless work to open the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway. His wife, Georgiana, the longtime Vice President of Operations was elected chief executive office by the respective board and continues in that role today.
Are there picnic areas inside the park? YES
Can you bring your own food? YES
Forested Picnic Grounds -- Accommodate groups of 25 to 2,500.
Outdoor picnic areas are located throughout the grounds. Some sites may be reserved for your group’s exclusive use. Reservations for picnic tables located around the main barbecue area are subject to availability. Some examples of outdoor picnic sites are:
Upper Deer Creek –
250 occupancy, includes BBQ pits
Deer Creek Left –
250 occupancy, includes BBQ pits
Deer Creek Right –
79 occupancy, includes BBQ pits
Bring Your Appetite -- Roaring Camp’s famous Chuckwagon Barbecue includes heaping servings of mesquite-grilled steaks, chicken or ribs (vegetarian, kids plates, and lighter fare are available) with fresh salad, ranch-house beans, corn on the cob, sourdough roll, choice of beverages and marshmallows to toast. You can add hot apple pie or real ice cream.”
Redwood Forest Steam Train
Adult fare (13 and up): 24.00
Child fare (2 to 13): 17.00
Under 2: Free
Parking $8
Redwood Forest Steam Train
RIDE INTO THE PAST ON 19TH CENTURY STEAM TRAINS!
In the 1880s, narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains. Roaring Camp’s steam engines date from 1890 and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines providing regularly scheduled passenger service in America.
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest! One hour roundtrip.
Now through June 10 the schedule for Redwood Forest Steam Trains narrow-gauge excursions to Bear Mountain and return (1:15 hours roundtrip) is:
Weekdays April 25-29: 11:00 a.m., 12:30 & 2:00 p.m.
All Other Weekdays: 11:00 a.m.
Weekends: 11:00 a.m., 12:30 & 2:00 p.m.
Adult Fare (13 & up): 26.00
Child Fare (2 through 12): 20.00
Under 2: free
Parking at Railroad Company: $8. Parking at the boardwalk varies.
Santa Cruz Beach Train
The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Trains travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back can also be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Beach Train riders can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz according to this schedule (three hours roundtrip):
Trains depart from Roaring Camp in Felton traveling to the beach in Santa Cruz at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Trains depart from the beach in Santa Cruz traveling to the Roaring Camp in Felton at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please note that the 4:30 pm train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the Santa Cruz beach.
Mountain man Isaac Graham settled here in the 1830s. Soon after, Mexican authorities named Graham’s wild settlement “Roaring Camp.”
In 1842, Graham established the first saw mill west of the Mississippi. Fortunately, the Big Trees here were spared the woodman’s axe, and 25 years later became the first virgin stand of coastal redwoods to be protected from logging.
The area’s first railroad, the Santa Cruz & Felton, began carrying tourists to the Big Trees and the beach in 1875. In 2003, the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge RR celebrated its Ruby Anniversary (40 years) and the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific RY has been operating along the 1875 Santa Cruz & Felton route since 1985.
The dream of preserving a piece of the 1880s and early California was the dream of Roaring Camps Founder F. Norman Clark. Tragically in December 1985, Norman Clark passed away of pneumonia resulting from his selfless work to open the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway. His wife, Georgiana, the longtime Vice President of Operations was elected chief executive office by the respective board and continues in that role today.
Are there picnic areas inside the park? YES
Can you bring your own food? YES
Forested Picnic Grounds -- Accommodate groups of 25 to 2,500.
Outdoor picnic areas are located throughout the grounds. Some sites may be reserved for your group’s exclusive use. Reservations for picnic tables located around the main barbecue area are subject to availability. Some examples of outdoor picnic sites are:
Upper Deer Creek –
250 occupancy, includes BBQ pits
Deer Creek Left –
250 occupancy, includes BBQ pits
Deer Creek Right –
79 occupancy, includes BBQ pits
Bring Your Appetite -- Roaring Camp’s famous Chuckwagon Barbecue includes heaping servings of mesquite-grilled steaks, chicken or ribs (vegetarian, kids plates, and lighter fare are available) with fresh salad, ranch-house beans, corn on the cob, sourdough roll, choice of beverages and marshmallows to toast. You can add hot apple pie or real ice cream.”