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CALIFORNIA: Henry Cowell State Park

Camping at Henry Cowell State Park has the best of both worlds: lots of hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains while also being only 20 minutes from the famed Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The campground sits a short drive south of the main entrance to historical section of the park and its massive redwoods and natural history, which can also be accessed by hiking along Eagle Creek Trail.

The campground spans two separate sections; one lower and one upper, with hiking trails cris-crossing each. The lower campground (sites #2 – 51) has access to the lookout tower from the Ridge Trail, from which you can see the Monterey Bay and surrounding mountains. The upper campground (#52 – 113) has a few sites with grand vistas of the mountains and valleys that typify this region of the California coast. The sites with the best views are #70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, and 82, though some (like #74) have very narrow space for tents and parking is along the edge of the road. The camp host is on site #1 with the bicycle site nearby, and both are located near the entrance before the campground splits into its upper and lower sections.

The park boasts 111 campsites plus a bike-in site that could probably squeeze in a couple of small tents at most. Campsites #79 and #83 do not appear to exist in the park. There are no group sites, but the cluster of sites around #18 and 19; 41 and 42; 47, 49, and 51; and 59, 61, and 63 would be good for friends and families wanting to be close to each other and share common spaces between the sites.

The campground was closed during the 2024-2025 winter season while all new restroom facilities were constructed in place of the existing ones. The campground re-opening has been delayed until April 2026 and Camp Sights USA does not have any information on the new facilities. Previous facilities had pay showers, flush toilets, electricity, lights, and sinks, suggesting that the new ones are no less equipped.

The campground is a mix of flat and slightly sloped sites with some well shaded, while others are completely exposed (see the information table below). Parking is generally sufficient for two cars, but some have tight spaces (e.g., #38 and 74) that would suffice for only car. Most campsite dimensions are large enough for at least two 4-person tents (see table for campsite and parking dimensions), except for sites along the northwest ridge of the upper campground.

Cell-signal strength varies across the park from very weak to very strong. T-Mobile signals are very strong in the upper campground and practically non-existent in the lower, while Verizon signals are almost the exact opposite. Note that our download tests were performed prior to the rollout of satellite cell service for both providers, so your experience will likely be different.

Reservations can be made reservecalifornia, and more information can be found on the park website.

Reservations

Campsites

	Parking Dimension	Parking Shape	Camp Site Dimension	Camp Site Shape	Exposure	Slope	Water	Restrooms	Shower	Wi-Fi	T-Mobile Signal	Verizon
Henry Cowell State Park #2	12 x 3 yards	Driveway	16 x 12 yards	Rectangle	Mostly Shade	Flat - Mild	32 yards	5 yards	5 yards	None	16 Mbps	15 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #3	13 x 3 yards	Driveway	11 x 11 yards	Square	Partial	Flat	13 yards	71 yards	71 yards	None	66 Mbps	32 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #4	10 x 6 yards	Driveway	9 x 9 yards	Square	Mostly Shade	Flat - Mild	20 yards	36 yards	36 yards	None	16 Mbps	12 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #5	12 x 4 yards	Driveway	12 x 16 yards	Rectangle	Shade	Mild	40 yards	42 yards	42 yards	None	168 Mbps	34 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #6	15 x 4 yards	Driveway	12 x 12 yards	Square	Shade	Flat	42 yards	80 yards	80 yards	None	29 Mbps	23 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #7	12 x 3 yards	Driveway	20 x 14 yards	Rectangle	Shade	Mild/Lumpy	16 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	5 Mbps	13 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #8	14 x 4 yards	Driveway	16 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild	22 yards	120 yards	120 yards	None	233 Mbps	50 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #9	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	12 x 14 yards	L	Shade	Flat-mild/Lumpy	0 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	41 Mbps	17 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #10	16 x 5 yards	Driveway	13 x 20 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild	6 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	183 Mbps	22 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #11	16 x 3 yards	Driveway	10 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild	34 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	12 Mbps	10 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #12	14 x 4 yards	Driveway	12 x 10 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Mild	33 yards	90 yards	90 yards	None	20 Mbps	31 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #13	9 x 4 yards	Driveway	7 x 12 yards	Irregular	Partial	Mod/Lumpy	6 yards	87 yards	87 yards	None	35 Mbps	21 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #14	16 x 3 yards	Driveway	14 x 21 yards	Rectangle	Mostly Shade	Mild - Mod	28 yards	56 yards	56 yards	None	143 Mbps	40 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #15	21 x 3 yards	Driveway	16 x 6 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	6 yards	79 yards	79 yards	None	3 Mbps	23 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #16	9 x 6 yards	Driveway	10 x 10 yards	Square	Partial	Mild - Mild	10 yards	56 yards	56 yards	None	163 Mbps	26 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #17	13 x 4.5 yards (See Notes)	Paved Driveway	12 x 10 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild-Mod	21 yards	28 yards	28 yards	None	67 Mbps	24 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #18	12 x 4 yards	Driveway	10 x 10 yards	Square	Partial	Mild-Mod	22 yards	70 yards	70 yards	None	33 Mbps	6 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #19	7 x 7 yards	Driveway	13 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - mod	72 yards	20 yards	20 yards	None	55 Mbps	28 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #20	12 x 4 yards	Driveway	17 x 8 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Mild - mod	31 yards	52 yards	52 yards	None	22 Mbps	32 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #21	13 x 5 yards	Driveway	17 x 30 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild - mod	56 yards	42 yards	42 yards	None	76 Mbps	2 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #22	7 x 5 yards	Driveway	9 x 5 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild/Lumpy	35 yards	10 yards	10 yards	None	128 Mbps	33 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #23	9 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Paved Driveway	15 x 15 yards	Square	Mixed	Flat	12 yards	41 yards	41 yards	None	13 Mbps	0 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #24	13 x 4 yards (See Notes)	Paved Driveway	22 x 10 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat/lumpy	14 yards	40 yards	40 yards	None	17 Mbps	16 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #25	11 x 5 yards	Driveway	19 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild - Mod	67 yards	27 yards	27 yards	None	286 Mbps	35 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #26	10 x 4 yards	Driveway	12 x 10 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat-Mild	15 yards	43 yards	43 yards	None	6 Mbps	2 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #27	13 x 4 yards	Driveway	14 x 11 yards	Rectangle	Mostly Shade	Flat-Mild	17 yards	93 yards	93 yards	None	146 Mbps	13 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #28	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	21 x 11 yards	Irregular	Shade	Flat-Mild	11 yards	67 yards	67 yards	None	44 Mbps	9 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #29	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	16 x 19 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild	24 yards	64 yards	64 yards	None	21 Mbps	4 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #30	12 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	16 x 19 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Mild	27 yards	43 yards	43 yards	None	182 Mbps	35 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #31	11 x 5 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	10 x 4 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	20 yards	28 yards	28 yards	None	19 Mbps	30 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #32	13 x 4 yards	Driveway	15 x 10 yards	L	Mixed	Flat - Mild	10 yards	27 yards	27 yards	None	15 Mbps	18 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #33	16 x 3 yards	Driveway	13 x 11 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	34 yards	25 yards	25 yards	None	13 Mbps	1 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #34	12 x 3 yards	Driveway	10 x 16 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	16 yards	60 yards	60 yards	None	230 Mbps	5 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #35	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	15 x 11 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild - Steep	12 yards	64 yards	64 yards	None	289 Mbps	48 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #36	16 x 2 yards	Driveway	22 x 12 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Flat	10 yards	89 yards	89 yards	None	25 Mbps	14 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #37	8 x 3 yards	Roadside	14 x 16 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mod	20 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	12 Mbps	29 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #38	12 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Roadside/Semi-oval	19 x 12 yards	Irregular	Exposed	Flat - Mod	34 yards	99 yards	99 yards	None	277 Mbps	55 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #39	17 x 3 yards	Driveway	17 x 12 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild - Mod	30 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	3 Mbps	0 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #40	13 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	9 x 9 yards	Square	Partial	Flat - Mild	10 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	28 Mbps	18 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #41	14 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	22 x 22 yards	Square	Mixed	Flat	6 yards	66 yards	66 yards	None	31 Mbps	2 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #42	17 x 3 yards	Driveway	26 x 17 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Flat - Mild	11 yards	66 yards	66 yards	None	30 Mbps	30 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #43	11 x 3 yards	Driveway	13 x 11 yards	Irregular	Mixed	Mild - Mod	15 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	294 Mbps	36 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #44	10 x 3 yards	Driveway	12 x 11 yards	Rectangle	Exposed	Mild - Mod	22 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	68 Mbps	37 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #45	9 x 4 yards	Driveway	19 x 10 yards	"L"	Mixed	Flat - Mod	0 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	19 Mbps	32 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #46	10 x 3 yards	Driveway	14 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Mild/Lumpy	8 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	35 Mbps	24 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #47	16 x 4 yards	Driveway	26 x 17 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Flat - Steep	24 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	419 Mbps	58 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #48	10 x 4 yards	Driveway	16 x 14 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	27 yards	76 yards	76 yards	None	38 Mbps	28 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #49	11 x 4 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	27 x 19 yards	Irregular	Mixed	Mod - Steep	12 yards	67 yards	67 yards	None	286 Mbps	39 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #50	11 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	38 x 15 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Flat - Mod	28 yards	45 yards	45 yards	None	17 Mbps	0 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #51	7 x 2.5 yards	Roadside	14 x 20 yards	Irregular	Mixed	Flat - Mod	7 yards	48 yards	48 yards	None	168 Mbps	0 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #52	11 x 4 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	11 x 19 yards	Rectangle	Shade	Flat - Mod	12 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	8 Mbps	17 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #53	7 x 7 yards	Driveway	12 x 12 yards	Square	Mostly Shade	Flat - Mild	30 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	16 Mbps	17 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #54	13 x 4 yards	Driveway	14 x 23 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Flat - Mild	25 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	16 Mbps	19 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #55	10 x 5 yards	Driveway	11 x 15 yards	"T"	Partial	Flat	42 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	13 Mbps	20 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #56	12 x 4 yards	Driveway	15 x 12 yards	Irregular	Partial	Flat	42 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	63 Mbps	21 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #57	12 x 4 yards	Driveway	14 x 11 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat	13 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	139 Mbps	18 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #58	7 x 5 yards	Driveway	22 x 22 yards	"L"	Shade	Flat - Mild	14 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	9 Mbps	23 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #59	10 x 4.5 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	11 x 20 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	12 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	35 Mbps	14 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #60	10 x 5 yards	Driveway	19 x 8 yards	Irregular	Partial	Flat - Mild	20 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	19 Mbps	47 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #61	11 x 4 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	13 x 9 yards	Irregular	Partial	Flat - Mild	15 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	175 Mbps	37 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #62	9 x 4 yards	Driveway	15 x 8 yards	Rectangle	Shade	Flat - Mild	14 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	83 Mbps	18 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #63	11 x 5 yards	Driveway	19 x 17 yards	Irregular	Partial	Flat	5 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	368 Mbps	54 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #64	10 x 4 yards	Driveway	10 x 8 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	35 yards	90 yards	90 yards	None	7 Mbps	29 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #65	10 x 5 yards	Driveway	23 x 11 yards	Rectangle	Mixed	Flat - Mild	33 yards	60 yards	60 yards	None	309 Mbps	65 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #66	9 x 5 yards	Driveway	12 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat	16 yards	82 yards	82 yards	None	73 Mbps	55 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #67	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	13 x 9 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	19 yards	90 yards	90 yards	None	377 Mbps	42 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #68	10 x 4 yards	Driveway	14 x 8 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat - Mild	0 yards	100 yards	100 yards	None	403 Mbps	54 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #69	11 x 3.5 yards	Driveway	25 x 25 yards	Square	Mixed	Flat - Mild	36 yards	90 yards	90 yards	None	29 Mbps	49 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #70	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	10 x 20 yards	Irregular	Mostly Shade	Flat - Mod	34 yards	70 yards	70 yards	None	207 Mbps	58 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #71	15 x 3 yards	Driveway	10 x 10 yards	Irregular	Partial	Flat - Mod	11 yards	70 yards	70 yards	None	419 Mbps	76 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #72	19 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Roadside/Semi-oval	10 x 4 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat	0 yards	70 yards	70 yards	None	309 Mbps	63 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #73	13 x 3 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	8 x 6 yards	Rectangle	Exposed	Mod	12 yards	50 yards	50 yards	None	52 Mbps	83 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #74	11 x 7 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	8 x 6 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Flat	0 yards	60 yards	60 yards	None	327 Mbps	87 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #75	12 x 4 yards	Driveway	19 x 16 yards	Irregular	Partial	Mild - Mod	55 yards	112 yards	112 yards	None	320 Mbps	52 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #76	17 x 4 yards	Horse Shoe	5 x 14 yards	Rectangle	Exposed	Flat	33 yards	107 yards	107 yards	None	902 Mbps	72 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #77	11 x 4 yards (See Notes)	Driveway	11 x 6 yards	Rectangle	Exposed	Flat - Mod	30 yards	66 yards	66 yards	None	344 Mbps	58 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #78	9 x 3 yards	Driveway	30 x 20 yards	Irregular	Exposed	Mild - Mod	9 yards	81 yards	81 yards	None	50 Mbps	47 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #80	14 x 3.5 yards	Pull-out	36 x 10 yards	Irregular	Mixed	Mild - Steep	22 yards	100 yards	100 yards	None	33 Mbps	31 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #81	9 x 5 yards	Driveway	31 x 19 yards	"T"	Exposed	Mod - Steep	24 yards	>100 yards	>100 yards	None	144 Mbps	50 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #82	11 x 4 yards	Driveway	25 x 15 yards	"Y"	Mixed	Mild - Steep	20 yards	100 yards	100 yards	None	88 Mbps	2 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #84	10 x 5 yards	Driveway	15 x 10 yards	Rectangle	Partial	Mild - Mod	29 yards	63 yards	63 yards	None	34 Mbps	4 Mbps
Henry Cowell State Park #85	8 x 4 yards	Driveway	17 x 10 yards	Rectangle	Shade	Mild - Mod	20 yards	50 yards	50 yards	None	9 Mbps	13 Mbps

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Camp Sights USA is not affiliated with and does not represent any park service or campground. All information on this site is derived solely by Camp Sights USA, and while Camp Sights USA strives for accuracy, it makes no guarantees regarding the specific details posted here. This site provides information to help potential campers optimize their choices for an enjoyable camping experience. Because it was prepared at a given point in time, not all information will necessarily be accurate and/or complete at the time of use of this site. If a site visitor identifies any inaccuracies or wishes to share updates or details to help other visitors maximize their camping enjoyment, please contact Camp Sights USA at support@campsightsusa.com