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California truly is the land of giants. Its Redwood Forest is considered a national treasure and is home to some of the largest trees on Earth. Awe-inspiring and pristine, they vault into the sky and are truly a must-see for nature enthusiasts in the U.S.
The Roaring Camp Railroad offers a unique way to explore the miraculous redwood groves. Passengers have the opportunity to chug along train tracks built in the 1800s and dive into the emerald heart and fascinating history of The Golden State.
Railroads Through The Redwoods
Steam trains have snaked through the redwood glens since the late 1800s. The area was initially set to become a logging hub but was luckily saved before its wooden titans could be chopped down. It eventually became the first batch of coastal redwoods to be protected from logging in the USA.
The region is also marked by multiple historical landmarks and protected reserves. The tracks operated by the Roaring Camp trains have been in use since 1875. Passengers may choose between weaving through the gorgeous redwood groves or along the picturesque Santa Cruz coastline. Both routes have served tourists and locals since the 19th century.
The trains also boast some of the oldest functioning steam engines in the United States. These date from the 1890s. Roaring Camp's locomotives have rich stories attached to them.
Some were used for mining, others for logging. One was even originally harnessed to carry sugar cane on the island of Oahu. All of them are worth seeing for those interested in America's transportation history.
Roaring Camp attempts to make each journey as authentic as possible. Historic buildings, a museum, and a Victorian-style general store can all be found at its main base.
Staff are outfitted in period clothing and regularly regale guests with stories of the region's past. Along with the untouched forest landscape, a trip in one of the steam trains resembles a voyage back in time.
- Address: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018
Redwood Forest Steam Train
The first route open to riders is the Redwood Forest Steam Train path. Beginning at Roaring Camp, passengers pile into covered wagons drawn by a narrow-gauge steam engine.
The locomotive climbs through lush groves, beneath the stretching shadows of the ancient redwoods. It mounts the summit of Bear Mountain, offering idyllic scenes of Northern California's wilderness.
All the while, a conductor narrates the history of the sanctuary and the railroad tracks that run through it. Finally, the path loops back, depositing visitors back at Roaring Camp to continue exploring the region.
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Cost: $39.95 per adult (ages 13 and up), $24.95 per child (ages 2-12), free for children under the age of 2
- Departure Point: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018
Santa Cruz Beach Train
The second route cruises past the beautiful Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It disembarks from the Santa Cruz Mountains before ducking into the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Dominated by old-growth redwoods, the preserve is a popular retreat among photographers and hikers.
Next, the tracks descend into the San Lorenzo River Gorge, offering even more opportunities to see the marvels of nature that have made the region what it is. Guests roll across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through a tunnel from 187s before emerging along the Santa Cruz shoreline.
Although the path is one-way, return tickets can be bought from the conductor. Passengers can also choose to begin the journey from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and finish it at Roaring Camp in Felton.
So, visitors can enjoy the beach's rides and attractions before heading back to the main station.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Cost: $41.95 per adult (ages 13 and up), $27.95 per child (ages 2-12), free for children under the age of 2
- Departure Point: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018, or the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Special Events
There are a number of unique events offered by Roaring Camp at certain times of the year. Vintage trains are festooned with holiday lights to ring in the new year. Weekends in March are dedicated to long talks about the coastal redwoods and the ecosystems they are a part of.
Large-scale versions of Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy the Tank Engine are brought out for Halloween, delighting visiting children and their parents. Additionally, a number of Wild West and pioneer heritage festivals take place annually.
For those seeking a unique excursion into California's bygone days and its present ecological splendor, the train rides at Roaring Camp are an opportunity not to be missed.