Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, California

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Felton, California · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRedwood Forest Steam Train departs daily; Santa Cruz Beach Train returns spring 2027

Roaring Camp Railroads carries visitors up a steep narrow gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain behind steam engines dating from 1890, among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow gauge locomotives in regularly scheduled passenger service in America.

  • Steam engines dating from 1890
  • 75-minute ride to Bear Mountain
  • Shay, Heisler and Climax engines
  • Recreated 1880s logging town
  • Next to Henry Cowell Redwoods
  • Holiday trains in December

Roaring Camp Railroads at a glance

Hours
Redwood Forest Steam Train departs daily; see the online schedule for times
Admission
Forest train: adults (13 and up) $42.35, children 2 to 12 $26.45, under 2 free
Train rides
Redwood Forest Steam Train, 75 minutes round trip, daily; Santa Cruz Beach Train returning spring 2027
Seasonal events
Sequoias at Night, Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, Holiday Tree Walk, Holiday Lights Train, Chanukah Train, New Year's Train, Lumberjack Days, 4th of July, Moonlight Dinner Train
Plan for
Half a day
Best for
Families, steam fans and redwood lovers
Best ages
All ages

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Roaring Camp Railroads? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Felton.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Logging locomotives back at work in the redwoods

In the 1880s, small narrow gauge steam locomotives hauled giant redwood logs out of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Roaring Camp Railroads, founded in 1963 according to travel listings, brought that kind of railroading back to the forest at Felton, on land right beside what is now Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Its Redwood Forest Steam Train runs on the 3-foot gauge Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad, climbing grades steep enough to need the special engines the loggers once relied on.

Those engines are the heart of the place. Among geared steam locomotives, three builders dominated the logging and industrial market: Shay, Heisler and Climax. Shay locomotives were designed in 1872 with Western logging in mind, and Roaring Camp owns several Shays along with a Heisler and a Climax, plus five diesel engines, including a 1941 Plymouth that sometimes takes a turn. Its steam engines date from 1890, and the railroad says they are among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow gauge steam engines in regularly scheduled passenger service in the country. Not all are running at once; some are always in the shop for renovation and refurbishing.

Around the depot, the Town of Roaring Camp recreates an 1880s logging settlement, with blacksmithing, gold panning, candle making and a one-room schoolhouse where classes can try 1880s school life. A second line, the Santa Cruz Beach Train, normally runs from the mountains down the San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The railroad says the Beach Train returns in spring 2027.

Trestles, a mountain summit and a frontier town

The Redwood Forest Steam Train is a 75-minute round trip from Roaring Camp to the summit of Bear Mountain and back. It crosses trestles, threads through groves of old coastal redwoods and climbs a winding narrow gauge grade while conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. Which locomotive pulls your train depends on the day.

Back in town, families can pan for gold, make candles and watch the blacksmith, then eat at the camp's food stands or a Chuckwagon BBQ on group and event days. Bret Harte Hall, at 6,120 square feet, hosts groups, and picnic areas sit under redwoods and oaks. The calendar is packed with themed events, from model train weekends and Lumberjack Days in spring to lantern-lit Sequoias at Night walks in the fall.

Don’t miss

  1. The Shay locomotivesGeared engines designed in 1872 for Western logging, with the side-mounted drive gear that let them climb steep, curving track.
  2. The summit of Bear MountainThe turnaround point of the forest train, reached by a winding grade through the redwoods.
  3. The Heisler and the ClimaxRoaring Camp owns examples from all three great geared locomotive builders, a rare set to find in one place.
  4. Gold panning and candle makingHands-on 1880s activities in the Town of Roaring Camp that kids remember long after the ride.
  5. The one-room schoolhouseUsed by school groups to experience a day of 1880s school life.

Steam, gold pans and seasonal parties

The forest train is a good length for most kids, and the open-air ride through giant trees holds their attention well. Children 2 to 12 ride at a reduced fare, and under 2 ride free. In town, gold panning and candle making turn the visit into a hands-on history lesson, and the Kids Club and kids competitions at events like Lumberjack Days give younger visitors their own activities.

In October, the Thomas and Percy Halloween party offers a shorter 25-minute train ride with costumes, photos, pumpkins, bounce houses and a magician, a good fit for preschoolers. School groups can also ride a Pumpkin Train in October.

Plan your visit: tips for Roaring Camp Railroads

  • Buy tickets online and check the day's schedule, since departure times vary.
  • Groups of 25 or more can get discounted rates through Group Sales at (831) 335-4484.
  • An annual pass is available for frequent visitors.
  • Dress in layers: the forest is shaded and cool even on warm days.
  • Prices and schedules can change without notice.

Roaring Camp fills the calendar with seasonal trains. As of October 2026, Sequoias at Night lights the redwoods with hanging lanterns on Fridays through October (no train), and Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party runs October weekends with a 25-minute train ride. The Holiday Tree Walk carries families on the steam train to Bear Mountain to sip hot cider and meet Santa on select dates from November 27 through December 23, and the Holiday Lights Train rolls through Santa Cruz in lighted vintage cars. See our guides to Christmas train rides in California and California Halloween trains for more.

The crews who keep 1890s steam running

Roaring Camp Railroads, Inc. operates the trains, the town and the events, with conductors who narrate each trip and shop crews who renovate and refurbish the historic locomotives. Visitors support the work by riding, buying an annual pass or gift card, booking group outings and joining seasonal events.

Felton and Santa Cruz rail history

The Felton Covered Bridge is only about a mile away, and the Santa Cruz railroad history exhibits are about 5 miles down the hill. The Santa Clara Depot museum is about 22 miles over the mountains. Browse every California train museum for more.

Every train museum in California

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Narrow gauge cars sit low, but that first step up still looks big to a small dog. In our book, Rally's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, and Dad gives him a boost so he can ride with Mom and Dad. I think of that whenever I see a family lifting a toddler aboard a steam train in the redwoods. My kids are learning to read with that page; it's in our train books for toddlers list.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Roaring Camp Railroads?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Roaring Camp Railroads: 20 questions before you ride

Where is Roaring Camp Railroads?

Roaring Camp Railroads is at 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, California 95018, in the Santa Cruz Mountains between San Francisco and Monterey Bay. It sits right beside Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a short drive from Santa Cruz. The railroad's website has a driving directions page.

Is Roaring Camp in Santa Cruz or Felton?

Roaring Camp is in Felton, a small town in the Santa Cruz Mountains about 5 miles from Santa Cruz. Many people search for it with Santa Cruz because its Beach Train normally runs down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the Holiday Lights Train rolls through Santa Cruz streets.

How much are Roaring Camp Railroads tickets?

As of October 2026, Redwood Forest Steam Train tickets are $42.35 for adults 13 and up, $26.45 for children 2 to 12, and free for children under 2. Special events such as holiday trains and dinner trains are priced separately. The railroad notes that all prices can change without notice.

How long is the Roaring Camp steam train ride?

The Redwood Forest Steam Train is a 75-minute round trip from Roaring Camp to the summit of Bear Mountain and back. The Santa Cruz Beach Train, when running, takes about an hour each way. The Thomas and Percy Halloween ride is a shorter 25-minute trip.

What is the Roaring Camp train schedule?

As of October 2026, the Redwood Forest Steam Train departs daily, with departure times listed on the railroad's online schedule. All trips are round trips to Bear Mountain. Times vary by season and event, so check the schedule on roaringcamp.com or call (831) 335-4484 before you go.

What are Roaring Camp's hours?

Roaring Camp does not post one set of daily hours; its day is built around train departures and events. The forest steam train runs daily, and evening events such as Sequoias at Night have their own times. Check the online schedule for the day you plan to visit.

Is the Roaring Camp Beach Train running?

Not right now. As of October 2026, the railroad says the Santa Cruz Beach Train returns in spring 2027. When running, it travels through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Does Roaring Camp have a Christmas train?

Yes. As of October 2026, the Holiday Tree Walk runs on select dates from November 27 to December 23, riding the steam train to Bear Mountain for hot cider and a visit with Santa. The Holiday Lights Train runs lighted vintage cars through Santa Cruz, and there are also Chanukah and New Year's trains.

How do I get Roaring Camp Christmas train tickets?

Holiday tickets are sold online through the events pages on roaringcamp.com, with separate pages for the Holiday Tree Walk and the Holiday Lights Train. Holiday dates are popular, so buy early. Call (831) 335-4484 with questions about specific dates or group bookings.

What is Sequoias at Night at Roaring Camp?

Sequoias at Night is an art and light installation in its second year, held on Fridays through October as of 2026. Lanterns hang high among thousand-year-old redwoods that are lit from below, creating a lighted forest walk. No train runs during the event, and the General Store sells snacks and glow sticks.

Does Roaring Camp celebrate the 4th of July?

Yes. The 4th of July is on Roaring Camp's annual events list, along with Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend events. Details and tickets are posted on the events calendar closer to the date. Past holiday weekends have paired train rides with family activities and live music in town.

Are there Roaring Camp discounts or promo codes?

Roaring Camp does not advertise a public promo code. Roaring Camp offers discounted group rates for groups of 25 or more, an annual pass for frequent riders, gift cards and an All Aboard corporate discount program. Some events, such as the Free Heritage Events, are free to attend.

Is there parking at Roaring Camp Railroads?

Roaring Camp does not post parking details or any parking fee online. The railroad's website has a driving directions page, and you can call (831) 335-4484 to ask about parking on busy event and holiday days before you drive up.

What locomotives does Roaring Camp have?

Roaring Camp owns several Shay geared steam locomotives, a Heisler and a Climax, plus five diesel engines, including a 1941 Plymouth. Its steam engines date from 1890. Not all are in service at once, since some are being renovated, so the engine on your train depends on the day.

When was Roaring Camp Railroads founded?

Travel listings say Roaring Camp Railroads was founded in 1963. It recreates the narrow gauge logging railroads of the 1880s, which hauled giant redwood logs out of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and its steam locomotives date from 1890.

What can kids do at Roaring Camp?

Besides the steam train, kids can pan for gold, make candles, watch blacksmiths and visit a one-room schoolhouse in the Town of Roaring Camp. There is a Kids Club, and events like Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party add bounce houses, pumpkins, play tables and character photos.

Can you have a birthday or group event at Roaring Camp?

Yes. Roaring Camp hosts birthdays, weddings, reunions, school trips and corporate groups from 25 to 2,500 people, in the 6,120-square-foot Bret Harte Hall or at picnic areas under the redwoods. Group Sales can be reached at (831) 335-4484 or through the online contact form.

Is there food at Roaring Camp?

Yes. Roaring Camp has food options in town, listed on its Food Options page, and a Chuckwagon BBQ is popular with groups. The General Store sells snacks. Special events add dining, including a Mother's Day brunch, a Father's Day BBQ and a Moonlight Dinner Train.

Where can I read reviews of Roaring Camp Railroads?

Tripadvisor and Yelp both carry many visitor reviews and photos of Roaring Camp. Reviewers often mention the giant redwoods, the historic steam trains and the hands-on 1880s town. The railroad also shares photos and news on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.

What train museums are near Roaring Camp Railroads?

The Felton Covered Bridge is about a mile away, and Santa Cruz railroad history exhibits are about 5 miles away. Over the mountains, about 22 miles off, are the Santa Clara Depot museum, the History San José Trolley Barn and the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation in San Jose.

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Kelsey Cecil
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