Roaring Camp Railroads
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Roaring Camp Railroads

4.6
·4k reviews·Felton, United States

Ride historic steam trains through majestic redwood forests, stepping back in time for a magical adventure.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, early afternoon

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
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Roaring Camp Railroads

Roaring Camp Railroads

Best Time

Weekdays, early afternoon

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Ride historic steam trains through majestic redwood forests, stepping back in time for a magical adventure.

4.6
(4k reviews)

"The steam train ride through the redwoods in California is absolutely magical."

Vertical photo
TIP

Pack a Picnic 🥚

You can bring your own food and drinks, perfect for enjoying on the train or during the layover.

Wear Comfy Shoes 🥾

There's walking involved, especially if you explore the surrounding areas or the state park next door.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 4,261 reviews

Type

Tourist Attraction

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Steam Train Through Redwoods

Steam Train Through Redwoods

Felton, CA

Ride a historic steam engine through ancient redwood forests, feeling like you've stepped back in time.

TikTokInstagram
Sequoia Lights Installation

Sequoia Lights Installation

Roaring Camp

Experience a magical lantern-lit journey through the redwoods at night, a unique art installation.

Instagram
Holiday Lights Train

Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

A festive train ride adorned with thousands of lights, accompanied by holiday music and hot cider.

Instagram
Thomas & Percy Halloween Party

Thomas & Percy Halloween Party

Felton, CA

A family-friendly Halloween event with themed train rides, character meet-and-greets, and activities.

TikTokInstagram
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Planning Your Visit

Book Tickets in Advance

Trains, especially themed ones like Halloween or Thomas the Tank Engine, sell out quickly. Booking online ahead of time is highly recommended to secure your spot and avoid disappointment. TikTok

Consider the Open Coach

For the best views and a more immersive experience, opt for the open coach cars. While it can get warm, the unobstructed scenery of the redwoods is unparalleled. TikTokReddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays, early afternoon
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Crowd
Low
When
Evenings (for Sequoia Lights)
Why
Magical illuminated forest
Crowd
Medium
When
Special Event Weekends
Why
Unique themed experiences
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🚂 All aboard the time machine! This steam train still runs through the redwoods 🌲🔥 ⸻ 📄 Description: Ever wondered what it felt like to ride a real 1800s steam train? Welcome to Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, California — where you can chug through ancient redwoods and feel like you’ve stepped back in time. A must-do for families, train lovers, or anyone craving nostalgia 🚂🌲 📍 Felton, CA | Santa...
@northcalitogo
68.5K likes • 791K views

Pack a Picnic 🥚

You can bring your own food and drinks, perfect for enjoying on the train or during the layover. TikTokReddit

Wear Comfy Shoes 🥾

There's walking involved, especially if you explore the surrounding areas or the state park next door. Reddit

🚂🛤️ #santacruz #roaringcamprailroad #train #redwoods #redwoodforest #redwoodscalifornia #redwoodscalifornia #railroad
@lifewithgeorgette
36.2K likes • 412.6K views
Roaring Camp Railroads’ Holiday Lights Train (Santa Cruz) Departing from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this train ride is adorned with thousands of colorful lights. Riders can enjoy hot cider, holiday music, and a festive atmosphere as they travel through the streets of Santa Cruz : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : @roaringcamp #fyp #instagood #parati
linorodarteofficial
13 likes • 1.4K views

Confirm Your Train 🚂

Ensure you're boarding the correct train route, as there can be multiple departures. Staff are helpful! Reddit

Prepare for Noise 📣

Steam engines are loud! If you or someone in your group is sensitive to noise, consider this. Reddit

The secret is out at @roaringcamp! Sequoia Lights are in, and it’s a luminous art installation from local San Lorenzo artists! It’s a lantern-lit journey through the redwoods, and it creates another experience walking through the redwoods at night. And yes, your fur friends are welcomed and it’s great for kids too! 🐕🐶🐾 Enjoyed every moment of the special invite for soft opening on Thursday, an...
hikeandlift
0 likes • 1.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Pack a Picnic 🥚

You can bring your own food and drinks, perfect for enjoying on the train or during the layover. TikTokReddit

Wear Comfy Shoes 🥾

There's walking involved, especially if you explore the surrounding areas or the state park next door. Reddit

Confirm Your Train 🚂

Ensure you're boarding the correct train route, as there can be multiple departures. Staff are helpful! Reddit

Prepare for Noise 📣

Steam engines are loud! If you or someone in your group is sensitive to noise, consider this. Reddit

Explore Nearby 🌲

Combine your train ride with a visit to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, just next door. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.6
(4k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Roaring Camp Railroads for its magical steam train rides through stunning redwood forests and its friendly, engaging staff. The unique historical experience and family-friendly atmosphere are major draws, with special events adding extra appeal. Some wish for more dining options or longer excursions, but overall, it's considered a worthwhile and memorable outing.

"I was confused that there will be scorching heat but to experience new adventure we book our tickets,as seats are limited and number of train per day are also limited.
We reached camp before the. Train time we can explore the area as well as we have to take pass on base of digital tickets.
We reached on railway platform, there is announcement of train but it was train for santa cruze so confirm it though staff is very cooperative and humble.
We still experience heat but as soon as we take our seats in train, we take open coach so we enjoy nature. In few minutes we enter the forest there is no heat or sun rays and enjoy the nature.
Thick forest is very beautiful.
Wow the train route is also engineering
Marvellous and also beautiful scenes. There is one break also for 10 to 15 min. There is restrooms too.
Again we take our seats and back to camp. There we enjoyed ice cream."

pradip shah

"The forest train was absolutely amazing.

We had such a great time at Roaring Camp Railroad. The staff were more than friendly and it was just all around a terrific experience. I highly recommend the open top train cars as there is SO much to see as you traverse through the forest.

The only thing I could recommend, is that I really anticipated it to be an all-day experience. I wish you could have had lunch at the top, say a nice BBQ'd cheeseburger and come back down when you were ready. That would have knocked it way out of the park."

Zack Simms

"A wonderful experience for the family! I bought tickets online, which was quick and easy. The area is beautiful and is surrounded by tall redwoods. The conductor was entertaining and staff were all friendly and welcoming. The ride itself was fun, with some parts being a bit warm and more dense shaded areas were cooler. Overall didn’t really use a sweater. The trees and scenery were absolutely stunning! It is a great outing for families. So glad we finally did it and crossed it off our bucket list!"

Raquel Aguilar

What People Like

Scenic redwood train rides
Friendly and informative staff
Historic steam engines

What People Dislike

Limited dining options
Shorter than expected duration

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Roaring Camp Railroads is located in Felton, California. You can drive directly to the Felton location. Alternatively, some trains depart from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, offering a scenic route to Roaring Camp. TikTokInstagram

Yes, there is parking available at the Felton location. It's recommended to arrive a bit early, especially during peak times or special events, to secure a spot. TikTok

While direct public transport to the Felton site might be limited, you can take public transport to Santa Cruz and then potentially catch a connecting bus or rideshare to Felton. Some trains also depart from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which is more accessible. Instagram

Roaring Camp does offer accommodations for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility for boarding the train. However, be aware that much of the surrounding area is unpaved, so plan accordingly. Reddit

The drive from San Francisco to Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Tickets can be purchased online through the official Roaring Camp Railroads website or at the ticket booth on-site. Booking in advance is highly recommended as trains can sell out. TikTokReddit+1

Ticket prices vary depending on the specific train ride and any special events. For example, the Halloween party train is around $25+ per person. It's best to check their website for current pricing. TikTok

Yes, Roaring Camp offers various train rides, including the historic steam train through the redwoods, the 'Big Trees' route, and seasonal or themed rides like the Holiday Lights Train or Thomas & Percy events. TikTokInstagram

Most train rides are approximately 75 minutes long, with some shorter routes like the Halloween party train being around 25 minutes. There's often a layover in Felton where you can explore. TikTokInstagram+1

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, snacks, and drinks to enjoy on the train or during the layover in Felton. TikTokReddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

At the Felton base camp, you can explore the general store, enjoy ice cream, and sometimes pan for gold. The adjacent Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers hiking trails. Instagram+1

Absolutely! Roaring Camp is very family-friendly. Children often love the steam engines, and special events like 'Thomas & Percy' are specifically geared towards them. TikTokInstagram+1

Many visitors recommend the open coach cars for the best views of the redwoods. However, be prepared for potential warmth and engine noise. TikTokReddit

Yes, restrooms are available at the Roaring Camp base and also at the stop during the train ride. Reddit

Pets are generally welcome at Roaring Camp, especially during events like the Sequoia Lights, provided they are well-behaved and leashed. Always check specific event rules. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Capture the historic steam engines, the towering redwood trees, and the festive atmosphere during special events. The open coach offers unobstructed views for great shots. TikTokInstagram

Yes, especially during the Sequoia Lights event, which transforms the redwood forest into a magical, illuminated landscape perfect for photography. Instagram

Absolutely! The train ride provides unique perspectives of the redwood forest. Consider using a wider lens to capture the scale of the trees. TikTok

Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, always be mindful of other passengers and avoid using flash in a way that might disturb them. TikTok

Morning light filtering through the redwoods can be stunning. For dramatic shots, consider the golden hour before sunset or the special evening events. TikTok

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