roaring camp railroads

If you have children or just enjoy trains, this ride is for you. The scenery is nice, in the middle of the forest but not extraordinary either. The roaring camp is also well maintained and you can enjoy burgers, hot dogs and fries before or after your train.

Went on this ride with my 3 boys (12, 7 and 5) and they had a great time. We tried to go on the 12pm but it was sold out so had to wait for the 2pm. It was a great experience for the kids but even I had a good time. The train goes slow so not a scary ride for little kids and it's a great way to see the redwood trees. I laid my head back on the rail and looked up at the trees the whole time. Simply beautiful. Although I should've worn goggles because debris went into my eyes. :) Train looks kind of worn down and had a few hiccups along the way but didn't spoil our trip. It was still worthwhile. On a scale from 1-10 on how safe I think the train is? I would say maybe a 7. Still pretty decent. It's definitely a fun time for the kids but not for babies. Too loud.

One of the reviews below claims the Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway train was "broke down looking and frankly it sounded like it was going break down any second." This train has been running safely for thirty years. For ONE person to decide it sounds unsafe and then pronounce that to the world is not responsible.There are two Roaring Camp railroads. The standard gauge diesel Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway runs between Felton and the Santa Cruz boardwalk.The steam Shay engine route, the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad, runs from Felton into the redwoods and then return. I recently took this trip with my grandkids on a winter day, having some time ago done the same with my kids. This train has run safely for fifty years.Yes, it is chilly so take coats and blankets for the kids. The train did NOT stop at the top for passengers to walk among the redwoods, which was a disappointment.Pros? Genuine steam engine railroad trip through the redwoods.They sold a limited number of tickets per train, so the train was not overcrowded.Cons? Cost. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children plus one parked car, it's over $100 to take the steam trip into the redwoods, before you might buy any souvenirs or food.

My son and I took the train and were miserable because of the cold weather. Please, please, take a hat, a coat, a scarf, warm shoes, and an extra blanket. I am not kidding!!

I was going to venture up to Felton to get on the train and give my daughter who brought from out of state to experience some of my child memories the same experience. But as I'm walking along the tracks on the back side of the boardwalk along Beach Street, I notice as the train goes by how filthy, broke down looking and frankly it sounded like it was going break down any second. I opted out of this experience for my daughter. Be careful and look the train over carefully!

We came the day after Thanksgiving, a very popular day. Extra trains had been added to accommodate the crowd, and our train was a little late, but so what. We went up the mountain, and the ride through the trees is just gorgeous. This is an authentic steam train experience. It goes slowly (therefore you can enjoy the scenery). A bit of the moisture from the steam will come down on you if you sit closer to the front. A few leaves will fall on you as you go through the forest. It's magical. If you want a thrill ride, this is not it. Nor is it good for very little kids. There is not a lot happening for them, and the loud -- very loud -- whistle which sounds often, and the discharge of steam, are noisy. Leave the babies off. At the top, the train stopped and warm apple cider was served. Santa was there giving out candy canes to kids, and he was wonderful. He willingly posed for photos, and the atmosphere was charming. There are Christmas trees decorated with paper ornaments that line a little path. It was a good way to kick off the Christmas season. This is my second visit, and I find it wonderful to be able to experience an old-fashioned train ride through beautiful scenery. If you come expecting a Disneyland experience, you'll write a disappointed review. If you come expecting a step back in time, you'll enjoy it. Yes, it's expensive, but it costs a lot to run a place like this. Yes, it's crowded on the train cars. Bring a seat cushion and the bench will be comfortable. I can't speak to the rest of the activities, as it seems to be a summer weather place, so a lot of the features are not operating in colder times of the year. Call first to see what's going on before coming. There are a lot of restaurants in the nearby town if the food service at the train is not available. Enjoy it for what it is -- there are not a lot of places you can do something like this!

We recently vacationed in this area, and after much research we decided to visit roaring camp. Not only did the train sound fun, but the Roaring Camp seemed to have much to offer as well. This might be true in the middle of the summer on a weekend, but not in the middle of November. We arrived at the camp with our children ready to pan for gold, and participate in other fun activities, but NOTHING was open. The following is a list of amenities that the website promises. Nothing is mentioned about ''on season'' or ''off season'' schedules on the web site.Train RidesCalifornia Redwoods HikeChuckwagon BBQRed Caboose RestaurantGold PanningBlacksmithingCandle-MakingVisits with the Town MarshalOld Time Photo StudioShopping at the General StoreHorseshoesVolleyballOf this list, the train was running. The redwoods hike is there whether the camp is open or not (it is a state park) and the general store was open to sell tickets and merchandise. That is it. No Volleyball, no horseshoes, no old time photos, no candle making, no blacksmith, no gold panning, no town marshal, no Chuckwagon BBQ, no Red Caboose Restaurant. We were extremely disappointed. The train ride itself was fine and very fun, though we did break down for over an hour halfway up the mountain. The breakdown was--I'm sure--out of the ordinary, and the employees were nice and helpful, but it was difficult for the children and no compensation or anything was offered for the trouble. Mostly, though we were just really upset that we were promised a ''roaring'' camp and train ride, and we just got a train ride.

I have enjoyed previous Roaring Camp trains into the redwoods. However, I went on the Holiday Lights Train last evening and... never again! We signed up for the 6:30 train, and it was 45 minutes late! The train is beautiful on the outside, and although the inside of our car was charming, and Christmas music was played the whole time, the trip was very very boring. No Christmas lights. Luke warm cider, no hot chocolate (as advertised).We passed through un-charming industrial areas, and then went backwards back to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.I am sad to say, it was a waste of over 2 hours and over $25.00!

Good experience for the family to see the Redwoods up close while riding a neat old steam train. Enjoyed watching them do some switching get up the hill. Was Chistmas time so Santa was waiting at the top. Kids enjoyed that part. Trees were amazing it was hard to believe we were in middle of a city

I've never been on a steam engine train so I found it very interesting. An hour plus ride up through the redwoods. If you're in the Santa Cruz area -visit! Naked your kids too.

So fun to visit Roaring Camp, Its a lovely Park with a Railroad running through it, The Train runs from Roaring camp to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and then visa verse...The Park itself is a nice spot to have an outing, a picnic ,a walk , The grounds are well kept with lots of path winding through, Idea for hikers, baby strollers, and very adequate for those who have walking challenges, plenty of picnic table, a very nice barbeque area, clean and well maintained Restrooms, plenty of parking ,lovely gardens, a pond and flowers and unique trees, During the holidays the train becomes "Thomas" the children love it..They are having Crafts faire and wonderful Top notch Music Festival at a really good price, you can also rent Roaring camp out for your weddings, and special occasions, If your coming to Santa Cruz by all means make this a stop on your trip ..on the way to San Lorenzo Valley..just 10miles into the Santa Cruz Mountains a lovely ride...living in Santa Cruz I frequent Roaring Camp three or four times a years...for the Redwood Mt. Festival the first week in June ..to the Mountain Man Gathering to the Holiday faire all decked out in its Christmas flare...There is a fee but I know it is under $20.00 with discount for children and our senior population, well worth the fee..

Within 10 miles from Santa Cruz is Roaring Camp Railroad with daily train rides through the redwoods to the boardwalk. Special rides are held during Christmas on decorated trains.

Great way to see the Santa Cruz redwoods and learn something of logging history and railroad technology. By all means take the short walk to the adjacent Henry Cowell state park and walk the 3/4 mile trail, redwood grove.

The rich smell of the redwood forest, the chug of the steam engine, the feel of the clickety-clack, the sunlight through the ground ferns, and the taste of soothing soda pop when its all done---it's unique to northern California and can only be experienced first hand. Worth the money and the time.

The waitress in our hotel said her children got taken here on school trips & called it Boring Camp. We enjoyed a walk through the redwoods before our train ride - very peaceful with adequate signage & deer. The rail trip was tedious especially as, to maximise revenue, they'd added more carriages & had to do a lot of backing & filling to get round one corner & up a particularly steep gradient.Don't know the fee as part of a coach trip (why?).