Garden of Eden

The Garden of Eden is a spot on the San Lorenzo River on the eastern side of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, reached by the Ox Trail. California State Parks tells visitors to park at the Ox Fire Road trailhead, 0.75 miles south of the park's main entrance on Highway 9, not in the day-use lot. It follows park hours, sunrise to sunset. Dogs are not allowed on the way down, and the railroad tracks near the river are private.

Where It Is

The Garden of Eden is marked on the official park map on the San Lorenzo River, near Ox Fire Road. The campground's own FAQ puts it simply: on the eastern side of the park, along the Ox Trail.

It is part of the state park, so park rules apply: open sunrise to sunset, everything natural and historic protected, no drones, and stay on established trails.

Parking

California State Parks gives one parking instruction for the Garden of Eden: use the Ox Fire Road trailhead, 0.75 miles south of the main entrance on Highway 9. The main entrance is the day-use area at 101 North Big Trees Park Road in Felton; see parking and directions. If you would rather use a lot, the day-use area ($10) is the base for the Redwood Grove Loop and the River Trail.

Getting Down to the River

From the trailhead the route follows the Ox Trail. The park map carries two warnings that apply here: trails down to the river are steep and slippery when wet, and there are no bridges at the river crossings. Wear shoes with grip and give yourself daylight to climb back out before sunset, when the trails close.

Rules That Apply

• No dogs. The Ox Trail is not one of the four routes where leashed dogs are allowed. See dogs.
• No horses on the Ox Trail.
• No bikes. Bikes are allowed only on Pipeline, Rincon, Ridge and Powder Mill fire roads.
• Keep off the railroad. The tracks and trestles along the river are private property. California State Parks says not to walk on or cross them.
• Pack it out and keep it "Crumb Clean." The park's Crumb Clean campaign protects the marbled murrelet, an endangered bird that nests in the park.
• Leave nothing behind and take nothing. All natural and cultural features are protected by law.

Swimming Here

California State Parks lists swimming among the park's activities and names Cable Car Beach on the River Trail as a place for a swim; it gives no swimming details for the Garden of Eden itself, and no lifeguards are listed anywhere in the park. If you go in the water, judge the river for yourself, keep children close, and remember the river runs wide and fast in winter and spring. More on the river, fishing rules and crossings on the San Lorenzo River page.

Other Hazards

• Poison oak grows throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, as a bush, vine or ground cover, with leaves in groups of three.
• Ticks: check yourself after the walk.
• Rattlesnakes and mountain lions: California State Parks asks visitors to be alert for both.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a summer river walk on the quieter east side of the park.

Maybe skip if: you are bringing a dog, need an accessible path, or are visiting after heavy rain, when the river is high and the trail is slippery. The Meadow-River Loop near the day-use area is an easy, bridged alternative.