Learn about California's own Coastal Redwood Forest, aboard a 100 year old steam train. Along the journey, hear fascinating information about the coastal redwoods and their ecosystems from docent specialists.
Adults and kids alike will enjoy viewing California Central Coast On30’s large scale model railroad display.
Watch model trains chugging through the Redwoods, around railroad bends and over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Boardwalk with the miniature scale of the Central Coast spread out before them. During your visit be sure to see Roaring Camp’s authentic 1800s steam train.
The Easter Bunny makes a stop at Roaring Camp. Hop aboard the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain for an Easter Egg Hunt and participate in Easter activities in Town.
Treat Mom to something memorable on her special day with a beautiful Mother’s Day train ride through the towering redwoods. Add on brunch at the gorgeous Bret Harte Hall for a Mother's Day she won't soon forget!
This Memorial Day, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities and live music.
The annual Redwood Mountain Faire brings together a wide range of music styles on two stages. The Faire benefits a wide range of nonprofit and service organizations and is organized by the Valley Women's Club of the San Lorenzo Valley.
Salute Dad on Father’s Day by treating him to a ride on the Redwood Forest Steam Train and lunch. In addition, enjoy live music from Eric Morrison and the Mysteries at the BBQ where Humble Sea will be pouring the best local brew for sale. Dad will receive a complimentary engineer’s cap with the purchase of a train ticket and any BBQ platter meal.
Take a trip from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Roaring Camp Railroads on the Father's Day Brew Train! Local brewers from Humble Sea will be pouring tastes of some of their favorite beers as you ride the rails from the seas to the trees. Listen to live music on board as we make our way to Roaring Camp. Once you arrive at Roaring Camp join in on the festivities with more live music, gold panning, great bbq lunch and beer available for purchase.
Beach Train4 hrs
11:00 am
Activities
Live Music
Tastings from
Humble Sea Brewing
Chuck Wagon BBQ
Free Heritage Events
Date TBD
Heritage sounds like something old. Unless you’re talking Heritage Events at Roaring Camp. Free All Summer Long. Must have valid train ticket to participate in heritage activity.
Activities
Free Days
Monday: Blacksmith
Tuesday: Printing Press
Wednesday: Candle Making
Thursday: Crafts
Friday: Gold Panning
4th of July
July 4
This 4th of July, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities and live music.
Memorial Day Weekend, get ready to step on board the Circus Bubble Train. Zillions of Bubbles will float through the air as you travel down the tracks through the Redwood Forest. Meet the Bubble Ubbles, Mr. Bigz Bubbles and BB Bubbles on the train. Your train ticket also includes a show in the Circus Ring at Bret Harte Hall. Performances by stilters, jugglers, dancers and world renowned bubble magician, Tom Noddy.
Beach Train25 min
Activities
Circus Show
Circus Themed Activities
Bubble Photos
Kids Club Activites
Great Train Robberies
Date TBD
Witness shootouts between famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880’s aboard the Redwood Forest Train to Bear Mountain. See why the West was wild!
Forest Train75 mins
Activities
Train Robbery Reenactment
All Scheduled Trains
*Noise Sensitive
Moonlight Dinner Party
June 10, July 1, August 26, September 30
Treat yourself to an evening of fun and relaxation at Roaring Camp's Moonlight Steam Train Dinner Party. Start with a hearty BBQ dinner followed by a leisurely train ride aboard vintage railway cars.
Forest Train4 hrs
6:00 pm
Activities
Hearty BBQ Dinner
*Vegetarian Options Available
Campfire
Live Music
Line Dancing
Blacksmith Hammer-In
August 18-20
The California Blacksmith Association Presents - The 5th Annual Hammer-In at Roaring Camp Railroads. Watch demonstrators push the boundaries of hot metal, bring ancient techniques to life and share with the community their talent and dedication to the blacksmith craft.
Evening train and dinner excursion from the beach to the redwoods. Upon arrival, a delicious barbecue dinner and live music awaits you.
Beach Train4 hrs
5:30 pm
Activities
Hearty BBQ Dinner
*Vegetarian Options Available
Live Music
Dancing
Campfire
Labor Day Weekend
September 2-4
This Labor Day Weekend, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities and live music.
Don’t miss this unique Culinary Journey! Be transported by the magic of steam to a dining experience amongst the trees. Prepare to savor a delightful three course dinner engineered by a local chef. More Info Coming Soon.
Forest Train4 hrs
4:30 pm
Activities
Dinner Prepared by
Chef, TBD
No Host Beer & Wine
*Vegetarian Options Available
Menu TBD
Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival
September 16-17
Join us for the 7th annual Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival. The weekend welcomes a variety of artists, multiple stages, camping, train rides including the 'Sol Train' shuttle from the Boardwalk and back again in the evening, craft beer, wine, vendors and gourmet food.
Beach TrainSat & Sun only
11:15 am
Activities
Optional Sol Train
Live Music
Local Breweries
Food Vendors
Spaghetti Western Dinner, Train & Movie
Date TBD
Wrangle the whole family and come on up for our inaugural Spaghetti Western Dinner, Steam Train and Movie night! Piles of spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread to warm the belly for a Steam train through the redwood forest to the top of Bear Mountain and back. Then settle in for a good ole' family western comedy. Kids Welcome. More Info Coming Soon.
Forest Train4 hrs
6:30 pm
Activities
Spaghetti Dinner5:30 pm
Forest Train6:30 pm
Movie8:00 pm
Movie TBD
Popcorn & Snack Vendor
Gold Panning
General Store
Marshal, Deputy Meet & Greet
Harvest Faire
Date TBD
Welcome Fall with the Harvest Faire at Roaring Camp! Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain. Pick a pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch.
POSTPONED - Roaring Camp presents the 3rd Annual Brewgrass Festival featuring, local breweries, music from favorite bluegrass artists and food from our popular local food trucks. Back this year- VIP Brewgrass Tasting Train roundtrip from Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp. Line-up Info Coming Soon.
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family.
Thomas Train25 mins
Activities
Face Painting
Storytelling
Train Play Tables
Cookie Decorating
Coloring
Pick a Pumpkin
Holiday Tree Walk
November 24-26, December 2-3, 9-10
Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cocoa while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter themed activities.
Forest Train75 mins
Activities
Visit from Santa
Hot Cocoa
Winter Themed Activities
Holiday Lights Train
November 24-25, December 2-3, 9-10, 16-23
A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz.
Beach Train1 hr
Activities
Holiday Sing-Along
Live Music
Hot-Spiced Cider
Santa Visit
Chanukah Train
December 7th
We’ll share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea.
1 hr
5:15 pm, 6:45 pm
Activities
Lighting of the Menorah
(15 mins before departure)
Chanukah Traditions
Kosher Refreshments
New Years Holiday Lights Train
December 26-31
Bring in the new year aboard the New Years Holiday Lights Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2024 right.
Beach Train1 hr
Activities
Light-Up Hula Hoopers
Live DJ
Private Cars Available
Call to book
Drive-In Movies
Spring Schedule Coming Soon!
Roaring Camp Railroads is proud to present Drive-In Movie Nights in the Redwoods. We will be showing your favorite movies surrounded by the beautiful redwood forest in the heart of Roaring Camp. Be sure to dress warm. Movie dates will be weather dependent. Must tune into a radio station to listen. Movie refreshments will be available for purchase.
No train scheduled.
Activities
No activities for this event.
Chuck Wagon BBQ
Outdoor American BBQ and live music open 12-3PM Friday-Sunday through the summer.
No train scheduled.
Activities
Live Music Schedule
Coming Soon!
Annual Pass
Check out our Annual Pass options as you can save a bundle! All Annual Passes get you unlimited rides on Redwood Forest Steam and Santa Cruz Beach Trains. And if you love our events, Gold Passes are valid for certain special events and discounts.
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Beach Train4 hrs
Activities
Departing either from the Boardwalk or Roaring Camp and return.
Travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel.
If you’re an Adventurer, Explorer, or Thrill-Seeker, you are invited to become a member of Roaring Camp Railroads’ Kids Club today. It’s free to join, a ten-gallon hat full of fun, and you can win more prizes than you can shake a stick at.
