Castle Rock State Park

Phone Number

(408) 868-9540

Park Hours

Kirkwood Entrance Station Hours: 8am to 5pm, Monday through Sunday

Day Use Hours: 6am to Sunset.  

Trail Camps require registration or reservations.   

Dogs Allowed?

No

Driving Directions to Castle Rock SP

The park is located on Highway 35, just 2 1/2 miles southeast of the junction with Highway 9.

Backcountry trail camps are now reservable, please visit our Trail Camps page for more information.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Environmental Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Interpretive Exhibits
Vista Point
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Drinking Water Available

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High Wind Park Closures 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park (excluding Waddell Beach and Rancho del Oso subunit), Portola Redwoods State Park and Castle Rock State Park will be closed from Thursday, March 14 through Friday, March 15 at noon due to a high wind advisory. 

Please be aware that storm damage or additional strong weather systems may cause additional or extended park closures.

For the latest updates on full and partial park closures statewide, visit the significant incidents updates webpage

Trail Conditions

Climbing Status: CLOSED. Last updated 3/13/2024

Please Note: There are currently downed or low hanging trees or tree limbs, trail washouts, and muddy and slippery conditions on many trails in the park after the recent storms. Hike with caution or check with park staff when you arrive for the latest trail conditions and recommendations. 

Visiting Castle Rock

Castle Rock State Park ViewCastle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.

Basic Park Information

*Please note there is no visitor center or store facilities at Castle Rock.

FEES: There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee. [Regular Sized Auto: $10 (Senior $9, age 62 or older); Bus Parking (10-24 passengers): $50; Bus Parking (25+ passengers): $100]
*Please bring cash*

NO CELL RECEPTION within the park and the surrounding area. Due to this, ridesharing services are not recommended.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS are available.

DOGS are prohibited throughout the park (except for service animals). Nearby Sanborn County Park allows dogs.

HORSES are allowed on Saratoga Toll Road which extends from Saratoga Gap to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

BICYCLES are allowed on the Skyline Trail (Bay Area Ridge Trail) located on the north side of Highway 35.

DRONES are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight.

GLASS CONTAINERS are prohibited through out the park.

SMOKING is prohibited through out the park.

FIREARMS or any device capable of harming any person or animal are prohibited— including BB guns, spears, bows, arrows and slingshots.

FIRES are permitted only in designated fire rings in the Castle Rock Trail Camp. FIRES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THIS TIME. Gathering firewood, including twigs and leaves, is prohibited. Firewood is sold at the Castle   Rock Trail Camp.

RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY rights and stay on designated trails.

NATURAL & CULTURAL FEATURES ARE PROTECTED BY LAW - Do not pick wildflowers, mushrooms, or other plants, or remove any park features. Do not deface rocks with graffiti or feed, disturb, or harm wildlife.

WEDDINGS, PARTIES, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS please call (831) 335-6324 or email mtnspecevent@parks.ca.gov.

View our guided hikes and other public programs schedule and make a reservation by visiting our Parks Events page!

ACCEPTING  NEW  VOLUNTEER  APPLICATIONS!

Looking to share your love of these parks with the public? Or are you more interested in helping out behind the scenes, patrolling the backcountry and reporting trail conditions to park staff? Opportunities abound here at Castle Rock and Portola Redwoods State Parks!

Go to our Volunteering page for more information or apply now to be a part of our parks family!

                              Two female volunteers doing trail work at Portola Redwoods SPTwo female volunteers sitting together on a break while patrolling the trails at Castle Rock SPA male volunteer prunes overabundant bushes and trees at Portola Redwoods SPTwo women hiking at Castle Rock SP as part of the California State Parks Backpacking Adventures program

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Santa Cruz District Wilderness Patrol program is seeking new volunteers! Volunteer responsibilities include roving interpretation, basic trail maintenance, visitor services (rules and regulations), and resource conservation (eg. invasive plant mitigation and interpretation of prescribed burns and areas impacted by wildfire). Wilderness Patrol Volunteers can patrol in Wilder Ranch, Henry Cowell, Nisene Marks, Portola, Castle Rock, or Big Basin State Parks, and are expected to work an average of at least 5 hours per month and should be able to hike at least 3 miles over varied terrain.Training begins mid May of 2022! To apply, please submit this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yOB6SFga1-_dajvPcy6Ns1f-i_wUhnvrYN9iGFE90CM/edit?usp=sharing

Looking for your next adventure?

California State Parks Backpacking Adventures offers naturalist-led backpacking trips through the Santa Cruz Mountains each summer. Online registration opens March 1 at 9am. 


Crumb Clean Campaign

This park is Crumb Clean! Watch this short video to learn about the marbled murrelet, an endangered bird that nests in the park, and how you can protect it. Vea el video en español aquí.


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