Volunteering
Volunteer
Between our two beautiful parks, there's lots to do! Below you'll find a list of some of the ways our lovely volunteers help out around here. Of course, if you have your own ideas of how you'd like to help, we'd love to hear them!
Docent and Interpretive Activities
- Public interactions and interpretive/educational programs
- Leading guided hikes and tours for members of the public
- Welcoming visitors to the park and answering questions, recommend hiking routes, etc.
- Leading field trip tours for school groups
- Operating the Portola Redwoods Park Store
- Tabling at park events
- Social media content creation
Trail Crew Activities
- Maintaining trail accessibility and ecological stability
- Cutting downed trees, removing debris from trails
- Maintenance on footbridges, culverts, etc.
- Coordinating with State Parks Roads and Trails crews
- Answering questions for hikers at worksites
Wilderness Patrol Activities
- Hiking front- and backcountry trails within park borders
- Reporting trail conditions to WP Coordinators
- Reporting emergencies to Ranger Dispatch, 911
- Directing lost hikers
- Answering questions and reminding visitors about park rules
For more information on volunteering at Castle Rock and/or Portola Redwoods State Parks, contact portolacastlerock@ports-ca.us.
For information about volunteering and to apply at other state parks in the Santa Cruz District or across the state, visit our Volunteer Portal.
Get Involved
Visit Castle Rock State Park. If you’ll be coming here or to other California state parks frequently, buy a state parks pass—an excellent way to save money and support state parks.
Support nonprofit groups working on behalf of this park, including Sempervirens Fund, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation, Peninsula Open Space Trust, and Save the Redwoods League. Sempervirens Fund helped to create Castle Rock State Park 50 years ago and continues to support the park in many ways.