Castle Crags is open for camping year round. Day use hours are from Sunrise to Sunset. Self-Registration is Required. Ranger on Patrol will verify.
Castle Crags State Park
UPDATE (July 21, 2020) - Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. Due to the recent visitation surges at this unit, the park is again temporarily closing vehicular access, meaning there is no camping, parking facilities, or vehicular use of park roadways beginning July 22, 2020 until further notice. All restrooms are closed. The park will be open for locals who can walk or bike in for trail or day-use.
As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19..
Below you will find specific information for Castle Crags State Park:
What is open now?
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this Park:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical. For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19..
Below you will find specific information for Castle Crags State Park:
What is open now?
- Trails and day-use for local residents who can bike or walk in.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this Park:
- All parking facilities, including park roadways.
- Restroom facilities.
- Camping is temporarily closed starting July 22, until further notice.
- Many campgrounds across the state remain closed until further notice. Some campgrounds have started to reopen with modifications. For more information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping.
- High public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
- Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical. For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(530) 235-2684
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: 21 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 27 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed only in parking lot, paved roadway, campgrounds. Dogs not allowed on trails or day-use areas.
Driving Directions to Castle Crags SP
The park is located six miles south of Dunsmuir on I-5.Camping and Lodging
Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
En route Campsites
Environmental Campsites
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
En route Campsites
Environmental Campsites
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Geocaching
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Castle Crags State Park is open year round for camping and day use subject to closure during severe winter weather conditions. Additionally, Riverside Day Use and Campground area are closed during the non-peak season starting from late October and re-opening in late April. Please check back to this website for updates and closure information.
Majestic Castle Crags have inspired enduring myths and legends. More than 170 million years old, these 6000-feet tall granite spires in the Castle Crags Wilderness border the northwestern edge of Castle Crags State Park.
Castle Crags State Park offers a variety of camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing opportunities.
The park has 76 developed campsites that are each equipped with a picnic table, food locker, and a fire ring. Flush toilets, showers, and drinking water are available near each campsite. Picnic sites are located along the Sacramento River and at the awe-inspiring Vista Point.
With 28 miles of hiking trails, everyone can enjoy a mild stroll or an invigorating adventure. From the Vista Point parking area, a quarter mile accessible trail leads visitors to Vista Point where there are dramatic views of Castle Crags, Mount Shasta, and nearby Grays Rocks. Gentle and shaded, the mile long Root Creek Trail guides hikers along an accessible path to a year round flowing creek.
The most popular and challenging route is the Crags Trail which leads adventures to the base of Castle Dome where the views are simply breathtaking. The Pacific Crest Trail winds through the Park as well. Castle Crags State Park is often a respite for the weary hikers of this 2,650 mile trek from Mexico to Canada.
The Sacramento River flows through the park and has several access points that allow for fishing and hiking. Facilities at Riverside include camping and picnicking sites as well the famed pedestrian suspension bridge that crosses the Sacramento River.
Please note that dogs are not allowed on hiking trails.
Castle Crags State Park is an excellent place to use as home base to experience Shasta and Siskiyou Counties. The park is 14 miles south of the City of Mount Shasta, 6 miles south of historic Dunsmuir and 21 miles north of Shasta Lake.
Location - Directions
Castle Crags State Park is located 6 miles south of Dunsmuir or 48 miles north of Redding along I-5; exit 724.
The entrance station is located at:
20022 Castle Creek Road
Castella, CA 96017
Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
(Photograph by Christopher Mizeur)Few of California’s State parks display impressive monoliths adorned like a castle with towering spires and few permit rock climbing. Castle Crags State Park is an exception. The scenic beauty is best enjoyed from a distant vantage point where one can see the range of surrounding landforms. The monolith and its surroundings are a microcosm of the Klamath Mountains where many such monoliths intrude and stitch together a crazy quilt of much older rocks. The surrounding rocks include the Trinity ultramafic sheet, the largest exposed body of ultramafic rock in North America. The ultramafic rock is often interpreted to represent an ancient ophiolite – a slice of the oceanic crust.