Castle Rock State Park in California, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-11. Check linked official notices before travel.

Castle Rock State Park follows a high ridge in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. Choose it for a sandstone hike or a day of climbing. Check the park’s climbing status after rain, when damp rock can close routes.

Sandstone, ridge views and forest trails

The park’s trails link sandstone outcrops and forest. Climbers can head to the namesake Castle Rock when the rock is dry and routes are open.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Stay off wet sandstone

Rain can trigger a climbing closure for up to three days. Check the posted status before you load climbing gear. Download your map ahead of time because the park reports no cell reception.

Keep to the designated routes

Dogs are prohibited except for service animals. Bicycles are allowed on the Skyline Trail north of Highway 35. The park allows horses on Saratoga Toll Road and prohibits them in trail camps. Leave glass containers, drones and firearms at home. Smoking is prohibited. Stay on designated trails and leave plants and rock features in place.

Register before walking to a trail camp

Use the state trail-camp page for advance requests. Submit a regular reservation request online up to 60 days ahead for up to two sites. Each site holds up to six people. After staff approve the request, call 831-338-8867 to pay by 5 p.m. the next business day. The payment line operates Monday through Friday, 1–5 p.m. Groups of 13 or more must call for a Sunday through Thursday stay. Group reservations can be made at any time for dates in the current calendar year. A USD 25 nonrefundable group reservation fee applies when booking more than two sites. For a same-day reservation, call the park. For one of the five first-come, first-served sites at Castle Rock Trail Camp, register and pay in person at the Kirkwood lot before hiking in. Use designated trailhead parking for overnight stays. Do not park overnight at Saratoga Gap. For Waterman Gap Trail Camp, you can start at the park’s main entrance off Highway 35. Display your permit when parking and carry your backcountry permit while camping or hiking. Campers under 18 need written permission from a guardian or must have one with them. Camp only in the designated area assigned to you. Reach camp by sunset. If you arrive after sunset, you cannot start the hike. Carry drinking water. Treat any surface water before drinking it. Dispersed camping is prohibited. Keep food away from wildlife and leave creeks free of dishwashing, laundry and bathing.

Campfires are currently prohibited. The standing rule allows fires only in the designated metal rings at Castle Rock Trail Camp during the rainy season when signs permit them. Gathering wood or kindling is prohibited. When fires are permitted, the camp sells firewood for USD 15 per bundle in exact cash. Backpacking stoves are allowed for cooking except during extreme fire danger.

Start from Highway 35

The entrance lies on Highway 35 about 2.5 miles southeast of Highway 9. The official park page links the map and shows current climbing, trail and camp status.

Other Santa Cruz Mountains parks

• Sanborn County Park. The main entrance is on Sanborn Road near Saratoga.
• Big Basin Redwoods State Park. For the main day-use area, take Highway 236 north from Boulder Creek. California State Parks recommends reserving a parking space because spaces are limited.

Hike the ridge or climb Castle Rock

Choose the Castle Rock area for sandstone formations. For a longer walk, use the park map to choose a marked route through the ridge trails. Only climb on dry rock when the route is open. Climbing and other off-trail activity are prohibited in the San Lorenzo Headwaters Natural Preserve. Check the park’s climbing rules for route access. Get park approval before placing or replacing bolts. Ropes classes and similar activities require an advance permit and insurance.

Plan for primitive services

There is no visitor center or store in the park. Castle Rock Trail Camp has toilets, trash receptacles and campsites with picnic tables. For a short accessible outing, take the 0.08-mile Whole Access Trail from the Castle Rock parking lot to a viewpoint and picnic area. Parking and the pit toilet may require assistance.

A sandstone ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Weathered sandstone gives the park its sculpted outcrops. Treat the rock as a protected feature and leave its surface intact.

Contact Castle Rock State Park

Call 408-868-9540 to ask about climbing, fire restrictions, same-day reservations or walk-up availability. Walk-up registration takes place in person at the Kirkwood lot.