Castle Rock State Park

Los Gatos, California

Castle Rock State Park

Location: Los Gatos, California
Category: Parks & Gardens

About

Overview

Castle Rock State Park is a 5,242-acre park located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. It is renowned for its sculpted sandstone rock formations, lush forests, and panoramic views of the San Lorenzo Valley and Monterey Bay. The park is a favorite destination for rock climbers, hikers, and nature photographers.

Top Highlights

  • Castle Rock: The park's namesake sandstone formation, popular for scrambling and climbing.
  • Goat Rock: A massive rock offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
  • Castle Rock Falls: A scenic waterfall that is particularly impressive after winter rains.

Things to Do

Visitors can explore over 34 miles of hiking trails that wind through redwood, fir, and madrone forests. Rock climbing and bouldering are major attractions, with numerous caverns and honeycombed rocks to explore. The park also offers primitive trail camps for backpackers.

Entry & Visitor Information

The park is open daily from 8:00 AM to sunset. A vehicle day-use fee is required. Parking can be limited on weekends, so early arrival is recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the campground.