Castle Rock
State Park
15000 Skyline Blvd.
Los Gatos 95033-8291
Phone: (408) 867-2952 Hike Castle Rock
Probably the best part about Castle Rock is that a very large portion of its 3,600 acres is pristine. Little has been done by human hands to alter the natural state of the coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forests there.
There are over 32 miles of winding, interlacing trails within the park. Some of them connect to wider-reaching trail systems outside Castle Rock's borders. The Santa Clara and San Lorenzo Valleys are both linked to the trails in CR, as are Big Basin Redwoods State park and the Pacific Coast.
Castle Rock also enjoys a reputation as the climbing spot closest to the South Bay. True, it's not Pinnacles. But there are a bunch of sandstone outcroppings, some as high as 100 feet, good for bouldering and top-roped climbs.
It's about a one-and-a-half hour hike from the parking lot to the campsites. And the sites are rather primitive. But that's how some folks like it. Don't miss the Skyline to the Sea Trail — it's a good romp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. So there you have it.
Getting there
Located on State Route 35 between State Routes 17 and 9.
Castle Rock