Castle Rock State Park
Also known as Castle Rock SP
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(408) 868-9540
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Santa Cruz County, about 5 miles southwest of Saratoga, Castle Rock State Park covers about 5,394 acres.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, geocaching, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance gate — Kirkwood Entrance Station | Daily | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Day use | Not stated | 6 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Kirkwood Entrance Station Hours: 8am to 5pm, Monday through Sunday
Day Use Hours: 6am to Sunset.
Trail Camps require registration or reservations.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Day Use | $10 |
| Bus, Large | $100 |
| Bus, Small | $50 |
Official wording
Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use: $10.00 • Bus, Large: $100.00 • Bus, Small: $50.00
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Are dogs allowed? DOGS are prohibited throughout the park (except for service animals). Nearby Sanborn County Park allows dogs. For a list of more locations that you can take your dog to in Santa Cruz County, view Where Can I Take My Dog?
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Trail camp status: OPEN (NO CAMPFIRES)
RESPECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE ROCK AND THE CLIMB: The “Tafone” formations on this sandstone are unique; please do not damage them. Please do not remove loose rock, chip, glue, or otherwise alter the rock. Climbing routes can be changed dramatically if climbed while the rock is wet as this sandstone becomes much more fragile when damp. Climbing area use can be restricted due to weather conditions. Any measurable amount of rain at the Castle Rock Kirkwood Office could result in the closure of climbing facilities for up to three days per District Superintendent Closure Order #715-002-20.
Crumb Clean Campaign
This park is Crumb Clean! Watch this short video to learn about the marbled murrelet, an endangered bird that nests in the park, and how you can protect it. Vea el video en español aquí.
Overnight facilities: Hike-and-Bike Campsites, Remote Camping
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursGeocachingHikingHorseback ridingCamping
Trails
Trail/Climbing Status
Climbing status: OPEN
Trail status: OPEN
Trail camp status: OPEN (NO CAMPFIRES)
Visiting Castle Rock
Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
Read more from the park
Basic Park Information
*Please note there is no visitor center or store facilities at Castle Rock.
FEES: There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee. [Regular Sized Auto: $10 (Senior $9, age 62 or older); Bus Parking (10-24 passengers): $50; Bus Parking (25+ passengers): $100]
NO CELL RECEPTION within the park and the surrounding area. Due to this, ridesharing services are not recommended.
DOGS are prohibited throughout the park (except for service animals). Nearby Sanborn County Park allows dogs. For a list of more locations that you can take your dog to in Santa Cruz County, view Where Can I Take My Dog? brochure.
HORSES are allowed on Saratoga Toll Road which extends from Saratoga Gap to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
BICYCLES are allowed on the Skyline Trail (Bay Area Ridge Trail) located on the north side of Highway 35.
DRONES are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight.
GLASS CONTAINERS are prohibited through out the park.
SMOKING is prohibited through out the park.
FIREARMS or any device capable of harming any person or animal are prohibited— including BB guns, spears, bows, arrows and slingshots.
FIRES are permitted only in designated fire rings in the Castle Rock Trail Camp during the rainy season. Gathering firewood, including twigs and leaves, is prohibited. Firewood is sold at the Castle Rock Trail Camp.
RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY rights and stay on designated trails.
NATURAL & CULTURAL FEATURES ARE PROTECTED BY LAW - Do not pick wildflowers, mushrooms, or other plants, or remove any park features. Do not deface rocks with graffiti or feed, disturb, or harm wildlife.
WEDDINGS, PARTIES, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS please call (831) 335-6324 or email mtnspecevent@parks.ca.gov.
View guided hikes and other public program opportunities by visiting the new Parks Events calendar!
Crumb Clean Campaign
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Trail camp status: OPEN (NO CAMPFIRES)
Amenities
Facilities
- Drinking water
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Castle Rock State Park sits atop the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains and includes rugged terrain left mostly in its natural state and crisscrossed by many trails popular with backpackers and horseback riders. The park is located on Highway 35, just 2.5 miles southeast of the junction with Highway 9. Phone (408) 867-2952 for more information.
Trails
The Whole Access Trail is about 0.08 mile long and leads to an outstanding vista and picnic area. The trailhead is located at the Castle Rock parking lot. Parking and a pit toilet are usable. A picnic table at the end of the trail is usable.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 15000 Skyline Blvd
Los Gatos, CA 95033 - Nearest town
- Saratoga — about 5 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.2306, -122.0958
- Phone
- (408) 868-9540
- mtnspecevent@parks.ca.gov
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The park is located on Highway 35, just 2 1/2 miles southeast of the junction with Highway 9.
Entrance gate: Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Castle Rock State Park in California view looking down hill.JPG — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Tomwsulcer
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology