General Information

User Groups:

Hikers only. No dogs, horses, or mountain bikes are allowed. No wheelchair facilities.

Subjective Trail Rating for Beauty and Difficulty:

Castle Rock State Park is a relatively undiscovered area that can provide some of the best clear day views of both the redwood forests below it and breathtaking vistas of the Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean. On fog filled days, a more mystical and enchanting experience awaits the hiker. The hike down to the falls is easy, but it must be remembered that the it is all uphill back to the parking lot. Once out of the riparian canyon formed by Kings Creek, wide vistas open up on steep chaparral slopes which can be quite hot in the summer. It is important to note that on these slopes, those with a fear of heights will feel very uncomfortable.

Permits:

No permits are required. A state park entrance fee is charged for each vehicle.

Directions:

From the town of Saratoga in Santa Clara County, take highway 9 west through the town and into the Santa Cruz Mountains. At the intersection of highway 35 (Skyline Blvd.) turn south (left) and continue 2.5 miles to the entrance on the right to Castle Rock State Park.

Maps:

For a Park Map, contact the address below. Maps are also available at the park run stores in Big Basin and Henry Cowell State Parks. For a USGS topographic map of the area, ask for Castle Rock ridge.

Who to contact:

Castle Rock State Park, 15000 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos CA, 95030, (408) 867-2952.