Castle Rock State Park (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle Rock State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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The Santa Cruz Mountains from Castle Rock State Park, with Monterey Bay in the distance.
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| Location | Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Los Gatos, California |
| Area | 5,242 acres (2,121 ha) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Operator | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Castle Rock State Park is a huge park in California, covering about 5,242 acres (2,121 hectares). It's located high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most of the park is in Santa Cruz County, but parts also reach into Santa Clara County and San Mateo County.
This park is home to tall coast redwood trees, Douglas firs, and madrone trees. Much of the forest here is left wild and natural. You'll find deep canyons with cool, unusual rock formations. These rocks are a very popular spot for rock climbing. The park even gets its name from one of these sandstone formations, called Castle Rock.
The forest is super green and often covered in moss. There are about 32 miles (51 km) of hiking trails to explore. These trails connect to an even bigger system that links the Santa Clara Valley and San Lorenzo Valley with other parks like Big Basin Redwoods State Park and the Pacific Coast. Castle Rock is a great starting point for the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. This 30-mile (48 km) trail begins nearby and goes all the way to Waddell Beach, north of Santa Cruz. If you want to stay overnight, there are two walk-in campgrounds for backpacking.
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Where is Castle Rock State Park?
The main entrance to Castle Rock State Park is on California State Route 35, also known as Skyline Boulevard. It's about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) southeast of where State Route 35 meets California State Route 9. The park is right next to Sanborn County Park.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Castle Rock State Park offers many exciting activities for visitors.
Hiking and Backpacking
The park has lots of trails for day-hikes, where you can explore the beautiful forest and unique rock formations. If you love backpacking, there are two special walk-in campgrounds where you can stay overnight.
Rock Climbing Adventures
The unusual rock formations in the park are perfect for rock climbing. Many people come here to challenge themselves on the steep cliffs.
Park Rules for Visitors
- Dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the campgrounds.
- Horses are only allowed on certain trails that are marked for them.
- There are also picnic areas where you can relax and enjoy a meal outdoors.
A Look at the Park's History
Castle Rock State Park was officially created in 1968.
Protecting the Park
A few years ago, in 2011, there was a plan to close many state parks in California, including Castle Rock. This would have meant no visitors and no park rangers.
But people worked hard to keep the park open! A new law was passed that allowed state parks to work with non-profit groups. The Portola and Castle Rock Foundation was formed to help support this park and Portola State Park.
In 2012, Castle Rock State Park was taken off the closure list. This happened because the Sempervirens Fund, a group that helps protect redwood forests, donated $250,000 to keep it running for a year.
New Park Entrance
On August 1, 2019, a brand new entrance to the park opened. This new area has Wi-Fi, picnic spots, and 90 parking spaces. There's even an amphitheater for events! The Sempervirens Fund helped make this possible by donating $8.7 million.
Gallery
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Castle Rock, the park's namesake.
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Westward view toward Pacific Ocean from Goat Rock
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A trail in the park
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A rock climber
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A view of the park
