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Castle Rock State Park (California) facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Castle Rock Park located in the East Bay, or Castle Crags State Park located near Dunsmuir, California.
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Castle Rock State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Castle Rock State Park 6.JPG
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 5,242-acre (2,121 ha) state park of California, United States, located along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains and almost entirely in Santa Cruz County, with parts extending into Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. It embraces coast redwood, Douglas fir, and madrone forest, most of which has been left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are a popular rock climbing area. The park is named after a sandstone formation called Castle Rock. The forest here is lush and mossy, crisscrossed by 32 miles (51 km) of hiking trails. These trails are part of an even more extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys with Castle Rock State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and the Pacific Coast. Due to its overnight parking lot, Castle Rock is a popular starting point for the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, a 30-mile (48 km) trail that begins near by at Saratoga Gap and leads to Waddell Beach north of Santa Cruz. There are two walk-in campgrounds within the park for overnight backpacking.

Location

The park is located on California State Route 35 just 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southeast of the junction with State Route 9. It is located almost entirely in Santa Cruz County.

Usage and activities

Castle Rock State Park is suitable for many activities. There are two walk-in campgrounds for overnight hikers, many trails for day-hikes, rock climbing routes, and picnic areas. Dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the campgrounds, and horses allowed only on designated trails.

Pending closure

Under Governor Brown's current budget proposal this park was going to close. This would mean that visitors couldn't enter the park, and rangers would no longer staff the park.

California Assembly Bill 42 was signed into law on October 5, 2011. This bill allows state parks to enter into operating agreements with non-profit organizations. The Portola and Castle Rock Foundation has been formed to help support Portola and Castle Rock State Parks.

On March 14, 2012 the park was removed from the state park closure list for a one-year reprieve based on a $250,000 donation by the Sempervirens Fund.

Gallery

  • Castle Rock State Park rock formation

    Rock formation in the park

  • Boulder near cliffside at Castle Rock State Park

    Another rock formation

  • Castle Rock State Park 3

    A trail in the park

  • Castle Rock State Park 9

    A rock climber

  • Castle Rock State Park 7

    A view of the park

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