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    Castle Rock State Park

    4.6 (429 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Castle Rock State Park Photos

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    Daw M.

    Loved the small little walk we did half covered and uncovered so wear your sunscreen Lots of poison oak everywhere beware! Great views I'll do the loop next time Thanks!

    Erik S.

    This was a really neat surprise, an unplanned stop at the top of the mountain. It was a very foggy day, and it made this mossy redwood forest have a ton of mystique while hiking through it. Trails were clearly marked and the difficulty was easy to understand. Park Rangers at the pay station were very helpful, suggesting a great route for a moderate 2 hour round-trip hike. Castle Rock fall was a neat view, the waterfall wasn't anything huge, but watching it cascade down a steep drop was interesting. Apparently on a less foggy day, the view from here is also outstanding. When I went, the fog was so dense, you could barely see beyond 50 feet or so. That did make it a pretty sparse day at the park, so I had a quiet hike without seeing many other people. The actual Castle Rock is pretty darn cool looking, and aptly named! Most any visitor can access this easily from the parking lot, no matter their fitness level. I would definitely come back when in SF next time on a clearer day to catch some of the views I missed!

    Waterfall
    Nate S.

    Pretty good state park if you're looking for hiking in the Bay Area. Trails are maintained and nice with lots of scenery.

    Sonia S.

    How spoiled we are to be surrounded by so many beautiful parks. I visited Castle Rock on Saturday around 10am. There was plenty of parking in the lot, which was $10. There's a few spots on the road, which are free but hard to get. There are maps available and we decided on the 2.5 mile one, I believe it was called the Saratoga loop? The views were breathtaking. Plenty of trees and yes, lots of giant rocks. Toward the middle of the hike there were huge boulders that we climbed and were able to really take in the view. Along the trail there were two separate groups of rock climbers, this was cool to see. When we were done with this hike we found another one on the other side of the road called the Skyline trail. This was also beautiful and had fewer people. It was only a mile long but more challenging than the one we had just finished, due to the incline. Cell phone coverage isn't great so make sure you download a map of the area beforehand.

    Daniel F.

    I've heard so much about this hiking spot and it didn't disappoint at all. Reading through the reviews parking was what I was worried about as they stated to come real early. Got here at 10am on Saturday and was surprised there was a lot of parking. If you park inside the State Park it's $10, but there's free parking that's about a 5 minute walk on the road. One of most organized parks I've been too lol. Signs everywhere and the maps are detailed on distance for each trail. The views are and trails are amazing. Well worth the visit. Would highly recommend this trail.

    Kristine S.

    Enjoyed the hike here. Can't wait to explore more and try different trails. We unfortunately were not able to see the falcon which we were searching for to take some bird photos. Hopefully next time.

    Foggier day
    Tiffany M.

    I have come here a handful of times over the past handful of years. It is a really nice place to hike, and looking at the giant boulders in the park too, I can see why it is a popular bouldering spot. During my most recent visit, it was very foggy in the mountains, but that gave the park a very atmospheric feel. There used to be this gravel parking lot that was free, but lately it's been closed and so you have to go to the paved parking lot nearby and pay $10 for parking. I think it is worth it though if you plan to hike for a bit - plus there are restrooms and picnic tables there. This place is quite the g em in the South Bay area and I would definitely recommend hiking here !

    Me on Goat Rock
    Connie W.

    Arrived to the trailhead by 8:30 on Saturday after Thanksgiving with friends.  Weather was beautiful, cold but no wind.  As popular as this trail is, the $10 parking lot was sparsely filled, later it filled up as we were leaving at 11ish.  The huge parking lot and restrooms were quite classy. In 3 hours time, we were able to visit everything we had planned - climbed on Goat Rock, basked at the vast views on a rock along Saratoga Gap Trail, saw the waterfall which was just trickling, and visited the famous and crowded Castle Rock.  This is a great hiking destination because it is close to town, great views, and fun opportunities to scamper on rocks.

    Patricia S.

    Castle Rock State Park is a pretty nice place to come hike. There are really nice views on the way there. There are some trails to go hiking on. The views at Castle Rock are very beautiful. Will be coming back again.

    Kim T.

    Having back here for awhile, the park is still clean and this time WiFi is much not working. Parking is $10 for one car and entrance is easy especially there is trail arrow showing which direction and distances. I came here on Saturday morning and it was empty, but parking seem full.

    I recently visited Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, often called Castle Rock Park by locals, and I'm giving its picnic area a solid 4-star rating. Nestled in a scenic canyon along Pine Creek within the Diablo Foothills Regional Park, this spot offers a delightful escape with a mix of natural beauty and practical amenities that make it a great choice for a picnic outing. The picnic area itself is well-equipped and thoughtfully designed. There are eight reservable sites, with capacities ranging from 50 to 100 people, which makes it ideal for both small family gatherings and larger group events. I appreciated the ADA accessibility--wheelchair-friendly pathways, accessible picnic tables, restrooms, and changing rooms ensure everyone can enjoy the space comfortably. The sites are partially shaded, offering a nice balance of sun and cover, and there are even drinking fountains and a swimming pool nearby for those hot summer days. The quarter-mile walk from the parking lot to the picnic sites is manageable, though I'd recommend bringing a wagon for heavier items as there's no shuttle service. The setup felt practical yet serene, with the surrounding canyon and views toward Mt. Diablo adding a peaceful backdrop to our meal. What really stood out was the access to nature right beyond the picnic area. After eating, we ventured onto the trails that wind up the canyon, and within a mile, it felt like we were deep in the countryside despite being on the edge of Walnut Creek. The trails connect to over 18,000 acres of public lands, including Mt. Diablo State Park, which is perfect for a post-picnic hike. The park also has amenities like basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a volleyball court, which added some fun for the kids in our group. One thing to note--parking can be tight, especially in summer, so arriving early is a good idea. Also, while dogs are allowed in the park section, they're not permitted on the rangeland trails, which was a slight bummer for our pup. Overall, Castle Rock Park's picnic area offers a fantastic blend of convenience and natural charm. It's not perfect--public transit access is limited, and the walk from parking might be a hassle for some--but the setting and facilities make it a spot I'd happily return to for a relaxing day out.

    Jimmy V.

    This park is one of the best outdoor bouldering spots around San Jose and hosts some incredible hikes. I always hike after it rains because the skies shine brighter. The park has sandstone formations as you can see in my videos. They make some cool "caves" to explore and get some shade in. I recommend coming here! There is paid parking and free parking if you're willing to walk a bit further to get to trailheads.

    Goat Rock trail
    Annabelle R.

    When I think of rock climbing, I think of adventurers attached to ropes, climbing a vertical rock wall. Well, there's some of that going on here, including near the waterfall, where hikers can take a break and enjoy the views while observing climbers nearby. But I didn't realize that hiking the mountain would involve clambering over endless rocks and boulders along the trail, lots of steps to climb, uneven pathways, and steep gradients. I actually freaked out when we had to climb through rugged and narrow passageways, requiring balancing skills, along the edge of the cliff (if I knew what I was signing up for, I would have declined, especially with spotty cell signal if I needed to call for help). But the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and beyond were amazing.... which leads me to what I loved about the setting, despite my slight nervousness at scarier parts and the physical exertion of hiking at this park. Plenty of shaded trails on rock and dirt pathways, venturing through a forest of trees, as well as tons of greenery (including poison oak, beware), and crossing bridges over the creek along the Saratoga Gap Trail... Trekking to and through Goat Rock, admiring the magnificent and holey rock formations and cave-like structures, like at Dan Seldow's Fraggle Rock Grove, taking in spectacular views at Emily Smith Observation Point... More rock climbing to get to the actual castle rock (it's like a treehouse except it's a giant rock you can climb, instead of a tree, and of course with more holes and caves). There are a lot of similar giant oddly-shaped boulders in the vicinity along the Castle Rock trail, with groups of hikers and campers climbing or picnicking around the structures, but this massive rock formation is larger and clearly labeled, and there's a small restroom nearby. The only downside to Castle Rock Park, besides the risk of falling to your death, is the annoying flies and gnats on a hot day. Otherwise, this was definitely a beautiful and unique hiking experience (and we didn't even do the most challenging trails at the park, which could possibly be more interesting). Also, parking is plentiful, whether at the $10 lot or on the side of the road.

    castle rock trail is very shaded

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    Good place for hiking for South Bay Area. Plenty of parking, restrooms, and places to have a dinner or lunch

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Castle Rock State Park

    Can you go fishing there?

    Fishing is not allowed in this park.

    Are any of these trails appropriate for Jeeps?

    No, the trails are for hiking only.

    Is it open right now or do they still have signs saying it's closed?

    It's open now

    Is it stroller friendly?

    No it's not.

    Hi! Does anyone know if this is currently open during this time?

    The park is open daily from 8am until sunset.

    How many miles is this trail?

    Saratoga Gap to Falls Overlook to Interconnector Trail to Goat Rock to Saratoga Gap is about 8-9 miles

    Are the bike trails beginner friendly?

    Yes and No. They only allow bikes on certain parts of the trails. The yes part is there are flat areas a beginner could ride with no problem. But then comes the hills and curves and turns and narrow ridges that can be a real learning experience. You… Read more

    Is it ok for kids? Were not expert hikers or rock climbers, but the kids- 5, 8,& 10 love to climb and explore.

    Yes there are short easier trails that depart from the main visitor center. You can take the trail to the waterfall viewing platform that I believe is under a mile round trip. If your kids are more adventurous you can take them to the first section… Read more

    Do the beginners trails have very steep inclines?

    Yes, it has a variety of trails but I would say inclines are all over the trails. Once you get to the skyline you would think it is all worth it. Regular tennis shoes it's fine for hiking the trails.

    Do the campground bathrooms have showers?

    No, it's primitive camping in the backcountry. No car camping.

    The drive to the hiking trail seems scary to drive on. Is there a way to get there without driving on the single-lane, scary one lane road or walk to the trail?

    Negative. Either Black Rd or Hwy 9 your only two options

    Is it dog friendly?

    Only service animals according to the pamphlet I picked up

    Is there free parking? If so, where is it located? Thanks!

    If you want to park in the main lot there is a cost. However, there is some limited space along the street that is free if it's available.

    We're beginner hikers so I was wondering what's the easiest trail to get to the very top view? Or are all the trails intermediate/advanced? Thanks!

    There is no view at the very top, but there are views to be had in CR. For a very short hike (under 2 miles) take the Saratoga Gap Trail from main entrance, downhill until you reach the waterfall viewing platform (some views). then return the way… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Castle Rock State Park

    After spending some time admiring the falls, we decided to turn back around and head towards Goat Rock.

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    Lexington Reservoir County Park

    Lexington Reservoir County Park

    4.3
    (63 reviews)
    8.0 mi

    I have come here countless times over the years. It's one of my favorite spots. It's peaceful, not…read moreoverly crowded, and has a really calming, almost zen feel to it. The views of the water and surrounding hills make it a great place to reset for a bit. Perfect for a quiet walk, light hike, or just getting away from the noise for a while.

    Who Gives a Dam?…read more Man-made reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains that spans a solid 338-acres and is the third-largest in Santa Clara County. It is situated inside a ±950-acre County Park that has a variety of activities for all manner of outdoor lovers. The Good: *The southerly "beginning" to the Los Gatos Creek Trail which runs for ±10miles to the north. *Rowing, paddling, and fishing are all allowed (after proper inspections and licensing ofc) *Picnic tables near the reservoir *Limekiln trail was mostly shaded, which is good because this are can get very warm in the summer. *Park trails connect to Sierra Azul OSP and St Joseph's Hill OSP *Mountain bikes (NOT electric!) are OK *Leashed dogs are permitted. *Fairly decent cell phone signal (at least where we were) The Meh: *Parking is $6 if you park inside the lot, but free if you use the "street" parking (pay attention to signs!) or small dirt lots near the trailheads. *In regards to the parking, you don't need to park in the lot unless you're going to use/visit the reservoir itself. Otherwise, just find where your trail is and park there. *No swimming The Ugly: *We did the Limekiln Trail and that was a little rough-&-ready in some areas, as the years of water damage and infrequent maintenance are starting to take their toll.

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    Lexington Reservoir County Park
    Lexington Reservoir County Park
    Lexington Reservoir County Park
    Lexington Reservoir County Park
    Lexington Reservoir County Park

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    Lexington Reservoir County Park

    Castle Rock State Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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