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Castle Rock Area Climbing
| Elevation: | 3,023 ft |
| GPS: | 37.23, -122.095 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 580,204 total · 2,888/month |
| Shared By: | Aron Quiter on Jun 19, 2002 |
| Admins: | Aron Quiter, M. Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer suchoski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Access Issue: Trails are closed from sunset to 6:00 am.
Details
Trails close at sunset. Give yourself enough time to be back at your vehicle (or campsite if you're staying at one) before dark, or the rangers will fine you.
Always visit the Castle Rock State Park websiteparks.ca.gov/?page_id=538 for fairly current official information.
Always visit the Castle Rock State Park websiteparks.ca.gov/?page_id=538 for fairly current official information.
Description
Surrounding Castle Rock State Park is one of the larger climbing regions in the area, hosting a variety of sport, trad, bouldering and top rope problems.
The rock is mostly sandstone, making it fairly easy on the hands and dynos quite slap happy.
Access into the main park will cost you a couple of dollars, but that shouldn't deter you. If money is a concern, you can also park outside the main area and walk into the park.
The bouldering at Castle Rock is some of the best in the state.
If you're looking for a place to stay the night, there is a hike in campground 2.8 miles from the parking lot. It's a nice little spot that is rarely busy.
Or if you want to car camp, try Sanborn County Park campground.
Always visit the Castle Rock State Park website for fairly current official information.
The rock is mostly sandstone, making it fairly easy on the hands and dynos quite slap happy.
Access into the main park will cost you a couple of dollars, but that shouldn't deter you. If money is a concern, you can also park outside the main area and walk into the park.
The bouldering at Castle Rock is some of the best in the state.
If you're looking for a place to stay the night, there is a hike in campground 2.8 miles from the parking lot. It's a nice little spot that is rarely busy.
Or if you want to car camp, try Sanborn County Park campground.
Always visit the Castle Rock State Park website for fairly current official information.
Getting There
From the north: Drive to the town of Saratoga, which is located a little southwest of San Jose. Find Saratoga by heading south on the 101 a little past the Dumbarton Bridge. Take the 85 south exit, which is also the Cupertino / Santa Cruz exit. Take 85 south for about 10 miles, and exit on Saratoga Ave. Go right onto Saratoga, and follow this road through town. Saratoga Ave becomes Hwy 9, or Big Basin Way. Go up the mountain, and hang a left on Skyline Boulevard (35), which will be the 1st major intersection out of town. The main park is about 2.5 miles up on the right side, and is prominently marked.
If you park outside of the parking lot, be aware that the free parking areas within the marked parking zones can fill up very quickly on weekends with good weather, Do not park in areas which are not within the marked parking zones or have the end of your vehicle extending into the street otherwise you will get a ticket, Lastly, be careful about getting your vehicle stuck in the ditch near the parking spots - it happens often.
If you park outside of the parking lot, be aware that the free parking areas within the marked parking zones can fill up very quickly on weekends with good weather, Do not park in areas which are not within the marked parking zones or have the end of your vehicle extending into the street otherwise you will get a ticket, Lastly, be careful about getting your vehicle stuck in the ditch near the parking spots - it happens often.
Classic Climbing Routes at Castle Rock Area
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
21 Comments
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Guidebooks (5)
Oakland, CA
Saint Paul, MN
Boulder, CO
Santa Rosa, Nor Cal
Castle has some great problems! Nov 13, 2009
Fakeville, USA
On the positive side... I stumbled upon this park with my friend about 6 or 7 years ago and it seemed quite nice. It was very peaceful. Nov 23, 2009
NorCal
Parking was a little crazy (crowded) but climbing was fun and uncrowded. Aug 11, 2014
Tacoma, WA
Barcelona
Oakland, CA
"Due to the catastrophic failure of Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) south of the Castle Rock main lot, visitors cannot access the park from Black Road, Summit Road, or Bear Creek Road. It is still possible to access the Castle Rock main lot from Highway 9, Alpine Road, Page Mill Road and other points north of Castle Rock State Park on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35). There is no estimate as to when this road will be repaired. "
Has anyone taken the route from Hwy 9 to get to the bouldering area? I have never taken this road and want to make sure the area is still accessible. Nov 30, 2017
Santa Clara
Redwood CIty, CA
Santa Cruz, CA