Tucked away in the mountains above the Sacramento Valley is a rocky wilderness where off-the-beaten-track adventures abound. Castle Crags State Park is dotted with granite towers that reach heights of 6,000 feet and provide the most incredible hiking backdrop. As if that wasn’t enough you can even spend the night camping in the shadows of these epic 170 million-year-old monuments.
They are located around 6 miles from Dunsmuir and 48 miles north of the underrated Californian city of Redding. It is also just 21 miles from the stunning Lake Shasta and you get some great views of Mount Shasta from the park. In Castle Crags, you can walk, climb, fish, picnic, and swim while taking in views that will convince you that all the myths and legends that have ever been told about this park are true. If you have an interest in geology or a passion for outdoor activities, then this state park is the place for you.
Things to do at Castle Crags State Park
In order to see many of Castle Crag’s famous rock formations, you need to travel on foot. There are 28 miles of hiking routes and the Pacific Crest Trail intersects the park too. The Crags Trail is the most challenging, but on this trek, you can get the best look at the Castle Dome formations. Naturally, the area’s popular with rock climbers, and the Cosmic Wall route is a great challenge if you’re up for it.
If you want to get a great sighting of the iconic Mount Shasta, you can drive to the Vista Point parking lot where a short pathway leads you to an epic view. Water babies can also swim in the Sacramento River or Castle Creek. It is possible to fish for trout in both if you have a valid license, but it is catch and release only. Castle Crags State Park is also a jaw-dropping spot for a California camping adventure in nature.
Staying in Castle Crags State Park
For those who love road-tripping around California’s national parks, Castle Crags is the perfect place to spend a night. It is open for camping throughout the year so you could visit in the fall and watch the leaves changing color. There are 76 campsites in total and they each have a picnic table, fire ring, and a food locker that you must use as there are bears in the area.
These sites are located on both sides of the Sacramento River, there is a riverside campground to the South of the river, and there are three loops on the North side that go toward Vista Point. Each one has access to restrooms, shower facilities, and potable water. Bookings for all of these places can be made online at the California State Parks reservation website. As Castle Crags is a lesser-known California park, getting up early in the morning means that you could have some of these stunning trails to yourself.
