Portola Redwoods

Portola Redwoods State Park has a rugged, natural basin forested with Coast Redwoods, Douglas Fir and Live Oaks. There are 18 miles of trails, a 53 site campground and 4 group campsites. Two beautiful creeks, Pescardero and Peter’s Creeks run among some of the tallest Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

We are open year round for day use and from April through October for camping. You can learn about hikes and activities by going to our Portola Redwoods Park page.

To reserve camping, go to Reserve California or California State Parks.

Who We Are

Inspiring the Protection of Castle Rock and Portola Redwoods State Parks Through Quality Educational Experiences and Infrastructure Improvements

The Portola and Castle Rock Foundation has enhanced visitor experiences in these two park jewels since 1991. As the 501 (c) 3 state-sanctioned cooperative association for these two parks we have supported park visitors by providing interpretive displays and financially supporting Parks-provided interpretive programs such as Campfire and Junior Rangers programs.

Castle Rock

Along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park embraces coast redwood, Douglas fir, and madrone forest, left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers. The forest here is lush and mossy, crisscrossed by 32 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails and the 75 foot Castle Rock Falls.

Much of the Skyline to the Sea trail, including the Castle Rock trail camp and Waterman Gap trail camp, is located within the park. Castle Rock trail camp is open year round with no reservations necessary and Waterman Gap trail camp is open from May through October.