Waterman Gap Trail Camp —  Located 6.3 miles from the north end of Skyline-to-the- Sea Trail at Saratoga Gap (no overnight parking at this location), or 9.3 miles from the Castle Rock State Park main parking lot on Hwy. 35 (2.5 miles south of Hwy. 9), this camp, in a mixed hardwood and redwood forest, has 6 primitive sites and a vault toilet. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the trail camp reservation line at Big Basin Redwoods State Park at (831) 338-8861.  Fires and smoking are not permitted. However, gas camp stoves are allowed. There is very limited drinking water so carry water with you. 

Castle Rock has two backpacking trail camps: Waterman Gap Trail Camp and Castle Rock Trail Camp.  All trails are closed at sunset.  Campers are required to remain in the campground from sunset to 6 a.m. Plan to be in your campsite at least 1/2-hour before sunset to have enough light for camp setup and check-in with the ranger. Dogs and smoking are not permitted in either campground.



Waterman Gap Trail Camp

Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail. 

 The Castle Rock Trail Camp is open year round on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campground is a 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) hike from the parking area and you will have to carry all of your equipment into the camp. Castle Rock Trail Camp has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wood is available for sale during the wet season. Fires are not allowed during fire season. 

Camping is permitted only in designated camps. 
Campers are required to be in their campsites from sunset to 6 a.m. 

 To register and pay your fees, check in at the Entrance Station at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you arrive when the station is not staffed, you can use the self-registration envelopes. Make sure you bring exact change or a check to use in case you must use the self-registration. Place your receipt on the dashboard in a visible place as proof of payment. Rangers will verify payment. For more information about camping and fire closure dates, please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 867-2952. For more information and reservations for Waterman Gap Trail Camp, please visit the Santa Cruz Mountain State Parks Backcountry Trail Camp Page.



Castle Rock Trail Camp

The road leading to the park's 2,800 acres drops from a ridgetop into a deeply shaded redwood forest, offering a hushed getaway from the suburban bustle of nearby Silicon Valley and the South Bay Area. The visitor center, with its couches and fireplace, feels like a wilderness lodge. Eighteen miles of trails follow meandering creeks, where moisture-loving coast redwoods stand tall among ferns and huckleberries. Waterfalls on Fall and Pescadero creeks tumble down mossy banks over rocks and woody debris.

The park has a 55-site family campground, 4 group campsites, and a trail camp for backpackers. It also protects some of the most remote and scenic redwoods in the region, the Peter’s Creek Grove.

Portola Redwoods State Park

Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin camping's biggest attractions—literally—are its ancient coast redwoods. Some of these giants are more than 50 feet around and as tall as the Statue of Liberty. At 1,000 to 1,800 years old, some may predate the Roman Empire. The park also offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, lush waterfalls, and a fascinating natural and cultural history.

 The park has more than 80 miles of trails. Some of these trails link Big Basin to Castle Rock State Park and the eastern reaches of the Santa Cruz range. The Skyline to the Sea Trail threads its way through the park along Waddell Creek to the beach and adjacent Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve, a freshwater marsh.

 The park has a number of waterfalls, a variety of habitats (from lush canyon bottoms to sparse chaparral-covered slopes), many animals (deer, raccoons, bobcats) and lots of bird life—including Steller’s jays, egrets, herons and California woodpeckers.



Big Basin Redwoods State Park (Temporarily Closed)

Little Basin Cabins and Campground - Big Basin Redwoods State Park CLOSED FOR FIRES

Sanborn County Park

Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground

San Mateo Memorial Park

Lupin Lodge

Gazos Creek Road Dispersed

Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort is nestled in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Situated on the beautiful San Lorenzo River, and backed by Henry Cowell State Park, our clean and well maintained RV Park and campground offers guests a year-round, family-oriented, place to relax. Or a comfortable base camp for your outdoor adventure. We welcome families, groups, and RV clubs of most sizes.

Experience the richness of Santa Cruz County where a hiking journey begins in an old-growth redwood forest, winds past graceful waterfalls, and ends on a pristine beach. Great outdoor fun awaits you with hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain bike riding.

All RV sites come equipped with full hookups (electric, water, & sewer) and cable TV. There's also a spacious clubhouse on-site, clean bathrooms, hot showers, and much more.

Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

State Park

This is a great backcountry campground in the Castle Rock Park area. The reason for only giving it 3 stars is that there are so many incredible campgrounds in the area and this one is nothing special. However, the hikes that get you to the site are really amazing and worth the trek. The campground itself is very minimal in terms of amenities but it is definitely a nice stop if you are just looking for a place to get away for the weekend. There is even a pay phone at the site! Make sure to bring $15 cash cause you will need to pay when you get to the site and rangers will come by and check. Also make sure to read the signs about wild animals so that you stay safe. There are so many great trails in the area to check out as well.

Waterman Gap Trail Camp

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