Castle Crags State Park
Castella, CA
Granite spires rising above I-5 south of Dunsmuir. A short drive climbs to a vista point, and the steep Crags Trail leads toward Castle Dome; there is a campground by the Sacramento River.
Castle Crags State Park lies just west of Interstate 5 between Castella and Dunsmuir, south of the town of Mount Shasta. The granite spires rise above 2,000 m (6,500 feet), and the granite is about 170 million years old. Castle Dome, a popular hiking goal, stands at roughly 1,520 m (4,996 feet), according to Hikespeak. The park and the adjoining wilderness have more than 48 km (30 miles) of trails.
A short paved path of about 400 m (a quarter mile) leads from Vista Point to views of the crags and Mount Shasta. The Crags Trail to the base of Castle Dome is about 9 km (5.6 miles) round trip. The park has 76 campsites that can be reserved online, and summers are often hot.
- Nearest town
- Castella, CA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 41.1480, -122.3210
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Gumboot CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Castle Crags State ParkFree
- McBride Springs CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Castle Crags State Park · 12 pitchesDrinking water
- Panther Meadows CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Castle Crags State Park · 15 pitchesTentsFree
- Friendly RV ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from Castle Crags State Park · 50 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Lakeshore Villa RV ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from Castle Crags State ParkMotorhomes
- Scott Mountain CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Castle Crags State ParkFree
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Castle Crags State Park?
Castle Crags State Park is in Castella, CA, at GPS 41.1480, -122.3210. It is about 11 mi from Mount Shasta.
Can you camp near Castle Crags State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lower Loop Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 63 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Castle Crags State Park?
Castle Crags State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake.
What is there to see near Castle Crags State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: McCloud River Falls (17 mi), Shasta Dam (30 mi), McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (36 mi) and Subway Cave (57 mi).
When is the best time to visit Castle Crags State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)