Castle Crags State Park Campground
Castle Crags State Park is off Interstate 5, six miles south of Dunsmuir. The park is best known for its soaring granite crags. Within the park are 28 miles of hiking trails, a vista point with views of Mt. Shasta, and gently flowing creeks.
The forested campground in Castle Crags State Park has 76 standard campsites for RVs, trailers and tents along with 6 environmental campsites. Most campsites are arranged on loops on the north side of Interstate 5. A pedestrian underpass at I-5 allows access to the Sacramento River.
A separate, smaller campground - Riverside Campground - is on the south side of I-5 and the river. It has 12 first come, first served campsites. A pedestrian suspension bridge provides access between Riverside Campground and the main features of the park. Reservations can be made for about half of the campsites while the remainder are available first-come, first served. Highway noise and passing trains can be heard at both camping areas.
The 2,650-mile long Pacific Crest Trail passes through Castle Crags State Park a short distance north of the main campground. Hikers on the trail like to stop in Castle Crags because campsite #25 in the main campground's Little Loop has been designated for their use. Hike and Bike sites such as this are usually $5 per person per night. (Use the PCT button to find information about the Pacific Crest Trail at Castle Crags State Park.)
Pacific Crest Trail Information
A combination of the Kettlebelly Trail and/or the Vista Point Trail lead about 1½ miles to the designated PCT hikers' campsite.
Trail Miles Northbound from PCT at Kettlebelly Trail junction
- Vista Point Trail junction - 1.3 miles
- Winton Canyon Creek - 3 miles
- Gully Spring - 14.5 miles
- Porcupine Lake trail junction - 29.6 miles + 0.2 mile west to lake
- Canada Border - 1,150.8 miles
Trail Miles Southbound from PCT at Kettlebelly Trail junction
- Frontage Road to Castella - 0.6 mile
- N. Fork Fall Creek - 6.9 miles
- Squaw Valley Creek - 17 miles
- Mexico Border - 1,499.2 miles
Nearest Towns
Castella - 2 miles southwest of PCT
small community with Ammirati Market
Dunsmuir - 5.5 miles north on I-5
Post Office, lodging, restaurants, laundry, Siskiyou Transit and General Express (STAGE)
Always confirm mileages and directions with a reliable PCT source such as the Pacific Crest Trail Association's The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail.
