Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks

Santa Cruz Mountains State Parks Official Facebook account for California State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Castle Rock Native Plant Garden Workday — Sunday, June 28th, 9:00am - Noon. Come on up to Castle Rock for a lovely morni...
06/14/2026

Castle Rock Native Plant Garden Workday — Sunday, June 28th, 9:00am - Noon. Come on up to Castle Rock for a lovely morning (working) in the garden! Inspired by our Earth Day weekend event back in April, where we removed an entire pickup bed full of Italian thistle in addition to distributing new playground-grade wood chips in the Kirkland play area, we knew we had to do this again. And you're all invited!

On the 28th we'll be doing more work in the native plant garden, distributing the last of the wood chips, and possibly doing some invasive plant and/or trash removal nearby. Be sure to bring lunch and a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate work clothes. All ages are welcome but minors must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Sign up on Squarespace at https://SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/CastleRock but drop-ins are welcome as well! Meet at the (main) Kirkwood Entrance of Castle Rock. Rain or heavy wind will cancel. Event is free, parking is $10.

Portola and Castle Rock Foundation
Image: three people working super hard in the native plant garden at Castle Rock State Park in preparation for the earth day work day.— feeling excited at Castle Rock State Park.

Come visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and experience some of our exciting free park programs this month along with...
06/06/2026

Come visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and experience some of our exciting free park programs this month along with our beautiful summer weather!

We have lots of fun activities planned from tree IDs, to sandhill strolls, to fun down at the river. See you there!

Visit our website to see all details and to register for events.

Image description(s): Flyer listing several activities being hosted at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park during June 2026

Sat. June 6th @ 10:00am- Join longtime docent Steve for a saunter under the big trees! We'll follow a leafy path that cr...
06/06/2026

Sat. June 6th @ 10:00am- Join longtime docent Steve for a saunter under the big trees! We'll follow a leafy path that crosses Pescadero Creek, where we explore the riparian habitat, then continue to Fall Creek, keeping an eye out for banana slugs, salamanders and newts. We'll enjoy time at the waterfall before looping back to Park Headquarters underneath enormous redwoods. Distance: 2.3 Miles Elevation Gain: 172ft Level: Easy

Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Walk-ups are welcome, or Sign up on Squarespace at https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule/0ef4b536?calendarIds=5782976

05/27/2026

PRESCRIBED BURN TODAY, May 27th, 2026 in the Sandhills area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

State Parks Fire Management Team in conjunction with will be administering an 8-acre burn near the campground in the Sandhills area of the park. Ignitions are scheduled between 10:00am and 5:00pm and crews will remain onsite for multiple days.

Smoke may be visible from the San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley and along Graham Hill Rd.
Pine trail will be closed during operations.

Stay tuned for an educational video about why using fire as a management tool in this particular landscape is critically important.

Guided Hike- Castle Rock LoopSaturday, May 30th, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)Castle Rock State Park, Kirkwood Main Entran...
05/26/2026

Guided Hike- Castle Rock Loop
Saturday, May 30th, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Castle Rock State Park, Kirkwood Main Entrance

Join us on the famous Castle Rock Loop trail! This easy 1.5 mile loop takes you by the park's namesake and biggest sandstone formation. Castle Rock has many tafoni, where the rock is eroded to form pits, pockets, honeycombs, caves, ribs, and ridges.

Please RSVP at https://SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/?appointmentType=category:Castle%20Rock%20State%20Park , although walk-ins are welcome as well.

Description: we'll leave from park headquarters and hike gently uphill to Castle Rock, learning about the geology and history of the area and observing the many rock climbers before looping back to headquarters. This hike is rated “easy” but has some uphill sections.

Bring at least one liter of water, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
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Image: a group of happy campers posing at the overlook platform next to Castle Rock Falls, a glimpse of shining blue sky and green leaves in the background.
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CA State Parks Portola and Castle Rock Foundation Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

What's your favorite piece of backpacking gear? Don't know yet, but hoping to find out? Join a CASPBA trip! The Califor...
05/22/2026

What's your favorite piece of backpacking gear? Don't know yet, but hoping to find out?

Join a CASPBA trip! The California State Parks Backpacking Adventures team will be hitting the trails this summer, backpacking and camping in the stunning Santa Cruz Mountains.

This program is truly unique, the only such program led by California State Park staff, who not only help with the technical side but share with you the natural and cultural history of the area.

There is still time to sign up for a trip which include include perennial favorites and exciting new destinations for the novice to more advanced backpacker. Sign up soon before the last spots go!

For more information check out https://ow.ly/8weN50QwRZh or call (831)291-8273.



Image description: 4 CASPBA naturalist share their favorite piece of backpacking gear

Looking for Memorial Day plans for the whole family? Don't forget Portola Redwoods State Park! We've got Twilight Stroll...
05/16/2026

Looking for Memorial Day plans for the whole family? Don't forget Portola Redwoods State Park! We've got Twilight Strolls on Friday and Sunday evenings, Campfire Saturday night, and Junior Rangers all weekend! Whether you're trying to make memories with loved ones or find some peace and quiet out on the trail, Portola Redwoods has got you covered.

All programs are free for day use visitors as well as campers, parking is $10 per vehicle. Junior Rangers must be signed for by an adult at drop off and pickup, otherwise minors must be supervised by adults at all programs.

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Portola and Castle Rock Foundation

🔥 Prescribed Burn Planned at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 🔥California State Parks, in partnership with CAL FIRE, is ...
05/15/2026

🔥 Prescribed Burn Planned at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 🔥
California State Parks, in partnership with CAL FIRE, is planning an 8-acre prescribed burn in the Sandhills Area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park targeting the week of May 18, but may be rescheduled into June depending on weather conditions.
These carefully managed burns help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire while protecting and restoring the rare Bonny Doon manzanita sandhills habitat — an ecosystem that depends on fire to stay healthy.
📍 Smoke may be visible in Felton, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, and along Graham Hill Rd. and Hwy 9.
🚫 Pine Trail will be closed during active burning operations.
⏰ Ignitions may occur between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. over a period of up to two weeks, depending on weather and air quality conditions.

Prescribed burns improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuel buildup, and support wildlife habitat restoration. 🌲🐾🍃

Follow along for updates on the SCD Prescribed Fire website and Watch Duty.



AltText 1: A post-burn photograph in the Henry Cowell Sandhills habitat showing off the selective behavior of fuels in a broadcast burn. Ferns and small greenery surrounds darkly charcoaled ground.

AltText 2: An image collage of three species adapted to the natural fire cycle of the Henry Cowell Sandhills. Clockwise, a close-up of a Mount Hermon June Beetle, easily identified from other June beetles by it’s shaggedy white lines; a nighttime photo of a Santa Cruz kangaroo rat showing off it’s long tail, and the silverleaf manzanita.

AltText 3: The fire crew, stationed in yellow uniforms, conduct a controlled burn in sandhills habitat. Small flames and smoke rise from the fire line as they manage the burn. The field is surrounded by green trees in the distant background under a blue sky.

Shingle Mill and Old Growth Redwood Hike May 16, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)Portola Redwoods State Park, Headquarters – ...
05/14/2026

Shingle Mill and Old Growth Redwood Hike May 16, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Portola Redwoods State Park, Headquarters – La Honda, California

Distance: 8.2 Miles Elevation Gain: 1,100 Level: Moderate
This shaded summer hike takes us through second-growth redwood forest past the remains of an old shingle mill, lost to history. As we climb along Shingle Mill Creek we encounter a massive old-growth redwood. The redwood is hollow, which is probably why it was never logged. After lunch underneath the giant tree, we emerge onto dry grassland, where we loop around to return via Coyote Ridge. This moderate hike is mostly flat, but covers 8.3 miles, which is why it is rated “moderate.” There is an uphill section that gains 600 feet over 2.8 miles.

Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Day use parking is $10 per vehicle, program is free.

Get outside this May by attending a free park program!This May, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is hosting a handful of...
04/28/2026

Get outside this May by attending a free park program!

This May, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is hosting a handful of programs for you to attend. Giant trees, cool birds, and stunning blooms await!

Address

101 Big Trees Park Road
Felton, CA
95018

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