Castle Crags State Park Campground

California's Best Camping

Castle Crags State Park, Shasta County, CA
Castle Crags State Park, Shasta County, CA

Castle Crags State Park Campground

Shasta County


Castle Crags State Park Campground

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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.

Pacific Crest Trail information button

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.)

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Castle Crags Campground Basics
Castle Crags Location: Off Interstate 5, six miles south of Dunsmuir
Elevation: 2,040 feet
Mileage from gateway city: Redding - 48 miles
Number of Sites: 88 standard campsites
Camping Season: Castle Crags State Park Campground is open year-round.
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 1 or 2 as space is available
Pets: on leash, always attended
Operated by California State Parks
Castle Crags State Park: (530) 235-2684

Castle Crags State Park Campground Reservations
Reservations available Reservations can be made for camping dates year-round for the main campground. Sites at smaller Riverside Campground are first come, first served.
Booking Window: Reservations taken from 2 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 27 feet/21 feet
Accessible Sites: #13
Fees: $25 per night
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia: Castle Crags State Park Campground Reservations
or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, check-out Noon

Castle Crags State Park Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, bear-proof food locker, fire ring; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, tap water, store, amphitheater
Campground Map: Castle Crags Campground Map
Showers: Yes
Dump station: No
Attractions near State Park State Park Campground:
  • Enjoy 13 species of wild orchids.
  • Watch for local wildlife.
  • Hike up to views of the granite crags on park hiking trails.
  • Take the Indian Creek Nature Loop and Crags Trail.
  • Try fishing in the Sacramento River.
  • Stop at Vista Point and Mossbrae Falls.
  • Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.


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Hike and Bike Campsite used by Pacific Crest Trail hikers, Castle Crags State Park, CA

Campsite for Pacific Crest Trail Hikers
The sign says 1487 miles to the Mexican border and 1113 to Canada






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.

Castle Crags Campground, Castle Crags State Park, CA

Castle Crags Campground

Reviews from Previous Campers

2022 - 2024

  • Train noise in lower loop.
  • Free showers. Others say tokens.
  • Site 32 is private and beautiful, but not level.
  • Mosquitoes are a problem early to late summer. Bring bug spray and mosquito nets.
  • Staff was helpful and friendly.

Mount Shasta Area
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to the greater Mount Shasta area find an abundance of scenic attractions and interesting destinations.


Key Castle Crags State Park Campground Regulations

  1. Avoid problems with Bears by storing food and similar items in bear-proof lockers, not in vehicles.
  2. Dogs must be kept on a 6 foot or shorter leash and attended at all times. They are not allowed on park trails and must be in a tent or vehicle at night.
  3. Purchase firewood locally to avoid bringing in pests.
  4. Generators may not be operated from 8 PM to 10 AM.

    Check Castle Crags State Park for any campground updates.

Nearby Campgrounds

Mt. Shasta Area Campgrounds


McArthur-Burney Falls Area Campgrounds


Medicine Lake Campgrounds


Modoc National Forest and Monuments Campgrounds


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map of campground locations at Castle Crags State Park, CA