Castle Crags State Park

I love hiking at the Crags. There is so much diversity – from meadows to shaded streams to rugged hiking on rocky slopes. Some folks go rock climbing here as well, but it’s a specialized pursuit, since the granite is rotten. There are ranger led activities that help you learn more about the geology of the area and the flora & fauna. Spring time is great for wildflowers, and the south side of the Crags provides some of the earliest hiking in the area. If you’ve got your dog with you, go up the Castle Creek road outside the Park boundary to the Dog Trail where you can hike up to the Pacific Crest Trail, thereby bypassing the Park.