The Castle Rock Recreation Area is situated within Diablo Foothills Regional Park, in a scenic canyon along the Pine Creek. Oak woodland and prominent sandstone formations dominate the landscape.

Historically, Castle Rock has specialized in planning picnic activities for big gatherings of 300 or more people but in 2007 the East Bay Regional Park District started to renovate the park for both drop-in and reservable picnic use. There might also be catering facilities. Bookings can be made by calling 888-327-2757, pressing option 2. Please note that there is no front gate shuttle service into the park. Carry a cart to haul your heavy or bulky goods. The trip from the front gate to the pool area is a quarter mile, a six-minute walk on average. The gap to the pool area from the Orchard Staging Area is 1⁄2 mile. Bordered by Mt. Diablo State Park and Walnut Creek Open Space, the Diablo Foothills Regional Park and Castle Rock Park have access to more than 18,000 acres of public property.

The rock formations at Pine Canyon are temporarily closed for protection of breeding peregrine falcons effective February 1, reopening August 1. This protected species is highly territorial and disturbance sensitive, especially during nesting season. While the rock pillars, known as the Castle Rock, are in Mt. Diablo State Park, they are accessed by most tourists from Diablo Foothills Regional Park. Several other park areas are affected. We thank the assistance of the public in helping us preserve birds of this genus.

Basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a football track, softball field, and picnic areas are all open regularly to the public. There are 4 locations with a capacity of 100 and 3 reservable with a capacity of 50 and they can only be reserved by calling the 888 number. There are other picnic areas on a first-come, first-serve basis. The pool facility features a swimming pool and patio areas measuring 30 feet by 70 feet. The complex is also entirely open to people with disabilities like the bathhouse and an adjustable lift into the lake. (Swimming pool entry fee) Swimming is allowed only if the lifeguards are in service.

There are wheelchair accessible paths throughout the park. The park’s other wheelchair accessible services include showers, change rooms and drinking fountains. People with disabilities: please call the park staff at the Park entry gate for transport assistance.

Exit I-680 in Walnut Creek’s Ygnacio Valley Route, and drive east. Turn right onto Walnut Road, after about three miles. Bend right on Oak Grove Road after about two miles, then turn right onto Castle Rock Road and follow it to the Orchard Parking Area on the right (this lot was closed during winter and rainy weather). There is an optional car park at the end of Castle Rock Road opposite the park entry.

Image courtesy of Jeffreymendel Jeffrey Nash – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50308966

This amazing trail is located near the following must-see trails in Walnut Creek, California:

  • Diablo Foothills Regional Park
  • Shell Ridge Open Space
  • Lime Ridge Open Space
  • Heather Farm Park
  • Sugarloaf Open Space
  • Acalanes Ridge
  • Arbolado Park
  • Mount Diablo State Park

All of these trails are located just a short distance from our location in downtown Walnut Creek, Spaulding Concrete on Locust Street.