Red Rock Canyon State Park

You’ll find Red Rock Canyon State Park at the southern tip of the mighty Sierra Nevada, where the mountains meet the Mojave Desert. It’s an extraterrestrial landscape of steep canyons and painted rock formations — a place that attracts rock hounds, artists and adventurers alike. Hiking in the cooler months is superb. After the sun goes down, grab a blanket and prepare to be hypnotized by the stars.

ABOVE: Shaped for eternities by wind and water, the sedimentary rock here is not only colorful, but has been sculpted into dramatic columns, buttes and pillars that make you wonder whether some ancient civilization carved their home into the cliffs long before our time.

ABOVE: Here in California, camping doesn’t cease in winter. We just pitch our tents in the deserts rather than the mountains. These sanctuaries offer vast landscapes, dark skies and a surprisingly diverse array of plants and wildlife — all without the crowds you may encounter elsewhere. Can you believe Red Rock Canyon State Park is just a two hour drive from the megalopolis of LA? This is a great place to escape to; the perfect spot to appreciate the drama and enormity of California’s natural world.

A Stargazer’s paradise

ABOVE: This 63-second exposure proves a profound thing: That even on the blackest of nights over the darkest of deserts, if you stare long enough into the void, you will find too many stars to fathom, and far more light than darkness.

ABOVE: Ricardo Campground is a wonderfully unique spot to pitch a tent in the fall and spring, when it’s not too hot. But winter is my favorite season to camp here. While the temperature can dip below freezing at night, I often have the whole campground to myself. And it is quite a place to be alone at night — you can almost feel the distant stars burning.

ABOVE: Deserts are not always the barren, sweltering hellscapes we tend to think they are, at least not here in California. This is Nightmare Gulch, a vast box canyon in Red Rock Canyon State Park. The vibe here can only be described as extraterrestrial. But instead of aliens, this area is home to raptors that require peace and quiet to breed. So in order to appease the lovebirds, park officials close the canyon to visitors from February through June. The rest of the year, hikers are free to poke around. It’s a pretty neat compromise that respects the ecosystem while giving everyone the opportunity to take a peek at a surprisingly vivid and vertical part of California’s magnificent desert.

ABOVE: Whether you’re exploring dirt roads within the park or just passing through on Highway 14, driving through this slice of California is an experience to be savored.

ABOVE: Looking south across Red Rock Canyon State Park and Antelope Valley, where the Sierra Nevada meets the Mojave Desert.

ABOVE: Not many campgrounds offer the chance to pitch your tent tucked against otherworldly rock formations. If you’ve never spent a night here, I highly recommend it. Plan your visit to Red Rock Canyon State Park around the new moon if you want to see stars, but this is also one of the best places to watch a full moon rise. When that glowing orb begins to peak over the horizon, it’s something else.

Shaped for eternities by wind and water, the sedimentary rock here is not only colorful, but has been sculpted into dramatic columns, buttes and pillars that make you wonder whether some ancient civilization carved their home into the cliffs long before our time.
Here in California, camping doesn’t cease in winter. We just pitch our tents in the deserts rather than the mountains. These sanctuaries offer vast landscapes, dark skies and a surprisingly diverse array of plants and wildlife — all without the crowds you may encounter elsewhere. Can you believe Red Rock Canyon State Park is just a two hour drive from the megalopolis of LA? This is a great place to escape to; the perfect spot to appreciate the drama and enormity of California’s natural world.

A Stargazer’s Paradise

This 63-second exposure proves a profound thing: That even on the blackest of nights over the darkest of deserts, if you stare long enough into the void, you will find too many stars to fathom, and far more light than darkness.
Ricardo Campground is a wonderfully unique spot to pitch a tent in the fall and spring, when it’s not too hot. But winter is my favorite season to camp here. While the temperature can dip below freezing at night, I often have the whole campground to myself. And it is quite a place to be alone at night — you can almost feel the distant stars burning.
Whether you’re exploring dirt roads within the park or just passing through on Highway 14, driving through this slice of California is an experience to be savored.
Looking south across Red Rock Canyon State Park and Antelope Valley, where the Sierra Nevada meets the Mojave Desert.

Not many campgrounds offer the chance to pitch your tent tucked against otherworldly rock formations. If you’ve never spent a night here, I highly recommend it. Plan your visit to Red Rock Canyon State Park around the new moon if you want to see stars, but this is also one of the best places to watch a full moon rise. When that glowing orb begins to peak over the horizon, it’s something else.

Know
Before
You Go

Deserts are fragile landscapes and Red Rock Canyon State Park is no exception. Please follow the rules as you wander around this stunning landscape.

More Info
  • Red Rock Canyon State Park is open from sunrise to sunset for day use.
  • Some pretty awesome camping is available at Ricardo Campground. It’s first-come, first-served — there’s no way to make reservations.
  • If you camp here, be sure to bring supplies. The closest town is Mojave, more than 25 miles to the south.
  • Firewood is available at the Welcome Center, but it’s a good idea to bring some with you because the hours can vary.
  • Dogs are not allowed on established trails, but you can take them into Nightmare Gulch, which is open July through January. Definitely check this area out when it’s open in the cooler months — there are so many beautiful rock formations and slot canyons to discover.
  • If you’re into stargazing or astrophotography, the night sky here is phenomenal. It blows Joshua Tree out of the water in my opinion.
  • Collecting plant, animal, natural and cultural features is prohibited without a permit.
  • The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association offers guided hikes and events. Check out their website for more info.

Know Before You Go

Deserts are fragile landscapes and Red Rock Canyon State Park is no exception. Please follow the rules as you wander around this stunning landscape.

More Info
  • Red Rock Canyon State Park is open from sunrise to sunset for day use.
  • Some pretty awesome camping is available at Ricardo Campground. It’s first-come, first-served — there’s no way to make reservations.
  • If you camp here, be sure to bring supplies. The closest town is Mojave, more than 25 miles to the south.
  • Firewood is available at the Welcome Center, but it’s a good idea to bring some with you because the hours can vary.
  • Dogs are not allowed on established trails, but you can take them into Nightmare Gulch, which is open July through January. Definitely check this area out when it’s open in the cooler months — there are so many beautiful rock formations and slot canyons to discover.
  • If you’re into stargazing or astrophotography, the night sky here is phenomenal. It blows Joshua Tree out of the water in my opinion.
  • Collecting plant, animal, natural and cultural features is prohibited without a permit.
  • The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association offers guided hikes and events. Check out their website for more info.

Directions to red rock canyon state park

From Los Angeles, just head north on The 5, then merge onto The 14 as you exit The Valley near Santa Clarita. You can make it to Red Rock Canyon State Park in under two hours. If you need supplies, make sure to stop in Mojave — it’s the last place to get food and firewood. The Visitor Center does have firewood, but the hours can vary depending on the season, so be sure to check the park’s website or Facebook page before heading out.

Related Organizations

Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association

The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association is dedicated to the educational and interpretiveactivities and to promoting the historical and scientific significance of Red Rock Canyon State Park.

California State Parks

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.