California's Colorful Canyon State Park Is Beloved By Locals And Tourists Alike

If you've got an outdoor trip to California on your list, you may be thinking of spending a few days at one of the Golden State's national parks. That being said, California is also full of less-frequented natural secrets, from the turquoise lakes of "Little Patagonia" to the stunning cliffs of Red Rock Canyon State Park. Though Red Rock Canyon is less visited than other popular natural attractions in California, both locals and visitors from out of state love the trekking, camping, and stargazing experiences the park has to offer. Redditor u/HarleyandLeather, a tourist from North Carolina, stated on the r/Hiking board that exploring the park made them "fall head over heels in love with California."

This 27,000-acre state park, where the towering Sierra Nevadas meet the El Paso Range in south-central California, is a hidden gem in the Mojave with serious southern Utah vibes. Layers of white, red, and gray sandstone tell a story of the park's (and the Earth's) past and show signs of prehistoric life millions of years ago, including three-toed horses, bone-crushing dogs, and saber-toothed cats. Prior to Europeans arriving in California, the Kawaiisu tribe lived in the area and carved vast petroglyphs into the mountains. More recently, directors have also left their mark, using the park as a backdrop for Western films and even "Jurassic Park."

Red Rock Canyon State Park is about two hours outside of Los Angeles by car. Travelers will find a handful of nearby airports within a couple hours' drive of the park, including Bakersfield's Meadows Field Airport, Ontario, and Burbank. If you are flying in and renting a car, note that a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended if you plan to fully explore the park. Admission is $6 per vehicle (as of this writing) and may be done on the honor system. 

While California parks like Yosemite can be beautiful, they're sometimes just as well known for their lines of taillights as they are for their breathtaking, towering waterfalls. Red Rock Canyon, on the other hand, is known to be quieter and is beloved for its striking rock formations, night skies, and camping opportunities. Visitors and families looking to take in the beautiful views won't have to venture too far on a hike along the Hagen Canyon Nature Trail – though the trek may take a while! On Yelp, Shayla B from the East Bay loved exploring the trail and noted that you may find yourself marveling at the red and golden cliffs and the park's unique landscape for hours as you spot various animal shapes in the rocks. Before you set off and take in the scenic beauty, follow other hikers' advice and download an offline map.

Visitors to Red Rock Canyon also love the park for its campground and access to some of the darkest skies around Los Angeles. Local campers, photographers, and astronomy enthusiasts visit the park to take in the desert scenes and starry skies from the park's Ricardo Campground. Despite being a basic campground with water and minimal amenities, past visitors note that the campground's setting makes for a wonderful base of exploration. Several Tripadvisor reviewers loved the desert setting and noted that they would return again. Keep in mind that the 50-site campground does not accept advance reservations and is often full on long weekends during the spring and fall. Arrive early and opt for sites No. 1 and No. 2 if possible, as they have a ramada over the picnic table.

Before you visit Red Rock Canyon, you should know that the park is isolated. The Visit California website recommends that visitors have plenty of gas, food, and water on hand for their activities; if you're planning to hike, bring lots of water (at least 1 gallon), plus electrolytes, for a full day on the trail. The nearest services, including restaurants and gas stations, are about 18 miles away in California City. Visitors coming from the LA area will find a supermarket in Mojave to grab any last-minute food items. While hiking, camping, and exploring, be aware that there is little to no cellular service in the park, and water is not readily available to fill RVs. 

Ideally, plan your visit to Red Rock Canyon in the early spring months; not only does the thermometer not reach triple digits as it does at the peak of summer, but the desert bursts into shades of orange, purple, yellow, and white during wildflower season. These brilliant displays normally bloom across the park and are unmissable on the Ricardo Nature Trail and outside of the visitor center. On Yelp, Isobel L, who visited from Los Angeles, also recommended hiking the aforementioned Hagen Canyon Nature Trail for wildflower spotting. Explore the park on your own, or join interpretive hikes or guided activities led by docents.

Red Rock State Park isn't the only underrated state park in Southern California. Fans of the desert won't want to miss visiting the sprawling Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, one of the most underrated state parks across the U.S., according to reviewers.