Between LA And Bakersfield Lies An Underrated State Park That Used To Be A Military Fort

For most travelers, a trip to California means visiting one of its scenic beach cities or enjoying one of its world-class attractions. However, the Golden State is also remarkable for its natural beauty, especially when you consider that it's the best state for national park adventures, with nine national parks within its borders. The same is true for state parks, which dot the landscape and offer a wide variety of experiences and environments. But if you're more of a history buff, you may want to head to one park situated between Los Angeles and Bakersfield: Fort Tejon State Historic Park.

This park sits about an hour and a half north of LA and about 45 minutes south of Bakersfield. Part of its appeal is being close enough to the big city for amenities and infrastructure. Plus, if you're a fan of the Wild West and frontier history, you'll appreciate exploring the fort that was active between 1854 and 1864. 

So, if you're ready to travel back in time while experiencing pristine swaths of California countryside, let's discover what makes Fort Tejon State Historic Park so special.

As you may know, one of the most crucial historical events in California was the Gold Rush, which began in 1848 and lasted until the mid-1850s. As newcomers poured into California, Edward F. Beale requested military support to address tensions between Native Americans and settlers. Fort Tejon was established in 1854. One unusual part of the fort's history is that the army experimented with using camels for transportation. Between 1859 and 1861, 28 camels were stationed at Fort Tejon.  

One of the main attractions of the fort is its "Living History" events, where actors don military uniforms and other historical garb and "work" at the fort. These are similar to what you'd find at one of Virginia's must-see destinations: Colonial Williamsburg. Check the park's events calendar for upcoming living-history demonstrations. 

Otherwise, you can learn more about the fort's history and what life was like in the mid-1800s by taking a guided tour. You must make reservations at least 72 hours in advance, so plan accordingly. Alternatively, you can take a self-guided tour by using one of the park's brochures. There is also an audio option if you want to dive deeper into the history behind the exhibits and landmarks.

As we mentioned, Fort Tejon State Historic Park is about 90 minutes to two hours north of LA, depending on traffic. So, one way to get here is to fly into LAX and drive north on the I-5 Freeway. Since the park offers only group camping, individual travelers and families will need to find accommodations elsewhere. You can either search in nearby cities like Lancaster or Bakersfield or head back into LA County, depending on what kind of trip you're planning.

Overall, exploring Fort Tejon will take about an hour, including the site and the surrounding area, so it's great for a day trip if you're already nearby. You can also bundle this park with others, such as the colorful canyon state park beloved by locals and tourists alike: Red Rock Canyon State Park. The canyon is about an hour and 45 minutes east.

At the time of this writing, you must pay a $6 parking fee when visiting. Based on photos, it looks like there is a self-service station rather than a manned entry gate. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, but the visitor center is only open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly.