Desert scenery at it's finest
Welcome to the land of sandstone cliffs, hidden canyons and desert sands. Red Rock Canyon State Park has plenty of such geological spectacles and is not to be confused with the many other Red Rock parks! (Scroll down or click here for a list of all 30 Red Rock Canyons in the US)
The park has also been used as the backdrop for many science fiction and western movies, as well as TV shows.
It's located on the northwestern edge of the Mojave Desert. Nearby cities include Mojave, Cantil, California City and Ridgecrest.
Best time to visit is in the Spring and Fall. Be prepared for a windy campsite and lots of sun.
About the Red Rock Canyon State Park
Kern County, California
:This article is about the State Park in Kern County, California. For other uses, see Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converge with the El Paso Mountains.
Each tributary canyon is unique, with vivid colors. After wet winters, the park's floral displays are stunning. Wildlife includes roadrunners, hawks, lizards, mice and squirrels.
Red Rock Canyon is an approximately unit within the Mojave Sector of the Tehachapi District of the California State Park System, located along State Highway 14 in Kern County, about east of Bakersfield and north of Mojave. Red Rock Canyon provides magnificent views of the pristine desert landscape, includes two natural preserves, and offers, among other recreation activities, camping, sightseeing, equestrian activities, hiking, and opportunities for reflection and solitude.
Climbing The Red Rocks - Fun For Everyone!
Current Weather Conditions and Forecast
Current weather conditions in Cantil, CA (93519)
Local Pollen Reports
82°F (Feels like 82°F)
Last update: 7/9/08 5:25 AM PDT
Humidity: 24%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 42°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 29.75in steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 7mph From: Airport Conditions
Today
Partly Cloudy
High: 110°F
Low: 78°F
Sunrise: 5:45 AM
Sunset: 8:09 PM
Thursday
Jul 10
Sunny
High: 110°F
Low: 76°F
Sunrise: 5:46 AM
Sunset: 8:09 PM
Friday
Jul 11
Sunny
High: 105°F
Low: 75°F
Sunrise: 5:47 AM
Sunset: 8:08 PM
Saturday
Jul 12
Mostly Sunny
High: 103°F
Low: 73°F
Sunrise: 5:47 AM
Sunset: 8:08 PM
Severe Weather Alerts for the Mojave Desert
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMojave Desert Map
Mojave Desert at Ricardo Camp Grounds
Red Rock Canyon Camping: Ricardo Campgrounds
The ONLY place to camp in Red Rock Canyon State Park
There are 50 campsites that are right next to this unusual formation of sandstone. There are no reservations but the campsite is rarely ever full.This is also where the Park Ranger Station is located.
No camping (RVs, tents, trailers, vehicles) is allowed anywhere within the park except Ricardo Campground. The campground is tucked up against the base of dramatic desert cliffs, with 50 primitive campsites, potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and tables. Bring your own firewood, or purchase it from a ranger or at the visitor center. There are no RV hook-ups or showers. A maximum of 8 people is allowed per site (there are no group sites).
Camping is first-come, first served; there is no reservation system. The campground can fill up on weekends in the spring and fall, especially if the weather is nice or on holiday weekends, so arriving on a Thursday evening or Friday morning is recommended.
Camping is $12 per night per site, which includes parking for one vehicle per site, or $10 per night with seniors (62 years old or older). Additional vehicles are $5 each, which includes all OHV, 4x4, and tow vehicles. There is a 30 foot maximum on RVs, and a dump station is available for $5. Self-registration/payment is required before setting up camp or parking. Vehicles (including OHV) must be parked within the rock lined areas provided at each campsite. No horses or livestock allowed in the campground! Quiet hours are 10 pm to 6 am; generators must be off from 8 pm to 10 am.
Red Rock Canyon State Park Visitor Center
(661) 320-4001
Red Rock Canyon Camping Trips 2004 - 2008
We just returned from our Spring 2008 trip to Red Rock Canyon. The desert flowers, including the Joshua trees, were blooming all over the place. What an awesome spot to enjoy California's desert!
Guides to the Mojave Desert
Hiking California's Desert Parks, 2nd: A Guide to the Greatest Hiking Adventures in Anza-Borrego, Joshua Tree, Mojave, and Death Valley (Regional Hiking Series)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/09/2008)
Death Valley and the Northern Mojave: A Visitor's Guide
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 07/09/2008)
Mojave Desert Trails
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 07/09/2008)
Red Rock Canyon California Videos
The last video is from the Trona Pinnacles. Not within Red Rock Canyon anymore, but a great destination for a day trip from there.
Red Rock Canyon Link List
Links to more Information
- RED ROCK CANYON STATE PARK - Camping in the California Desert
- Alex Kahl's website about camping in Red Rock Canyon.
- Red Rock Canyon State Park
- Official web site for CA State Parks
- Camper Awnings & Accessories
- Country Homes Campers is known for smart Camper accessories like camper awnings, as well as interior conversions for Camper Vans. They are also they guys you see in some of the pictures in the slide show above.
- Joshua Tree
- If you like the Red Rock Canyon, or to see more of my pictures, please visit my lens on another one of our favorite destinations.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Nevada
:This article is about the National Conservation Area in Nevada. For other uses, see Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is a 198,000 acre (801 km²) area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is located about 15 mi west of Las Vegas, and easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip. The area is visited by over 1 million visitors each year.
The conservation area showcases a set of large red sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. The walls are up to 3,000 ft (1,000 m) high, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. The highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 ft (2,485 m).
A one-way loop road, 13 miles (21 km) long, provides vehicle access to many of the features in the canyon. Several side roads and parking areas allow access to many of the trails located in the canyon. A visitor center is located at the start of the loop road. The loop road is very popular for bicycle touring; it begins with a moderate climb, then is mostly downhill or flat.
Red Rock Canyon itself is a side-canyon accessible only by four-wheel-drive road off of the scenic loop. The unnamed but often visited valley cut through by State Route 159 is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as Red Rock Canyon. The massive wall of rock called the Wilson Cliffs, or Keystone Thrust, can be seen to the west along this highway.
Towards the southern end of the National Conservation Area are Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, the western ghost town replica attraction of Bonnie Springs, and the village of Blue Diamond.
Custom Red Rock Canyon Searches
If you were looking for another Red Rock Canyon check out the following list. Here we have done some searching for you. Click on the search term of your choice and receive customized search results from the entire web.
Have Fun!
- Red Rock Canyon State Park (California); Kern County, California
- All results relevant to the Red Rock Canyon State Park in Kern County, California.
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Search results for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area; Clark County, Nevada
- Red Rock Canyon State Park (Oklahoma)
- Search results for Red Rock Canyon State Park (Oklahoma); Caddo County, Oklahoma
- Red Rock Canyon, Cochise County, Arizona
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- Red Rock Canyon; Maricopa County, Arizona
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- Red Rock Canyon; Imperial County, California
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- Red Rock Canyon; Lassen County, California
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- Red Rock Canyon; Mono County, California
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- Red Rock Canyon; San Luis Obispo County, California
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- Red Rock Canyon; El Paso County, Colorado
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- Red Rock Canyon; La Plata County, Colorado
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- Red Rock Canyon; Las Animas County, Colorado
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- Red Rock Canyon; Moffat County, Colorado
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- Red Rock Canyon; Montrose County, Colorado
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- Left Fork Red Rock Canyon; Rio Blanco County, Colorado
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- Middle Fork Red Rock Canyon; Rio Blanco County, Colorado
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- Red Rock Canyon; Saguache County, Colorado
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- Red Rock Canyon; Bear Lake County, Idaho
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- Red Rock Canyon; Clark County, Nevada
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- Redrock Canyon; Lander County, Nevada
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- Red Rock Canyon; Nye County, Nevada
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- Red Rock Canyon; Storey County, Nevada
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- Red Rock Canyon; Washoe County, Nevada
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- Red Rock Canyon; White Pine County, Nevada
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- Redrock Canyon; Grant County, New Mexico
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- Red Rock Canyon; Jackson County, Oregon
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- Red Rock Canyon; Malheur County, Oregon
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- Red Rock Canyon; Burnet County, Texas
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- Red Rock Canyon; Summit County, Utah
- Search results for Red Rock Canyon; Summit County, Utah
Spring Fling At Red Rock Canyon
What's your favorite destination?
Hey, why not make a lens about it? It's easy, fast, free, and FUN!
Red Rock Desert Log
Have you been there, done that? How did you like it? Share your tips and stories, please.
Planning to go sometime? Was this lens helpful?
Hey, or just say hi! (Just please don't post any non-Squidoo hyperlinks)
Thanks for stopping by today!
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KimGiancaterino
This could be a day trip for me! Wonderful photos. Welcome to All Things Travel. Posted July 08, 2008 |
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blue22d
Wow, love the pictures...one of my favorite places (Red Rock Canyon). If you get a chance, stop by my lenses: Things I love; Family Genealogy Scout; and Our National Debt. Appreciate feedback. Five stars to ya. Posted May 06, 2008 |
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CherylK
This is great! We'll go there next winter when we're in California, for sure! Posted April 13, 2008 |
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rms
Wow, your photos are fabulous. Now I want to go Red Rock.! Posted April 11, 2008 |
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Squidster
We just came back from our spring trip. Check out the new pictures and the "desert flower frolic" video! Posted April 11, 2008 |
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GypsyPirate
I haven't been to red Rock Park, but I have been through that area and it truly is beautiful. Now you've made me want to go to the park. Beautiful lens. Posted April 02, 2008 |
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InfoRealtor
Awesome place, I have very fond memories of camping in Red Rock. We try to go back every year. Posted March 28, 2008 |
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bdkz
This place looks beautiful. Nice lens! Posted March 17, 2008 |
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archetekt
Cool canyon! I've traveled past there many times but never knew about this park. Nice slideshow! I like how the dog works to earn his kibble. Posted February 20, 2008 |
