Red Rock Canyon State Park California
Ranked #1,135 in Travel & Places, #46,646 overall
Mojave Desert Scenery At It's Finest

Climbing The Red Rocks - Fun For Everyone!
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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.
As of August 17th, 2009, the park fees are $25 per night, $23 for seniors, $6 for any extra vehicles, and $6 for day use. The RV dump station is only open on a seasonal basis and costs $15 (free for registered campers).
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!
Dog Backpack
Perfect for Hikes and Excursions with your dog

Dog Backpack In Action
Red Rock Canyon California Videos
The first is a 360 of Ricardo camp site. And of course the famous "Frolicking in the Desert Spring Flowers" clip of April 2008!
Guides to the Mojave Desert
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 Interpretive Association
- News, educational information and schedule of events and activities for Red Rock.
- List of Movies and TV Series filmed in Red Rock Canyon
- Blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, The Ten Commandments, Battlestar Galactica, Bonanza, and about 120 other titles have filmed on location at Red Rock Canyon.

UFO Sighting over Red Rock Canyon!

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! (rating is always appreciated, too! )
Thanks for stopping by today!
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SayGuddaycom
Jan 19, 2012 @ 2:02 pm | delete
- Nice lens
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mbgphoto
Apr 26, 2011 @ 8:22 am | delete
- beautiful photos. blessed
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iSandy
Apr 25, 2011 @ 6:20 pm | delete
- I would definitely want to visit Red Rock. I went to the one in Nevada, it was gorgeous!
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ShamanicShift Jan 16, 2011 @ 1:05 pm | delete
- I'm a SquidAngel this month so I have returned to bless your look at Red Rock!
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NatureMaven
Jan 3, 2011 @ 8:10 pm | delete
- Nice photo essay, makes me want to visit your California Red Rocks Park!
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ShamanicShift Dec 7, 2010 @ 8:46 pm | delete
- Imagine, all those Red Rocks - amazing! Well, I am looking for California parks lenses, so here I am enjoying this one.
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MarkUpshaw Nov 9, 2010 @ 1:34 am | delete
- Great pics and lens.
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janices7 Oct 26, 2010 @ 1:58 pm | delete
- Fantastic pictures and a wealth of information. Haven't visited yet, but perhaps on my next loop tour of CA. Thanks for all the great info!
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Mickie_G Jun 4, 2010 @ 1:11 pm | delete
- I used to see "ufo" clouds when I lived in Denver. Great article. Blessed by this Squid Angel today.
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aj2008
Aug 12, 2009 @ 8:00 am | delete
- Those pics are amazing!
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KimGiancaterino Jul 27, 2009 @ 5:42 pm | delete
- You've been blessed by a Squid Angel, and this lens was included in Another Day of One Hundred Squid Angel Blessings.
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SusanFaye
Mar 12, 2009 @ 6:59 pm | delete
- I can't believe I've never been to Red Rock Canyon! I've been all over the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree, lots of Death Valley and Anza Borrego, though. Thanks for all the great information!
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kiwisoutback
Feb 7, 2009 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- Excellent work! I haven't been to Red Rock Canyon, but I've been just north of there to Sequoia Nat'l Park and Kings Canyon. It looks like an interesting place. I'm lensrolling this to my Palm Springs lens and CA road trip lens.
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TimeHacker
Jan 21, 2009 @ 7:49 am | delete
- Looks like a great place to visit. Very nice and informative lens, 5* for you :)
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:20 pm | delete
- Jealous that I've not been there yet. Would you consider submitting this lens to our backpacking group at www. squidoo. com/groups/backpacking? It would make a great addition.
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Lizblueberry
Nov 19, 2008 @ 7:41 pm | delete
- I have always had an attraction to the desert! Would love to visit this lovely place!
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Nov 12, 2008 @ 9:14 pm | delete
- Looks like a wonderful place for family hiking. Lovely lens!
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PattB
Nov 12, 2008 @ 4:03 am | delete
- Wow, thanks for this beautiful lens! I probably drive right past this on my way back east every year. Got married in Red Rocks Park near Las Vegas. I knew there were more, but haven't found this one. Looks gorgeous!
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cochise county choppers
Oct 13, 2008 @ 10:21 pm | delete
- red rock is awesome
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seedplanter
Oct 13, 2008 @ 11:22 am | delete
- Red Rock looks amazing! I've only seen it via a John Tesh video- a concert he held there. Have you ever been to Smith Rock State Park in Oregon? It attracts rock climbers from all over the world. (I'm just a watcher. rock climbing isn't my strong point! )
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EverythingMouse
Oct 1, 2008 @ 10:43 am | delete
- This looks like an amazing place. I am trying to see a lot more of California - I live here most of the time, but tend to travel out of state a lot so often don't see the things which are right on my doorstep.
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StephenC
Sep 23, 2008 @ 10:21 am | delete
- Me and my wife have camped their. Reall cool hiking and you are in the middle of nowhere. Great place to get away and rough it. San Bernardino Trivia
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hale02
Sep 11, 2008 @ 6:38 pm | delete
- THanks for visiting Ladybug Land and for the blessing, I appreciate it so much! I love this lens! What a beautiful area, it reminds me of the Valley of Fire, i went there when I was in the 8th grade on a school trip. I believe it is somewhere outside of Las Vegas. I can't wait to go back and this looks like a great place to visit too. Thanks for all of the info! 5* , favorited and lensrolled :)
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RadiKahl
Sep 10, 2008 @ 9:22 pm | delete
- So you want to go to see this magical place? Let me give you some warnings. This is probably not the ideal destination for people who insist on their "creature comforts" and who don't have any experience in the great outdoors. - miles from nowhere (nearest town is California City, about 10 miles away) - extreme heat (over 100 degrees most of the Summer) - very windy (better not leave anything lying around) - very basic facilities - the toilets are the "stinky" kind where you sit over a hole in the ground - little or no shade (even when it is not that hot, the sun is still very strong here) - no cell phone reception (and no internet, no wifi, none of that high tech stuff) - ranger station closed off season - coyotes, scorpions, mice, snakes, other critters - dust! dust, dust, and more dust. Don't get me wrong, I've been to Red Rock DOZENS of times and I always LOVE IT. I just want people to go there with the right expectations!
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jeffwend
Sep 7, 2008 @ 12:59 am | delete
- Very cool, I have camped in red rock canyons in AZ, but never been to any in CA.
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Aug 16, 2008 @ 7:43 am | delete
- I'm gonna write this on my next adventure. Thanks for sharing!
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totalhealth
Aug 1, 2008 @ 1:51 pm | delete
- Nice place. The scenery is so lovely, I hope I could be there soon.
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KimGiancaterino Jul 8, 2008 @ 4:30 pm | delete
- This could be a day trip for me! Wonderful photos. Welcome to All Things Travel.
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blue22d
May 6, 2008 @ 3:05 pm | delete
- 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.
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CherylK
Apr 13, 2008 @ 9:21 pm | delete
- This is great! We'll go there next winter when we're in California, for sure!
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rms
Apr 11, 2008 @ 6:16 pm | delete
- Wow, your photos are fabulous. Now I want to go Red Rock!
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Squidster
Apr 11, 2008 @ 4:20 pm | delete
- We just came back from our spring trip. Check out the new pictures and the "desert flower frolic" video!
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GypsyPirate
Apr 2, 2008 @ 7:25 am | delete
- 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.
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InfoRealtor Mar 28, 2008 @ 2:26 pm | delete
- Awesome place, I have very fond memories of camping in Red Rock. We try to go back every year.
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bdkz
Mar 17, 2008 @ 11:42 am | delete
- This place looks beautiful. Nice lens!
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archetekt
Feb 20, 2008 @ 7:47 pm | delete
- 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.
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Squidster is a Small Business Web Consultant from Southern California who creates Squidoo lenses for your enjoyment and provides blog hosting & Riverside... more »

