Mojave Desert Scenery At It's Finest
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 notable. 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
85°F (Feels like 81°F)
Last update: 7/5/09 7:56 PM PDT
Humidity: 16%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 34°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 29.91in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 21mph From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 67°F
Sunrise: 5:43 AM
Sunset: 8:10 PM
Monday
Jul 6
N/A
High: 101°F
Low: 67°F
Sunrise: 5:44 AM
Sunset: 8:10 PM
Tuesday
Jul 7
Sunny
High: 99°F
Low: 67°F
Sunrise: 5:44 AM
Sunset: 8:10 PM
Wednesday
Jul 8
Sunny
High: 98°F
Low: 69°F
Sunrise: 5:45 AM
Sunset: 8:09 PM
Severe Weather Alerts for the Mojave Desert
If you're planning a trip out to Red Rock it's a good idea to check this space for severe weather forecasts. Due to it's desert location the Park is subject to some pretty extreme weather conditions.
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!
Dog Backpack
Perfect for Hikes and Excursions with your dog
There are many different models on the market and it's hard to recommend a certain brand. A comfortable and secure fit is important, as is the durability of the material. Most also have a carrying handle on the back, which comes in handy when climbing in difficult terrain.
SMALL - RED - Outward Hound Quick-Release Dog Backpack
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Quick Release Dog Backpack with Removable Pack and Quick Release Leash Holder provides maximum comfort and convenience for your dog when hiking, camping or just on the go! This custom designed backpack is easy to remove or reattach during rest stops. The Pack attaches securely to harness with Velcro. The superior design features large storage pockets, extra strong nylon durability, and easy to access to pack's contents. Available in 4 colors, Black, Blue, Red, and Green. 4 sizes to choose from: Small fits up to 18 pounds with a girth up to 25 inches: Medium fits from 18 to 50 pounds with a girth of 26 - 32 inches: Large fits from 50 to 79 pounds with a girth of 30 - 40 inches: X-Large fits 80 pounds and over with a girth of 36 - 48 inches
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
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: $14.96 (as of 07/05/2009)
Death Valley and the Northern Mojave: A Visitor's Guide
Amazon Price: $17.90 (as of 07/05/2009)
Mojave Desert Trails
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
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.
UFO Sighting over Red Rock Canyon!
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)
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Spring Fling At Red Rock Canyon
Who's talking about Red Rock Canyon California?
- Forum On : UFO’s
- [...] to come and watch, and did not take photographs of the second occurrence. I live very near the Red Rock Canyon area of the Mojave Desert, actually it is on my street not 5 minutes away. It would be [...] Read more comments by Jane Stewart
- Sen. Feinstein seeks monument status to keep solar, wind projects off 500,000 Mojave acres
- [...] which spans the Mojave and Colorado Desert, and the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation [...] several massive OHV areas in the Mojave, including Stoddard Valley, Johnson Valley, [...] lot of stuff that lives in the [Mojave](https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en [...] Read more comments by generic_handle
- Are you kidding?
- [...] desert, for cryin' out loud. I loved Mojave Max and was very sad last summer [...] few days after I was out at Red Rock Canyon trying to see him. I don't think LV is trying to [...] was wondering if someone had appointed a new Mojave Max -- what's his story? Where [...] Read more comments by Bay in TN
- One More Day Till Halloween
- [...] for # 2: Location: Red Rock Canyon State Park in the Mojave Desert Using John's clue, that one [...] of these great sites! John, you rock! And, your game, Name The Horror Movie, rocks! Oh, and Joe, you rock, too!!!! Have a great, ghoulish Halloween [...] Read more comments by Anonymous
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!
SusanFaye wrote...
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!
Posted March 12, 2009
kiwisoutback wrote...
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.
Posted February 07, 2009
TimeHacker wrote...
Looks like a great place to visit. Very nice and informative lens, 5* for you :)
Posted January 21, 2009
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.
Posted January 18, 2009
Lizblueberry wrote...
I have always had an attraction to the desert! Would love to visit this lovely place!
Posted November 19, 2008
samie-wilson wrote...
Looks like a wonderful place for family hiking. Lovely lens!
Posted November 12, 2008
PattB wrote...
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!
Posted November 12, 2008
cochise county choppers wrote
red rock is awesome
Posted October 13, 2008
seedplanter wrote...
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!)
Posted October 13, 2008
EverythingMouse wrote...
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.
Posted October 01, 2008
StephenC wrote...
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
Posted September 23, 2008
hale02 wrote...
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 :)
Posted September 11, 2008
RadiKahl wrote
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!
Posted September 10, 2008
jeffwend wrote...
Very cool, I have camped in red rock canyons in AZ, but never been to any in CA.
Posted September 07, 2008
garywgoldstein wrote...
I'm gonna write this on my next adventure. Thanks for sharing!
Posted August 16, 2008
totalhealth wrote...
Nice place. The scenery is so lovely, I hope I could be there soon.
Posted August 01, 2008
KimGiancaterino wrote...
This could be a day trip for me! Wonderful photos. Welcome to All Things Travel.
Posted July 08, 2008
blue22d wrote...
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
CherylK wrote...
This is great! We'll go there next winter when we're in California, for sure!
Posted April 13, 2008
Squidster wrote...
We just came back from our spring trip. Check out the new pictures and the "desert flower frolic" video!
Posted April 11, 2008
GypsyPirate wrote...
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
InfoRealtor wrote...
Awesome place, I have very fond memories of camping in Red Rock. We try to go back every year.
Posted March 28, 2008
archetekt wrote...
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
About The Author
Lensmaster Squidster, aka Carina C., has been a member since February 16 2007, has rated 673 lenses, favorited 206, and has created 65 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Pictures of Tattoos". See all my lenses
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