Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park, State park in Kern County, California
Red Rock Canyon State Park is a protected area in Kern County with colorful sandstone cliffs, white clay formations, and volcanic rock. The landscape formed where the Sierra Nevada and El Paso Mountains meet.
The Kawaiisu and Coso once lived in this region and left petroglyphs in the El Paso Mountains. These rock carvings marked ceremonial sites of these indigenous peoples.
Many Western films were shot at this location. Filmmakers chose the desert formation for productions that still draw visitors today.
The area covers roughly 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) with campgrounds and hiking trails. Access is via Highway 14 between Mojave and Ridgecrest.
Sediment layers preserve fossils of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats. These paleontological finds show animals that roamed the region millions of years ago.
Location: Kern County
Inception: 1968
Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Website: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=631
GPS coordinates: 35.37300,-117.99100
Latest update: December 17, 2025 11:07
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40.2 km
Jawbone Canyon
7.9 km
Walker Pass
32.5 kmEl Paso Mountains Wilderness
18.8 km
Owens Peak Wilderness
38.3 kmKiavah Wilderness
29.9 km
Robbers Roost
24.7 km
Bright Star Wilderness
27.3 km
Last Chance Canyon
7.6 kmDesert Tortoise Natural Area
24 kmStauffer Park
38.8 kmTomo-Kahni State Historic Park
40 kmIndian Wells
34.5 kmCalifornia City Municipal Par 3 Golf Course
27.7 kmTierra del Sol Golf Course
27.7 kmRed cliffs trail
1.7 kmMetal Petroglyphs (Shaman)
40.5 kmRock Alignment
40.5 kmArtistic Tributes
40.5 kmPetroglyphs from Around the World
40.5 kmWork of art, sculpture
27.8 kmWork of art, sculpture
36.3 kmSculpture, Work of art
40.5 kmScenic viewpoint
11.1 kmAirplane graveyard viewpoint
35.7 kmScenic viewpoint
871 mScenic viewpoint
904 m
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