Red Rock Canyon State Park

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 5, 2025 22:24