Last Chance Canyon, Canyon and historic district in Kern County, United States

Last Chance Canyon is a canyon in the El Paso Mountains that stretches from Saltdale to Black Mountain, featuring diverse rock formations and archaeological sites. The area contains extensive landscapes with varied elevations and natural rock structures that have formed over millions of years.

Last Chance Canyon was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 5, 1972. Its gold mining camps, mills and quarries survive as historic sites within the canyon, alongside older rock shelters and village sites. The land is now held by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Archaeological discoveries within the canyon include Native American pictographs, village sites, rock shelters, and stone tool manufacturing locations from different periods.

The canyon is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and open for recreational use. Hiking, camping and 4-wheel drive vehicles are permitted in most parts of the canyon. Part of the canyon lies within Red Rock Canyon State Park, where state park rules apply.

The site contains rock paintings and villages from Native American cultures spanning different time periods, revealing insights into early ways of living. Visitors can also discover workshops for stone tool production while exploring, showing how ancient peoples used available resources.