Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
LAist Road Trip: Red Rock Canyon State Park
Just 130 miles north of Los Angeles lies some spectacular desert scenery. Red Rock Canyon State Park, in Kern County bears the mark of prehistoric lakes, rivers and glaciers in the colorful striations on the cliffs and the rock formations that rise out from the forest of Joshua trees
During the Gold Rush, prospectors passed through Red Rock Canyon, but didn't find any gold there, so continued on to the settlement of Los Angeles. During this time, the canyon hosted a freight line, a stagecoach route and a US Post Office. (Continue reading below photo gallery)
In 1908, a railroad was built through the canyon to help with the construction of the first Los Angeles Aqueduct, which can be seen today just four miles west of the campgrounds.
Of course, all the buildings are gone now - the canyon became a state park and a protected area in 1968.
Support for LAist comes from
()
(caption: Canyon Wall in Ricardo Area)
Today, the area is popular with OHV drivers on weekends, but during the week it's deserted and the only noises are the birds and the wind blowing past the rocks and the Joshua Trees.
The park has many miles of spectacular hiking trails, and many drive-in campsites. If you're looking for more private camping, the park also has a hike-in campsite. The park is host to many species of plants and animals (including wild tarantulas, which the park ranger assured LAist are not aggressive or harmful to humans. LAist isn't sure about this), and during the spring has many wildflowers.
Red Rock Canyon's visitor center is right off Interstate 15 in Kern County. The nearest town in California City, about 20 miles to the south. The Red Cliffs area is easily seen from the highway.
Be sure to stop first at the ranger station in the Ricardo area for tips on the best places to hike! Many areas are a short walk from your vehicle, but if you're interested in a longer hike, LAist recommends the 'Nightmare Gulch' section of the park
The highway to Red Rock Canyon is well-paved and not too steep. LAist's aging vehicle made it just fine, and grand total round trip was less than one tank of gas.
Support for LAist comes from
Red Rock Canyon can be extremely hot in the summer, and cold (near freezing) in the winter, so dress accordingly. It's also very dry, so bring lots of water if you're going to hike - the desert air and elevation made LAist thirsty very quickly.
For more information about Red Rock Canyon State Park, check out their website.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist