A treat for people driving from Southern California to the Eastern Sierra (e.g. Mammoth Lakes or Mt. Whitney) is the scenery of Red Rock Canyon State Park. The park contains some interesting geology, including buttes and hoodoos, unusual rock formations and interesting colors formed by alternating red sandstone and white clay, and pink and brown volcanic rock. The park is located where the Sierra Nevada mountains converge with the El Paso Range. Geologists estimate that the canyon was formed about 3 million years ago.
The park consists of approximately 27,000 acres (110 km2) within the Mojave Desert. Because of its natural beauty and proximity to Los Angeles, it was frequently used as a filming location for movies and television series, including Beneath the Planet of the Apes, The Mummy, Jurassic Park, Westworld, Airwolf, Lost in Space and The Twilight Zone
Red Rock Canyon is located on Highway 14 in Kern County, about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Mojave and 80 miles east of Bakersfield. It has beautiful wildflower displays in the spring (especially after heavy winter rains) and offers some interesting hiking opportunities. Camping sites, picnic facilities and restrooms are available, but no other services are provided. California State Park fees apply.
The desert can be extremely hot in the summer, so be prepared.
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