Red Cliffs Trail Hike – Red Rock Canyon SP
In This Guide |
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Total Distance (?) | 0.9 miles (1.4 km) |
Hike Time | 30 Minutes (Total) |
Difficulty (?) | Easy |
Total Ascent (?) | 120 feet (37m) |
Highest Elevation | 2,489 feet (759m) |
Fees & Permits | Free |
Dogs Allowed | No |
Alerts & Closures (?) | Red Rock Canyon State Park |
Park Phone | 661-946-6092 |
Weather & Forecast | Latest Conditions |
Stay Safe | Copy this webpage link to the clipobard and share with a friend before you hike. Let them know when to expect you back. |
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The Red Cliffs Trail is an easy 1 mile loop hike in a unique Mojave Desert landscape. You’ll pass the namesake Red Cliffs, rock formations of eroded sandstone, mudstone, and volcanic rock, thrusted up above the desert floor by faulting. It’s also been the backdrop of many movies and television shows. The Red Cliffs Trail is a great place to stretch your legs if you’re traveling between LA and the Eastern Sierra or Death Valley.
Getting to the Red Cliffs Trail
The trailhead address is: Red Cliffs Natural Area, Cantil, CA, 93519, USA. It’s a great option for a roadside rest stop and hike.

There are free bathrooms here, and there’s primitive camping across the street by the Hagen Canyon hike.

Gear for the Red Cliffs Trail Hike
This is a short hike and you don’t need any special hiking gear. In the summer it can get really hot. You’re basically on the border of the Mojave Desert, the Eastern Sierra Nevada, and the western El Paso range. Bring water, even though it’s a short hike.
What To Know About the Hike

- This area was originally part of a Kawaiisu trade route, used for thousands of years.
- A ton of movies and television shows have been shot here in Red Rock Canyon State Park, including a lot of old westerns and more recently Westworld and Jurassic Park.
- Keep your eyes out for wildlife. I always manage to see lots of desert hares, roadrunners, and big lizards. The rangers told me that desert tortoise are also around, but harder to spot.
Red Cliffs Trail Maps
Explore Map on CalTopoView a Printable PDF Hike MapDownload the Hike GPX File

Red Cliffs Hike Directions
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Video Directions
Turn by Turn Hike Directions


















This guide last updated on October 23, 2021. Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.