Red Cliffs Trail Hike – Red Rock Canyon SP
| In This Guide |
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| 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 |
| Dog Friendly | No |
| Park Website (?) | Red Rock Canyon State Park |
| Park Phone | 661-946-6092 |
| Stay In Touch | Newsletter - Instagram - YouTube - Facebook |
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.
FYI >>REI 50% Clearance Sale on now
The La Sportiva Spire boots feel like comfortable sneakers but offer the protection of hiking boots. They’re great on everything from short hikes to longer hikes of 10+ miles. You don’t want to skimp on your feet.
Reviews & Lowest Prices: Women – Men
I test a lot of gear, and for short to medium day hikes, travel, and everyday use, the Osprey Stratos (men) and Osprey Sirrus (women) are consistently the best. They’re lightweight, hold a hydration bladder to make drinking water easy, have lots of pockets to organize gear, and most importantly, are incredibly comfortable. Check out the reviews; they are impressive.
Reviews & Colors Here: Osprey Stratos (men) and Osprey Sirrus (women)
If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Mini fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing. Read my review and see the lowest prices and reviews at REI (or Amazon).
Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated January 2020.See All of My Best Gear Picks Here
No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps offset website expenses. There is no cost to you.
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
Red Cliffs Trail Hike – Red Rock Canyon SP Map Downloads
Red Cliffs Hike Directions
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Video Directions
Turn by Turn Hike Directions
Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.
