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.
There's bathrooms here, as well as picnic benches. A good spot for a break on a long drive.
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.
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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.
The parking lot is massive. The trailhead is on the side closest to the cliffs.Once you park, the red cliffs will be looming over view to the north.The trailhead is well marked. Start the hike at the sign.Most of the trail is marked with stones on either side. Lots of stones and footprints.There are also occasional little trail signs, keep your eyes open for them.After you climb a gentle grade, you'll come to the first junction, marked by a small sign. Keep going straight.You'll go downhill for a few minutes and hit the next trail junction, marked by a low sign. Stay right on the well-trodden trail. There are smaller trails that go straight that you should avoid.Here's a closeup of the sign at the last junction.Keep an eye out as the trail makes a right turn up the ridge. There's a marker too.The trail will climb through a grove of Joshua Trees.There are nice photo opportunities with the Joshua Trees and the Red Cliffs in the background.Towards the top of the trail bear left and head to the top of the ridge.When the trail reaches the top of the ridge, you'll have great views.Continue down the ridge trail. There's a nice bench where you can rest and check out views of the Red Cliffs.Continue on the ridge trail as it starts to descend.When you reach the junction, make the hard right toward the parking lot.The trail is marked with stones on its sides as it heads back toward the parking lot.Keep following the trail back to the parking lot. That's the hike!
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).