Desert State Parks

Desert State Parks Overview

The state park system is responsible for almost a third of California's scenic coastline. State parks include underwater preserves, parks, redwood forests, plant and wildlife reserves, state beaches, recreation areas, wilderness areas, reservoirs, historic parks & homes, Spanish buildings, lighthouses, ghost towns, waterslides, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle parks. Below you'll find a list of the more popular Desert state parks and ones we personally recommmend from Red Rock Canyon north of Mojave to Anza-Borrego east of San Diego.

Desert State Parks

Red Rock Canyon is located 25 miles northeast of Mojave on Highway 14. Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The site has been the backdrop of several movies. Some indian petroglyphs can be found.

Red Rock Canyon
Cantil, California 93519
(661) 942-0662
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is located west of Palmdale & Lancaster off Highway 14. Every Spring beginning in April, this region of the desert yields a bountiful bloom of poppies, cream cups, fiddleneck, forget-me-nots, lupine, goldfield, coreopsis and more. These are California's most consistent poppy-bearing fields. Features include a visitor center, marked trails and day use areas.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
Lancaster, California 93536
(661) 724-1180 or (661) 942-0662
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Providence Mountains State Recreation Area is located between Barstow and Needles off interstate 40. This area's main attraction is the Mitchell Caverns. Entrance is by guided tour only and we recommend you call for reservations.

Providence Mountains
Baker, California 92309
(760) 928-2586
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Salton Sea State Recreation Area is located east of San Diego and south of Palm Springs along highways 78 and 86. This is a huge, inland lake that formed as the result of a dam breakage in 1905. Activities include camping, boating, hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing. Boat performance is increased due to its 228 feet below sea level elevation. Off-roading is popular in nearby Ocotillo Wells.

Salton Sea
100-225 State Park Road
North Shore, California 92254
Somewhere, CA 99999
(760) 393-3052 or (760) 393-3059
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Camping  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Anza-Borrego Desert is located east of San Diego on highway 78. This area is a playground for off-roaders with the Octotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and Borrego Badlands within its boundaries. Every Spring brings an explosion of wildflowers that blanket the desert floor. Other activities include hiking and wildlife viewing of bighorn sheep, roadrunners and other desert species.

TIP: Consider stopping in the historic town of Julian on your way out to this park. This town is known for its fresh apple pies and historic past.

Anza-Borrego
200 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, California 92004
(760) 767-5311
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

State Parks by Region
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