Hike Hagen Canyon Nature Trail at Red Rock Canyon State Park

Rating	★★★★☆(4/5)
Overall Difficulty	Easy
Navigation Difficulty	Easy
Distance	1.2 miles roundtrip
Time	30 minutes
Terrain	Mostly flat
Best Seasons	Spring, Fall, Winter
Family Friendly	Yes
Dog Friendly	No
Accessible	No

Highlights

Stunning striped cliffs and rock formations
Excellent desert scenery

Hike Summary

Two hours from LA and highway adjacent, the Hagen Canyon Nature Trail is a quick, easy hike that is perfect as a stop on a trip to the Owens Valley, Death Valley, or Eastern Sierra. The park is a popular Hollywood filming destination -- particularly for westerns, but it was also used for Jurassic Park -- so you may recognize the unique cliffs and rock formations along this trail. While it won't take long for you to complete the loop, the scenery is still quite memorable.

The trail forms a short lollipop loop. From the parking lot, follow the path lined with rocks on each side. To the right, you'll see the fascinating cliffs pictured below. When the trail splits, you can choose to do the loop in either direction.

Unique badlands formations along the northwest side of the trail

Millions of years ago, weathering mountains caused a deposition of sediment. Tectonic activity millions of years later lifted and exposed these layers of rock, and water eroded these soft rocks to form the fantastic badlands and cliffs pictured below. Hidden in some of these rock layers dating 55 to 65 million years old, paleontologists have discovered a wealth of vertebrate fossils, so many that this is the most significant concentration of fossils west of the Rockies.

The red and white striped cliffs of Hagen Canyon

Red Rock Canyon State Park is located where the Mojave Desert transitions to the Great Basin. You'll mostly encounter Great Basin scrub like the creosote bush (its tiny, oily leaves smell like rain when you rub them in you hand -- one of my all time favorite plants). In some places, you'll see the Mojave's most iconic plant, the joshua tree.

Great Basin scrub covering the hills

Overall, this is a very enjoyable hike suitable for almost anyone. Make a stop next time you drive from LA into the Owens Valley! Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!

Important Information

Dogs are not allowed on established trails in the park. This is a perfect trail for a family hike -- it's flat, scenic, and short. Spring, fall, and winter are the best seasons for hiking since summer temperatures are brutal and there is no shade. No matter what season, bring ample water and wear sun protection! The hike was not as crowded as expected given its highway adjacency, but expect to see others.

Directions

From Los Angeles, take Interstate 5 north to California Highway 14 heading north towards Palmdale/Lancaster. Continue on California Highway 14 in Mojave by staying right. Look for signs for the park in about 25 miles, then turn left on Abbott Drive to enter the park. Park in the dirt lot on the left side of the road right after you enter the park.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Parking in this lot is free (but note that parking at the day-use area by the visitor center is $6). There are no facilities at this lot, so head to the visitor center for restrooms, water, and information.