Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere in Southern California. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converge with the El Paso Range, creating a dramatic geological meeting point that shapes everything you see here. Each tributary canyon is unique, with deeply carved shapes and vivid colors that shift throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky.

Miles of trails meander through the dramatic landscape, and hiking is an intimate way to experience the desert environment. That said, dogs have some real limitations here. They must remain on a 6-foot maximum leash and be accompanied by a person at all times. More significantly, dogs are not allowed on the established trails themselves, which cuts into your options considerably. You can walk your dog around the main areas and parking zones, but the best hiking experiences in the park aren’t accessible to you as a dog owner.

If you do visit with your dog, use desert safety precautions seriously. Bring twice as much water as you think you need—this isn’t an exaggeration. The desert heat reflects off those red rocks intensely, and your dog will dehydrate faster than you expect. Pack layered clothing for yourself too, since temperature can swing dramatically between sun and shade, and especially between day and night.

The park is 25 miles northeast of Mojave on Highway 14, near Cantil. Look for clear signage on Highway 14 indicating the turnoff, then go west a quarter mile on Abbott Drive. From Los Angeles, it’s about 120 miles north via Interstate 5 and Highway 14—roughly a two-hour drive. The rock formations alone make the drive worthwhile even if you’re limited to the parking areas with your dog.