Hagen Canyon Natural Preserve — Attraction in California City

Hagen Canyon is part of the Red Rock Canyon State Park. The trailhead is right off CA-14 (and can be accessed either driving northbound or southbound). For being just on the side of the highway, this is a rather spectacular area. There are few designated trails, but they are mainly sandy paths delimited by black stones. You can in fact walk across the whole landscape and get up close and personal with the red rocks. Just in this area, you can hike about 3 miles. The state park is much larger, and presumably offers much longer hikes and first-come, first-serve developed campsites in Ricardo Campground, just north of...

An excellent very short trail that gives you a good look at the local rock formations. Take a moment to read the sign at the start of the trail to appreciate the scale of what you are enjoying. The trail is a loop you can simply stick right on at forks to end up back at the parking lot eventually. Great for a stretch break on a drive, good for little kids, and dogs. If you rush through you could see everything in 30mins. Parking lot is the first left as soon as you pull...

Phenomenal place right off CA-14. Easily accessible. No real services at the canyon, but you can head to VC not to far away for those. Did about half the hike. Great stuff. Comparable to some of the less impressive red rock formation national parks in the west. I wouldn't necessarily make this a destination point unless you haven't been to red rock national parks. Definitely should stop by here on your way through the area. Can have an amazing experience in...