Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center — Attraction in Quartz Hill

I had passed Vasquez Rocks multiple times traveling between LA and Palmdale just amazed by the other worldly rock formations seen from the highway. I finally decided to pull off the exit early one evening and check it out and I'm so glad I did.

This place is just so bizarre! The landscape is just completely different than anywhere else in the area. The rocks jut out in crazy 45 degree angles and you almost feel like you're in a rock forest more than anything else.

I walked past the sign with my work clothes on and decided to just hike out to one of the prominent rocks in the distance. I wasn't in a rush, and it really didn't seem very far. I walked and walked, stopping to take a ton of photos, noting that I was the only person in the entire park (as far as I could tell). The further I got, the bigger the rock I was trekking (yes that was intentional) towards began to appear and bigger I started to realize this park actually was.

By the time I reached my goal and took a few photos, I realized I could not see the parking lot, and the sun was setting! I started getting concerned at this point and my hike started turning into a power walk in the general direction I came from. The park is very maze-like in that the rocks you walk around are often large enough to block out your view of the general area around you, but all I could do was continue on hoping I didn't wander past the parking lot and deeper into the park.

The sun finally vanished and I really got concerned as the area became extremely dark! Thankfully, it wasn't long after daylight burned out that I turned a corner and recognized the area near the sign at the entrance and before I knew it, I was safe in my car (and completely covered in dust).

At the end of the day (also intentional), I truly had a great experience. This place is an incredible natural wonder absolutely worth checking out! My kids would have had the time of their life climbing on everything if they had been there.

Pro Tip: If you visit later on the day, watch the time!! Either that or bring...

This place is rich with history both in movie-making and the Old West. From outlaws to Indians and Hollywood actors...boy, if these rocks could talk. The distinctive rock formations are awe-striking, and easily recognized in countless movies and just calling you to climb them. As a local I don't get tired of hiking here regularly and I love that I can disappear into the canyons to get some peaceful alone time, but I'm not too isolated and having to trek miles to get back to my car. The trails are not well marked and some are barely visible, but you can't get lost out here. It's not that big of a place and it's surrounded by small private ranches and backed up to the 14 freeway. Not too mention the famous landmark rocks will give you guidance on which direction to go to get you back to the parking lot. It does get very hot here in late spring and summer months so bring plenty of sunscreen and water. Especially if you're not use to direct sunlight in higher elevation because you will roast and get heat exhaustion very easily. There is a Visitor Center, but it's very simple and not as informative about the rich history as it could be and the gift shop is even simpler; even still, the Center is worth popping in to look around, especially to see the small collection of snakes on display, as well as hawks in the aviary section outside. The park closes their gates right before dusk (5pm winter/7 pm summer), so be sure to be out of the park by then because you will get ticketed or towed if you're still in the parking lot after hours. Overall, if you're looking for a mild to moderate place to hike that's not a far drive outside of city limits and to soak up some local history, Vasquez Rocks is a nice place. If you want something more wide open and rural for more serious hiking, Devil's Punch Bowl Park 35 miles further (southeast of Palmdale) might be more...

My kids and I loved it!

We were just expecting to go and take pretty pictures, but it was awesome because the kids got to climb on the rocks. There are nice little trails that you take through the rock areas. It felt pretty safe because it wasn't so isolated, there are houses off in the distance so you didn't feel like you were exactly out in the boonies.

The interpretive center was very nice, not super big, but a lot of neat exhibits from a cute animated video showing how the rocks were formed millions of years ago to a few snakes and a tarantula in glass displays. There was a gift shop there, we wanted to buy some things but nobody was manning it at the time which was a little disappointing even though it said it was opened. There were arrowhead displays, a display showing different movies and show that were filmed in the area. Outside the interpretive center were some birds in a caged area and a small area adjacent to it with amphitheater like bench seats where I think they give the birds of prey presentations. The trip was way better than we would have imagined it to be and there was a good amount of people there where it wasn't too crowded but that you didn't feel deserted.

I highly recommend visiting here. (You might not want to pull the stroller out if you are trekking through the rock trails, I did and it was hard to maneuver in certain places. Wear comfortable shoes and take a light jacket or sweater as the weather can fluctuate. At first, we thought it was going to be hot, then it was kind of windy, then it warmed up again. I think I even saw a...