Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center - Agua Dulce, California

Kirk H.

A wonderful spot to visit. I had a really nice hike with my child and saw some wildlife as well as the rocks. Admittedly, the Star Trek factor played a role in my visiting 😉

It’s really nice there and not too hot at 8am. I only realized later that one can actually park next to the rocks (if one is less inclined to make the hike). Traffic from LA was minimal (though I went on a Sunday morning).

Nicolas H.

Really cool place right off the highway. The hikes are easy, and the small visitor center is very cool - it has live snakes and a sabertooth tiger skull.

Mr3dPHD

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 a flashlight!

Scott B.

Otherworldly rock formations with very accessible trails and just breathtaking vistas. Just off the 14 with easy access and free parking. Must see if anywhere close 😎

Craig B.

In the 1980s I flew a Hang Glider over Vasquez Rocks during a flight from Sylmar to Palmdale.
In the 1960s I climbed on the rocks as a child when my family visited Vasquez Rocks.
I saw a flying saucer land on the rocks, in an episode of The Outer Limits. Little Joe lost his rifle while chasing a mountain lion up the rocks in Bonanza. And, of course, Captain Kirk fought the Gorn creature in Star Trek.
New interpretive signs were recently installed in the park, and you can read some of them on the Historical Marker Database website.

Jace P.

This is such an amazing place! Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is HUGE (a 932-acre park) located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains. There's lots of hikes, camping, the staff at the info center are really great & informative and a cool tidbit is there's a rich Hollywood history - TV & movies filming here (John Wayne, Lone Ranger, Blazing Saddles, Planet of the Apes, Flintstones, etc)!

Only 30-40 min from LA and a really great day experience! FYI: stick to the trails and bring plenty of water!

Jaja C.

Free parking and experience! We went in the morning time and stayed briefly and hiked the natural heritage and geology trail as it was very hot! Well worth the visit as we learned about the film history in this site and saw the top of the rock formations.

Lauri H.

Great place for easy rock climbing and trails of carrying length & difficult. Drive back to parking area 3 or 4 to be closest to the iconic rocks.