Saddleback Butte State Park
Saddleback Butte State Park, East Avenue J, Lancaster, CA, USA
Day-Use Picnic Area: 9am-Sunset Daily Park Office & Visitor Center: Weekends Sept-May from 10am-4pm Campground: 24 hours/day year-round
$$
camping, road-trips, run, outdoor-adventures, hikes
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At Saddleback Butte State Park, you'll find a Joshua Tree woodland in the middle of nowhere with clear views of the San Gabriel Mountains for miles and miles.
Saddleback Butte State Park is located in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert just 17 miles east of Lancaster. This state park is named after the prominent feature - Saddleback Butte. This granite butte is 3,651 feet high - you can’t miss it! The park was created in 1960 to protect the butte and the surrounding Joshua Tree woodlands.
WHAT WE DID AT THE PARK:
1. Saddleback Butte Peak Trail - we parked at the trailhead parking area at the campground, is is a two-mile hike through loose sand. It will merge with the Little Butte Trail at the base of the butte (this trailhead starts at the day-use area). Once at the base the trail has more challenge as you climb on sand and rock! The top gives you views over Antelope Valley.
2. Lunch at the day-use picnic area - they have 12 picnic sites with covered tables and grills. The park office & visitor center is open on weekends in Sept-May from 10am-4pm.
3. Dic Dowen Nature Trail - located at the visitor center, this is a self-guided 0.5-mile trail about the natural history of the park and area. This trail is family & stroller friendly! Can complete in 30 minutes, but we went at toddler paced and had a blast!
We highly suggest avoiding this state park in the high heat months, as it is a desert landscape. There could be extreme heat from June-September . We took a peek at the campground and added it as a potential for our first overnight test. They have 37 sites, first come-first serve that all come with a table, grill and fire ring. Most have a ramada to provide shade and a wind block from sandstorms. It looks very promising!