The Vasquez Rocks are located in a 900-acre park in Northern Los Angeles known for its wildlife and its awe-inspiring monoliths. These unique rocks have shared many a big and small screen in some of our favorite movies (Blazing Saddles, anyone?). Yet they are easily accessible at an excellent county park that is also free, so why wouldn’t you go? Here is all the information.
Details
- Free
- Miles of hiking trails and it intersects with PCT
- Interpretive Center Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8:0 to 4:00 pm
- I visited in 2015 and 2018
Interpretive Center
After getting off the 14 Freeway, you will see signs that will direct you the 2 miles to the entrance of the park. This area is unique as there are many places you will pass that label themselves movie ranches out here and obviously a lot of spots that Hollywood moviemakers frequent.
When you get to the park, there is an interpretive center that you will see on the right, and I recommend checking this out first as there are some good exhibits here on the snakes you can see in the area and the movies that have been filmed here.
To the left of the interpretive center is an area with a few birds, such as a red tail hawk and an owl. It is fun to see these birds up close but their habitat is pretty small.
The Rocks
After that, we drove about halfway to the rocks and parked in a little lot. The trails are not super well-marked but really you can just walk around the rocks whatever way you like.
I did stumble on a trail that started giving me numbers for the different plant life around the area, so that was good as I had seen many of these plants on hikes before but didn’t know their names.
The primary rock that is famous is pretty daunting when you are up close. I walked around the backside of it first, and when I came around the front, I saw there was a parking lot up here as well that you can drive to if you do not want to hike.
This is also the area with the best view of the rocks.
As I got closer, I could see how big the holes were in the rocks and see the wildlife that lives in this area. I saw many birds flying around looking for food and lounging on the rock.
I also saw some lizards sunbathing on the many smaller rocks in the area.
From here, you can either take some of the many other trails in the park, such as walking along the PCT or head back to your car.
Again, you will want to take some time here as the rock formations are worth seeing up close and admiring.
Here is a video I made on the area as well.
I enjoyed this park a lot, and I plan to come back here when I have more time so I can take some of the longer trails. It should be noted that this park is pretty hot during the summer months though, so make sure to pack water.
