Saddleback Butte State Park
Saddleback Butte State Park, located about fifteen kilometres away from Lancaster, is home to Saddleback Butte, a granite hilltop standing at 3,651 height of feet over the Antelope Valley’s flat alluvial bottom ground.
Saddleback Butte, and the natural Joshua tree forests and other flora and fauna that used to flourish across this high desert region are now protected by the state park that was established around the butte in 1960. Wildflowers are most likely to put on a colourful show in the spring, making that season the best time to come.
Even though autumn weather might be rather unpredictable, it’s still a lovely season. Summertime highs average 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with occasional lows of 115 degrees Fahrenheit, although calm, warm breezes and clear skies characterize the season’s evenings. Winter lows often hover around 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nature of Saddleback Butte State Park
Hunting, agriculture, and population growth are destroying many desert species in Saddleback Butte State Park, including a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, including coyotes and kit foxes, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, and even the odd badger or skunk. Warm-weather sidewinder and Mojave Green rattlesnakes are dangerous. Patient and curious visitors can see the Desert Tortoise, a park feature.
The endangered tortoise must be left alone if seen. Many migratory and permanent birds live here, including golden eagles; hawks, ravens, owls, the cactus wren, the rock wren, the thrasher, the blackbird, the horned lark, the ladder-backed woodpecker, the sparrow, the finch, and the loggerhead shrike are all represented here.
Camping At Saddleback Butte State Park
The family campground in Saddleback Butte State Park has 50 sites with picnic tables, grills, fire pits, and ramadas for shade. All campers have easy access to clean restrooms with running water, sinks, and drinking water fountains. Eight people and 30-foot RVs/campers are allowed per space. Campfires in the provided fire rings require wood from the Saddleback Market. It’s against the rules to scavenge for firewood in the park. A minimum of 30 people is required to reserve the group campsite and a maximum of 12 vehicles.
Space for Daytime Activities
There are 27 picnic areas throughout the park with tables, grills, and ramadas for shade and protection from the elements. Near the picnic area, you’ll find water and primitive restrooms. Stop into the park’s visitor centre at the park’s main entrance to learn more about the area’s geology, history, and culture.
Horse Area At Saddleback Butte State Park
The Horse Area at Saddleback Butte State Park is 4.5 miles long and circles towards the bottom of the butte’s north and west flanks. Horses are only allowed on the trail and staging area, marked off with boulders and a fence. The horse trail makes a beautiful 10-mile loop, beginning at the Saddleback Butte maintenance yard entrance and finishing at the North-East Equestrian staging area.
Saddleback Butte Trail At Saddleback Butte State Park
Towards the periphery of Antelope Valley to the east, Saddleback Butte State Park features the 4-mile round-trip Saddleback Butte Trail, which features an ascent of 1,000 feet. Amazing desert panoramas may be seen from the top of Saddleback Peak, which can be reached through this trail. Creosote shrubs and Joshua trees are displayed in their natural splendour throughout the park.
Hikers can follow the blazed path as it winds through the magnificent Joshua tree forest and ascends steadily to the summit, which is covered in boulders. Beautiful vistas of the Lancaster and Palmdale mountains to the west, the Mojave Desert to the east, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the south may all be seen from the summit.
Address: 25050 CA-1 Jenner, CA 95450, United States
Departments: Salt Point Trail – northern trailhead
Open-Closes: 8 am-10 pm
Phone Number: +1 707-847-3221
Gmail: inparksprogram@parks.ca.gov
Management: California State Parks
Area: 24.28 km²
