Saddleback Butte State Park

Escape to this state park in Antelope Valley that epitomizes the Southern California high desert. The 2,995-acre wonderland of serenity lies east of Lancaster and a doable 90-minute drive from Los Angeles.

The park was created in 1960 to protect the butte and preserve the high-desert Joshua tree woodlands. Saddleback's 2,455-foot elevation on the western edge of the Mojave Desert clears the world-weary mind and inspires the soul.

The highlight of the state park is the 3,651-foot summit of Saddleback Butte. Park in the picnic area, fill your water bottles and set out on the paved nature trail. It turns into a rock-lined path known as Little Butte Trail. This leads you directly toward Saddleback Butte. A 4.8-mile round-trip to the summit rewards you with jaw-dropping views.

The campground offers 40 sites with a table, fire ring, and grill. Come in spring when it's nothing but a carpet of yellow coreopsis as far as the eye can see.