Welcome to Saddleback Butte State Park

This 3,000-acre preserve in the Eastern Antelope Valley was created in 1960 to protect the prominent 3,651 feet high Saddleback Butte and its related desert wilderness habitat.

Saddleback Butte rises majestically above the desert floor and is home to a large collection of Joshua Tree's and variety of other high desert wildlife and vegetation.

Visitors should plan to come in spring when desert wildflowers come to life. Autumn is also pleasant, whereas summer can be extremely hot (average 95F) and winters can be very cold (avg 33F).

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California State Parks Foundation - Find out more about the Magnificent 70 parks that are slated for closure:

Saddleback Butte State Park
California State Park
Location: 17 miles east of Lancaster on 170th Street East, between East Avenue J and East Avenue K.
661-727-9899; Park Website;

Exciting high adventure opportunities for exploring, boating, camping, hiking, watersports, weekend retreats and more.

Visitor Center:

Park office and visitor center, located at the entrance to the day-use area, featuring displays and hands-on exhibits about the natural and cultural history and geology of the area.

Hiking Trails:

• Little Butte Trail - 2.5 mile trip to the peak top from day-use area. Scenic desert view.
• Saddleback Butte Peak Trail - 2.0 mile trip to the peak top from campground. Scenic desert view.
• Saddleback Equestrian Trail - 4.5 mile horse trail skirts the north and west portions of the park. Horse staging area at 200th Street East and Avenue J-8.
• Dic Dowen Nature Trail - short park natural history tour.

Park Wildlife:

A once abundant population is being depleted by environmental pressures - coyotes, kit foxes, jack rabbits, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, kangaroo rats. Watch out for dangerous sidewinder and Mojave Green rattlesnakes and the very popular but endangered Desert Tortoise.

Bird life includes many migratory species- golden eagles, hawks, ravens, and owls, and some smaller birds such as rock and cactus wrens, thrashers, blackbirds, horned larks, ladderbacked woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and loggerhead shrikes.

Campground:

Over 50 units with tables, stoves, fire rings and shade ramadas. Full service restrooms, RV units. Group campsite. Reservations thru ReserveAmerica.

The Antelop Valley area consists of high desert covers Northern Los Angeles County, Southwestern Kern County and the western edge of the Mojave Desert.