LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC OUTINGS
AT RED ROCK CANYON
GUIDED TOURS
The Campfire Program, during the Spring and Fall seasons, will have guided tours with knowledgeable docents scheduled, usually in the morning. Occasionally a night hike is scheduled as well. Take a look at our program schedule and join us on a tour.
If we are given advanced notice we can also try to schedule a guided nature hike with a docent. Please contact Lou Figueroa at Lou.Figueroa@parks.ca.gov, or Ranger Laughlin at Damion.Laughlin@parks.ca.gov.
There are also many self-guided hikes you can travel. Take a look at our hiking options.
MUSEUM/NATURAL/CULTURAL DISPLAYS
The Visitor Center, which has an educational museum display on the natural and cultural history of Red Rock Canyon, is open seasonally (Spring and Fall). The displays offer an educational look at the geological history including the formation of Red Rock, the types of rocks and minerals you can find, and the fossil history of the area. We have many fossils on display ranging from a leg bone of the Megatylopus, an ancient ‘giraffe-like’ camel, to the tusk from a Gomphothere, an elephant-like mammal. You can even see the jaw of a Rhinoceros that was found in the park.
Additionally, the Visitor Center museum displays a lot of the cultural history of the area. From a Native American display featuring a human model for a male member of the Kawaiisu tribe that used the area as a resting spot along the trade routes, to the rich mining history of the area.
The media room offers a look at some of the posters for movies that have been filmed here, including Planet of the Apes. A list of the many movies, commercials, and TV shows can be found at the front desk in the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center also has a great natural display outside. This display shows the natural vegetation common to the area, such as the rabbit brush, creosote, Joshua tree, cactus, and bladder pod bush.
Within the enclosure you can also see the nesting habits of the Cactus Wren who frequently use the Colla Cactus to raise their babies.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
When the Visitor Center is open there is a self-guided Junior Ranger booklet available. The answers to all of the questions are found within the Visitor Center and on the nature trails. The program is for children ages 7-12.
Once done you can bring the booklet back to any park staff and be sworn in as a State Park Junior Ranger and receive your badge.
