NEWS
Children's Book Signing Event at the Poppy Reserve!
WHEN: Saturday April 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.WHERE: Antelope Valley California Poppy ReserveCOST: Park admission fees are waived for this event
Children’s book author Lisa Kerr will be at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Saturday April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to sign her newly released children’s book, Wake, Sleepy One. Written in lyrical prose with beautifully detailed illustrations of native Mojave Desert plants and animals, Wake, Sleepy One follows the California poppy’s incredible journey from seed, to flower, to the rare super bloom. The story is educational, and includes information about desert hiking safety, wildflower viewing areas, and the history of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.
Park admission fees will be waived for this event. The book will be available for purchase in the park Visitor Center’s non-profit association gift shop.
“West Margin rises and shines with Wake, Sleepy One by debut author Lisa Kerr, illus. by Lisa Powell Braun, providing a nonfiction look at the California wildflower super bloom.”—Publishers Weekly, Spring 2022 Children’s Sneak Previews
Lisa Kerr is a children’s book author, essayist, playwright, educator and former teacher, and writer whose work has been featured in magazines and publications including Huffington Post, New York Magazine, Bustle, and more. After a visit to see a recent California super bloom, Lisa was inspired to research and then write Wake, Sleepy One. She lives in Central California
Spring Mojave Area State Park Events
Wildflower update: Due to only receiving a half inch of rain since December, most of the poppies have faded but a few wildflowers may still be found along the trails on north-facing slopes. The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center will be open through Mother’s Day, May 8th.
Please note, the City of Lancaster’s annual Poppy Festival will be located at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, not at the Poppy Reserve. Spring Tours at Tehachapi Native American Village Site
California State Parks is currently taking reservations for the spring tour season at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi. Visitation is only permitted on a guided tour, which involves a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike.
Although no structures remain on this Kawaiisu (Nüwa) Native American village site, the area’s rich history comes alive through the trained volunteer tour guides and the clues that the inhabitants left behind. Tomo Kahni means “winter home” in Kawaiisu, and rock rings mark the locations of many of the kahni, or homes, that were built of juniper boughs. Hundreds of mortar holes in the park tell of a very active past. The tour also includes Medicine Cave, Nettle Springs and a cave with pictographs- a sacred place of the Kawaiisu.
Spring tours will be offered Saturdays April 23rd – June 11th. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with an orientation at the Tehachapi Museum in Tehachapi and last approximately 4 hours, including travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided).
Please note: This tour is not safe for those with heart conditions, breathing problems or walking limitations. Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended. Ample drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are also necessary.
Tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-16 (age 5 and under are free, but not recommended on tours). Tours are limited to 12 people and fill up fast so reservations are highly recommended for an additional fee of $10 per party. To make a reservation or for more information, call (661) 946-6092 or email Mojave.Sector@parks.ca.gov.
Where: Meet at Tehachapi Museum, 310 S. Green Street, Tehachapi
When: Saturdays April 23rd – June 11th, 8:30 a.m. – approximately 1 p.m.
Cost: Adults: $5, Children age 6-16 $3, Children under 5 free. Reservations: $10 per party
Red Rock Canyon State Park Interpretive Programs
Red Rock Canyon State Park’s visitor center is open Wednesdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.. The visitor center features colorful displays and dioramas illustrating Red Rock’s unique geology, fossils, Kawaiisu Indian culture, early settler history, flora and fauna, and Hollywood connection. The gift shop offers books, toys and souvenirs. Red Rock Canyon State Park Visitor Center and programs: 37749 Abbott Drive, Cantil (22 miles north of Mojave on Hwy 14, near California City).
Please note: Programs are subject to cancellation without notice. Check www.Facebook.com/RedRockCanyonCA for latest updates.
Sat., Apr 16: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 am.
Sat., Apr 23: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 am.
Sat., Apr 30: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 am.
Sat., Apr 30: Ridgecrest Astronomy Club will conduct a “Star Party” for viewing planets, constellations, and other celestial objects in the night sky through some amazing telescopes. Meet at the visitor center parking lot area beginning at dusk.
Sat., May 7: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 14: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 21: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 28: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 28: The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club (AVAC) will conduct an Astronomy Program in the amphitheater located next to the visitor center beginning at 7:45 p.m. Following the presentation, the AVAC and the Ridgecrest Astronomy Club will begin a “Star Party” for viewing planets, constellations, and other celestial objects in the night sky through some amazing telescopes. Star Party will be held at campsites 1 & 2.
Please note, the City of Lancaster’s annual Poppy Festival will be located at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, not at the Poppy Reserve. Spring Tours at Tehachapi Native American Village Site
California State Parks is currently taking reservations for the spring tour season at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi. Visitation is only permitted on a guided tour, which involves a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike.
Although no structures remain on this Kawaiisu (Nüwa) Native American village site, the area’s rich history comes alive through the trained volunteer tour guides and the clues that the inhabitants left behind. Tomo Kahni means “winter home” in Kawaiisu, and rock rings mark the locations of many of the kahni, or homes, that were built of juniper boughs. Hundreds of mortar holes in the park tell of a very active past. The tour also includes Medicine Cave, Nettle Springs and a cave with pictographs- a sacred place of the Kawaiisu.
Spring tours will be offered Saturdays April 23rd – June 11th. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with an orientation at the Tehachapi Museum in Tehachapi and last approximately 4 hours, including travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided).
Please note: This tour is not safe for those with heart conditions, breathing problems or walking limitations. Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended. Ample drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are also necessary.
Tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-16 (age 5 and under are free, but not recommended on tours). Tours are limited to 12 people and fill up fast so reservations are highly recommended for an additional fee of $10 per party. To make a reservation or for more information, call (661) 946-6092 or email Mojave.Sector@parks.ca.gov.
Where: Meet at Tehachapi Museum, 310 S. Green Street, Tehachapi
When: Saturdays April 23rd – June 11th, 8:30 a.m. – approximately 1 p.m.
Cost: Adults: $5, Children age 6-16 $3, Children under 5 free. Reservations: $10 per party
Red Rock Canyon State Park Interpretive Programs
Red Rock Canyon State Park’s visitor center is open Wednesdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.. The visitor center features colorful displays and dioramas illustrating Red Rock’s unique geology, fossils, Kawaiisu Indian culture, early settler history, flora and fauna, and Hollywood connection. The gift shop offers books, toys and souvenirs. Red Rock Canyon State Park Visitor Center and programs: 37749 Abbott Drive, Cantil (22 miles north of Mojave on Hwy 14, near California City).
Please note: Programs are subject to cancellation without notice. Check www.Facebook.com/RedRockCanyonCA for latest updates.
Sat., Apr 16: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 am.
Sat., Apr 23: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 am.
Sat., Apr 30: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 am.
Sat., Apr 30: Ridgecrest Astronomy Club will conduct a “Star Party” for viewing planets, constellations, and other celestial objects in the night sky through some amazing telescopes. Meet at the visitor center parking lot area beginning at dusk.
Sat., May 7: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 14: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 21: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 28: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 a.m.
Sat., May 28: The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club (AVAC) will conduct an Astronomy Program in the amphitheater located next to the visitor center beginning at 7:45 p.m. Following the presentation, the AVAC and the Ridgecrest Astronomy Club will begin a “Star Party” for viewing planets, constellations, and other celestial objects in the night sky through some amazing telescopes. Star Party will be held at campsites 1 & 2.
Be a Camphost for Saddleback Butte State Park!
Having reliable camphosts is an important part of making Saddleback Butte State Park a great place for families. This is a volunteer position. Click here for more information
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