01
Best overall pick
Five Fingers Trail
Owens Peak Wilderness North Of Inyokern • Steep Desert Peak Hike With Big Views • Iconic Local Summit
A rugged climb to a dramatic multi-spired summit with sweeping views over the Indian Wells Valley.
Five Fingers is the hike locals point to when you ask for a real leg-burner close to town. The route is rocky, exposed, and relentlessly uphill, but you are rewarded with a panoramic look at the Sierra crest, Rademacher Hills, and the open desert below. Start early, bring plenty of water, and treat it like a small backcountry outing rather than a casual stroll.
02
Best Sierra gateway
Walker Pass & Pacific Crest Trail
Walker Pass Along Highway 178 • High-Desert Mountain Pass And Thru-Hiking Corridor • Best For Classic Pct Experience
Gentle switchbacks along the Pacific Crest Trail lead to wide views and a taste of thru-hiking culture at a historic Sierra pass.
Just west of Inyokern, Walker Pass offers easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail without committing to a multi-day trip. You can head north or south from the campground for an out-and-back hike on well-graded trail through pinyon-juniper slopes and granite outcrops. In spring and fall you may bump into PCT thru-hikers, which adds a fun, communal feel to the day.
03
Best short outing
Fossil Falls Trail
Us-395 North Of Inyokern • Family-Friendly Walk To A Volcanic Dry Waterfall • Quick Roadside Adventure
A short, mostly flat path leads across dark lava rock to a sculpted dry waterfall carved by ancient Owens River flows.
Fossil Falls makes a great leg-stretch stop on a 395 drive or an easy half-day outing from Inyokern. The path is straightforward, but once you reach the chasm there is plenty of freedom to wander the lava formations, peer into the gorge, and explore polished red and black rock. Watch your footing on the uneven surfaces and keep kids close near the drop-offs, but otherwise this is an approachable way to see unusual geology up close.
04
Best desert colors
Hagen Canyon Nature Trail, Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park South Of Inyokern • Easy Loop Through Sculpted Badlands • Most Photogenic Ramble
An easy loop trail winds through red and cream cliffs, hoodoos, and layered badlands that light up at sunrise and sunset.
About half an hour south of Inyokern, Hagen Canyon offers a mellow walk with outsized scenery. The trail meanders past eroded spires and banded cliffs that feel more like a classic Southwest postcard than a quick stop off Highway 14. It is an ideal choice for casual hikers, photographers, and families who want a rewarding landscape without much elevation gain.
05
Best after-work workout
B Mountain Trail
Ridgecrest City Edge • Steady Climb To A Town-Top Lookout • Local Fitness Favorite
A straightforward but steady ascent to the big letter "B" above Ridgecrest, with sunset views over the valley and surrounding ranges.
B Mountain is where many Ridgecrest and Inyokern locals go for a quick conditioning hike close to pavement. The route is exposed and can be hot, but it is easy to follow, and you gain views quickly as you zigzag up the slope. Time it for golden hour and you get a front-row seat as the desert lights up and the city below starts to glow.