01
Best overall pick
Rademacher Hills Trails
South Of Ridgecrest • Desert Foothill Trail Network • Closest To Town
A crisscrossing web of singletrack and old roads climbs right out of town into low, rocky hills with big desert views.
If you ask Ridgecrest locals where they sneak in weekday miles, Rademacher is almost always the answer. Loops range from mellow strolls to leg-burning climbs on sandy, rock-studded paths, all framed by views of the Indian Wells Valley and Sierra crest. Go early or near sunset for cooler temps and long, golden light on the surrounding ranges.
02
Best quick workout
Sky Point Trail
East Ridgecrest City Limits • Short, Steep Desert Hill Climb • Best For Sunrise Or Sunset
A direct, moderately steep climb from the edge of town to a rocky viewpoint that feels far more remote than its trailhead suggests.
Sky Point is the go-to when you want a real climb but only have an hour to spare. The route switchbacks up a rib of desert hillside, gaining enough elevation fast to leave neighborhoods behind and open up a broad view of the valley and surrounding bases. It’s exposed the whole way, so locals treat this as a dawn or dusk outing when the light and temperatures are at their best.
03
Most unique experience
Little Petroglyph Canyon
China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station • Guided Canyon And Rock-Art Hike • Most Unique History
A guided day hike into a remote basalt canyon lined with thousands of Native American petroglyphs etched into the dark rock.
Little Petroglyph Canyon is less about racking up miles and more about walking through a concentrated slice of desert history. Access is by guided tour only, which keeps the experience quiet and gives you time to appreciate the sheer number and variety of images carved into the canyon walls. Expect a mostly easy canyon walk with some boulder-hopping, strong sun, and a guide who can put what you’re seeing into cultural context.
04
Best mountain escape
Owens Peak Wilderness
Sierra Nevada Foothills North Of Ridgecrest • Rugged High-Country Wilderness • Best Mountain Views
Steep, rocky trails climb from desert scrub into pinyon and granite, topping out at big Sierra-style vistas that feel far from the valley floor.
The Owens Peak Wilderness is where Ridgecrest hikers go when they want a true mountain day without driving to the high Sierra. Trails and use paths here tend to be steep and rough underfoot, but the payoff is a transition from creosote and yucca up into cool, piney ridges and granite outcrops. Plan on a full day, carry plenty of water, and be ready for both serious elevation gain and standout views back over the Indian Wells Valley.
05
Best for longer rambles
Walker Pass Pacific Crest Trail Section
Walker Pass On Highway 178 • Scenic National Long-Distance Trail Segment • Best For Backpack-Curious Hikers
A rolling, well-built stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail that threads the transition between Mojave desert and the southern Sierra.
From Walker Pass you can sample the PCT in either direction, picking a comfortable out-and-back distance on a trail that’s graded for long-distance travel. The scenery is classic high desert—piñon, juniper, big skies—with enough elevation changes to feel like a real outing without the relentless steepness of more rugged peaks. It’s a great place to test overnight gear on an easy backpack or simply enjoy a quieter, more meditative day hike on a famous trail.