Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park

Adventure:

A visit to the Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park is a great adventure for any van or RV nomad.

There is no official entrance as with most state parks. The park has displays and a pit toilet but nothing else.   

The park is home to an impressive stand of native Joshuas and juniper trees which once grew in great abundance throughout the valley.

The land was donated to the State by farmer Arthur “Archie” Ripley in 1988. Only a few stands of Joshua and Juniper trees remain in the Antelope Valley. The rest have been removed for farming, housing, and green energy.

The park is located seven miles from the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve,

Hiking

There are two flat, easy nature trails in the park for you to enjoy. Each one is easy and comes with its own brochure.

• The Ripley Nature Trail is 1/4 of a mile, starting at the end of the picnic area. 
• The Rare Juniper Trail is just under one mile and starts 100 yards up the Ripley Nature Trail. 
• Brochure: Arthur Ripley Desert Woodlands State Park Rare Juniper Trail Brochure

Parking

There is no parking lot associated with this state park.  You park along Lancaster Road and enter through the pedestrian walk-through by the park gate. This can be challenging for a large van or RV so beware. 

• Free admission.
• Open sunrise to sunset

It’s a privilege to have Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park for our enjoyment, so please practice Leave No Trace principles.