A Rainbow Connection

Hiking Owl Canyon Trail in Rainbow Basin Natural Area

A place called Rainbow Basin Natural Area certainly suggests a glorious radiance of color, and this remarkable desert area north of Barstow doesn’t disappoint. A hike on Owl Canyon Trail takes you on a journey through the sunburnt oranges and deep reds of its sandstone formations, coupled with the green and turquoise shades of its siltstones and ghostly white limestones. They combine in a pageant of sedimentary layers folded diagonally over each other known as the Barstow Syncline. Owl Canyon’s grand open spaces, towering canyon walls, and curvaceous slots are definitely a high-desert highlight.

Officially, Owl Canyon Trail is a 2-mile (round-trip) outing whose terminus is marked by an orange flag with the words “The End.” But if you climb a five-foot dry fall and rock-bound your way into the slot canyon to the left of that flag, you’ll find a whole new leg of the trail that leads another mile into the basin. Call it a rainbow connection! This is where the colors really become vibrant as you enter into an open red canyon that concludes at a turquoise cliff face. Continue past the cliff face and you’ll see an open space of rolling hills and cliffs hanging above where the Barstow Syncline is prominently displayed.

Two miles into the hike you’ll exit the canyon, and the landscape quickly shifts back into standard-issue Mojave Desert rolling hills. Marking this spot is a single Joshua tree on a hill standing above a fork in the trail. Turn back here for a fulfilling 4-mile trek, or continue exploring the vast network of paths in the Rainbow Basin Natural Area.

TIP: At the 0.7-mile mark is a small cave that acts as a secret passageway into another area of the canyon with a cool view of a jutting cliff face. It’s a short distance from end to end, but it’s definitely worth bringing a flashlight to enjoy this nifty detour.

Rainbow Basin Natural Area is about 8 miles north of Barstow. From I-15 in Barstow, exit on L Ave. and head north. Turn right on Main St. and then left on 1st Ave. From there it’s a left on Irwin Rd., and another left on Fossil Bed Rd. From here on, it’s all smooth dirt. Turn right on Rainbow Basin Rd. and right again on Owl Canyon Rd. These roads are clearly marked. Take Owl Canyon Rd. through Owl Canyon Campground to its end, where you can park at the signed trailhead. No fee unless you’re camping overnight. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View