Saddleback Butte State Park

California State Parks, Mojave Area Updates Antelope Valley Indian Museum: Indoor museums are currently closed in Los Angeles County until further notice per Health Officer Order. Upon reopening, the museum will have COVID safety protocols in place until all restrictions are lifted. http://AVIM.parks.ca.gov ...Continue reading

Happy Holidays from Saddleback Butte State Park!

Did you know that we have native species of mistletoe here in the Mojave? They are hemiparasitic plants, meaning they take water and nutrients from their host. ...Their sticky seeds are dispersed by birds who deposit them on branches where they germinate and take hold. Despite potentially detrimental effects on their host plants, mistletoes are an important part of the desert ecosystem and have been for thousands of years. They themselves are host plants for the giant purple hairstreak butterfly, and their berries are an important winter food source for Phainopepla and other birds. The snags created after mistletoes overtake their host provide important habitat for animals. Fragments of mistletoes have been found in desert packrat middens dating back more than 8,000 years! Here are mistletoe species found in the Mojave Desert: >>>Dense mistletoe (Phoradendron bolleanum) This mistletoe is found on juniper. >>>Desert mistletoe, mesquite mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) Common throughout the Mojave and Colorado deserts where it is parasitic on several members of the legume family including mesquite, catclaw, and palo verde. >>>Juniper mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum) Parasitizes juniper trees. >>>American mistletoe, oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucocarpum) In the Mojave, this species is most commonly found on desert scrub oak (Quercus cornelius-mulleri).This is the one used as a decoration at Christmastime! Although the translucent white fruits are relished by birds, they are toxic to humans. Special thanks to Keir Morse and Neal Kramer for giving permission to use their amazing photos. See more

Update December 7, 2020: California has issued a Regional Stay at Home Order to stop the surge of COVID-19 cases and prevent a strain on the health care system. This action will help protect critical care for patients. While the order includes the closure of campground sites in impacted regions, the state also recognizes that mental health is physical health. As such, day use outdoor areas of park units currently open to the public will remain open. Members of the same house...Continue reading

The January 1st 2021 hikes have been canceled due to the corona virus. Photo is from January 2020 First Day Hike on the Dowen Nature Trail.

Due to the critical need to stop the #COVID19 surge, state campground sites in the San Joaquin and So Cal regions will temporarily close. Affected reservation holders will be contacted by ReserveCalifornia via email. Cancellations and refunds will be automatic. Day use areas in park units currently open to the public will remain open. Please remember to stay local, plan ahead to find out what is open, wear a face covering, practice physical distancing and avoid gatherings with people outside the immediate household. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

This upcoming Tuesday: #CAStateParks #SaddlebackButte #AVIndianMuseum #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

With the new COVID-19 curfew order, we can imagine that many of you are wondering if it has any impact to camping in the State Parks System. Since campsites hav...e standard quiet and curfew hours, the curfew will not impact your camping experience. Additionally, current guidelines do not allow visitors to congregate with others outside their immediate household. #COVID19 is spreading quickly, creating even more dangerous conditions for essential workers that take care of us through this crisis. Thanks for your partnership as we collectively enable responsible recreation that protects the health of visitors and the dedicated parks staff. Details on the new curfew can be found online at www.covid19.ca.gov.