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Ritter Ranch Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · Running trail in Palmdale, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Ritter Ranch Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

This park offers over 4,000 acres of mountain & desert terrain with trails for hikers & cyclists.

What runners say about Ritter Ranch Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (40 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Super pretty, great scenic views of either side of the mountain and peaceful because of how remote it is.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Super pretty, great scenic views of either side of the mountain and peaceful because of how remote it is.”

We entered from the south. Since Boiling Point Road is blocked by a gate, you have to hike in 1.55 miles to reach the trail. The loop and the hike in and out makes it about 7.7 miles. We took Boiling Point to Ritter Motorway to Ana Verde Motorway and return reaching an altitude of 4,856 feet with a gain of 2,900 feet.

★★★★★ — Patrick , Nov 2015

Intermediate to Advanced mountain bike climbing trails. Will kept at least 3 miles from the base to the top. This is an undeveloped Park. No water fountains no restrooms. Just an excellent leg workout.

★★★★★ — Stevie , Feb 2017

I really like this place. I like that its a different terrain scene from your usual palmdale desert. Gorgeous green rolling hills. I like that you can stray away from the trail and still be safe. Yes it's true that people don't clean up their own dog poop but. It's so nice in the morning.

★★★★★ — Susana , Jan 2018

Great place to hike and see a wide view of Antelope Valley to the north, and Acton/Agua Dulce to the south

★★★★★ — C , Mar 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“Great place to hike and see a wide view of Antelope Valley to the north, and Acton/Agua Dulce to the south”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Super pretty, great scenic views of either side of the mountain and peaceful because of how remote it is.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“No water fountains no restrooms.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Ritter Ranch Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • Websitemrca.ca.gov
  • Phone(310) 589-3200
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9 PM
Friday 6 AM–9 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6 AM–9 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Ritter Ranch Park

4010 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Palmdale, CA 93551

Get directions

Running trails near Palmdale

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Marie Kerr Park

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Public park with a pool, skate park, playground, ballfields, athletic courts, amphitheater & BBQs.

5.1 miles away

All running trails in Palmdale, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.