Sunset Hills Memorial Park is located in Apple Valley, California, tucked away in the Sycamore Rocks. Its most famous residents were a beloved on-screen and real-life couple: “King of the Cowboys” Roy Rogers and “Queen of the West” Dale Evans. After Roy’s passing, Dale was a frequent visitor at the Rogers Family Estate Garden, providing sweeping views of the Valley as she progressed through writing her books.
Ultimately, Dale approached Sunset Hills founder Chet Hitt in hopes of one day building a chapel in honor of her Roy. Hitt contended that a tribute to Roy would be incomplete without mentioning Dale, paving the way for the eventual Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Sunset Chapel. The chapel was opened on Feb. 19, 2007. At its opening ceremony, Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr. spoke about the “spirit of life and celebration” that his mother embodied and is ever present in the chapel. While celebrations of life are held here, the chapel has also frequently been used for weddings and charity events.
Today, Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary is nationally recognized for its natural and artificial rockscapes in addition to being an innovative and beautiful facility.
In addition to being named for Roy and Dale, the chapel also has brass reliefs of them at various points in their lives and careers adorning the doors.
Because of Roy and Dale ultimately being at rest on the grounds, many fans of theirs and fellow “cowboys and cowgirls” have either paid tribute to them by contributing to the construction of the chapel. Several graves and niches also include homages to them or the Western heritage.
Roy and Dale are at rest side by side on the grounds outside the chapel.
Dale Evans
(October 31, 1912 – February 7, 2001)
Born Frances Octavia Smith. She was an American actress, singer, and songwriter.
Roy Rogers
(November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998)
Born Leonard Franklin Slye. Nicknamed the “King of the Cowboys,” he was an American singer, actor, television host, and rodeo performer.
Fans from all over the world pay their respects to the couple to this day.
Fun Fact: A statue of Trigger, Roy’s horse, used to greet Sunset Hills Memorial Park’s visitors. Initially, it was at the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in the museum’s initial location in Apple Valley and then its relocation to Branson, Missouri. When the museum closed, the statue was saved from auction by Chet Hitt and relocated to Sunset Hills Memorial Park to mixed reactions by people with loved ones there. Some felt that this was a way of honoring Roy and Dale, while others were offended by the horse’s underside rearing up. The statue was restored after many moves and is now greets visitors at the Spirit River Center in Apple Valley, California, in addition to many homages to Roy and Dale at the visitor center.
Hometowns to Hollywood 