Hiking and Trails in Joshua Tree

Kyle
Hiking and Trails in Joshua Tree

Sightseeing

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Skull Rock
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The local cholla is my favorite of the desert cacti, and the cholla garden has tons. One of my favorite locations in all of JT. Just a heads up, it takes awhile to drive to as it's near the back of the national park.
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Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
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The local cholla is my favorite of the desert cacti, and the cholla garden has tons. One of my favorite locations in all of JT. Just a heads up, it takes awhile to drive to as it's near the back of the national park.
At the end of a scenic drive into Joshua Tree National Park, this high point overlooking the Coachella Valley offers an expansive vista that includes 11,500 ft Mt San Gorgonio, 10,800 ft Mt San Jacinto, and the -230 ft, below-sea-level Salton Sea. On a rare clear day it’s possible to see into Mexico.
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Keys View
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At the end of a scenic drive into Joshua Tree National Park, this high point overlooking the Coachella Valley offers an expansive vista that includes 11,500 ft Mt San Gorgonio, 10,800 ft Mt San Jacinto, and the -230 ft, below-sea-level Salton Sea. On a rare clear day it’s possible to see into Mexico.
A prime spot for birding and the chance to catch glimpses of desert bighorn sheep, Barker Dam was built by a cattle company in 1902 and forms a small reservoir set among the formations near the Wonderland of Rocks. The dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s a surprising and beautiful spot, accessible via an easy 1.3-mile loop hike that also leads to petroglyph panels. Ranger-led tours also explore the area.
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Barker Dam
Joshua Tree Parkway
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A prime spot for birding and the chance to catch glimpses of desert bighorn sheep, Barker Dam was built by a cattle company in 1902 and forms a small reservoir set among the formations near the Wonderland of Rocks. The dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s a surprising and beautiful spot, accessible via an easy 1.3-mile loop hike that also leads to petroglyph panels. Ranger-led tours also explore the area.
Split Rock Loop Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a moderate loop trail that we’ve been really enjoying lately. We find that it’s not as trafficked as other trails in the park (like Hidden Valley or Barker Dam), but offers similar beauty (think rock formations, Joshua Trees, and incredible views). Length 1.9 mile loop. Split Rock takes a little over an hour to hike, but ideally plan for a little longer so you can stop to sit on a boulder and enjoy the views. We love to take a picnic on the trail and stop halfway to enjoy the view. How to Access We prefer to use the North entrance to access Split Rock trail, though you could use the West entrance as well (but it’s further, and the West entrance tends to be the busier entrance). From the North entrance, you’ll drive about 7.3 miles into the park. Turn right onto Split Rock from Park Blvd. The trail is immediately off of the parking area.
Split Rock
Split Rock Loop Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a moderate loop trail that we’ve been really enjoying lately. We find that it’s not as trafficked as other trails in the park (like Hidden Valley or Barker Dam), but offers similar beauty (think rock formations, Joshua Trees, and incredible views). Length 1.9 mile loop. Split Rock takes a little over an hour to hike, but ideally plan for a little longer so you can stop to sit on a boulder and enjoy the views. We love to take a picnic on the trail and stop halfway to enjoy the view. How to Access We prefer to use the North entrance to access Split Rock trail, though you could use the West entrance as well (but it’s further, and the West entrance tends to be the busier entrance). From the North entrance, you’ll drive about 7.3 miles into the park. Turn right onto Split Rock from Park Blvd. The trail is immediately off of the parking area.
Amboy Crater is an extinct volcano that last erupted around 10,000 years ago and located off historic Route 66. Length The trail is about 3 miles there and back with an elevation gain of 275 feet. The trail takes about 1.5-2 hours to hike. There is no shade to be found here so always bring water, proper hiking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. How to Access Amboy Crater The trail is located right off the parking lot and is clearly labeled. From Joshua Tree, head east towards Twentynine Palms. Turn left on Adobe Road and after 2 miles, turn right onto Amboy Road. Drive through Wonder Valley on Amboy Road for 47 miles and you’ll see the Crater as you enter Amboy. On the way, you’ll drive by the Salt Mines and when you head back, stop at the Palms for a drink or a meal.
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Amboy Crater
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Amboy Crater is an extinct volcano that last erupted around 10,000 years ago and located off historic Route 66. Length The trail is about 3 miles there and back with an elevation gain of 275 feet. The trail takes about 1.5-2 hours to hike. There is no shade to be found here so always bring water, proper hiking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. How to Access Amboy Crater The trail is located right off the parking lot and is clearly labeled. From Joshua Tree, head east towards Twentynine Palms. Turn left on Adobe Road and after 2 miles, turn right onto Amboy Road. Drive through Wonder Valley on Amboy Road for 47 miles and you’ll see the Crater as you enter Amboy. On the way, you’ll drive by the Salt Mines and when you head back, stop at the Palms for a drink or a meal.
Ryan Mountain Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a moderate to challenging hike with an elevation gain of 1,060 feet. The first half of the trail can be pretty steep, but the whole trail has incredible views of Joshua Tree. The trail itself is a total of 2.9 miles and is clearly marked. It is best done during the fall, winter, and spring seasons and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours total. Length 2.9 miles there and back. Takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike, depending on how long you want to stay and enjoy the expansive views. How to Access Use the west entrance and drive about 12.7 miles into the park. Turn right into the Ryan Mountain parking area. The trail is immediately off of the parking area.
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Ryan Mountain Trail
Ryan Mountain Trail
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Ryan Mountain Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a moderate to challenging hike with an elevation gain of 1,060 feet. The first half of the trail can be pretty steep, but the whole trail has incredible views of Joshua Tree. The trail itself is a total of 2.9 miles and is clearly marked. It is best done during the fall, winter, and spring seasons and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours total. Length 2.9 miles there and back. Takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike, depending on how long you want to stay and enjoy the expansive views. How to Access Use the west entrance and drive about 12.7 miles into the park. Turn right into the Ryan Mountain parking area. The trail is immediately off of the parking area.
Arch Rock Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a great short hike and one of our most frequent hikes in the summer season due to its short length and infinite beauty. Length 0.5 mile loop. Takes about 20 minutes to hike, but you can spend an hour exploring the rocks. How to Access Use the north entrance of the park in Twentynine Palms and drive about 4.9 miles down Park Blvd, and take a slight left at Pinto Basin Rd. Continue down Pinto Basin Rd for about 2.7 miles and turn left into White Tank Campground Rd (We almost always drive by it since the sign doesn’t give you much heads up!). Enter the campground and turn left when you arrive at the bathroom. The trail head is past a few campsites near campsite #9.
Arch Rock
Arch Rock Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a great short hike and one of our most frequent hikes in the summer season due to its short length and infinite beauty. Length 0.5 mile loop. Takes about 20 minutes to hike, but you can spend an hour exploring the rocks. How to Access Use the north entrance of the park in Twentynine Palms and drive about 4.9 miles down Park Blvd, and take a slight left at Pinto Basin Rd. Continue down Pinto Basin Rd for about 2.7 miles and turn left into White Tank Campground Rd (We almost always drive by it since the sign doesn’t give you much heads up!). Enter the campground and turn left when you arrive at the bathroom. The trail head is past a few campsites near campsite #9.
Willow Hole trail in Joshua Tree National Park is unlike any other trail we’ve hiked in the desert. Once you arrive to the turnaround point of the trail—Willow Hole—you’ll be surrounded by lush green vegetation that feels surreal to the area. As one of the few oases to visit in Joshua Tree, it’s also a great place to see wildlife such as big horn sheep. A moderate hike with a small elevation gain of around 250 feet, this trail takes about 4 hours to hike. In order to access Willow Hole trail, you’ll first hike about 1.2 miles down Boy Scout trail. You’ll start off walking by many Joshua trees with the Wonderland of Rocks off in the distance. After you turn onto the Willow Hole Trail, you’ll find yourself in a wash surrounded by amazing rock formations, juniper trees, prickly pears, and red barrel cactus. The sandy wash can be tough to walk through, so make sure to bring comfortable sneakers for the trek. After about 3.4 miles, the trail dead ends at Willow Hole where you’ll find lush Willow trees and occasionally water. This is the perfect spot to take a rest before heading back towards the beginning of the trail.
Willow Hole
Willow Hole trail in Joshua Tree National Park is unlike any other trail we’ve hiked in the desert. Once you arrive to the turnaround point of the trail—Willow Hole—you’ll be surrounded by lush green vegetation that feels surreal to the area. As one of the few oases to visit in Joshua Tree, it’s also a great place to see wildlife such as big horn sheep. A moderate hike with a small elevation gain of around 250 feet, this trail takes about 4 hours to hike. In order to access Willow Hole trail, you’ll first hike about 1.2 miles down Boy Scout trail. You’ll start off walking by many Joshua trees with the Wonderland of Rocks off in the distance. After you turn onto the Willow Hole Trail, you’ll find yourself in a wash surrounded by amazing rock formations, juniper trees, prickly pears, and red barrel cactus. The sandy wash can be tough to walk through, so make sure to bring comfortable sneakers for the trek. After about 3.4 miles, the trail dead ends at Willow Hole where you’ll find lush Willow trees and occasionally water. This is the perfect spot to take a rest before heading back towards the beginning of the trail.
Trail Info 3 miles round trip, and takes about 2 hours (not including the time for a picnic lunch at the oasis) How to Access Headed east on Route 62, turn right onto Canyon Road. Follow Canyon Road as it turns slightly to the left and turns into Fourtynine Palms Canyon Road. Follow this road until it dead ends at the trail head parking lot. Finding the Trail You will clearly see the beginning of the trail from the parking lot.
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Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail
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Trail Info 3 miles round trip, and takes about 2 hours (not including the time for a picnic lunch at the oasis) How to Access Headed east on Route 62, turn right onto Canyon Road. Follow Canyon Road as it turns slightly to the left and turns into Fourtynine Palms Canyon Road. Follow this road until it dead ends at the trail head parking lot. Finding the Trail You will clearly see the beginning of the trail from the parking lot.
Trail Info 6.5 miles, and takes about 3-4 hours How to Access West Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, drive about 1.2 miles in and park just before mile marker 24 on the left hand side (you’ll see a small parking lot for about four cars) Finding the Trail The beginning of the trail is not incredibly well marked, but it’s easy to find if you know what to look for. Hike straight into the wash until you see trailhead signs. Turn right at these signs, and go a short ways until you see a sign for North View Trail at which point you will go left.
North View Trail
Trail Info 6.5 miles, and takes about 3-4 hours How to Access West Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, drive about 1.2 miles in and park just before mile marker 24 on the left hand side (you’ll see a small parking lot for about four cars) Finding the Trail The beginning of the trail is not incredibly well marked, but it’s easy to find if you know what to look for. Hike straight into the wash until you see trailhead signs. Turn right at these signs, and go a short ways until you see a sign for North View Trail at which point you will go left.
Head down to Morongo Valley and visit this 31,000 acre preserve located on the border of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. There you’ll find a desert oasis fed from natural springs with many trails and handicap accessible boardwalks. While you’re down in Morongo Valley, make sure to stop by Cactus Mart. Length There are many short trails in the preserve and we recommend taking your time to wander and explore. The Marsh Trail brings you on a 6 foot wide boardwalk through the diverse ecosystem with great birdwatching. How to Access 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley, CA 92256 The preserve is open from 7:30am until sunset. Drive to Morongo Valley and follow the signs that point to the Preserve.
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Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
11055 East Drive
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Head down to Morongo Valley and visit this 31,000 acre preserve located on the border of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. There you’ll find a desert oasis fed from natural springs with many trails and handicap accessible boardwalks. While you’re down in Morongo Valley, make sure to stop by Cactus Mart. Length There are many short trails in the preserve and we recommend taking your time to wander and explore. The Marsh Trail brings you on a 6 foot wide boardwalk through the diverse ecosystem with great birdwatching. How to Access 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley, CA 92256 The preserve is open from 7:30am until sunset. Drive to Morongo Valley and follow the signs that point to the Preserve.
Head up to Pioneertown and you’ll find gorgeous boulder formations and Joshua Trees reminiscent of the landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park. Pioneertown Mountain Preserve‘s 20,000 acres is the largest non-profit wilderness in California. Last winter while looking for snow we headed up to Chaparrosa Peak Spur Trail, and snapped the above photo amidst the dreamy landscape we found there. On the way back, stop at Pappy & Harriet’s for dinner and live music. Length 3.3 miles to the peak, where you’ll find views of Pioneertown, Flat Top Mesa, Morongo Basin and San Jacinto. This hike is moderate to difficult with elevation gains of over 1000ft. How to Access 51010 Pipes Canyon Road, Pioneertown, CA 92268 The preserve is open from sunrise until sunset. Drive to Indian Loop and park. The trails begin near the Ranger’s station.
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Pioneertown Mountains Preserve
51010 Pipes Canyon Rd
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Head up to Pioneertown and you’ll find gorgeous boulder formations and Joshua Trees reminiscent of the landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park. Pioneertown Mountain Preserve‘s 20,000 acres is the largest non-profit wilderness in California. Last winter while looking for snow we headed up to Chaparrosa Peak Spur Trail, and snapped the above photo amidst the dreamy landscape we found there. On the way back, stop at Pappy & Harriet’s for dinner and live music. Length 3.3 miles to the peak, where you’ll find views of Pioneertown, Flat Top Mesa, Morongo Basin and San Jacinto. This hike is moderate to difficult with elevation gains of over 1000ft. How to Access 51010 Pipes Canyon Road, Pioneertown, CA 92268 The preserve is open from sunrise until sunset. Drive to Indian Loop and park. The trails begin near the Ranger’s station.