Joshua Tree Hiking Trails
Much of the hiking in Joshua Tree National Park is a backcountry affair, over general routes more than official hiking trails. However, there are also a good number of nature trails and shorter hikes on actual trails. Do not underestimate the power of the desert heat. From about May through September, temperatures commonly reach the century mark. Take water on hikes of any length, even the short nature trails included below. Hiking distances given below are total, roundtrip distances unless otherwise stated. Difficulties are only a general guideline, for an adult in good condition, and do not take into account trail length.
(click map to open very large locator map of the hikes below)
Arch Rock
Trailhead
#1 - White Tank Campground
This hike begins from the
White Tank Campground, located off the
Pinto Basin Road 2.7 miles from its intersection with
Park Boulevard. This is a short and very easy nature trail that leads to an interesting arch formation in the rock. The view above requires a bit of climbing around.
Barker Dam Nature Trail
Trailhead
#2 - Barker Dam parking area
This hike begins from the Barker Dam parking area, which is on a side road off of
Park Boulevard 9.1 miles from the West Entrance. This is an easy loop trail that visits one of the short attempts at taming this region for ranching. The dam produced a water reservoir which still exists today.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Trailhead
#3 - Cholla Garden parking area
This hike begins from the Cholla Garden parking area, located along the
Pinto Basin Road 10 miles from its intersection with
Park Boulevard. This is a short and very easy walk into an unusually dense growth of "jumping" cholla cactus. The Pinto Mountain Range provides a dramatic backdrop.
Cottonwood Spring
Trailhead
#4 - Cottonwood Spring parking area
This hike begins from the Cottonwood Spring parking area, which is at the end of a 1.2 mile long side road off of
Pinto Basin Road 5.9 miles from the South Entrance. This is an easy trail that leads a half mile into the rare desert oasis of Cottonwood Spring. Green vegetation crowds the area around the desperately needed water.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Trailhead
#5 - Hidden Valley parking area
This hike begins from the Hidden Valley parking area, just off of
Park Boulevard 8.9 miles from the West Entrance. This is an easy hike into a small "valley" encircled by rocks and boulders. Rock climbers can frequently be seen scaling the rocks in this area.
Keys View Loop & Inspiration Peak
Trailhead
#6 - Keys View parking area
This hike begins from the Keys View parking area at the end of the 5.4 mile long Keys View Road. This is the highest elevation trail in the park, and provides continuous panoramas of the surrounding area. The loop trail itself is pretty easy, with an increase in difficulty with the side trail climbing Inspiration Peak, but the views are worth it.
Ryan Mountain
Trailhead
#7 - Ryan Mountain parking area
This hike begins from the Ryan Mountain parking area, located along
Park Boulevard 12.9 miles from the North Entrance. This is a difficult hike to the top of Ryan Mountain. It is steep almost immediately from its start, and remains that way to the top. Doing this hike in the heat of a summer day is not a good idea.
Skull Rock Nature Trail
Trailhead
#8 - Skull Rock parking / Jumbo Rocks Campground
This hike begins from either the Skull Rock parking area located along
Park Boulevard 7.5 miles from the North Entrance, or from within the
Jumbo Rocks Campground. This is an easy walk through the rocky desert and visits Skull Rock on its way, although this bizarre rock formation can easily be seen right from the parking area.
