Hiking opportunities are abundant in Joshua Tree National Park. These trails range from leisurely nature trails to lengthier treks with everything in between. Some dazzle with epic topography, and some tracks examine the park’s mining history. Still, hiking back-to-back-to-back days, the views can sometimes be monotonous. Thus our choices offer you the most variety between landscapes, the information you won’t get from the park map. So, lace those trail shoes, and get wandering with our top picks for the best hikes in Joshua Tree.
Arch Rock
This hike features a giant natural rock formation about 30 ft across and is an easy 1.4-mile out-and-back. The main attraction on this trail is the natural arch made of rock, hence the trail’s name. However, this trail is unique because it is encircled by so many other super incredible rock formations and another famous one, Heart Rock. Although sorry to break your heart (hehe), Heart rock is underwhelming and is not worth looking for.
Keys Ranch
Key’s Ranch would not be considered a hike. It’s more of a guided walking tour, but I include it because it’s a must-see part of the park. You have to make a reservation with the parks department online to access it. Once purchased, you will get instructions to a gate where a park ranger will meet you. You’ll follow the park ranger’s little white truck to the Ranch. Prepare to be greeted by the caretaker of the Ranch and his super friendly companion and the only dog allowed in Joshua Tree National Park.
The ranger will give you a fascinating history of the family that used to live and work here. The buildings are all well-preserved and lay beautifully set against the backdrop of the desert. Everything almost seems like an art installation, even the piles of junk parts. Seriously, you could come home with a photo album of just pictures of old wheels. (Just me? Okay.)
You’ll learn how people survived in the desert’s small pockets of mining communities. Things like how they got water, where the kids went to school, and how they settled a vendetta with their neighbor. Got your attention with the last one? Take the tour; you’ll understand the story then.
Hidden Valley Trail
Hidden Valley Trail is a comfortable, quick but stunning introduction to Joshua Tree National Park. This 1 Mile loop trail is entertaining if you love desert topography and scrambling through boulders. Besides the fascinating desert plant life, wildflowers and wildlife, you’ll also encounter the towering boulders that Joshua Tree National Park is known for. It is also a famous climbing area among rock climbers.
Barker Dam
At 1.4 miles, the Barker Dam nature trail is a pretty easy hike. Along this trail, you will experience fantastic rock figures and pass exciting plant life and shrubs.
Approximately 0.4 miles into the trail, you will reach Barker Dam. The dam was created in 1900 and enhanced in the 1950s by the same guy that owned Key’s Ranch. Joshua Tree’s landscape is arid, so the dam was built to catch and hold some rainwater for agricultural purposes. Nowadays, the barrier draws various desert creatures and birds attempting to persist in an otherwise waterless terrain.
Another stop along this trail is a massive rock formation with Native American Petroglyphs that can be found carved into it.
Split Rock Loop Trail
Split Rock Loop Trail is a moderate loop trail. It’s less trafficked than other trails in the park but offers similar gorgeous rock formations and captivating views. Split Rock’s 1.9-mile loop takes slightly over an hour to hike but ideally, plan for a little longer so you can stop to take a seat on a boulder and appreciate the views.
Cholla Cactus Garden
If you are willing to get up early, Cholla Cactus Garden is the best place to see the sunrise.
The walkway leads into the garden and loops back to the parking lot. The trail is short and an easy walk. It’s only a 1/4 mile, but take your time and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Wear closed-toed shoes and watch out for pieces of the cactus or barbs on the ground.
Wall Street Mill
The Wall Street Mill Trail is 2 miles out and back. You’ll find a crumbling pink building called Wonderland Ranch along the way. Not much is known about the Ohlson family who lived here, although one report suggests that the tenants were lured to the area by the second gold rush in the 1930s.
In 1930, William Keys bought the parcel, filed a milling claim, and started developing the site to process gold ore. The mill stayed in operation until 1966. Throughout the trail, you’ll also encounter some compelling vintage vehicles lying deserted in the sand.
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail
One trail commonly skipped is the Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail. Not surprising, though, because the trailhead is actually located outside the park. While Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is part of the park, it does not require a park entry fee.
The trail begins with some immediate elevation gain through switchbacks in the rocky hillside. After about 300 feet of elevation gain, the rest of the way to the oasis is downhill. Throughout most of the trail, you’ll have great views of the surrounding valley.
You will be exposed to the sun the entire way. Even in the cooler months, you’ll want to bring sunscreen and plenty of water. There is a rather harsh sign at the beginning of the trail to remind you.
About halfway through the hike, you’ll spot some palm trees in the distance. As you get closer and closer, you’ll begin to hear the sounds of flowing water. That sound is palm leaves blowing in the wind, and this unexpected “music” gets very prominent as you get nearer to the oasis!
The oasis itself is a stunning spot in an otherwise dry desert. The location is fed from an underground water source formed along fault lines. The trees were initially planted by regional miners who used the trees to mark the water source in the early 20th century.
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Staying in Joshua Tree National Park
You can camp in Joshua Tree National Park, but I recommend looking into a few Airbnbs outside the park entrance. We stayed 5 minutes outside the Twentynine Palms entrance. Getting blasted with air conditioning after a long day of hiking felt divine. However, one negative was the lack of good places to eat compared to the city of Joshua Tree.
I wouldn’t recommend lodging in a hotel. They were comparatively priced to Airbnbs but not as pleasant.
How to get to Joshua Tree National Park
If you are traveling by air, you’ll want to fly into Palm Springs, California, and rent a car. It is about an hour’s drive to Joshua tree.
There are two main entrances to the park, one in Joshua Tree and the other in Twentynine Palms.
To avoid crowds, drive the extra 15 minutes past the city of Joshua tree to the Twentynine Palms. We never encountered any traffic entering the park from Twentynine Palms.
Side note: On your return flight, you’ll definitely want to grab a drink inside the airport, technically outside, as the bar is outdoors. It’s one of the finest airports we’ve flown in and out of.
Trail Tips
- Joshua Tree National Park is open 24/7. While you can get in and out of the park any hour of the day, I’d recommend getting to your first trailhead by at least 9 am to beat the crowds, even earlier to beat the heat.
- Make sure to fill your water bottle at the Visitors center before venturing out on trails. They also have Sunscreen if you forget yours, as we did 🙂
- No-duh, it gets hot in the desert. Visit Joshua Tree in Winter for the most tolerable temperatures.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.