Please remember, pets are not permitted on any trails in the park, except for the paved Oasis of Mara Trail. For more information, visit Pets.
Leave information about your planned route and expected return time with a friend or family member before hiking. Check in with this person when you return. In an emergency, call 909-383-5651 or 911.
On any desert hike, remember the ten essentials:
water
food
layers of clothing
sun protection
first aid kit
sturdy shoes
navigation (map & compass)
pocket knife or multitool
flashlight or headlamp
emergency shelter
Backcountry Hiking
To learn more about backcountry hiking opportunities, such as Boy Scout Trail or California Riding and Hiking Trail, visit our backpacking page.
Short Walks and Nature Trails
These trails are recommended year-round and some are wheelchair accessible.
Trail
Trailhead Location
Distance
Estimated Time
Description
Bajada
South of Cottonwood Visitor Center; 0.5 mile (0.8 km) north of the South Entrance
0.25 mile (0.4 km)
15-20 minutes
Loop. Walk on a bajada and discover plants of the Colorado Desert on this easy, wheelchair-accessible path.
Barker Dam
Barker Dam parking area
1.1 miles (1.8 km)
1 hour
Loop. Explore cultural history and view a water tank built by early cattle ranchers. Watch for bighorn sheep.
Cap Rock
Cap Rock parking area, at the junction of Park Boulevard and Keys View Road
0.4 mils (0.6 km)
30-45 minutes
Loop. View boulder piles, Joshua trees, and other desert plants on this easy, wheelchair-accessible path.
Cholla Cactus Garden
20 miles (32 km) north of Cottonwood Visitor Center
0.25 mile (0.4 km)
15-30 minutes
Loop. View thousands of densely concentrated, naturally growing cholla cactus. Stay on the trail, where closed-toe shoes, and be aware of prickly cactus.
Cottonwood Spring
1 mile (1.5 km) east of Cottonwood Visitor Center
0.1 mile (0.2 km)
10 minutes
Short walk to fan palm oasis with cottonwood trees. Fantastic birding location with plentiful shade.
Discovery Trail
Skull Rock parking area just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground
0.7 mile (1.1 km)
30-45 minutes
Loop. Connects Skull Rock and Split Rock Loop trails at Face Rock. Easy hike through boulder piles and desert washes.
Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley picnic area
1 mile (1.6 km)
1 hour
Loop. Discover a rock-enclosed valley that was once rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers.
Hi-View
Northwest of Black Rock Campground
1.3 miles (2.1 km) from board at parking area. 3 miles (4.8 km) from visitor center.
1.5 hours
Loop. Discover the world of Joshua tree forests. Hike up a ridge on the western side of the park and take in panoramic views of the area. There are some steep sections, as well as a several benches to take a break and enjoy the view. Elevation change is about 400 feet.
Indian Cove
West end of Indian Cove Campground
0.6 miles (1 km)
30-45 minutes
Loop. Walk on a gently rolling path with a few steps. Take a closer look at desert plants and learn about their traditional uses by Native Americans.
Keys View
Keys View
0.25 miles (0.4 km)
30 minutes
Accessible overlook. Short, paved loop path is steeper and may be wheelchair accessible with assistance. Breathtaking views of the San Andreas Fault, Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio, and the Salton Sea.
Oasis of Mara
Oasis Visitor Center, Twentynine Palms
0.5 mile (0.8 km)
30-45 minutes
Loop. Explore a desert oasis on this easy, accessible walk. See how the Oasis of Mara has been used by wildlife and people throughout time. Wheelchair accessible. Pets on leash allowed.
Ryan Ranch
Ryan Ranch trailhead, about 0.5 mile (0.8 km) east of Ryan Campground
1 mile (1.6 km)
1 hour
Out and back. Enjoy an easy hike along an old ranch road and see a historic adobe structure.
Skull Rock
Skull Rock parking area just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground; also accessible from within Jumbo Rocks Campground
1.7 miles (2.7 km)
1-2 hours
Loop. Take an easy hike and explore boulder piles, desert washes, and of course the namesake Skull Rock.
Moderate Hikes
These hikes may not be recommended for summer. Use caution when hiking in the desert in the heat.
Trail
Trailhead Location
Distance
Estimated Time
Description
Fortynine Palms Oasis
Fortynine Palms parking area, accessed off Highway 62.
3 miles (4.8 km)
2-3 hours
Out and back. There is a 300 foot (91 m) elevation gain in both directions, as you hike up and over a ridge dotted with barrel cactus. Beyond the ridge, descend to a fan palm oasis in a rocky canyon. Avoid this trail when it's hot out.
Lost Horse Mine
Lost Horse Mine trailhead off Keys View Road
4 miles (6.4 km)
2-3 hours
Out and back. Explore around one of the most successful gold mines in the park. Stay outside the fenced area to protect the millsite and mine. For a longer option, see Lost Horse Loop, under Challenging Hikes. Elevation change is 550 feet.
Mastodon Peak
Cottonwood Spring parking area
3 miles (4.8 km)
1.5-2.5 hours
Loop. An optional rock scramble takes you to the top of a craggy granite peak. The trail then loops around past an old gold mine. Elevation change is about 375 feet.
Pine City
Pine City trailhead at end of Desert Queen Mine Road
4 miles (6.4 km)
2-3 hours
Out and back. The highlight of this fairly flat trail is a dense stand of junipers and pinyon. The trail also goes to an old mining site.
Split Rock Loop
Split Rock picnic area
2.5 miles (4 km)
1.5-2.5 hours
Loop. Distance includes safe trip to Face Rock.
West Side Loop
Black Rock
4.7 miles (7.6 km)
2.5-4 hours
Loop. Explore the ridge and washes west of Black Rock Campground.
Challenging Hikes - Do Not Attempt in the Heat
The following trails should not be attempted during the summer or whenever it is hot out, because they are extremely dangerous due to sun exposure, temperatures, and dehydration risks. Every year visitors have to be rescued and sometimes perish on these hikes.
Trail
Trailhead Location
Distance
Estimated Time
Description
Boy Scout Trail
North end: Indian Cove backcountry board. South end: Boy Scout Trailhead.
8 miles (12.9 km)
6 hours
One way. Go deep into the Wonderland of Rocks. Stay on trail to avoid getting lost among the boulders. Most hikers prefer to start at the south trailhead, inside the West Entrance, and finish at Indian Cove. Vehicle shuttle strongly recommended for hikers interested in doing the full length the trail.
California Riding and HIking Trail
Several
35 miles (56.3 km)
2-3 days to hike entire length
One way. Shorter hikes possible on sections of this long trail. Travel from Black Rock Canyon to the North Entrance of the park, passing through a variety of Mojave Desert landscapes.
Lost Horse Loop
Lost Horse Mine trailhead off Keys View Road
6.5 miles (10.5 km)
3-4 hours
Loop. For a shorter option, see Lost Horse Mine, under Moderate Hikes. Elevation changes is about 550 feet.
Lost Palms Oasis
Cottonwood Spring parking area
7.5 miles (12 km)
5-6 hours
Out and back. Enjoy sandy washes and rolling terrain, then hike down into a canyon to explore a remote fan palm oasis. Climbing back out the canyon is strenuous. Elevation change is about 500 feet.
Panorama Loop
Black Rock
6.6 miles (10.6 km)
3.5-4.5 hours
Loop. Gain about 1,100 feet (336 m) in elevation as you hike up a sandy wash, then follow the ridgeline of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Enjoy scenic views, dense Joshua tree forest, and pinyon-juniper woodland.
Ryan Mountain
Parking area between Sheep Pass and Ryan Campground
3 miles (4.8 km)
1.5-2.5 hours
Out and back. Gain 1,000 feet (304 m) in elevation as you hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain. This is one of the most popular hikes in the park.
Warren Peak
Black Rock
6.3 miles (10.1 km)
Out and back. Gain 1,000 feet (304 m) in elevation as you hike to the summit of Warren Peak. Enjoy panormaic views of the quiet western part of Joshua Tree
Willow Hole
Boy Scout Trailhead - south end inside the park
7.2 miles (11.5 km)
4 hours
Out and back. Mostly flat trail along the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. Travel through Joshua tree forests, boulder landscape, and sandy washes. Trail ends at willow trees.
