Bajada Trailhead

Trailhead for the Bajada Nature Trail

NPS / Preston Jordan Jr.

Quick Facts

Location:

Joshua Tree National Park

Amenities

5 listed

Information, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Trailhead

The Bajada Nature Trail is a short, flat, quarter-mile nature trail that meanders through common vegetation found in the Colorado Desert. Along the trail are interpretive signs highlighting different plants and their adaptations and uses. The trail is located near the southern boundary of the park, south of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. It is much lower in elevation than most of the park and offers a unique showcase of plants highly adapted to extreme heat and little rain.

Occasionally, after wet winters, this trail will offer vibrant displays of wildflowers in February and March. For more information on wildflowers, visit our Wildflower Viewing Page. 
 
This trail offers little to no shade so make sure to bring proper sun protection. 

Stats

• Length: 0.25 miles
• Surface material: hard-packed sand
• Elevation gain: 20 feet
• This is a loop trail

Barriers

Transitioning from the parking lot to the ramp and then off the ramp onto trail may invlolve changes in the level exceeding 1 inch, depending on weather condiitons. There is a narrow section of the trail where you must go over a boardwalk section. 

Parking 

There are:

• 1 standard accessible spaces
• 10 other spaces

Restrooms 

The nearest restroom is at Cottonwood Visitor Center, approximately 5.6 miles to the north on Pinto Basin Road.