Last updated: May 3, 2024
Place
Ecology (Hidden Valley)
NPS / Alison Taggart-Barone
Quick Facts
Location:
Joshua Tree National Park
Significance:
Picnic Area and Trailhead
Amenities
11 listed
Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Table, Recycling, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead, Trash Dumpster, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible
The Hidden Valley Trail is a one-mile loop hike through a scenic valley surrounded by large rock formations. The trail is excellent for families and offers exciting opportunities for rock scrambling. Along the trail are educational signs about local plants and animals. Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, the valley was used by cattle rustlers looking to stay “hidden”. As you hike the trail, look for Cow Rock, a cow-shaped rock formation on a wall overlooking the valley.
The trail is considered easy but there are stairs and rock steps at the beginning and ending of the trail. This is a popular hike, and on busy days, the parking lot can fill up quickly. We recommend starting this hike by 9 am during busy weekends and holidays. Hidden Valley Trail has very little shade and no cell service. Before hiking, tell a safety buddy where you are going and when you plan on leaving the park.
Nearby, is the Hidden Valley Picnic Area. Located in an area of large rock formations with many Joshua trees, there are many picnic tables and grills available. The parking area and sidewalks with access to the pit toilets are paved while the areas around the picnic tables are flat dirt areas. The picnic area is a short walk from the Hidden Valley Trailhead.