Last updated: February 13, 2024
Thing to Do
Boy Scout Trail Zone Backpacking
NPS / Hannah Schwalbe
With stunning landscapes, scenic vistas, and hundreds of square miles of designated wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park offers outstanding backpacking opportunities. Backpacking is only recommended for those with the proper backcountry skills and gear. Camping is only permitted in specified backcountry zones and designated campgrounds. Camping is not allowed at trailheads, along roadsides, and in day-use areas.
The Boy Scout Trail Zone encompasses the popular 7.8-mile Boy Scout Trail. Due to its heavy use, backpackers are required to camp in a designated campsite. If you do not have a permit for the Boy Scout Trail Zone, you are allowed to backpack through the zone, but you can not camp in the zone. This zone ranges from ~2800 feet in Indian Cove to ~4000 feet at the Boy Scout backcountry trailhead. It offers sweeping landscape vistas and intimate views of the Wonderland of Rocks, an area filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and boulder piles.
Trails: The Boy Scout Trail and Big Pine Trail.
Permits: A permit is required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. A permit costs $6 and allows for a group size of 1 to 12 people to stay up to 14 nights. Permittees are allowed to stay up to three consecutive nights in an individual zone. Permits may be booked up to 6 months in advance. They can be acquired in one of three ways:
1. Visit recreation.gov and book a permit online.
2. Call 1-877-444-6777 and book a permit through a Recreation.gov agent.
3. Visit the permit office at our headquarters located at 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA. It is located in office building 100 near the flag pole. The permit office is open 8 am – 4 pm. In person same-day permits will be available up until 4 pm at the permit office. Permit office hours may be subject to change based on demand and staff availability.
Check out our Backpacking Webpage for more information on rules and regulations, backcountry zones, and booking a permit.
Details
Duration
2-15 Days
Activity
Backcountry Camping
Backpack along the Boy Scout Trail.
Pets Allowed
No
Activity Fee
Yes
A permit costs $6 and allows for a group size of 1 to 12 people to stay up to 14 nights. Reservations can be made on recreation.gov.
Reservations
Yes
A permit is required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Permits may be booked up to 6 months in advance. They can be acquired in one of three ways:
1. Visit recreation.gov and book a permit online. 2. Call 1-877-444-6777 and book a permit through a Recreation.gov agent. 3. Visit the permit office at our headquarters located at 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA. It is located in office building 100 near the flag pole. The permit office is open 8 am – 4 pm. In person same-day permits will be available up until 4 pm at the permit office. Permit office hours may be subject to change based on demand and staff availability.
1. Visit recreation.gov and book a permit online. 2. Call 1-877-444-6777 and book a permit through a Recreation.gov agent. 3. Visit the permit office at our headquarters located at 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA. It is located in office building 100 near the flag pole. The permit office is open 8 am – 4 pm. In person same-day permits will be available up until 4 pm at the permit office. Permit office hours may be subject to change based on demand and staff availability.
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Any Time
Accessibility Information
The Boy Scout Trail is a dirt trail with both hard-packed and sandy sections, as well as rocks, vegetation, and other obstacles. Manual wheelchairs are allowed on the trail but it is recommended to check on trail conditions at a visitor center first. More accessibility information is available here.
Service animals are allowed but must be kept on a leash and all human food and waste rules apply to service animals as well. More information on service animals is available here.
Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed on trails.