Stop At: Bajada Nature Trail, 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA
A short trail introduces you to the desert’s plant and animal life.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Lost Palms Oasis Trail, Cottonwood Spring, California
This is a long hike through Joshua Tree’s southern Colorado Desert. It’s very scenic, but there’s little to no shade and can be brutally hot from spring to fall. Bring water and sun protection, but be prepared to be wowed by the landscape and the palm oasis at the trail’s end. You can also just take a brief look at the oasis by the trailhead, and move on to the next stop.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Cottonwood Visitor Center, Pinto Basin Rd, California 92277
Pay the park fee here, use the restrooms, or ask the rangers questions.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ocotillo Patch, Joshua Tree, California
Learn more about the quirky ocotillo plant in this little pull off.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cholla Cactus Garden, Pinto Basin Road, California
Teddy Bear chollas look furry and cute but nothing could be further from the truth: walk carefully among thousands of mature chollas along a short nature trail. Just don’t get poked, and wear good close-toed shoes.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Arch Rock Nature Trail, California 92277
This beautiful natural arch is one of the largest in the area and is a popular spot for photographers. Have fun climbing around the rocks!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Skull Rock, California
This popular boulder looks a bit like a skull that’s melted in the desert heat. Please park carefully, as the roadside plants are fragile.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Split Rock Loop Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
Hike through iconic rock formations on this easy trail.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Oasis of Mara, Oasis of Mara, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
Use the restroom, browse the gift shop, and enjoy a brief trail around an oasis.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Joshua Tree National Park Cultural Center, 6533 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms, California 92277
Ask questions, view exhibits, and maybe buy a souvenir or two at Joshua Tree’s newest visitor center.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Joshua Tree Visitor Center, 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, California 92252
This is the last chance to stop before re-entering the park for information, a flush toilet, or a quick bite to eat.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hidden Valley Nature Trail Trailhead, 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
This fun little nature trail is one of the park’s most popular hikes, with rock formations to climb on and plenty of cool desert flora to take pictures of.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Intersection Rock, Directly Across The Street From Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree, California 92277
Vault toilets are available.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Barker Dam Trail, North of Barker Dam parking area, California
Note, if you take the trail counterclockwise, make sure to turn left at the fork in the trail (just before the petroglyphs) to return to the Barker Dam parking lot. If you continue straight, you'll go to the Echo T parking lot, which is further away.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Wall Street Mill Trail, Wall Street Mill Trail, California 92277, USA
Vault toilets are available.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ryan Mountain Trail, Ryan Mountain Trail, California, USA
Ryan Mountain is one of the park’s best hikes, and affords adventurers a 360-degree view of the valley and surrounding area.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Hall of Horrors, Park Blvd, Hall of Horrors Area, California, California 92277
Yet another cool rock formation of rounded gneiss boulders in the middle of the desert.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cap Rock Trail, California 92277
The site of an attempted (and ill-fated) 1970s funeral, Cap Rock is one of many iconic gneiss formations in the park.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Lost Horse Mine, Lost Horse Mine Road, California
This moderate-level hike will bring you out to Lost Horse Mine, where gold ore was famously mined and stolen by one of Joshua Tree’s ne'er-do-wells, Johnny Lang.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Keys View, California
This lovely overlook offers gorgeous sunset views over Palm Springs, and you can also see the San Andreas Fault.
Duration: 30 minutes
