Introduction

Vast desert landscapes. Bizarre plant life. And rock gardens are perfect for climbing.

That about sums up Joshua Tree National Park, quickly becoming one of the most popular national parks in the United States.

There’s something for everyone here, with:

• trails ranging from simple to strenuous
• easily accessible rock formations
• an epic scenic overlook
• old pioneer history dotted across the open desert
• And did we mention the Joshua Trees?

These giants, bendy succulents are just one of the many unusual species of plant that call this park home.

These ‘trees,’ found nearly everywhere in the park’s western half, truly leave their mark on this unusual desert terrain.

We here at Shaka Guide have prepared an itinerary that covers the whole park.

Our tour’s 19 stops include the highlights and an inclusive variety of sites that cater to all ages and abilities. 

Our tour includes five different entry points, so no matter what direction you're coming from, or which entrance you'd like to use, we have you covered.  Much of the tour is on a large loop that follows Park Boulevard and Route 62 outside the park. The loop works in either direction, to allow for maximum flexibility. You’ll stop to see unique desert plants, and hike to scenic vistas and sights along beautiful walking trails.  

There are no services within the park. So, part of our tour loop includes leaving the park and entering the towns of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree. Both are an ideal spot for lunch, gas, or supplies. 

The route continues through more beautiful rock gardens, where the Joshua Trees grow to their fullest.

Itinerary

If you plan to pick a couple of small hikes and stop at most, if not all our recommended stops, then this tour is meant to be completed within a day.

But, if you have the time, and you want a more comprehensive Joshua Tree experience, this itinerary could fill out two days.

We recommend starting early and getting to the park by 9 a.m.

This timing will help you beat the heat, and arrive in the towns of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree midway through the tour, around lunchtime. 

Because there are three park entrances, and five entry points to the tour, there's no one order of stops. The itinerary here follows the tour entering from the South Entrance.

1. Lost Palms Oasis Trailhead

Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 4 hours

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 prepare 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.

2. Cottonwood Visitor Center

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 10 minutes

Pay the park fee here, use the restrooms, or ask the rangers questions.

3. Ocotillo Patch

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 10 minutes

Learn more about the quirky ocotillo plant in this little pull-off.

4. Cholla Cactus Garden Trailhead

Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 15 minutes

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.

5. Arch Rock

Robb Hannawacker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 30 minutes

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!

6. Skull Rock

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 15 minutes

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.

7. Split Rock Loop Trail

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 1-2 hours

Hike through iconic rock formations on this easy trail.

8. Oasis of Mara

Robb Hannawacker, while working for Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 15-30 minutes

Use the restroom, browse the gift shop, and enjoy a brief trail around an oasis.

9. Joshua Tree Cultural Center

Approximate time: 20 minutes

Ask questions, view exhibits, and maybe buy a souvenir or two at Joshua Tree’s newest visitor center.

10. Joshua Tree Visitor Center

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 5 minutes

This is the last chance to stop before re-entering the park for information. Stop to use the restroom or grab a quick bite to eat.

11. Hidden Valley Nature Trail

Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 30-45 minutes

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.

12. Intersection Rock

Jarek Tuszy?ski / CC-BY-SA-3.0 & GDFL, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 10 minutes

This iconic rock is a great stop for selfies, with many of the same sorts of cool rocks and desert plants as Hidden Valley, but with no hike required.

13. Barker Dam Nature Trail

Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 30-60 minutes

The short, easy walk out to the Barker Dam is beautiful, but during the monsoon season, it affords something rarely found in Joshua Tree: water.

And with it, the chance to see birds and animals one might miss otherwise.

14. Wall Street Mill Trail

Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 45-60 minutes

Wall Street Mill was one of many stamp mills in the area, a part of Joshua Tree history.

You can explore its ruins, as well as the remnants of a homestead.

15. Ryan Mountain Trailhead

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 1-2 hours

Ryan Mountain is one of the park’s best hikes and affords adventurers a 360-degree view of the valley and surrounding area. 

16. Hall of Horrors

Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 10 minutes

Yet another cool rock formation of rounded gneiss boulders in the middle of the desert.

17. Cap Rock

Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 10 minutes

The site of an attempted (and ill-fated) 1970s funeral, Cap Rock is one of many iconic gneiss formations in the park.  

18. Lost Horse Mine

Ciar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 1-2 hours

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.  

19. Keys View

King of Hearts / CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Approximate time: 15-30 minutes

This lovely overlook offers gorgeous sunset views over Palm Springs, and you can also see the San Andreas Fault.

Conclusion

Then, you can exit the park wherever and whenever you'd like. With the tour route's big loop, it's easy to make a big circle and exit the way you entered, or enter one way, and exit another.

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Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Joshua Tree National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Joshua Tree National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.

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