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.
Here at Shaka Guide, we 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: 5 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. The trail is flat and an easy walk.
5. Arch Rock
Robb Hannawacker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 45 minutes
The Arch Rock trailhead is located at the Twin Tanks parking lot. The trail makes a lollipop as it heads east from the parking lot, and then ends with a loop that includes the Arch Rock formation.
The entire trail is 1.2 miles round trip and is considered an easy route, with very little elevation gain. Take the loop counterclockwise to make it easier to spot Arch Rock.
6. Split Rock Loop Trail
Approximate time: 1 hour
This loop trail through more rock formations is just over 2 2-mile round trip and is considered easy. However, be prepared to cross rocky terrain through fields of boulders.
7. Skull Rock
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
There is parking alongside the road next to Skull Rock, one of the most bizarre rock formations in the park.
However, if you're unable to find parking, you can also use the Skull Rock trail to access it.
There are entrances to the trail across the road from the Jumbo Rocks campground, the Skull Rock parking area, and the campground itself.
The total loop is 1.8 miles round trip and is considered easy. The trail is a mix of dirt paths and paved roads.
8. Ryan Mountain Trailhead
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 2-3 hours
The trail up to the summit of Ryan Mountain is popular for its sweeping views of the surrounding desert. However, the 3 mile round trip hike is considered moderate to difficult.
9. Hall of Horrors
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
An easy, half-mile loop circles this rock formation. Stay on existing trails to minimize your impact on the desert plants.
10. Cap Rock
Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Cap Rock gets its name from the boulder sitting on top of the rock formation, giving it the appearance of a hat, or cap.
An easy, half-mile loop circles around this rock formation, with interpretive signs along the way.
11. Lost Horse Mine
Ciar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 1-2 hours
It's 4 miles round trip to reach the Lost Horse Mine along the trail. Or, you can choose to do the entire loop trail, which is just over 6 miles. This trail is rated as moderate.
12. Keys View
King of Hearts / CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 15-30 minutes
This lovely overlook offers gorgeous views over Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. You can also see the San Andreas Fault. Though the view is good any time of day, sunsets are especially lovely.
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 easy, roughly mile-long hike out to the Barker Dam is beautiful, but during the monsoon season, it also affords a view of something rarely found in Joshua Tree: water. And with it, the chance to see birds and animals one might miss otherwise.
Don't forget to keep your eyes out for the petroglyphs up on a small cliff. The trail is a loop and is mostly flat, alternating between dirt path and going up and down boulders.
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, on a two-mile round-trip hike.
Though the hike is flat, there are some sandy areas that make parts of the hike more moderate in nature.
15. Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 30-45 minutes
This popular trail is a 1-mile loop through a hidden valley of rock gardens. Though it's considered easy, there are a small number of stairs or gentle rock climbs. There are some great, easy bouldering opportunities for youngsters.
16. Intersection Rock
Jarek Tuszy?ski / CC-BY-SA-3.0 & GDFL, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Intersection Rock has over 40 climbing routes, making it the most popular spot for rock climbing in the park.
There's not much of a trail, but you can enjoy watching rock climbers as they make their way to the top of this rock formation.
17. Joshua Tree Visitor Center
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Stop to use the restroom, fill up the water bottle, view the exhibits, or grab a quick bite to eat.
18. 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.
19. Oasis of Mara
Robb Hannawacker, while working for Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 15-30 minutes
A half mile, paved trail leaves from behind the visitor center building to an oasis of California fan palms. Interpretive signs identify the many species of desert plants found here. This is the easiest and most accessible trail on the tour.
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.
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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