Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park | 15 Hiking Trails to Try

Are you looking for the best hikes in Joshua Tree? You might even wonder where Joshua Tree National Park got its name from. Though the cholla cactus is popular in the area, the namesake comes from the Joshua trees that dominate the area. 

These trees are fascinating specimens. But then again, aren’t most desert flora and fauna weird and wonderful? Spending a day or three at Joshua Tree National Park will allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the unusual and marvel at the seemingly barren landscape.

Perhaps your heart is set on glamping in Joshua Tree and hiking Ryan Mountain. Or perhaps you’re simply visiting Joshua Tree for the spectacular highlights you won’t find elsewhere, like the Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Hidden Valley, and more.  

No matter your agenda, you won’t regret exploring the national park along 15 of the best hikes in Joshua Tree.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

The town of Joshua Tree is conveniently close to the national park. So if you don’t fancy getting your camping feet wet, you can choose a comfy accommodation in town. 

High Desert Motel Joshua Tree (Budget)

Only three blocks from the Visitor Center and a 10-minute drive from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, you can’t get closer than this. This motel may not be fancy, but it’s clean and comfortable with modest decor and a kettle and fridge in all rooms.  >>>Check Availability

Popular Homestead (Mid-Range)

Garden views and free Wi-Fi are a plus in the desert. Every unit at Popular Homestead has air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV, and a seating and dining area that offers a cozy, homely feel. Go hiking at Joshua Tree during the day, then return for a swim and a hearty barbeque dinner. >>>Check Availability

AutoCamp Joshua Tree (Luxury)

How about a luxurious RV experience? It’s the best of both worlds with modern facilities in a desert setting. With a swimming pool and bonfire pit and surrounding views of close-by Ryan Mountain, you couldn’t ask for more in this glamping establishment. >>>Check Availability

Hidden Valley Campground (Budget)

Hidden Valley is arguably one of the most scenic campgrounds in the national park, with large boulders and Joshua trees galore. It’s open to both tents and RVs and is convenient for most day hikes, but it’s a first come first serve operation with no reservations. Arriving early is a must to guarantee one of the 44 spots. >>>Find Out More

Read More: Where to Stay in Joshua Tree | 8 Stunning Places to Stay

What To Pack When Visiting Joshua Tree National Park

• Sunscreen: This is a no brainer. You need this if you are hiking or climbing. >Buy Sunscreen
• Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
• Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there 🙂 >Buy My Hiking Socks
• Refillable water bottle: I always bring a Hydroflask on all my adventures. They are on the heavier side, but I know for a fact they will not break. I have had a few cheap water bottles break on me before. >Check Prices Now
• Water: Bring water everywhere. Joshua Tree is pretty hot!
• Sunglasses: It is the desert, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
• Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, energy bars. >Cliff Bars are great for hiking
• Camera: I have linked the camera I used to take pictures of the Joshua Tree. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
• First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
• Day Pack to carry all your things: The REI bag I have linked, we have had for seven years now, and it is still going strong! >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
• Leggings or shorts: Leggings are my go-to when it comes to hiking but shorts are great in this hot climate. >Check Out My Leggings Here
• Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: I love how breathable the Patagonia hiking shirts are >Check Out Here
• Sports Bra: For women. >Buy Here
• Jacket: I went in October, and it was very chilly at night. Bring a Jacket! >Buy My Favorite Jacket
• Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. We used this Tripod to get our bubblegum pink sunset pictures >Check out this tripod
• Headlamp: This is part of the ten essentials and important to have when you hike. You never know if a hike will take a lot longer then you thought. >Check Out Headlamp Here
• Joshua Tree Map: Love the National Geographic Maps! >Buy Here
• National Park Pass:  I highly recommend getting a year-long America The Beautiful Pass. >Get It Here

Map Of Best Hikes Of Joshua Tree

15 Best Joshua Tree Hikes

From easy trails that barely work up a sweat to hardcore hills that’ll have your heart pumping, the list below has something for every level of hiker to enjoy. Here are some of the best hikes to add to your Joshua Tree itinerary. 

Hall of Horrors Trail

• Mileage: 0.8 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 100 ft
• Time: 1-1.5 hours 
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

One of the more unique hikes in Joshua Tree, this trail is short and scenic and boasts a slot canyon for eager scramblers and enthusiastic climbers. It’s one of the flatter hikes in Joshua Tree, so it’s great for all ages. Plus, there’s plenty of opportunities to grab some photos of Joshua trees. 

There are multiple areas with large collections of rock piles to explore, so it’s a popular destination with scramblers in general. Once you reach the Hall of Horrors section, you’ll see the large stack of boulders that hides the slot canyon. You’ll have to climb a decent amount to find it — honestly that’s the trickiest part of this hike. 

But once you do, it’s ultra fun to shimmy down the tiny slot and grab a picture for your Instagram to prove your adrenaline junkie status. There are already existing climber access paths, so please use these to minimize your impact on the area. If you’re not that into climbing or scrambling, though, the views from the nature trail are still gorgeous, and the dirt path is easy to negotiate. 

Ryan Mountain Trail

• Mileage: 2.9 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 1,075 ft
• Time: 1.5-3 hours 
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Type of Trail: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

Of the best trails in Joshua Tree, this is one of the most popular thanks to its amazing vistas. The Ryan Mountain hike is short and tough, but it leads to a viewpoint that overlooks the rock-strewn heart of Joshua Tree National Park. 

The Ryan Mountain Trail starts as an uphill battle climbing Ryan Peak with occasional stairs to help you along the way. But you won’t be doing it because it’s leg day and you need the workout — you’ll be doing it for the views it promises. Imagine seeing distant snowy peaks juxtaposed against the cracked, dry crust of a desert landscape; ah, what a sight! 

You’ll see the Pinto Basin, Mount San Jacinto, the Wonderland of Rocks, Little San Bernardino Mountains, and Mount San Gorgonio. If you fancy adding an extra sight to your hike itinerary, take the side trail to Indian Cave. 

If it’s very hot, though, give this one a skip. There’s no shade, and the challenging nature of the hike will only heat you up faster and put you at risk of heat stroke. The trailhead is easy to access from Park Boulevard, not far from Ryan Campground. 

Arch Rock Trail

• Mileage: 1.8 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 210 ft
• Time: 1-2 hours 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

Probably the best trail in Joshua Tree for interesting and beautiful rock formations, Arch Rock Trail begins next to the White Tank Campground. You won’t be able to park there unless you have a campsite — so you’ll have to make do with the Pinto Basin Road parking lot instead. 

Once you begin the loop, make a point of finding the spur to the once-secret treasure of Arch Rock Trail: Heart Rock. What was once only seen by experienced hikers who dared to venture off the beaten path now has a maintained trail that begins next to the junction with the access trail. 

It isn’t a long diversion from Arch Rock Trail, but nabbing a picture next to this heart-shaped stone defying gravity by balancing perfectly on its tip is priceless. You’ll continue on to see the main attraction, namely Arch Rock. There’s a sign, but it can be easy to miss so watch out for it, or just follow other hikers. 

Arch Rock is a superbly popular photo spot, but you’ll need to do some scrambling to get to the perfect position. The rocks to the right of the famous Arch are also pretty spectacular, so make sure you take a moment to give them some unadulterated gazing before you move on. 

Hidden Valley Trail

• Mileage: 1 mile 
• Elevation Gain: 150 ft
• Time: 30-60 minutes 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

This is one of the most popular ​​Joshua Tree National Park trails, so make sure you come early or be prepared for crowds. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is located in what you might call a “bowl,” hidden between gently sloping rocky mounds that are only mildly ambitious when it comes to reaching skyward. 

This trail is incredibly picturesque, showcasing some of the best elements Joshua Tree has to offer. The Hidden Valley Trail isn’t too demanding, either, being pretty short with minimal elevation. You’ll be surrounded by rocky landscapes with jutting stones, desert shrubbery, crusty reptiles, and the usual Joshua trees. 

It’s the perfect hike for people of all ages and abilities who want to experience the desert’s beauty without sacrificing their calves to do it. Although scramblers love the opportunity the surrounding boulder-ridden hills present, and take to them to see how far they can get. The largest boulder on the trail, a monolith known as the Great Burrito, is a particularly attractive challenge. 

For those who love a little scandal, the National Park Service claims that this hidden valley is rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers in ages past. So the Hidden Valley Trail may hold some more surprises than you think. 

Cholla Cactus Garden Trail

• Mileage: 0.25 miles 
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Time: 30 minutes 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

With a teeming garden brimming with the silvery cholla cactus, this is one of Joshua Tree National Park’s best hikes. Alright, it’s more of a short walk than a hike or fully-fledged trail. But it allows you a close-up experience with these pretty succulents and some striking photos for your Instagram. 

It’s one of the most well-known hikes in Joshua Tree, and showcases one particular variety of cholla cactus: the “Teddy Bear” cholla. This cholla cactus looks soft and fluffy from a distance, hence its adorable and deceptive nickname. But it’s simply an illusion created by the hundreds of spindly thorns that jut from its ends. 

They have barbed points, too, so don’t get too close or you may end up with an awkward and rather painful experience. You might think it’s an obvious choice not to stick your hand into the open embrace of a cholla cactus, but those barbed spindles are grabby and can have an unexpected reach. 

You’d be amazed how easily they can snag at your clothes and exposed skin as you walk past, especially if there’s any wind to help them find their way to you. You may encounter some bugs and other flying insects, too. So make sure you bring some salve with you just in case you end up with a sting. 

Although the garden is a delight at any time of the day, it’s particularly lovely in the light of the sunrise or sunset. So it makes the perfect way to start or finish your day in Joshua Tree National Park. 

Barker Dam Trail

• Mileage: 1.25 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 120 ft
• Time: 30-60 minutes 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

When it’s filled with water, the Barker Dam Trail is one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. If you start the loop trail from a clockwise direction, you’ll reach the dam at the end of your hike, just when you’re ready to discard the hiking boots and cool off your feet. 

Once you see the basin sparkling with blue waters in the midst of the desert, it’s completely enchanting. You’ll quickly understand why it’s a super popular trail, especially with the surrounding topography, which is easily some of the best in Joshua Tree. 

You’ll wind your way past Joshua trees, desert flowers, cholla cacti, boulders, and pinyon pines on this trail. The water is seasonal, so spring and winter are your best chances of catching Barker Dam at its fullest. The dam attracts wildlife like birds and lizards and even the occasional bighorn sheep! 

If you keep an eye out, you’ll see a spur that leads off the trail a short way to a small rock cave that houses some petroglyphs in stunning condition. The white, red, and black images are something special to witness, so make a point of taking this detour. 

If Barker Dam is dry, you might not consider this trek worth the effort and opt for other hiking trails instead. There won’t be as much wildlife, after all, but the scenery is no less stunning. 

Cottonwood Spring Trail (Mastodon Peak Trail)

• Mileage: 2.5 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 600 ft
• Time: 1-2 hours 
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

Easily one of Joshua Tree’s best hikes, it’s the ultimate trail to catch a sunset at Joshua Tree National Park as it leads to Mastadon Peak. The trailhead is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center at the southern end of the park. The landscape here looks quite different, with fewer Joshua trees, but many more ocotillos. 

Typically hikers walk this loop trail in a counter-clockwise direction. As the trail begins heading uphill, you can look back and admire the views of the Cottonwood Oasis. Or you can look ahead to the weird and wonderful semi-succulent ocotillos towering over you. 

After a while, the trail becomes rocky and it’s time to do some rock scrambling to reach Mastadon Peak. But don’t worry — it’s fairly easy, so beginners needn’t fear. And the views from the top are just “wow!” 

As you descend along the other side of the loop, you’ll pass an abandoned mine that should make for some fun travel pictures. From there, it’s an easy downhill stroll back to Cottonwood Oasis.  

Warren Peak Trail

• Mileage: 5.5 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 1,210 ft
• Time: 2-4 hours 
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Type of Trail: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

Warren Peak Trail is one of the more remote trails in Joshua Tree National Park, and it’s challenging to boot. So it’s unsurprisingly one of the quieter trails you’ll find here. The views are spectacular, though, if your calves and thighs are up to the challenge. 

The trail starts from Black Rock Canyon Campground and is pretty flat at first. Roughly one mile into the hike, the trail widens and begins a gradual climb. As you get closer to the summit, though, the incline increases and you’ll feel your muscles burn in objection. 

Ignore them, though, because once you reach the top of Warren Peak you’ll be greeted with astounding views across the surrounding mountain ranges. 

The San Bernardino Mountains, Santa Rosa Mountains, and San Jacinto make up this panoramic vista. Once you’re done absorbing the mountainous rock formations before you, head back the way you came to complete the hike. 

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail

• Mileage: 3.2 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 775 ft
• Time: 2-3 hours 
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Type of Trail: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

If you’re looking for some of the best trails Joshua Tree has to offer, look no further than Fortynine Palms Oasis. There are several oases to pick from, but this is one of the best on the Joshua Tree trails. 

You’ll start near the town of Twentynine Palms and hike up and over a rocky mountain for the stunning oasis scenery. So a little steep terrain is to be expected here and there. The views from the top of the mountain over the town below aren’t bad, either. 

Once you drop to the other side of the mountain, you’ll be greeted with the first section of the oasis, a small gathering of lush palm trees. If you’re wearing good shoes and are up for a little adventure, scramble up the boulders at the end of the trail. You’ll get great views of the small oasis, as well as decent sights of the larger one beside it. 

The stark contrast of the verdant palms against the craggy desert makes this one of the best Joshua Tree trails, especially if you do it at sunrise. Don’t be tempted to enter the oasis, though — it’s a fragile ecosystem, so it shouldn’t be tampered with. 

Skull Rock Trail

• Mileage: 1.7 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 250 ft
• Time: 1-2 hours 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

You don’t need to be a horror fan to seek out the Skull Rock Nature Trail. As far as Joshua Tree hiking goes, this is one of the easier trails which you can start from either direction. If you love to rock scramble, you’ll have the time of your life on this hiking trail. 

For about 0.7 miles, the trail leads through giant clumps of boulders that are prime rock scrambling material. They also make for some incredible and fairly dramatic scenery. The namesake of the Skull Rock Trail is what you’re really here for, though, so enjoy checking out its eerie shape. 

It’s almost alien in appearance, like a creepy giant with an elongated forehead, large hollow sockets, and giant nostrils emerging from its bed of boulders. Whether you move to the side of Skull Rock Trail and take a picture from the ground or scramble up some rocks opposite for a different perspective, you’ll get some great shots.   

Lost Horse Mine Trail

• Mileage: 6.7 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 1215 ft
• Time: 3 hours 
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

If you’d like to encounter one of the best preserved mine sites in Joshua Tree National Park from the Gold Rush era, Lost Horse Mine trail is your best bet. It’s a scenic hike that promises bursts of wildflowers in the spring that carpet the desert floor amongst the yucca and Joshua trees. 

You’ll be walking up a gentle incline the whole way to the mine site, where you’ll see rusted and crumbling bits and bobs left over from decades past. The most impressive piece of equipment, though, is the ten-stamp mill. 

Hiking this loop counter-clockwise is more enjoyable, even though the trail signage suggests a clockwise approach, as the highlights are then in the latter part of the hike. Once you reach the mine itself, don’t be tempted to climb on it. It may look to be in great shape, but since it closed in 1937, the wood has buckled and some tunnels have collapsed. 

The mine site has been stabilized, but you should stay behind the fence and simply admire the structure from there. Outside of the fencing are other relics of the past that you can get up close and personal with, though. 

There is an alternate way to visit the mine: a 4-mile out-and-back trail that leads directly to the site and back. While the 6.7 mile loop goes around Lost Horse Mountain. Whichever you choose, you won’t regret indulging in one of the best Joshua Tree hikes for fans of Wild West history.  

Boy Scout Trail

• Mileage: 8 miles one way
• Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft
• Time: 4-6 hours 
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Type of Trail: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

The Boy Scout Trail is one of the most challenging of the Joshua Tree hiking trails. It’s certainly the longest, but is still regarded as one of the best Joshua Tree hikes for day-trippers who want a lengthy trekking experience. 

The trail winds through the jumbled granite of the Wonderland of Rocks, where you’re bound to find plenty of rock-scouring climbers getting their scrambling kicks. As you head out into more open territory, you may encounter bighorn sheep or jackrabbits bouncing between the shrubbery. 

Morning is the best time to spot wildlife, and coincidentally the best time to start this lengthy trek. As you walk, you’ll see the snow-capped San Gorgonio mountains in the distance and plenty of Joshua trees up close. 

There are plenty of gorgeous viewpoints where you’ll want to whip out your camera or simply soak in the moment. It’s an ambitious hike, that’s for sure, but highly recommended if you’re up to the challenge. 

The Boy Scout Trail is an entirely exposed hike with no water refill opportunities along the way. That is, unless you detour half a mile to the Indian Cove Entrance Station and back. 

Bringing enough water and snacks with you to keep up your hydration and energy is very important. And unless you can make it another 8 miles back to where you started the Boy Scout Trail, you’ll need a shuttle or two cars to get between the two points.  

Cap Rock Trail

• Mileage: 0.4 miles 
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Time: 30 minutes 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

The Cap Rock Trails is a nature lover’s dream, especially if you want to learn more about the desert flora. This nature trail is pretty flat and short, and there are plaques along the way identifying the desert plant life in the baking Mojave. 

It might not be a lengthy endeavor, but it has some of the most photogenic Joshua trees next to the Hall of Horrors, so photographers will rejoice. It also makes the perfect short outing if you’re pressed for time and really want to enjoy some of the best aspects of the landscape Joshua Tree National Park has to offer.  

Willow Hole Trail

• Mileage: 7.2 miles 
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Time: 2-3 hours 
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate
• Type of Trail: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

This one’s for the walkers who love a long nature trail but don’t have the calves to withstand intense elevation gain. The Willow Hole Trail starts at the southern end of the park near the Boy Scout trailhead and is almost entirely flat. 

The scenery is wonderful, though. You’ll walk through incredible desert shrubbery, including the famous Joshua trees with the Wonderland of Rocks gazing over you from a distance. It makes for a pleasant and visually appealing walk, but you’ll encounter birders and runners on this popular route as well. 

Some areas are a little sandy, so you may feel a tug on your thighs, but for the most part it’s easily traversable. You may even encounter some wildlife. Jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, and bobcats are all possibilities along this route. Make sure to bring plenty of water, and start early when the day is cooler. 

Wall Street Mill Trail

• Mileage: 2.4 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 100 ft
• Time: 1.5-2.5 hours 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of Trail: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

The Wall Street Mill Trail is pretty flat, but it’s a beloved hike for the abandoned crushing mill that once had gold ore for prospectors seeking their fortunes. The mill itself was built by Bill Keys in 1933, and now belongs on the National Register of Historic Places. 

It’s still in excellent condition for its age, so it feels more like you’ve stumbled upon the set of a Wild West movie. Rusted cars and other remnants of the 19th and 20th centuries like railroad tracks, winches, and mill sheds lie scattered about the area. 

There’s even a marker identifying the very place that Keys shot and killed a man named Worth Bagley in 1943, resulting in his incarceration for five years. For history lovers, it’s one of the best Joshua Tree hikes. The trail is straightforward, starting near the Barker Dam trailhead. It continues for about a mile before you catch sight of the mill. 

How Many Days Do You Need in Joshua Tree?

Two to three days is recommended to get the most out of your experience at Joshua Tree National Park. To see the highlights and experience some of the best Joshua Tree trails, you could make a long day of it and be all set to leave. But it’s better to spend your time exploring the sights and trails. 

Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree is one of the best national parks to visit in fall and spring. 

It can get hot in Joshua Tree National Park. The western half is in the Mojave Desert, after all, and the summer months see temperatures over 100ºF with no shade and hot winds. 

Winter is similarly not ideal, as temperatures can plunge below freezing at night and in the early morning. So the most popular months are March to May and October to November, essentially spring and fall. 

May tends to be quite hot still, while fall offers cooler weather. It might not quite be winter in November, but the nights get very cold nonetheless. So if you’re camping, you might need to pack some extra warm blankets. 

March, April, and October have the best chances of more moderate weather lacking extreme temperature fluctuations. 

Where To Eat In Joshua Tree National Park

There are no choices inside the national park. Your best bet is to pack some food or drive out of the park to get some grub:

• The Natural Sisters Cafe: Has fantastic vegetarian wraps, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies.
• Pappy and Harriet’s: Great place for live music and BBQ.
• JT Country Kitchen: Has great breakfast.

Joshua Tree Hiking Trail Tips

• Rangers don’t recommend many of the hikes during the summer months due to the high temperatures, so don’t take their warnings lightly.
• There isn’t much potable water available in the park, except along the fringes at the campgrounds, stations, and visitor centers. Bring more water than you think you’ll need so you don’t end up interrupting your day by having to go and source more water, or — even worse — getting a heat stroke.
• Cell phone service can be spotty in the park, so it’s good to buy a Joshua Tree trail map or download your Google Map directions onto your phone. Be sure to bring a power bank as well, as it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Joshua Tree is comprised of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert located between the Californian Coast and Arizona’s border. It’s in the middle of nowhere, essentially, and you’ll have to drive through a lot of the desert to get to the National Park. It’s easy to get lost in this situation, so keep your phone handy to ensure you’re still on the right track.

Wrap Up on Best Hikes in Joshua Tree

With one of the most unique landscapes and gorgeous attractions, making the effort to visit Joshua Tree will be completely worth your while. 

Whether you’re a scrambler, hardcore hiker, or simply a day visitor looking for some beautiful scenery, Joshua Tree National Park will give you what you’re looking for.

Are you interested in more desert-landscaped trails to blaze? Take a look at this guide to the best hikes in Death Valley. 

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