by Rebecca Hollman
Updated on Dec 28, 2017

ABOUT JOSHUA TREE

Joshua Tree National Park is a desert landscape located in Southern California- the closest national park to Los Angeles. 800,000 acres were set aside as Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936 to stop the removal of cacti and other plants. In 1994, the National Monument was turned into a National Park. On average, 1.4 million people visit the national park annually. There are around 30 hikes and over 8,000 rock climbing routes in Joshua Tree. The name for the national park comes from the abundance of Joshua trees located inside its boundaries. A Joshua tree is a type of yucca that grows only in the Mojave Desert of Southern California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Mormon pioneers gave the tree its name; saying the limbs resembled the up-stretched arms of Joshua leading them to the promised land.

WHEN TO VISIT JOSHUA TREE

Joshua Tree National Park is open year round but peak season is from October through May. If you're looking for mild temperatures and moderate sized crowds, consider visiting in either the spring or fall. The spring will give you views of desert wildflowers in bloom and the fall will give you great lighting for sunrise and sunset. There can be big crowds in the spring during Easter and around Josua Tree Music Festival. Fall and spring are both great times to visit if you want to hike or rock climb because the weather will be the best; however, spring can be more crowded than the fall. Summer will be the least crowded season in Joshua Tree and for good reason: it's scorching hot. Summer day time temperatures are around 100 degrees Fahrenheit so this makes it harder if you are visiting for hiking. Hiking is still possible if you start early in the morning before the peak of the heat and if you drink plenty of water. Summer also has the best stargazing because the temperatures are pleasant at night. Winter in Joshua Tree is also not crowded. Even though it may be cold, it rarely snows in Joshua Tree, so winter hiking is definitely still possible.

THE TOP 12 HIKES IN JOSHUA TREE

1. Lost Palms Oasis

Lost Palms Oasis is a 7.4 mile out and back trail with an elevation change of 491 feet. This trail is considered moderately strenuous and the estimated hiking time is 3 hours 15 minutes. The hike leads to an overlook featuring the highest concentration of native California Fan Palms in Joshua Tree National Park. The hike starts at the Cottonwood Visitor Center and a smaller oasis, Cottonwood Spring Oasis, is right at the trailhead. The hike to Mastodon Peak can be combined with this hike as they share the same trail for half a mile.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

2. Barker Dam Loop

Barker Dam is a 1.5 mile loop trail with a negligible elevation change. This trail is considered easy and the estimated hiking time is 45 minutes. This hike leads to a reservoir created for cattle pastures in Joshua Tree during the gold mining era. The actual dam itself is farther up and the trail leads to a reservoir created from the dam. The reservoir water levels change depending on the amount of rain Joshua Tree has received. Besides the reservoir, this trail also offers good views of the Wonderland of Rocks, Joshua trees and petroglyphs. There are markers on the trail directing you to the petroglyphs. The trailhead is located on a well marked turnoff for Barker Dam off of Park Boulevard.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

3. Cholla Cactus Garden

Cholla Cactus Garden is a 0.3 mile loop trail with a negligible elevation change. This trail is considered easy and the estimated hiking time is 15 minutes. The hike leads to an intense concentration of cholla cacti! While this trail might be short, the cacti definitely make it worth the stop. The cholla cacti have been nicknamed "the teddy bear cacti" because they seem cute and fluffy. However, these spines can be seriously dangerous, so be careful while walking on this trail. The trailhead is on Pinto Basin Road on the way to Cottonwood Springs.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

4. Inspiration Peak

Inspiration Peak is a 1.2 mile out and back trail with a 400 ft. elevation change. This trail is considered easy and the estimated hiking time is 45 minutes. The hike leads to an excellent vantage point of Joshua Tree National Park. Escape the crowds at Keys View by taking this short trail to a 5,500 ft viewpoint with virtually no crowd. The viewpoint allows you to see Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gregorio, Ryan Mountain and the Coachella Valley. The trailhead is at the Keys View Parking Lot.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two

5. Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is a 1.0 mile loop trail with a negligible elevation change. This trail is considered easy and the estimated hiking time is 30 minutes. This hike is a great sample of Joshua Tree and is a good choice if you only have a short time in the park. This trail shows you the prominent rock features typical of Joshua Tree and also has lots of interpretive signs that explain the park's geography and wildlife. The trailhead is at the Hidden Valley Campground.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

6. Arch Rock

Arch Rock Nature Trail is a 0.5 mile loop trail with a negligible elevation change. This trail is considered easy and the estimated hiking time is 15 minutes. This hike is an easy trail that leads you to an interesting rock formation. This is a level, family-friendly hike. Climbing is allowed on the arch so make sure to check out underneath it and on top of it. The trailhead is at the White Tank Campground.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

7. Ryan Mountain

Ryan Mountain is a 2.9 mile out and back trail with a 1060 ft. elevation change. This trail is considered moderately strenuous and the estimated hiking time is 1 hour 45 minutes. This hike leads to a summit in the center of Joshua Tree with panoramic views of rock formations and Joshua tree forests. The summit of Ryan Mountain is the best place to get a view of the entire park. This trail is in direct sunlight the whole time so bring sunscreen and plenty of water. The trailhead is located off Park Boulevard- there is a turn off for Ryan Mountain with a large parking area.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

8. Wonderland Ranch/Wall Street Mill

Wonderland Ranch and Wall Street Mill are two separate trails that start at the same trailhead and can be combined into a 3.0 mile trail with a negligible elevation change. This trail is considered easy to moderate and the estimated hiking time is 2 hours. Starting at the Barker Dam trailhead, the trail breaks off going towards Wall Street Mill. You will see Wonderland Ranch, the pink ruins of Bill Keys' Ranch House on the way to Wall Street Mill. After exploring Wonderland Ranch, continue on to the ruins of Wall Street Mill. This hike has tons of ruins (ranches, mills, old cars, machinery) to explore and shows the unique gold mining history of Joshua Tree.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

9. Black Rock Canyon Panorama Loop

The Black Canyon Loop is a 6.6 mile loop trail with a 1200 ft. elevation change. This trail is considered moderate and the estimated hiking time is 2 hours. This hike leads to incredible panoramic views of Joshua Tree, Coachella Valley, Yucca Valley and the San Bernadinos. This area has the highest elevation in the park and so can get snow in the winter and also has more dense vegetation including pine trees. For an optional side trip, add on the 1.4 mile trail to Warren Peak (junction at 4.3 mile mark). The trailhead is at a small visitor center building within the Black Rock Canyon Campground.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

10. Mastodon Peak

Mastodon Peak is a 2.6 mile loop trail with a 400 ft. elevation change. This trail is considered easy to moderate and the estimated hiking time is 1 hour 15 minutes. This hike leads to a prominent point in Joshua Tree with panoramic views of the Salton Sea. Hikers on this trail could also explore the Mastodon Mine and the town of Winona. Connect this trail with the Lost Palms Oasis trail for a longer experience. This is an especially good place to see the spring wildflower bloom. The trailhead is one mile farther along the road after the Cottonwood Visitor Center.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

11. Lost Horse Mine and Mountain

Lost Horse Mine is a 6.6 mile out and back trail with a 800 ft. elevation change. This trail is considered moderate and the estimated hiking time is 2 hour 15 minutes. This hike leads to a well preserved relic of the American Gold Rush era. The Lost Horse Mine produced over 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver. The mine is the highlight of this trail but the Lost Horse Mountain itself also offers beautiful scenery. The trailhead is on a dirt road marked Lost Horse Mine Trailhead off of Keys View Road.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two three

12. Willow Hole

Willow Hole is a 7.0 mile out and back trail with a 300 ft. elevation change. This trail is considered moderate and the estimated hiking time is 3 hours. This hike leads you into the heart of the Wonderland of Rocks. Joshua Tree is known for its unique plutonic rock formations and the Wonderland of Rocks is an area within the park with a large number of these rock formations to explore. This hike also leads to an oasis so there is a plentitude of joshua trees, juniper and other vegetation. This trail is a continuation of the Boy Scout Trail.

read here for more detailed information about this hike: one two

GETTING TO JOSHUA TREE

Joshua Tree is located 140 miles from Los Angeles (~3 hours), 175 miles from San Diego (~3 hours), 215 miles from Las Vegas (~4 hours) and 222 miles from Phoenix (~4.5 hours). There are three park entrances to Joshua Tree.

The West Entrance is located five miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village.
The North Entrance is in Twentynine Palms, three miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail.
The South Entrance near Cottonwood Spring is an access point along Interstate 10, 25 miles east of Indio.

Entry fee is $15 for a seven-day vehicle permit or $30 for an annual pass. You can pay at visitor centers and entrances. If they are unattended when you enter, pay on the way out.
You can also buy an annual America the Beautiful pass good for admission to all national parks and federal recreation sites. For information, click here.