15 Incredible Joshua Tree Hikes to Explore the Desert

Entering Joshua Tree National Park is like landing on another planet – the landscape of rock formations and gnarled Joshua trees is simply otherworldly. To fully explore this crazy cool desert landscape, you’ll want to try one (or many!) of the amazing Joshua Tree hikes in the park.

Joshua Tree hiking is truly choose-your-own-adventure, from short hikes around weird rocks, to a backpacking trip across the desert, to summitting a peak (with views of more peaks in the distance), you’ll find something for everyone here in this vast space in southern California.

ABOUT THIS GUIDE TO THE BEST JOSHUA TREE HIKES

We’ve organized the list of hikes in Joshua Tree by difficulty, so you can easily find a perfect hike for you! Since everyone has a slightly different gauge of what is “easy” or “difficult” hiking, here is how we’ve defined the list:

1. Best Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree - These hikes are under 3 miles with less than 300 feet of elevation gain.

2. Best Moderate Hikes in Joshua Tree - These hikes are 3-6.5 miles AND less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

3. Best Difficult Hikes in Joshua Tree - These hikes are over 6.5 miles OR over 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

WHEN TO VISIT JOSHUA TREE

Joshua Tree is a desert environment, meaning the summers are extremely hot and the winters can bring storms and even snow. The best time to visit Joshua Tree is fall or spring.

If you do choose to visit Joshua Tree National Park in the summer months, be prepared for brutal heat and little to no shade on most Joshua Tree hikes. Bring plenty of water, electrolytes, and sunscreen if you do attempt to hike any trails in Joshua Tree in the summer.

JOSHUA TREE ENTRANCES

Joshua Tree National Park spans nearly 800,000 acres and has three separate entrances. The best entrance option will depend on where you’re staying and the location of the hikes you want to do.

• West Entrance (Joshua Tree): The west entrance is the first entrance if you’re coming from Los Angeles or Palm Springs, so it is definitely the most popular entrance to the park. This means that on busy days, the line to get in can be quite long.

• North Entrance (Twentynine Palms): The North Entrance tends to be less busy so you can avoid the lines and is especially convenient if you’re staying in Twentynine Palms or coming from Las Vegas.

• South Entrance (Cottonwood Spring): The South Entrance is the least popular entrance and is farther away from most of the popular hikes. It’d only be a good choice if you’re coming from Phoenix, New Mexico, or nearby Indio.

Note: The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. A Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass is $55, and an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is $80.

JOSHUA TREE CAMPING

If you want to stay and explore Joshua Tree for a while (and I highly recommend that you do!), you’ll find plentiful camping in and around Joshua Tree. From official campgrounds in the park to BLM land nearby to private campgrounds outside the park, there are lots of options for camping near Joshua Tree.

CAMPGROUNDS IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Joshua Tree National Park has 8 different campgrounds located throughout the park. Five of the campgrounds can be reserved ahead of time through recreation.gov, while 3 of the campgrounds are first-come/first-serve.

RESERVED CAMPGROUNDS

Five of the campgrounds in Joshua Tree are available to reserve in advance – Black Rock Campground, Cottonwood Campground, Ryan Campground, Jumbo Rocks Campground, and Indian Cove campground. Sites at these campgrounds range from $20-25/night.

FIRST-COME/FIRST-SERVE CAMPGROUNDS

Three campgrounds in Joshua Tree are available on a first-come/first-serve basis – Hidden Valley Campground, Belle Campground, and White Tank Campground. All of these campgrounds are $15/night.

It can be extremely difficult to get a site at the first-come/first-serve campgrounds in Joshua Tree, especially during weekends in spring or fall. On a recent trip to Joshua Tree, our Content Manager Kate couldn’t find a spot on Friday afternoon, but came back on Saturday morning and was lucky enough to snag what seemed to be the last available spot in the park! Persistence pays off if you want one of these coveted sites, but it’s good to have a back up plan if you can’t find an open site.

Note: Most of the campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park don’t have water (except Black Rock & Cottonwood), so you have to bring in all the water you need for your stay. You can fill up water jugs at the Indian Cove Ranger Station, the West Entrance Station, and Park Headquarters.

CAMPING OUTSIDE THE PARK

If you can’t find a campsite inside the park (or just prefer to camp outside of it), you still have lots of convenient options for camping outside Joshua Tree National Park.

BLM LAND

If you want to dispersed camp for free, there are a few great Bureau of Land Management spots near Joshua Tree National Park.

Michael & I recently stayed on BLM Land in a dry lake bed north of the park, which is a really convenient spot for the North and West park entrances, as well as Indian Cove. It was easy to get to and didn't require any 4WD or high clearance (though if it were really rainy I could see it getting muddy and being a bit of a mess). The GPS coordinates for this spot are 34.1715000, -116.2291389.

On the south side of the park, you can also find free camping on BLM land right outside the Joshua Tree South Entrance.

PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS

Many private campgrounds operate outside Joshua Tree National Park, and these can be especially nice if you’re in an RV. Some of the campgrounds also offer tent sites, including Joshua Tree Lake Campground and Joshua Tree Campground on the north side of the park, and Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA on the south side.

HIPCAMP

You can also find many private camping options in a variety of places around the park on Hipcamp. These range from bare bones spots on private land to unique & quirky sites with lots of amenities.

JOSHUA TREE HIKING MAP

Joshua Tree is a big park, so you’ll want to figure out ahead of time where the trails you want to hike are so you can make a plan.

Below is a map showing the location of each of the Joshua Tree trails in this post. You can click on it to go to an interactive Google Map with a list of the location of the 15 hikes.

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Without further ado, here are 13 of the best Joshua Tree hikes to explore in the otherworldly landscape of this national park! 

BEST EASY HIKES IN JOSHUA TREE

1. HIDDEN VALLEY

Hidden Valley Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 1 mile

• Total Elevation Gain: 118 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

Hidden Valley is a very popular area in the park and this short loop makes a great introduction to Joshua Tree. Along the trail, you’ll find plenty of Joshua Trees and lots of rocks to scramble on.

Pro Tip: You’ll see lots of rock climbers on the classic routes of the Intersection Rock and Old Woman granite formations. If you’re a trad climber, you’ll definitely want to jump on routes like Double Cross (5.7+) and North Overhang (5.9).

2. KEYS VIEW

Keys View Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 0.25 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: 25 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

As you might guess from the name, this little hike packs a big view! The quarter-mile path is paved and offers amazing views of some of the iconic Southern California landscape including Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio, and the Salton Sea.

3. SPLIT ROCK LOOP

Split Rock Loop Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 2.5 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: 275 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

Bring your scrambling shoes for this rocky loop which heads through boulder fields, as well as pine and oak trees, along with the signature Joshua Trees. Be on the lookout for signs marking the trail because it can be a little hard to follow in some sections.

You can also connect this trail with the Skull Rock Trail if you want to extend your hike.

Pro Tip: This is another great spot for rock climbing! Our Content Manager Kate loved the Isles in the Sky area, where the climbs begin up on a large ledge with expansive views.

4. SKULL ROCK

Skull Rock Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 1.7 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: 160 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

The famous Skull Rock can be seen from the road, and the parking along Park Boulevard fills up quickly with people who just want to see this unique rock formation. If you want to hike the whole Skull Rock loop trail, it’s usually better to start at the trailhead at Jumbo Rocks Campground.

From the campground, you’ll head through heaps of boulders and piles of rock and encounter a wide variety of desert fauna. You’ll also get some nice wide views of the park, and, of course, you’ll eventually come up close and personal with the unique skull-like rock formation.

5. CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN

Cholla Cactus Garden Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 0.3 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: Minimal

• Difficulty: Easy

Mix it up from the Joshua Trees and check out the Cholla Cactus Garden, a unique stand of cactus in the park. This flat hike heads through thousands of teddy bear cholla in the Pinto Basin on the edge of the Colorado Desert.

Pro Tip: Don’t cuddle these cute cholla! Even brushing up against the cholla will send spines into your skin or clothes, so avoid getting too close and wear close-toed shoes.

6. ARCH ROCK

Arch Rock Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Out & back

• Total Mileage: 1.4 miles round trip

• Total Elevation Gain: 88 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

This lollipop loop features a view of the distinctive Arch Rock formation. While you can take the loop section of the trail in either direction, going counterclockwise will give you a better view of the arch as you approach it.

7. HALL OF HORRORS

Hall of Horrors Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 0.6 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: 26 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

A unique adventure in Joshua Tree, the Hall of Horrors features fun little slot canyons you can explore. The actual trail loops around a bunch of boulders, and you can stick to that for an easy hike.

But the real fun of Hall of Horrors comes from finding the hidden entrance in the boulders and scrambling into the slot canyons.

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BEST MODERATE HIKES IN JOSHUA TREE

8. FORTYNINE PALMS OASIS

Fortynine Palms Oasis Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Out & Back

• Total Mileage: 3 miles round trip

• Total Elevation Gain: 636 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate

This trail takes you to a lovely oasis of gorgeous fan palms in the middle of the desert landscape of Joshua Tree. To get there, you will do some hiking up and down ridges into a canyon, so expect a bit of elevation gain. It’s totally worth it to see the oasis though!

Pro Tip: The Fortynine Palms Oasis area closes during the summer due to drought conditions to allow bighorn sheep undisturbed access to the water in the oasis.

9. LOST HORSE MINE

Lost Horse Mine Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Out & back

• Total Mileage: 4 miles round trip

• Total Elevation Gain: 550 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate

Follow an old wagon road to the ruins of an old gold mine on the Lost Horse Mine Trail. The trail also provides an excellent view out over Pinto Basin.

While you can see the ruins of the mine from the trail, the area is fenced off from visitors to protect the historic structures and because mine shafts are dangerous.

Pro Tip: You can extend this hike into Lost Horse Loop, which adds approximately 2.5 miles.

10. MASTODON PEAK

Mastodon Peak Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Loop

• Total Mileage: 3 miles 

• Total Elevation Gain: 375 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate

Mastodon Peak is a nice little loop trail that can take you to a cool summit if you’re up for some scrambling. Even if you don’t want to scramble to the top of the peak, you’ll still encounter great views on this hike, along with lots of neat desert plants.

Pro Tip: You can combine Mastodon Peak with the Lost Palms Oasis Trail for a longer adventure.

BEST DIFFICULT HIKES IN JOSHUA TREE

11. LOST PALMS OASIS

Lost Palms Oasis Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Out & back

• Total Mileage: 7.5 miles round trip

• Total Elevation Gain: 1,046 feet

• Difficulty: Hard

Check out a different area of Joshua Tree National Park by hiking the Lost Palms Oasis Trail, which is located on the southern side of the park. Though you won’t find as many Joshua Trees in this area, the trail will take you to an incredible grove of palm trees. If you want to actually get down to the oasis, you will have to do some scrambling over boulders.

Pro Tip: While all of Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park, the area down near Cottonwood has some of the best skies in the whole park for stargazing.

12. RYAN MOUNTAIN

Ryan Mountain Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Out & back

• Total Mileage: 2.9 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: 1,062 feet

• Difficulty: Hard

Ryan Mountain is definitely near the top of the list of must-do Joshua Tree hikes, thanks to the cool rock formations and excellent views. While this trail is not that long, it is steeply uphill to the summit of Ryan Mountain. If you can time your hike for sunset, it’s an extra special experience.

13. PANORAMA LOOP

Panorama Loop Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Lollipop Loop

• Total Mileage: 6.6 miles

• Total Elevation Gain: 1,194 feet

• Difficulty: Hard

Enjoy somewhat cooler temps and a variety of flora on the Panorama Loop Trail which sits at a higher elevation – around 4,000 feet at the trailhead – on the northwestern side of the park. Here you’ll find plenty of pinyon pines and juniper trees, along with the signature Joshua trees.

You’ll also head up a ridge of the Little San Bernardino Mountains to get the expansive panoramic views this trail is named for.

Pro Tip: You can add on a spur to the summit of Warren Peak from Panorama Loop if you like.

14. WARREN PEAK

Warren Peak Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Out & back

• Total Mileage: 6.3 miles round trip

• Total Elevation Gain: 1,105 feet

• Difficulty: Hard

Head to the 5,103 foot summit of Warren Peak for views of a couple of the tallest peaks in Southern California, Mount San Jacinto and Mount Gorgonio. (Read more about summitting those peaks in our post covering the best hikes in Southern California.)

You’ll take the sandy Black Rock Canyon Trail on the western side of Joshua Tree to reach Warren Peak.

Pro Tip: You can easily combine Warren Peak with Panorama Loop for a few extra miles of fun.

15. BOY SCOUT TRAIL

Boy Scout Trail Quick Facts:

• Type of Trail: Point-to-point

• Total Mileage: 8 miles one way (16 miles round trip)

• Total Elevation Gain: 226 feet

• Difficulty: Hard

Hiking the Boy Scout Trail is the perfect way to explore the Wonderland of Rocks in Joshua Tree. Just as it sounds, you’ll find jumbles of boulders and fun rock formations all along this trail. You can also see snow-capped mountains in the distance to contrast with desert from this trail.

Backpacking the Boy Scout Trail is a popular way of tackling this trail since it’s 16 miles out and back. Joshua Tree National Park recently changed their backpacking regulations to require a permit. You can find out more about the new permit system in our guide to California Hiking & Camping Permits.

Pro Tip: If you’re going to take this trail one way point-to-point, you’ll need to leave a car at your ending trailhead or plan a ride in order to shuttle back to where you started.

DESERT HIKING SAFETY

Joshua Tree can seem safe because of the crowds at the most popular areas, but the desert is unforgiving and can be quite dangerous if you’re not prepared. Here are some of the biggest hazards in Joshua Tree:

HEAT

Joshua Tree is located where two deserts, the Mojave and the Colorado, meet. The desert environment can be extremely harsh with high heat, little shade, and no water.

You should bring all the water for your hike (typically at least 3-4 liters) into the park with you. Water is only available in the park at a few campgrounds and ranger stations.

Also, you should use electrolytes in your water to replace the sodium and minerals you lose when you sweat. I typically put electrolytes in my Nalgene and plain water in my hydration bladder. Then I can refill my water bottle from the hydration bladder and add more electrolytes if necessary.

Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen as well, and don’t forget sunglasses. You should also familiarize yourself with the signs of heat exhaustion and how to treat it before it turns into heat stroke.

NAVIGATION

It is incredibly easy to get off-route when hiking in Joshua Tree, so you should always have a GPS and know how to use it. (Check out my recommended hiking GPS devices here.)

Cell service is spotty in the park, if you get it at all, so make sure to download your maps ahead of time. And if you have an inReach Mini or other satellite communicator, Joshua Tree is definitely a place to bring it.

SCRAMBLING

Other than the iconic Joshua Trees, the main thing you’ll find in Joshua Tree is rocks – little rocks, big boulders, and huge rock formations. On many trails, you might have to – or want to – scramble around on the boulders.

But be careful to avoid getting yourself into a spot you can’t get down from. And make sure to wear shoes with good traction – approach shoes, which have sticky rubber soles made for climbing, are ideal.

RATTLESNAKES

The desert is home to rattlesnakes, and Joshua Tree is no exception. Rattlesnakes are dormant in the cooler months, but are typically active from early spring to late fall.

The best way to deal with rattlesnakes is to avoid them. Always check where you’re putting your hands and feet (like under rocks) to make sure a snake isn’t hiding. If you do see a snake, back away or give it a very wide berth to walk around it. Rattlesnakes typically only strike out of protection, so if you leave them alone, they should leave you alone.

JOSHUA TREE HIKING PACKING LIST

Here are some of the most important things you’ll want to bring when hiking in Joshua Tree, but it is not a comprehensive list. Check out my essential day hiking packing list below for everything you should take on a day hike.

*Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links.

1) Daypack: You’ll want to bring a daypack when hiking in the desert of Joshua Tree, so that you can carry plenty of water and the other things on this list, like sunscreen. My favorite daypack is the Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL .

2) CamelBak and Nalgene: Hydration is crucial in the desert, and a CamelBak is the easiest way to stay hydrated while you’re hiking. I definitely recommend getting one that has at least a 3 liter reservoir. You should also bring a Nalgene or other water bottle for backup if your CamelBak leaks or to use for electrolytes.

3) Hiking Umbrella: On our recent Rim-to-Rim hike, we got so many compliments and jealous glances from other hikers when they saw our Gossamer Gear hiking umbrellas. These lightweight umbrellas are designed to protect you from the sun, and you can hold them or get an attachment to clip them to your pack. This umbrella would come in super useful in Joshua Tree where most hikes don’t have much shade – so you can make your own!

4) Approach Shoes: For desert environments like Joshua Tree, lightweight, breathable footwear is what you want. I would highly recommend a pair of approach shoes, which have extra sticky rubber soles that are ideal for all the scrambling and boulder hopping in Joshua Tree. Our content manager Kate wore the Black Diamond Mission LT approach shoes on her last trip to Joshua Tree, and they were perfect!

5) Sunglasses: The blazing sun of the desert is bright, so you’ll definitely need sunglasses to protect your eyes. I love Goodr sunglasses because they don’t slip, even if you’re sweaty, and they come in really fun colors and patterns.

6) Sunscreen: Sunscreen is an absolute must in Joshua Tree. I prefer Neutrogena sunscreen , but just make sure to bring what works for you – and plenty of it to reapply! I also recommend bring lip balm with SPF – my favorite kind is, appropriately enough, from Joshua Tree !

7) Electrolytes: Along with staying hydrated with water in the desert, you need to make sure you replenish your electrolytes, especially when you sweat a lot. Nuun tablets are my fave, and Skratch Labs are another good choice.

8) Sun Shirt: There is very little shade on most Joshua Tree hikes, so the sun will most likely be beating down on you a lot of the time. A sun shirt, like the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie or the Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Shirt , will protect you from the rays and help keep you cool.

9) Headlamp: I always recommend bringing a headlamp, even if you’re not intending to be out in the dark, just in case. The Petzl Actik Core is my go-to choice to light up the trail.

10) GPS: While some of the trails in Joshua Tree are well-marked, many of them can be hard to follow in the sand and over rocks, and it’s very easy to get off track and get lost. So It’s always smart to at least use an app like Gaia GPS to keep you on track, even if you don’t have a dedicated handheld GPS device.

11) Satellite Communicator: Cell service in Joshua Tree is very spotty, and you often won’t have any service at all. A satellite communicator like the Garmin inReach Mini or ZOLEO is a really good idea in a place like Joshua Tree, so you can send texts or call SOS if something goes wrong.

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LOOKING FOR MORE CALIFORNIA ADVENTURES?

For additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below:

• 19 Best Hikes in Southern California

• 27 Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park

• The Ultimate Half Dome Hike Guide

• The Clouds Rest Hike Trail Guide

• Hiking Mt. Whitney Trail Guide

• Ultimate Guide to Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail

OTHER ESSENTIAL HIKING RESOURCES:

Also, be sure to check out these helpful hiking & backpacking resources!

• Essential Day Hiking Gear

• 13 Awesome Hiking Groups and Hiking Challenges to Encourage You on Your Hiking Adventures

• The Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List

• 9 Must-Know Backpacking Safety Tips - Particularly if You Want to Go Solo

• 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

• The Ultimate Guide to Free Camping in the US

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How many of these Joshua Tree hikes have you done? Are any of these on your hiking bucket list? Did we miss any of your favorite J-Tree hikes? Let us know in the comments below!

Cheers,

Allison - She Dreams of Alpine

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