Top 10 Short & Easy Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park
We love Joshua Tree National Park, it’s one of our favorite National Parks in all of California. We’ve been to Joshua Tree a few times over the years (we both spent a lot of time in Southern California whilst we were children), but our most recent trip was in April of 2023 when we started our US National Park roadtrip in Clifford (our big red van).
Did you know there are over 300+ miles of hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park? Some of those hikes are easy, moderate, and hard with trail length, elevation, and technical prowess needed to accomplish them.
In this blog we are going to focus on the Top 10 Short & Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park starting with one of our favorites.
Do you want all all of the 30+ best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park in a convenient Google Map? We built a fantastic Google Map that shares the trail head of location of easy, moderate, and hard hikes.
Top 10 Short & Easy Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park
Photo: Alejandra Carrillo – AllTrails
Hidden Valley Trail
Hidden Valley in Joshua Tree, California offers an easy, family-friendly trail with beautiful blooming cactus and rock formations. Recent reviews mentioned that the trail has fantastic rock formations and is easy, short, and flat, making it kid-friendly. Conditions in the area this time of year are typically sunny with cool temperatures.
Preview the Hidden Valley Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 1.0 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 118 ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 24 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Chris Clarke – AllTrails
Barker Dam Trail
Barker Dam in Twentynine Palms, California offers a lovely and relatively flat trail with scenic views. There is minimal water by the dam but still beautiful flowers and rocks to admire. The trail is well-marked with informative plaques and cactus flowers blooming. Expect warm temperatures and sandy trail sections.
Preview the Barker Dam Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 1.3 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 59 ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 26 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Eliza Drohan – AllTrails
Arch Rock Trail
Arch Rock Trail is easy to navigate with an interesting arch rock formation. Climbing on the arch may be crowded, so it is advisable to visit early in the day to avoid crowds.
Preview the Arch Rock Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 1.2 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 88 ft
- Route Type: Out & back
- Average Time To Complete: 26 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Emma Hudson – AllTrails
Heart Rock and Arch Rock Trail
The trail is beautiful, with great views and rock formations at both Arch Rock and Heart Rock. Start early to beat the heat and avoid crowds. The trail is easy, short, and well-marked with bathrooms nearby.
Preview the Heart Rock and Arch Rock Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 1.6 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 108 ft
- Route Type: Out & back
- Average Time To Complete: 34 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Angie – AllTrails
Split Rock Loop
The trail is easy to follow, with beautiful views and rock formations. If you’re looking for an easier climb it’s recommend to take the hike counterclockwise. The trail lacks shade, so sunscreen, a hat, hiking shoes, plenty of water, and snacks are advised.
Preview the Split Rock Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 2.4 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 275 ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 58 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Katie And Joe On The Go
Skull Rock
You can view Skull Rock from the road, but this nature trail loop explores boulder piles, desert washes, and of course the namesake Skull Rock. There are a few steep, narrow sections on this trail. You can hop onto this trail either just across from the entrance to Jumbo Rocks Campground or inside the campground, across from the amphitheater.
The hollowed-out eye sockets on the giant granite boulder known as Skull Rock were formed from small pockets on the rock that were eroded by water over time.
This is one of the most visited landmarks inside Joshua Tree National Park, so be prepared for crowds.
Preview the Skull Rock Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 1.7 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 147 ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 50 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Katie And Joe On The Go
Cholla Cactus Garden
The Cholla Cactus Garden is located along the Pinto Basin Road near the transition zone between the Colorado and Mohave Deserts. Thanks to the area’s moist conditions, it can support a high number of cacti.
The Cholla Cactus Garden includes a loop trail to explore the area. Take care around these cacti! They are commonly referred to as “jumping” cholla because segments can break off and attach to people and animals as a way to reproduce.
Staying on the trail in this area and wearing closed-toed shoes is recommended.
Preview the Skull Rock Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 0.2 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 9 ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 15 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Lindsay Kaiser – AllTrails
Hall of Horrors
Hall of Horrors is named for several rock formations and boulder piles that can be explored by hiking this route. This is a popular spot halfway between Ryan Campground and Sheep Pass Group Campground along the Park Boulevard.
There are many opportunities for scrambling and exploring the Hall of Horrors, and this can be a great place to take kids. This area is also surrounded by mountains and provides many scenic views.
It’s a good idea to stay on the existing dirt paths to minimize impact to the ecosystem in the area.
Preview the Skull Rock Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 0.6 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 26ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 30 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Kelly Dillard – AllTrails
Mastodon Peak
This loop takes you to the base of the Mastodon Peak summit. To get to the top of the craggy granite peak, you will need to make a short scramble. After the summit, the route travels past an old gold mine.
Also expect to see many interesting desert plants on your route. On clear days, you can see the Salton Sea from the summit!
The best time to hike this trail is during the winter months. If you do decide to hike this route during the summer, use caution when hiking in the desert heat. It is a good idea to start early (before 9 AM), bring plenty of water, salty snacks, and sun protection.
There is no reliable cell service in the park, so it is a good idea to download your map ahead of time.
Preview the Mastodon Peak Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 2.4 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 406 ft
- Route Type: Loop
- Average Time To Complete: 90 – 150 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
Photo: Ashli Blom – AllTrails
Wall Street Mill
This hike takes you to the historic Wall Street Mill site. The trip has very little elevation gain, interesting rock formations, and Joshua Trees to check out along your way.
There are some unmarked offshoot trails that explore various ruins around the mine. This mill historically processed gold from local mining operations. There is plenty of local folklore and history surrounding this site. Don’t miss the rusted automobiles and homestead as well. Please leave all artifacts for future visitors to enjoy.
Preview the Mastodon Peak Trail on AllTrails by clicking here
- Length: 1.8 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 75 ft
- Route Type: Out & back
- Average Time To Complete: 45 Min
- Are Dogs Allowed: No
What do I need to pack to Joshua Tree National Park?
Great question! The temperature can be drastically different between different months but also different times of the day.
Random fact, it sometimes snow in Joshua Tree National Park! So if you’re planning a trip in the Winter make sure to bring some warm clothes. On the flip-side, if you’re going in the summer, make sure to bring clothing with sun protection, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and more! Looking for new outdoor clothing options? Check out our list of REI’s Top Deals in 2024.
We’ve created a US National Park Day Trip Checklist that breaks down what we would recommend you bring to not just Joshua Tree, but to all National Parks. Sound interesting? Check out the checklist here or fill in the information below and we’ll send it to you!
Where should I stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree and the surrounding area is home to some of the most unique, stunning, and somewhat questionable accommodations. So no matter what you are looking for, here are a few options.
These are in no order of quality, price, uniqueness, just a few examples of places that we’d be more than happy to stay in to soak up that Southern California sunshine!
The Box, Joshua Tree – VRBO
The SOWE, Joshua Tree – VRBO
Casa Altura, Joshua Tree – VRBO
The Moon Yacht, Joshua Tree – HIPCAMP
Sahara House, Joshua Tree – HIPCAMP
AutoCamp, Joshua Tree – BOOKING.COM
Marmol Radziner’s Modernist Cabin, Joshua Tree – BOOKING.COM
Where is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California, in the United States. It lies within Riverside and San Bernardino counties, at the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Here are some more details about its location:
Coordinates
- Latitude: 33.8734° N
- Longitude: 115.9010° W
Nearby Cities and Towns
- Joshua Tree: A small town located just north of the park’s West Entrance.
- Twentynine Palms: A town located near the North Entrance of the park.
- Palm Springs: A larger city located about 40 miles southwest of the park, which serves as a common gateway for visitors.
- Yucca Valley: A town located to the west of the park, providing access to the West Entrance.
Access Points
Joshua Tree National Park has three main entrances:
- West Entrance: Located off CA-62 in the town of Joshua Tree.
- North Entrance: Located off CA-62 in the town of Twentynine Palms.
- South Entrance (Cottonwood Spring): Located off Interstate 10 near the Cottonwood Visitor Center.
Proximity to Major Cities
- Los Angeles: Approximately 130 miles (210 km) west.
- San Diego: Approximately 160 miles (260 km) southwest.
- Las Vegas: Approximately 200 miles (320 km) northeast.
- Phoenix: Approximately 220 miles (350 km) east.
Park Boundaries
Joshua Tree National Park spans approximately 1,235 square miles (3,199 square kilometers). The park’s boundaries encompass diverse landscapes, including rugged mountains, desert plains, and the iconic Joshua Tree forests.
The park is known for its unique geological features, rich biodiversity, and a wide range of recreational opportunities, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.
Should I bring a camera when visiting Joshua Tree?
ABSOLUTELY! Joshua Tree National Park is so picturesque, you should definitely bring a camera to capture it all.
Don’t know which camera you’ll need? Well, a wise person once said the best camera you have is the one that’s on you. So, if you’ve got an iPhone (like this one) you’ll be set!
If you want something a bit more capable, that’s our specialty! We love camera gear, here’s our current camera gear set-up.
Have camera question, send us an email and we can help you build out the perfect camera kit for your National Park trip.
What else is there to do in Joshua Tree?
- Self-Driving Audio Tour: Explore a desert park with a self-driving audio tour. Uncover the secrets of this harsh landscape and hear dramatic tales of the McHaney Gang and the hardscrabble people who once lived here.
- Palm Springs: San Andreas Fault Open-Air Jeep Tour: Experience an extraordinarily scenic 4WD tour of the San Andreas Fault Zone as your naturalist guide entertains you with stories about the plants, animals, geology, and history of the California desert.
- The World Famous Crochet Museum: An old California photo stand has been turned into a shrine to the cozy art of crochet
Top 10 Short & Easy Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park, In Conclusion
Joshua Tree National Park is full of fantastic short and easy hikes for people of all skills and fitness levels. With it’s diverse landscapes, iconic Joshua Trees, and prickly, but lovely Cholla Cactus Gardens; is well worth the travel to experience.
