Sunset views from Ryan Mountain (Photo Credit: Hiking Project contributor Mark Wierzbicki). The dam isn’t the only piece of history on this hike—the ruins of a few buildings and an old cattle trough can be spotted near the dam and petroglyphs can be found down a short side trail as you loop back to the trailhead. Keep in mind, the trailhead is often congested during the peak seasons of spring and autumn. Cap Rock; Arch Rock; Skull Rock You’ll learn all about them as you stop to read the informational signs that line the level, hard-packed sand trail. Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park The beauty of Joshua Tree is that there is a myriad of amazing hiking trails, all of which can be experienced during a day trip. Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing place to explore, and here are a few fantastic hikes that prove the point: Arch Rock Nature Trail, 0.3 mile: Walk from White Tank Campground to a natural arch, through a maze of other rock formations with abundant spots to scramble around and crannies to explore. Your efforts are rewarded at the summit with an endless panorama of the park, Lost Horse Valley, Pinto Basin and Pleasant Valley. It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. Distance: 7.2 miles. REI member since 2013. Fortynine Palms Oasis is a great place to escape the sun, just don’t expect much shade along the hike in. Liz Dengler is a map nerd, writer and adventure-seeker who spends her working hours as a trail content editor for REI’s Adventure Projects where she seeks to improve outdoor experiences for others. These places are best for hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park: Ryan Mountain; 49 Palms Canyon Trail; Split Rock; Lost Palms Oasis Trail; Wall Street Mill; See more hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park on Tripadvisor Its dreamy terrain expands over 800,000 acres providing 114 hiking trails, running tracks, viewing trails, and much more. The return leg of the loop passes the unproductive Optimist Mine, which is marked by the remains of a stone chimney. Radiant sunsets and sunrises color the sky orange, red and purple, bring vibrancy to this vast landscape all year. With at least 17 species of flowering plants and cacti along the route, this stroll through... Barker Dam Nature Trail. In the spring, abundant wildflowers and cacti bloom along the trail, adding color to the stark landscape. Cottonwood Springs Nature Trail/ Mastodon Peak Loop, Cottonwood Springs Nature Trail - Mastadon Peak Loop, The Best Winter Adventures in North America. © 2020 Outdoor Project. But be aware: this desert environment can add an unexpected level of difficulty to your hike. Hiking Joshua Tree National Park. California Riding and Hiking Trail (Joshua Tree) 38: Hard: Yucca Valley: 3060: N: Hike the Pine City Trail (Joshua Tree) 4.2: Easy: Twentynine Palms: 280: N: Boy Scout Trail (Joshua Tree) Hike: 16: Hard: Twentynine Palms: 1850: N: Desert Queen Mine Hike & Eagle Cliff Mine: 1.8: Easy: Twentynine Palms: 180: N: Hike Split Rock (Joshua Tree) Loop Trail: 2.5: Easy: Twentynine Palms: 360: N A short, flat, one-mile loop walk, perfect for a relaxed first-time hike in Joshua Tree. Ryan Mountain. In order to discover the 5 Best Hikes In Joshua Tree to complete, as well as a handy guide to hiking in Joshua Tree National Park, simply continue reading. Lost Horse Mine. You’ll start in a small but beautiful grove of palms at Cottonwood Spring Oasis⁠—desert shrub, spring wildflowers, lizards, bees and the rare goat occupy the wash here⁠—before climbing through the exposed scrub desert. It’s rumored that cattle rustlers once used the valley as a hideout, and, in 1936, desert homesteader Bill Keys started using this valley to protect his cattle as they grazed. Views from Warren Peak (Photo Credit: Hiking Project contributor Bruce Hope). The desert is expansive and temperatures here can be unforgiving. Easy. After your hike, either snag one of the picnic tables at the parking lot or find a shady spot along the trail to enjoy a picnic. Ryan Mountain – Centrally situated in the middle of Joshua Tree and conveniently located off Park Boulevard, the hike up Ryan Mountain offers a panoramic overview of Joshua Tree’s awesome rock formations. You’ll navigate boulders, gullies and rocky trail as you near the end. Just a short drive away from LA, it's also one of the most visited (despite its remote location). The shoulder seasons are the best time to visit. Check your inbox for more perks. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. In the few hours between work, adventures and sleep, Liz is a science writer, studies the weather and eats more chocolate-chip cookies than any one person should. If you’re looking for a real challenge and have the stamina to hike for 16 miles in the desert, the Boy Scout Trail is one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree for an all-day adventure. After the sun rises, the mountains turn pale red for a few minutes before settling to a golden tinge. The Ryan Mountain Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree for a good reason. However, with numerous campgrounds. Hikes here feature large, lumpy boulders, quirky and distinctive Joshua trees, bluebird skies, and dramatic mountain ranges that punctuate an otherwise flat horizon line. Fortynine Palms Oasis; Lost Palms Oasis; Best Hikes in Joshua Tree for Cultural History. As you continue to climb you’ll start to be able to take in more and more of your surroundings. Joshua Tree is a wonderful National Park to visit, only a couple of hours from Los Angeles. Prior to the park’s designation as a national monument in 1936, there were around 300 mines in this area starting in the 1800s, though few of them were profitable. However, with numerous campgrounds, ranger programs and recreational activities like hiking and rock climbing, the park deserves much more than a quick trip. While the sun may be hot, as there is no shade, there’s nothing to impede the views, which only get better as you climb. This Death Valley and Joshua Tree hiking tour features a combination of restaurant meals and meals prepared by your guide. For a unique experience, stay to enjoy the sunset, just remember to bring a headlamp for the hike out. After your hike, either snag one of the picnic tables at the parking lot or find a shady spot along the trail to enjoy a picnic. The best time to hike Joshua Tree National Park is fall, winter, and spring. The shoulder seasons are the best time to visit. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Western Sonoran + Colorado Desert, California. The Joshua trees, twisted and bent against the rocky desert backdrop, look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. With at least 17 species of flowering plants and cacti along the route, this stroll through the Cholla Cactus Garden is the perfect place to learn about the local flora and fauna. ⁠—desert shrub, spring wildflowers, lizards, bees and the rare goat occupy the wash here⁠—before climbing through the exposed scrub desert. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. : 23 miles southwest of Twentynine Palms, CA, : A short historical hike to a man-made oasis, Easy and well-marked, this trail takes you out to, , which was built in 1900 and forms a small, man-made oasis that nourishes the native wildlife. On a clear day you’ll be able to see the massive peaks of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, the highest point in Southern California. Ryan Mountain Trail is 3 miles round trip with 1,050 feet of elevation change, so it … After exploring the area, head up Lost Horse Mountain to enjoy views of the park. You can unsubscribe from REI Co-op emails at any time. This trail may be short, but take your time getting to know it. The trail circles the main rock outcrop; as you walk, admire the precariously-balanced Cap Rock, perched on top of  the main outcrop. The Joshua Tree is native to the American Southwest especially in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The unique geologic feature is a result of millennia of erosion by wind and water. Estimated time: 3 hours 15 minutes. The first stand is a wonderful place to explore, rest and enjoy some shade, but the park asks visitors to steer clear of the second to protect its fragile habitat. Or get vertical instead, as the outcrop is also a popular climbing crag. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. One exception was the. Just follow the signs that say WP (Warren Peak) through each intersection until you get to the summit where views of the surrounding peaks, Palm Springs, Big Bear and San Jacinta await. Try to plan your visit for April or May when much of the vegetation, such as desert sage, starvine, brittlebrush and chollas, should be in bloom. It’s location, just a mere one hour drive away from Palm Springs makes Joshua Tree an ideal day trip. Willow Hole: Boy Scout Trailhead - south end inside the park: 7.2 miles (11.5 km) 4 hours: Out and back. These are the best hikes in Joshua Tree for casual hikers. Overlooking Lost Palms Oasis (Photo Credit: Hiking Project contributor John Matticks). Hidden Valley Trail. Despite their intermediate ratings and similar names, the out-and-back trek to Lost Palms Oasis is a much tougher undertaking than the hike to Fortynine Palms due to its longer mileage and the extensive sun exposure. Despite their intermediate ratings and similar names, the out-and-back trek to Lost Palms Oasis is a much tougher undertaking than the hike to Fortynine Palms due to its longer mileage and the extensive sun exposure. There’s a spur trail that overlooks the oasis, but don’t linger too long, as your destination awaits. Mild autumn weather make this a wonderful late-season vacation spot, and spring brings stunning wildflowers and cactus blooms. The Joshua trees, twisted and bent against the rocky desert backdrop, look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular spots for outdoor recreation in Southern California. : 20.1 miles southwest of Twentynine Palms, CA, This trail may be short, but take your time getting to know it. The best Joshua Tree hikes: The beautiful Cholla Cactus Garden The cactus garden looks out the vast desert and surrounding mountains which turn a beautiful golden colour on a clear morning. We provide breakfasts and lunches for the trip. Restrooms at trailhead. Setting sun at Cholla Cactus Garden (Photo Credit: NPS/Glauco Puig-Santana). Evening is your best chance to spot these locals as they often emerge for a drink after the tourist crowds have mostly gone. It’s not recommended to attempt the trek in the summer, and you’ll want to pack sun protection and plenty of water the rest of the year. It’s about nourishment and learning. Fortynine Palms Oasis The 3-mile hike visits a palm tree oasis in the desert on the north side of Joshua Tree National Park. Tips for Hiking in Joshua Tree … Once you reach the oasis, you’ll be greeted by two stands of palm trees in a rocky canyon. Your efforts are rewarded at the summit with an endless panorama of the park, Lost Horse Valley, Pinto Basin and Pleasant Valley, For a unique experience, stay to enjoy the sunset, just remember to bring a headlamp for the hike out, : 5.1 miles southeast of Yucca Valley, CA, : A summit hike that starts on the edge of town, Easy to access from the town of Yucca Valley, this route is a straightforward way to nab some views without the long drive into the park. There’s a spur trail that overlooks the oasis, but don’t linger too long, as your destination awaits. The tall and narrow rock walls of Hidden Valley form a natural corral that features a unique microclimate home to cacti, lizards, amphibians, birds and other critters not often found elsewhere in the park. For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. Do not attempt to hike moderate to strenuous trails in high heat. Hike during the cooler hours and during cooler months. Wandering Mojave is a locally owned and operated hiking guide service that operates exclusively within Joshua Tree National Park.. Lead Guide Travis Puglisi has spent the last 20 years wandering, on and off the trails, learning the secrets of the landscape and how to respectfully move through it.. Nestled deep within two distinct deserts in southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is within easy reach of Los Angeles, San Diego and even Las Vegas, making it a convenient spot for weekend adventures. One exception was the Lost Horse Mine, which produced about $5 million in gold and silver between 1894 and 1931. We’ll send you a few emails every week. All rights reserved. Mostly flat trail along the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. At the top of this climb, you will see the base of Mastodon Peak. The Mastodon Peak Loop Trail is an easy to moderate hike and is one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. The desert environment in Joshua Tree is harsh and extreme. This Joshua Tree National Park hiking trail features the skeletons of a windmill, rusted out cars and equipment once used to crush gold ore. , which produced about $5 million in gold and silver between 1894 and 1931. You’ll navigate boulders, gullies and rocky trail as you near the end. Easy to access from the town of Yucca Valley, this route is a straightforward way to nab some views without the long drive into the park. Enjoy panormaic views of the quiet western part of Joshua Tree. Follow the signs on the ... Barker Dam Nature Trail. Cholla Cactus Garden; Barker Dam Nature Trail; Hidden Valley Nature Trail; Best Hikes in Joshua Tree Among the Rocks. The namesake trees, bizarre rock formations, high lookout points, and historic sites set within the park all make for interesting hiking. It is particularly unique as it features not one but two different desert ecosystems, the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Whether it’s a short nature loop or a long trek, bring plenty of layers and water. The best way to explore it is on foot – and here you can find out all about the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park! 1 mile loop. Just follow the signs that say WP (Warren Peak) through each intersection until you get to the summit where views of the surrounding peaks, Palm Springs, Big Bear and San Jacinta await. The Barker Dam trail is one of the iconic paths meandering through the Joshua Tree National Park, and one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree if you like your hikes relatively easy. In the spring, abundant wildflowers and cacti bloom along the trail, adding color to the stark landscape. Evening is your best chance to spot these locals as they often emerge for a drink after the tourist crowds have mostly gone. Encircled on all sides by the familiar golden rock outcroppings of the Joshua Tree park, Hidden Valley certainly lives up to is name. Hidden Valley, one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree National park, is a classic hike offering quintessential Joshua Tree landscapes of massive rock formations and Joshua trees. Along the hike, you can view the stamp mill, where the gold ore was crushed, still standing at the mine site, but a chain link fence surrounds the dangerous open mine shafts. Written by Lana Law Jun 30, 2020. Easy and well-marked, this trail takes you out to Barker Dam, which was built in 1900 and forms a small, man-made oasis that nourishes the native wildlife. The trail circles the main rock outcrop; as you walk, admire the precariously-balanced Cap Rock, perched on top of  the main outcrop. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. The dam isn’t the only piece of history on this hike—the ruins of a few buildings and an old cattle trough can be spotted near the dam and petroglyphs can be found down. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? You’ll start in a small but beautiful grove of palms at. Mild autumn weather make this a wonderful late-season vacation spot, and spring brings stunning wildflowers and cactus blooms. What makes Joshua Tree National Park so special? The clue is in the name with the Lost Palms Oasis Trail—it’s a relatively easy loop trail located on the east side of the national park that goes to Lost Palm Oasis. , the park deserves much more than a quick trip. is the perfect place to learn about the local flora and fauna. On a day trip, visitors can hike desert trails, drive theBorrego Badlands, and scout 130Ricardo Breceda sculptures along the … (signs for PL); just be sure you brought enough water for the additional mileage. Ryan Mountain, at 5,457 feet, right in the middle of Joshua Tree, offers panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Along the trail, you’ll walk through quintessential Joshua Tree forests , piles of boulders, cholla cacti, and numerous stunning scenic viewpoints. 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