After exploring the area, head up Lost Horse Mountain to enjoy views of the park. It’s about protecting what sustains us. 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. With at least 17 species of flowering plants and cacti along the route, this stroll through the. 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. Barker Dam is one of the best day hikes in Joshua Tree of its length (just 1.4 miles). However, it’s an outstanding opportunity to visit two of the park’s oases in one shot. After the sun rises, the mountains turn pale red for a few minutes before settling to a golden tinge. 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. —desert shrub, spring wildflowers, lizards, bees and the rare goat occupy the wash here—before climbing through the exposed scrub desert. Along the trail, you’ll walk through quintessential Joshua Tree forests , piles of boulders, cholla cacti, and numerous stunning scenic viewpoints. Trail ends at willow trees. The desert environment in Joshua Tree is harsh and extreme. You’ll start in a small but beautiful grove of palms at. The desert is expansive and temperatures here can be unforgiving. Just be sure to stick to the trail—it’s namesake cacti, nicknamed teddybear cholla, may look fuzzy, but their spines will stick in your skin if you happen to brush against them. Do not attempt to hike moderate to strenuous trails in high heat. Willow Hole: Boy Scout Trailhead - south end inside the park: 7.2 miles (11.5 km) 4 hours: Out and back. Setting sun at Cholla Cactus Garden (Photo Credit: NPS/Glauco Puig-Santana). Views from Warren Peak (Photo Credit: Hiking Project contributor Bruce Hope). The best time to hike Joshua Tree National Park is fall, winter, and spring. Cap Rock in the setting sun (Photo Credit: NPS/Brad Sutton). The Ryan Mountain Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree for a good reason. Hidden Valley Trail. 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. Best Joshua Tree National Park Day Hikes. 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. Nestled deep within two distinct deserts in southern California. Ryan Mountain. Views along the Lost Palms Oasis Trail. A tenth of a mile scramble will take you to the top where you can enjoy 360-views of the park, making it one of the best hikes in Joshua tree with a view. Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park Cholla Cactus Garden Trail. You’ll navigate boulders, gullies and rocky trail as you near the end. A short, flat, one-mile loop walk, perfect for a relaxed first-time hike in Joshua Tree. But be aware: this desert environment can add an unexpected level of difficulty to your hike. Mild autumn weather make this a wonderful late-season vacation spot, and spring brings stunning wildflowers and cactus blooms. These are the best hikes in Joshua Tree for casual hikers. Keep in mind, the trailhead is often congested during the peak seasons of spring and autumn. 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. 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. In the spring, abundant wildflowers and cacti bloom along the trail, adding color to the stark landscape. One of the most popular hikes is the 2.2-mile Old Mill Hike that is populated with the remains of one of the many mines abandoned by gold seekers in the late 1880s. as you loop back to the trailhead. CaliforniaHikingJoshua TreeNational ParksPacific WestTravel. There’s a spur trail that overlooks the oasis, but don’t linger too long, as your destination awaits. For extra adventure without worrying about the planning, check out REI Guided Trips in Joshua Tree National Park! Easy. REI member since 2013. Cottonwood Springs Nature Trail/ Mastodon Peak Loop, Cottonwood Springs Nature Trail - Mastadon Peak Loop, The Best Winter Adventures in North America. Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park is truly a one of a kind experience. 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. , which produced about $5 million in gold and silver between 1894 and 1931. 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. (signs for PL); just be sure you brought enough water for the additional mileage. Ryan Mountain Trail is 3 miles round trip with 1,050 feet of elevation change, so it … Travel through Joshua tree forests, boulder landscape, and sandy washes. Sunset views from Ryan Mountain (Photo Credit: Hiking Project contributor Mark Wierzbicki). 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. © 2020 Outdoor Project. Just Northeast of Palm Springs, this park is surrounded by the Mojave Desert to the west and the Colorado Desert to the east. What makes Joshua Tree National Park so special? Joshua Tree is an excellent winter vacation in the US, so for the best hiking weather, plan to visit Joshua Tree National Park between late October and early April. 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. REI Guided Trips in Joshua Tree National Park, Phoenix Outdoor Activities: Explore the Southwest. If you want to witness desert wildflowers bloom, go in early spring. 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. Joshua Tree will always have a special place in our hearts. Joshua Trees have spiky leaves and can be seen through out the park. 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. Once you reach the oasis, you’ll be greeted by two stands of palm trees in a rocky canyon. The shoulder seasons are the best time to visit. And while you could easily drive through the park in a couple of hours, to really experience the beauty of this desert landscape, you have to get out of your car and hike. 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 The trail circles the main rock outcrop; as you walk, admire the precariously-balanced Cap Rock, perched on top of the main outcrop.