Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

For an introduction to plant and wildlife in Joshua Tree National Park, visit Hidden Valley. This one-mile loop circles a small valley that is surrounded by tall boulders. Hidden Valley Trail shows off Joshua Tree's rocky landscapes and is a great place to climb around. Hidden Valley Nature Trail Take the path from the parking lot between rock walls into Hidden Valley. ...Read more.

Joshua Tree National Park boasts nine campgrounds with 500 a combined individual sites, so this park is ready to accommodate your visit! On Thanksgiving weekend and New Years weekend (the Memorial day and Labor day of the desert) the park will be packed and finding a campsite can be a challenge. On these weekend, consider visiting the less popular Mojave National Preserve to the north. ...Read more.

Beyond its 101-site campground, Indian Cove offers a 0.6-mile long interpretive trail, a picnic area, and plenty of rocks for climbers. The picnic area serves as the starting point for an unmaintained trail up Rattlesnake Canyon. The rock formations around Indian Cove are perfect for bouldering, rock hopping, and more serious climbing. Have some fun in the sun and burn some calories leaping and climbing up the mountain of sandstone boulders. ...Read more.

A secluded palm tree oasis is tucked away on the north end of Joshua Tree National Park. To reach the awesome oasis, you'll hike 3 miles round trip with 350 feet of elevation gain, passing through a variety of desert scenery and panoramic views. The trail leads to a collection of palm trees wrapped around a rare spring, an out-of-place desert destination that's a perfect target for hikers. ...Read more.

The New York Mountains are a micro-range in the northeast corner of Mojave National Preserve. The highest peak in the range (7,533 feet) offers a sprawling desert vista, and is considerably easier to reach than other peaks in Mojave, which require slower hiking around cacti and other obstacles. Those driving a low clearance vehicle will not be able to make it all the way up the dirt road leading to the Keystone Canyon Trail. ...Read more.