Hikes in the California Desert

The California desert contains volcanic craters, sand dunes, oases, and some of the most fascinating geology in the United States. The best way to see many of these features is on foot. Choose a trail from the list below and begin exploring the California desert. Four excellent parks combine to protect 8,500 square miles of California desert: Death Valley National Park Mojave National Preserve Joshua Tree National Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Highlights of the California Desert [wp_ad_wide_page] California Desert Hiking This collection of trails in the California desert lists the hikes from north to south. ... Read more.
Wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park
Spring is the perfect time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. The temperatures are accommodating and the desert comes to life with wildflowers. The desert in bloom is something any outdoor enthusiast in California should see. Most of the wildflowers below were photographed near Eagle Mountain and Lost Palms Oasis in April of 2008. Photos from other areas of the park taken in April of 2010 and later. ...Read more.
Tagged with · National Parks · Wildflowers
By: Published: February 19, 2010 Last updated: April 6, 2026
Lost Palms Oasis in Joshua Tree National Park
The hike to Lost Palms Oasis departs from Cottonwood Spring on the east side of Joshua Tree. A smaller oasis, Cottonwood Springs Oasis, is actually right at the trailhead. From there, the trail heads east on a 7.2-mile round trip track to Lost Palms Oasis. The trail leaving Cottonwood Springs Oasis The short trek to Mastodon Peak can be visited in combination with this hike as they share the same trail for half a mile. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Oases
Distance: 7.2 miles · Elevation change: 400 feet
By: Published: February 18, 2010 Last updated: December 9, 2025
Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park
Cholla Cactus Garden is one of Joshua Tree National Park's one-of-a-kind features. Located at the merger of the upper Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert, this level quarter-mile loop provides access to an intense concentration of cholla cacti. The trail through Cholla Cactus Garden Perhaps the cutest cactus on the planet, the cholla has been nicknamed the teddy bear cactus, but this is one teddy bear you do not want to hug! ...Read more.
Distance: 0.25 miles · Elevation change: 5 feet
By: Published: February 18, 2010 Last updated: January 9, 2026
Lost Horse Mine in Joshua Tree National Park
The ten-stamp mill and foundation of Lost Horse Mine stand at the end of a gradual 4-mile round trip trail. Lost Horse Mine has one of the best-preserved mills under National Park protection. Unlike less fortunate nearby efforts, Lost Horse Mine was one of the few mineral speculations in Joshua Tree National Park to be productive. According to the NPS, The mine yielded approximately 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Mines · National Parks
Distance: 4 miles · Elevation change: 400 feet
By: Published: February 18, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park
Ryan Mountain offers a fairly straight forward out and back hike to a round summit at the center of Joshua Tree National Park. The 3-mile round trip trail climbs 1,050 feet up a dirt trail with numerous stone steps. The sun-exposed trail crowns a 5,457-foot mountain with impressive panoramic views of the jumbled rock formations and Joshua tree forests that surround the peak. ...Read more.
Tagged with · National Parks · Summits
Distance: 3 miles · Elevation change: 1050 feet
By: Published: February 18, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025