Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park for Every Skill Level
Joshua Tree National Park is home to some of the most unique hiking trails in Southern California. From short nature walks and scenic overlooks to longer adventures through hidden canyons and desert landscapes, there's a trail for every type of visitor.
Whether you're visiting Joshua Tree for a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a climbing vacation, exploring the park on foot is one of the best ways to experience its iconic rock formations, Joshua tree forests, wildlife, and expansive desert views.
Below are some of our favorite hikes and scenic stops in Joshua Tree National Park, ranging from easy walks to rewarding viewpoints that showcase the incredible diversity of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.
Best Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree
People are always asking our guides for hike recommendations when we finish up a day of climbing. Here are a few low energy consumption, high reward easy hiking trails that you should be able to sneak in after a full or half day of rock climbing.
Barker Dam Trail
Difficulty: Pretty Easy
Highlights: A gentle 1.4 mile stroll around Barker Dam unveils serene landscapes and historical sites. Relatively flat and just perfect for winding down after a morning of climbing. This one will take most people about an hour.
After the short two-way entrance trail, continue straight (right) to begin the loop portion. You’ll see some exceptional desert foliage and great trail work (thank you JTNP!) as you enter the rock canyon. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you approach the historic Barker Dam. Big Horn Sheep are known to drink from the dam when it holds water, especially in the summer months. Please do not disturb them! Keeping a safe distance will ensure a safe encounter for you both.
Take a minute to contemplate the construction of the dam in 1900. Continue to follow the trail as it bends to the left around the dam and down into an open valley. If you look to your left you may see climbers lined up on the mega classic Gunsmoke. Remember this is your rest day and continue along the path to the “Disney Boulder”. This is a huge piece of rock with a big concave face that’s full of petroglyphs, some legit and others that were painted by a movie crew. Turning left before this boulder keeps you on the loop and leads back to the trail you started on.
Don’t be afraid to poke around a little, this area was popular with native tribes and they have left their mark. Please be considerate and don’t touch anything you find including rock art, tools, or matatas.
Cholla Cactus Garden and Ocotillo Patch
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Prepare to be mesmerized as you step into the otherworldly landscape of the Cholla Cactus Garden, especially if you go during the golden hour before sunset. I swear they glow. When the Ocotillo Patch is in bloom it is both beautiful and surreal, which mean its fits in with the rest of the park just right.
These aren’t really even hikes. The Cholla Cactus Garden trail is a short boardwalk thats super fun and recommended, but basically these are just strange spots where the respective plants have proliferated.
You’ll enjoy a nice drive (passing Skull Rock along the way) and then have a pleasant experience of leg stretching and just taking in one of the parks most unique environments. Watch out for the Cholla balls that have fallen off and landed on the boardwalk! I got a good one in my big toe once, closed toed shoes recommended. The Ocotillo Patch is just a little further down the road. Maybe start there and work your way back north to time things right? Enjoy the wide open vistas as you hang out in the Colorado Desert for awhile.
Keys View Overlook
Difficulty: As easy as it gets.
Highlights: Incredible vista including the Salton Sea, the San Andreas Fault, all of the greater Palm Springs area, and the two largest mountains in Southern California.
So you’re all tuckered out and don’t even want to “hike” the .2 miles and 13’ of elevation gain at the Cholla Cactus Garden huh? This should do it.
Enjoy a scenic drive of 5.4 miles and gain thousands of feet in elevation. You’ll drive through a great Joshua Tree forest, then notice the trees change to mostly Juniper, some pines, oaks and jojoba. At the end of the road, park and walk up the set of stairs (I believe in you) to get one of the best views in Joshua Tree National Park. Use the informational boards to figure out what’s what and take some pics.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: One-mile loop, iconic rock formations, excellent for families, and one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
If you only have time for one traditional hiking trail in Joshua Tree, Hidden Valley is hard to beat. This short loop winds through a scenic basin surrounded by massive rock formations and towering boulders. The area is rich in history and is rumored to have once been used by cattle rustlers to hide livestock.
What makes Hidden Valley special is how much classic Joshua Tree scenery is packed into such a short distance. You'll find giant monzogranite formations, beautiful Joshua tree forests, and endless opportunities to scramble on rocks. It's a great option for first-time visitors, families, photographers, and anyone looking for an easy hike with maximum reward.
Skull Rock Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: One of Joshua Tree's most recognizable landmarks, fun rock scrambling, and excellent family-friendly hiking.
Named after a massive rock formation that resembles a human skull, Skull Rock is one of the most photographed attractions in the park. While many visitors simply stop for a quick picture, the surrounding trail system offers a much more immersive experience.
The Skull Rock Nature Trail connects sections of the Jumbo Rocks area and allows hikers to wander through a landscape filled with enormous boulders, hidden passageways, and some of the park's most impressive rock formations. Kids especially love this area because it feels more like a giant playground than a traditional hiking trail.
If you're already heading out to Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock makes an easy and worthwhile stop along the way.
Best Moderate Hikes in Joshua Tree
Ryan Mountain Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Panoramic summit views, one of the park's most popular mountain hikes, and excellent sunrise or sunset potential.
Ryan Mountain rises prominently from the center of Joshua Tree National Park and offers one of the best viewpoints in the entire park. The trail climbs steadily for approximately 1.5 miles to the summit, gaining over 1,000 feet of elevation along the way.
While the climb can feel challenging, especially during warmer months, the reward is worth the effort. From the summit, hikers are treated to sweeping views of the Wonderland of Rocks, Lost Horse Valley, Queen Valley, and much of the surrounding Mojave Desert.
This is one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree for visitors looking for a bit more adventure without committing to a full-day excursion.
Lost Horse Mine Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Historic gold mining site, desert solitude, and beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness.
History buffs and hikers alike will appreciate the Lost Horse Mine Trail. The route leads to one of the best-preserved historic mining sites in Joshua Tree National Park, offering a glimpse into the area's mining past.
The trail follows an old mining road through open desert terrain, providing expansive views and a quieter experience than some of the park's more heavily visited trails. Spring visitors are often rewarded with blooming wildflowers scattered across the landscape.
If you're looking for a hike that combines history, scenery, and fewer crowds, Lost Horse Mine is an excellent choice.
Best Hikes in Joshua Tree by Difficulty
Best Easy Hikes
Barker Dam Trail
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Skull Rock Trail
Cholla Cactus Garden
Keys View Overlook
Best Moderate Hikes
Ryan Mountain Trail
Lost Horse Mine Trail
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail
Best Family-Friendly Hikes
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Barker Dam Trail
Skull Rock Trail
Cholla Cactus Garden
Best Scenic Viewpoints
Keys View Overlook
Ryan Mountain Summit
Hidden Valley
Cholla Cactus Garden at Sunset
Final Thoughts…
Joshua Tree National Park is amazing. Lets keep it that way! Please practice Leave No Trace ethics as well as considering these park specific best practices:
PLEASE do not park off of the single lane width pullouts on the sides of the roads.
Pets are not allowed on any trails in JTNP. The most appropriate place to take them for a walk is the campground or any of the dirt roads.
Take care of yourself out there, it’s the desert! Drink plenty of water, use sunblock, and limit your time in the sun during the hotter months.
If you are looking for a longer hiking trail in Joshua Tree, our guided hiking tours provide the opportunity to explore more unique hidden gems!
If I only had time for one of these options, and I’d already had my exercise for the day, I’d drive down to check out the Cholla Cactus Garden and Ocotillo Patch. If you go in one of the spring months there is a good chance you will see some wildflowers blooming too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Joshua Tree
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That depends on what you're looking for. Hidden Valley Nature Trail is often considered one of the best all-around hikes thanks to its unique rock formations, easy terrain, and classic Joshua Tree scenery. For panoramic views, Ryan Mountain is a favorite, while Barker Dam offers a mix of history, wildlife, and beautiful desert landscapes.
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Some of the easiest hikes in Joshua Tree National Park include Barker Dam Trail, Hidden Valley Nature Trail, Skull Rock Trail, Cholla Cactus Garden, and Keys View Overlook. These options offer excellent scenery without requiring a strenuous climb.
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Yes. Joshua Tree is a fantastic destination for families. Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Skull Rock, and Cholla Cactus Garden are all great options for kids thanks to their short distances, interesting rock formations, and opportunities for exploration.
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The National Park Service recommends carrying at least one gallon of water per person per day in hot weather. Even on shorter hikes, it's important to bring more water than you think you'll need, as the desert climate can be extremely dry.
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Fall, winter, and spring are generally the best seasons for hiking in Joshua Tree National Park. Temperatures are cooler, making longer hikes much more enjoyable. Spring can also bring colorful wildflower blooms throughout the park.
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Ryan Mountain offers some of the best panoramic views in the park, while Keys View provides one of the most spectacular overlooks accessible to nearly every visitor. On a clear day, you can see the Salton Sea, the San Andreas Fault, and peaks stretching across Southern California.
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Absolutely. Many of Joshua Tree's most popular trails are beginner-friendly and relatively short. Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Skull Rock, and Cholla Cactus Garden are excellent choices for first-time visitors and casual hikers.
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Guided hikes in Joshua Tree can provide a deeper understanding of the park’s geology, ecology, history, and wildlife. They also allow visitors to explore lesser-known areas of the park that are often missed when hiking independently.
