Top 12 Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
Winter is the perfect time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. The temperatures have cooled and the crowds are minimal…so this week we’re taking a look at my top 12 family friendly hikes that show off Joshua Tree’s truly unique landscape. All of the spots listed below are easily accessed and fairly close to one another, so you can check off most (if not all) of these in a long weekend. Let’s go!
Hidden Valley Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park
Rock formations near the Hidden Valley Picnic Area
1. Hidden Valley Nature Trail
• Distance: 1 mile loop
• Elevation Change: > 100 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
This one mile loop trail is surrounded by spectacular boulders at every angle. Whether you want a short family friendly introductory hike to Joshua Tree or a full day of scrambling, bouldering or climbing, you can’t go wrong here. This is definitely a popular hike, so my insider tip is head behind the trail to the picnic area for more unique boulders and epic outcroppings and without the crowds.
For more information on Hidden Valley Nature Trail, check out my full blog post here.
Jumbo Rocks at sunset in Joshua Tree National Park
Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park
2. Jumbo Rocks
• Location: Jumbo Rocks Campground
• Elevation Change: up to 50 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Jumbo Rocks Campground is the largest campsite inside Joshua Tree National Park and provides some of the most incredible “jumbo” rocks in this area. These Jumbo Rocks are incredible to view anytime, but watching the moon rise over the giant bowling ball size boulders is extra special in my opinion.
For more information on unique Joshua Tree rock formations, check out my full blog post here.
Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park
Sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree
3. Cholla Cactus Garden
• Distance: 0.25 mile loop
• Elevation Change: > 10 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Located off of Pinto Basin Road (12 miles south of the park’s North Entrance and 20 miles north of the Cottonwood Visitor Center), thousands of cholla cactus plants blanket 10 acres of land here. An easy 1/4 mile dirt path loops you around the garden here, and two short bridges weave through the unique landscape. You can easily walk the trail in under 30 minutes, though you might want to give yourself closer to an hour to enjoy all of the unique cactus views.
For more information on Cholla Cactus Garden, check out my full blog post here.
Cottonwood Spring in Joshua Tree National Park
Cottonwood Spring Trail in Joshua Tree National Park
4. Cottonwood Spring
• Distance: 1.5 mile loop
• Elevation Change: 225 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Located near Mecca, California only seven miles from the southern entrance of the park, you’ll find a hidden treasure of giant palms at Cottonwood Spring Oasis, as well as a nearby campground just 1/2 a mile away. At times, up to 500 gallons of water a day can rise up to the surface of the earth here. The water-rich soil found here provides a rare spot inside the park for native fan palms, some of which are believed to be over 100 years old. The area is also home to the classic desert cottonwood trees.
For more information on Cottonwood Spring, check out my full blog post here.
Split Rock Loop in Joshua Tree National Park
Split Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
5. Split Rock Loop
• Distance: 2.25 mile loop
• Elevation Change: 225 ft
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Splits Rock’s name is self explanatory, and this massive rock is situated at the picnic area and trailhead of the 2.25 mile Split Rock Loop (not far from Twentynine Palms). A distinct crack runs from top to bottom, and you can explore the cave on the backside for yourself along with numerous other rock formations along the entire trail.
For more information on unique Joshua Tree rock formations, check out my full blog post here.
Dry lake bed along Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree
Sitting atop the Barker Dam in Joshua Tree
6. Barker Dam Trail
• Distance: 1.25 mile loop
• Elevation Change: > 50 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Barker Dam Trail is an easy 1.25 mile loop that gives visitors great views of beautiful rock formations, the dam itself, and different desert plants, including cacti. The trail begins along the dry wash, and while most of the trail is wide and flat with less than 50 feet in elevation gain (making it ideal for families with small children), there are a few short climbs…but nothing too strenuous. Distance wise, this hike is easy enough for kids or anyone looking for an easier hike…and when you reach the rock outcroppings, you'll get up close and personal with some of the park's most interesting formations.
For more information on Barker Dam Trail, check out my full blog post here.
Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National Park
Wall Street Mill ruins in Joshua Tree National Park
7. Wall Street Mill Trail
• Distance: 2 miles out & back
• Elevation Change: 100 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Long time Joshua Tree rancher and miner, Bill Keys, saw an opportunity when this local mining region experienced a second gold rush during the Great Depression. In 1930 Mr. Keys bought the Wall Street Mill property and gathered equipment and machinery from the area to assemble this mill, where he would process ore for smaller mining operations. Along this out and back trail, you’ll discover all kinds of old equipment and rusted out vehicles, as well as up close views of this historic mill.
For more information on Wall Street Mill Trail, check out my full blog post here.
Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Sunrise at Arch Rock in Joshua Tree
8. Arch Rock
• Distance: 1 mile out & back
• Elevation Change: 100 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
The Arch Rock Trail passes White Tank Campground, and this gentle hike leads to one of my favorite sunrise spots in the whole park. Arch Rock spans over 30 feet in a short (but fun to explore) slot canyon. While the towering arch is the highlight of this hike, there are plenty of rocks to scramble along and explore.
For more information on Arch Rock, check out my full blog post here.
Heart Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Heart Rock and surrounding Joshua Tree landscape
9. Heart Rock
• Distance: 1.5 miles out & back
• Elevation Change: 100 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Easily reached from the Arch Rock Trail, Heart Rock is another favorite with visitors. This boulder looks like a giant heart standing over 10 feet tall. Heart Rock is located off the main trail system, so if you do decide to visit please plan ahead wisely with GPS directions and appropriate water/food & sun protection.
For more information on Heart Rock, check out my full blog post here.
Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park
Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park
10. Keys View
• Distance: 0.25 mile loop
• Elevation Change: 25 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Located at the edge of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, you get incredible panoramic views of the entire Coachella Valley at Keys View, and you can reach this famous spot with less than a 30 minute drive from the northwest park entrance. While you could plan a picnic here or hike the beautiful 2 mile trail from Keys View to Inspiration Peak, this is a great quick stop if you don’t have a lot of time. It’s also one of the few wheelchair accessible views inside Joshua Tree National Park. The gentle sloped .25 mile path is fully paved and offers plenty of parking (& handicapped parking) spots.
For more information on Keys View, check out my full blog post here.
Penguin Rock & Juniper Rock in Jumbo Rocks Campground
11. Penguin Rock & Juniper Tree
• Location: Jumbo Rocks Camp Site #18
• Elevation Change: 10 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Penguin Rock & Juniper Tree have long been a favorite pair with Joshua Tree photographers. The lone juniper tree arches over towards a towering boulder perched like a penguin standing straight up. To view this fun duo for yourself, head to the Jumbo Rocks Campground area, and if you’re lucky enough to snag campsite #18, this pair is located just above your tent site.
For more information on unique Joshua Tree rock formations, check out my full blog post here.
Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
12. Skull Rock
• Distance: 0.25-1.75 miles
• Elevation Change: 125 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
This has long been a favorite with park visitors. Located along the main east-west park road, Skull Rock certainly looks like an eerie skull with two sunken in eye sockets. Parking is located along the road right next to this formation, so be prepared to join a crowd unless you plan a very early morning visit. For more adventures, don’t just stop here…take a quick look or continue along the 1.7 mile nature walk for more great rock outcrops.
For more information on unique Joshua Tree rock formations, check out my full blog post here.
Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park
Know Before You Go
• Joshua Tree covers nearly 800,000 acres (think the size of Rhode Island) and much of the park is designated as wilderness, so please plan ahead with knowledgeable navigation and proper provisions before your visit.
• If camping & hiking inside the park, remember Summers can be dangerously hot with little to no shade, and Winter nights can reach below freezing temperatures with whipping winds.
• Entrance fees to Joshua Tree National Park are currently $30 per vehicle. Consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass for $80, which grants you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a 12 month period.
• Please be sensitive when exploring the great outdoors and remember the Leave No Trace Principles to help keep this special spot pristine, so that others may enjoy it for years to come.
Top 12 Joshua Tree Easy Hikes
Jumbo Rocks
Split Rock Loop
Penguin Rock & Juniper Tree
Skull Rock
Rock formations at Hidden Valley picnic area
In Summary
Thank you so much for discovering Joshua Tree National Park with me today. For a virtual visit, make sure to check out my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or you can watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Wonderland Ranch ruins along the Wall Street Mill Trail
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Today we're exploring the Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This is the perfect family friendly spot to take an easy hike and enjoy a bbq lunch at the picnic area amidst towering rock formations, cactus & endless Joshua trees. Read this travel guide to discover one of the top things to do and places to go in Joshua Tree on your next SoCal weekend road trip from Los Angeles.