Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park That Almost Anyone Can Do

With 800,000 acres of land, Joshua Tree National Park has a wide variety of hiking trails for practically anyone. Kids, non-hikers and even for those that might not get around so well anymore. There’s something for everyone. Here’s my favorite easy hikes in Joshua Tree National Park with some park tips.

Road Trip Report:

• Month visited: late May
• Traveling with: my daughter
• Time spent in the park: 2 days 2 nights
• Camped: Jumbo Rocks Campground
• Road tripping from: Boulder City, Nevada

Hidden Valley Nature Trail

Believe it or not, the area that became Joshua Tree National Park was once used for ranching and cattle rustling. Hidden Valley was one of the rustler’s hideouts. Once you see it in person, you’ll understand why. The valley is surrounded by huge boulders and massive rocks and feels like a secret hideaway.

The trail is a 1 mile loop hike that’s listed as easy – and it is – but there are several series of stone steps that take you up and then lead you back down into the “valley”. Mature hikers might do better with a walking stick to steady themselves. There are interpretive signs with interesting facts about the area and the wildlife you might see. Another bonus about the trail is the boulders that surround it are popular with rock climbers, so it’s interesting to watch them work.

We also enjoyed the picnic area with shaded tables, barbecue grills and fat squirrels.

• Hidden Valley map
• parking lot
• vault toilets
• picnic area

Cap Rock

Walking the short well maintained trail of Cap Rock is a perfect introduction to Joshua Tree National Park. As you turn off Park Boulevard on the road to Keys View, the Cap Rock trail is an easy .4 mile loop hike that’s dotted with desert scrub, junipers and Joshua trees. There are interpretive signs to help guide your way. This outcropping of monzogranite rock – yes monzogranite – features a large rock that has a smaller rock balanced on top so it looks like a cap.

• Cap Rock map
• parking lot

Key’s View

Keys View is one of my favorite “hikes” in Joshua Tree National Park because as the name says, it’s all about the view. On a good day – if it’s not hazy or cloudy – you can see the entire Coachella Valley and maybe even as far as Mexico. Unfortunately it was pretty hazy the day we were there but we could see the Salton Sea to the southeast. I just couldn’t get a clear photo of it.

The viewpoint, from 5000 feet above sea level, provides good views of the Little San Bernandino Mountains and two of California’s highest peaks – Mount San Jacinto and San Gorgonio.

This hike isn’t really even a hike. More like a walk and several viewpoints. There’s a parking lot with a paved ADA accessible walkway. Interpretive signs lead the way to more viewing decks and benches. If you feel up to a more vigorous hike, access the Inspiration Point trail from here.

• Keys View map
• parking lot
• vault toilets
• good for a picnic

Skull Rock

Probably one of the most recognizable – and popular attractions – at Joshua Tree National Park is Skull Rock. This huge boulder, etched by time and water, looks just like a skull and what appears to be two eye sockets. It’s fascinating looking.

Besides the main Skull Rock, this entire surrounding area is perfect for exploring. Especially if you have kids. There are plenty of well marked trails to run around on and like most places in Joshua Tree National Park, rocks to climb around on.

Southerner Says: if Skull Rock is crowded during the day, save it for the late evening. Campers staying in Jumbo Rocks campground, can access Skull Rock from the campground as well.

• Skull Rock map
• parking on the side of the road

Split Rock Loop Trail

Split Rock Loop Trail is a 2 mile nature trail that passes through a variety of desert scenes. Interesting boulders, cacti, yuccas and yes, a split rock, are just a few of the things you will encounter on this hike in Joshua Tree National Park. And you might even spot a big horn sheep or two.

The elevation gain is easy and once you reach the highest part of the trail called Isles in the Sky, there’s a flat rocky area perfect for a midway rest and views of the park. Take a few minutes to cool off and enjoy the view before you wind back around to the parking lot.

• Split Rock Loop Trail map
• parking lot
• vault toilets

Cholla Cactus Garden

If you love cactus, then the Cholla Cactus Garden is a hike in Joshua Tree National Park that you can’t miss. The area of the park looks a little different. Since it’s located at a lower elevation, there aren’t any Joshua trees around. It’s just hundreds of teddy bear cholla cactus, as far as you can see. In fact it’s approximately ten acres of cacti.

The .25 mile trail is a maintained path the weaves through cactus grove so you can get an up-close look. Just don’t touch or you’ll spend the day picking cactus out of your body. The cholla cactus likes to latch on to anything or anyone that gets too close.

If you only have time for one thing in the park the Cholla Cactus Garden would be my pick.

• Cholla Cactus Garden map
• parking area
• vault toilets

Hall of Horrors

A place called Hall of Horrors probably doesn’t sound like any place you would want to go but contrary to its name, it’s one of the most peaceful spots and one of my favorite hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. Hall of Horrors earns its name from, what looks like halls or slots, between the closely parallel rocks.

The trail to the halls is a flat .6 mile trail, although, this entire section is really beautiful and full of some of the prettiest Joshua trees and shrubs in the entire park.

We went in the evening as the sun was going down and even though the sunset wasn’t as vibrant as I had hoped for, the colors of the sky and the light breeze made it a perfect desert spot with the Joshua trees and jack rabbits to watch the sun go down. In fact, we spent so much time looking for the perfect shaped tree, we never made it to the hall.

• Hall of Horrors map
• parking lot
• vault toilets

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More Joshua Tree National Park Tips

• Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• If you visit in late spring and summer, hike early or late to avoid the heat.
• Dogs aren’t allowed on the trails in Joshua Tree National Park.
• There’s no water available in the park so carry plenty with you. You can fill bottles at the Oasis Visitor Center at Twenty Nine Palms.
• The National Park Service says there’s no phone service in the park. I have Verizon and had absolutely none. My daughter has AT&T and occasionally had a enough that her phone would update. So have a plan and let someone know where you are, especially if you travel solo.

Joshua Tree National Park Resources

• For more information about the park and to read about the different entrances, check out my Joshua Tree National Park Guide.
• Download a Joshua Tree National Park map from the National Park Service website before you go.
• Download the National Park Trust’s – who support and help fund our national parks – ParkPassport Mobile App to use for a better experience in the park.
• Learn more about Leave No Trace principles for visiting public lands.
• Need a National Park passport book before you go? Purchase one

Packing List for Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is near Twenty Nine Palms and the town of Joshua Tree. If you forget something you should be able to buy it locally. Twenty Nine Palms is smaller than Joshua Tree but it does have a Dollar General. Here’s a few suggestions of things to pack for June in Joshua Tree National Park. Especially if you are camping in the park.

• Water, water and more water – did I mention there’s no water in the park? In fact, it’s a good idea to invest in a refillable water cube that you can use over again instead of lots of small bottles.
• For small drinking bottles, I like this refillable water bottle and this Hydro Flask one too.
• food and snacks
• sunscreen
• lip balm
• hand sanitizer
• toilet paper just in case
• good shoes for hiking in dusty conditions
• a sweatshirt or hoodie for cool evenings
• sunglasses
• a hat
• bandanna to keep you cool
• A daypack for hiking is always nice because you can go hands free for photo taking. This one is a good size, packable and very affordable.
• If you don’t want a full size day pack, how about a fanny pack? REI has one that my daughter owns and it works well for short day hikes. It also comes in cute colors.

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