Visiting Joshua Tree National Park: A Guide

Joshua Tree National Park is a hidden gem of Southern California. There are endless trails to explore, and you could easily spend a few days lost in the desert here. However, I have highlighted some of my favourite easy hikes and landscapes to find the coolest rocks in the park.

While none of these hikes require a permit, always check with National Park Service before your visit for the latest updates and any road and trail closures.

Last updated October 2024*.

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Visiting Joshua Tree National Park: When To Go?

Due to its location in the desert of Southern California, I advise against visiting Joshua Tree National Park in the Summer months. The area experiences extreme heat at this time of year, which will majorly impact your ability to enjoy hiking in the park. Additionally, if you are anything like me and terrified of snakes and insects, the Summer months are when both rattlesnakes and bees are most active here. Always check with the National Park Service before your visit for any safety warnings.

As a result I encourage you to consider visiting in the colder Fall and Winter months. We visited in February, and were able to enjoy not only incredibly sunny blue skies, but also a very quiet and peaceful park. The warm Californian sun actually provided a welcome respite from many snowier states that we visited at this time of year. While it was a much more comfortable temperature to enjoy hiking, it still got chilly and windy at some higher elevations, so make sure to bring a jacket to rug up.

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park: Hiking

Cholla Cactus Garden

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 0.25mi / 0.4km

While this trail barely counts as a hike, it was actually the highlight of my visit to Joshua Tree National Park. The Cholla Cactus Garden is located at the intersection of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, providing an incredible view over the transition zone. The cacti themselves are beautiful and bright, although don’t get too close!

Discovery Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 0.7mi / 1.1km

Discovery trail is for rock lovers. While Skull Rock can be spotted from the parking area, I recommend also walking the short loop trail to discover more interesting boulders including Split Rock and Face Rock. This trail is a great option for those who want to dive deeper into the park’s landscapes without undertaking a more strenuous or moderate hike.

Hidden Valley

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1.0mi / 1.6km

The Hidden Valley trail takes you into a rock-enclosed valley filled with endless Joshua trees (you can’t miss then) and rock walls. The signs also allowed us to better understand the landscape, its history and its wildlife. The Hidden Valley Picnic Area is also a great stop to refuel before continuing your adventure.

Oasis of Mara

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 0.5mi / 0.8km

Located just outside of Joshua Tree National Park, Oasis of Mara is yet another interesting landscape here. The spring produces lush palms and greenery due to the high elevation of ground water here. I really enjoyed learning about how desert ecosystems are able to survive due to their oases here.