Route Overview
A 2-day Joshua Tree plan built around sunrise viewpoints, short hikes, and the best rock formations for first-time visitors.
Itinerary
Hidden Valley Trail
Enjoy an easy one mile hike on Hidden Valley Trail.
Classic Joshua Tree loop through boulder formations.
Go early to avoid heat and crowds.
Barker Dam Trail
Enjoy an easy 1.1 mile hike on the Barker Dam Nature Trail.
Loop trail with desert views and historic dam.
Watch for bighorn sheep near the rocks.
Keys View
Keys View is a popular viewpoint providing wide vistas of the Little San Bernardino Mountains and Coachella Valley.
Wide desert views toward the Salton Sea.
Great late-day light.
Cap Rock sunset
Short loop and big rocks with sunset glow.
Easy path and great photo spot.
Cholla Cactus Garden sunrise
An easy quarter mile hike through a cholla patch along Pinto Basin Road.
Golden light on dense cholla fields.
Watch your footing; spines are sharp.
Skull Rock
A relatively flat, 1.7-mile loop trail. Hike through the large, granite boulder fields around the Jumbo Rocks area, including one near Park Boulevard that closely resembles a Skull.
Quick stop for a unique rock formation.
Short loop nearby for extra views.
Arch Rock Trail
From the trailhead at the Sand Dune Arch parking area, the trail crosses a large meadow to Broken Arch. You can return from there or continue through the arch to the campground, then circle back through fins with sand dunes and some moderate scrambling. Roundtrip Distance: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) Time: 30-60 minutes Elevation Change: 59 ft (18 m)
Short hike to a natural arch.
Light is best mid-morning.
Creates a copy you can customize
2
Days
7
Stops
easy
Difficulty
Best Season
October-April for cooler temps
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