Ranger-curated one-day highlights itinerary for Joshua Tree National Park.
Itinerary
Ranger-curated Joshua Tree day built around sunrise light, iconic rock formations, and cooler hikes.
Sunrise at Keys View
Keys View is a popular viewpoint providing wide vistas of the Little San Bernardino Mountains and Coachella Valley.
Wide valley views with early light.
Arrive early for parking and minimal haze.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Hidden Valley offers a wide range of popular technical rock climbing routes.
Easy loop with classic rock formations.
Great early hike before crowds.
Barker Dam Trail
Enjoy an easy 1.1 mile hike on the Barker Dam Nature Trail.
Loop with historic dam and seasonal water.
Water may be dry in late summer.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Enjoy scenic views of mountains and a large number of cholla growing along Pinto Basin Road.
Short boardwalk through a dense cactus grove.
Best light is late morning or golden hour.
Skull Rock + Jumbo Rocks
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.
Easy stops with iconic rock formations.
Stay hydrated; shade is limited.
Sunset at Cap Rock
Cap Rock is a popular centrally located rock formation.
Quick loop around a prominent rock formation.
Arrive early for the best light.
Creates a copy you can customize
1
Day
6
Stops
moderate
Difficulty
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