10 Short and Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park (Maps and Tips)

If you’re visiting Joshua Tree National Park and want to enjoy its beauty without committing to long, strenuous hikes, you’re in luck! The park offers several short and easy trails that showcase its unique desert landscape.

From iconic Joshua trees to striking rock formations and fascinating desert plants, these hikes pack a lot of natural wonder into a short distance. They’re perfect for families, casual hikers, or anyone looking for a quick nature fix.

Map of Short and Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

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The Cap Rock Nature Trail is a short and easy loop trail. It’s a perfect walk for families, casual hikers, or anyone looking for a gentle stroll.

The trail takes its name from the massive boulder “capped” by a precariously balanced rock, an iconic sight at the trailhead.

Along the way, you’ll find signs that provide insights into the local plant life, including Joshua trees, Mojave yucca, and pinyon pine, as well as the rock formations that define the landscape.

Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park 

Hike Stats: 

• Trailhead: 20 miles (32 km) north of Cottonwood Visitor Center
• Distance: 0.4 miles (loop).
• Difficulty: Very easy; the trail is well-maintained and flat, making it suitable for all ages and abilities.
• Time: 15–30 minutes, depending on how often you stop to read the interpretive signs or take photos.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with spring (March to May) being an especially beautiful time as the desert flowers begin to bloom.

GOOD TO KNOW: Cap Rock is also historically significant as the site where musician Gram Parsons’ body was partially cremated in 1973. His friends carried out the unusual memorial at the rock formation after his sudden passing, a story that has since become part of Joshua Tree’s local lore.

Keys View offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic vistas in Joshua Tree National Park, and the best part—it’s easily accessible with minimal walking!

Located at an elevation of over 5,000 feet, the viewpoint provides sweeping views of the Coachella Valley, San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and on clear days, you can even spot the snow-capped peaks of Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio.

View from Keys View in Joshua National Park 

Hike Stats:

• Trailhead: Keys View
• Distance: 0.2 miles (round trip from the parking area).
• Difficulty: Super easy; the trail is paved and has a slight incline, but is suitable for most visitors.
• Time: 10–20 minutes, depending on how long you stay to enjoy the views.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but the best visibility is typically in the cooler months (fall to spring) when the air is clear. Sunset is a particularly popular time to visit, as the sun casts a golden glow over the desert below.

View from Keys View in Joshua Tree

GOOD TO KNOW: While it’s technically more of a viewpoint than a hike, there’s a short, paved trail from the parking lot to the overlook that takes you up a slight incline to the main viewing platform. There are also plaques along the way providing information on the geological features you’re seeing, including the famous San Andreas Fault.

The Cholla Cactus Garden Trail is a beautiful hike through one of the densest concentrations of cholla cacti in the park.

Trail Stats: 

• Trailhead: 20 miles (32 km) north of Cottonwood Visitor Center
• Distance: 0.25–0.3 miles (loop), depending on whether you take side paths for extra views.
• Difficulty: Very easy; the path is flat, and there’s almost no elevation gain.
• Time: Typically takes 10–20 minutes, though you may want to spend extra time exploring and taking photos.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but March and April offer a special treat when the cacti bloom with pale yellow-green flowers, creating a striking contrast against the blue desert sky.

Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree

GOOD TO KNOW: The trail is a loop. It has informative plaques along the trail that provide more insight into how these fascinating cacti survive and thrive in the harsh desert climate.

Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree

PRO TIP: These cacti, often called “teddy bear” cholla for their soft appearance, are anything but cuddly. Despite their harmless-looking appearance, the cholla’s spines are covered with tiny barbs that make them difficult to remove once they latch onto skin or clothing. It’s why they’re sometimes nicknamed “jumping cholla”—though they don’t really jump, they can easily attach to anything that brushes too close! Make sure to keep your distance!

Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree

The Hall of Horrors Trail is a short hike that will get you up close to Joshua Tree’s famous rock formations.

The trail leads to a group of massive rocks with narrow corridors or “halls” that you can walk through, giving this area its eerie name.

This trail is especially popular with rock climbers who enjoy scrambling over boulders. Even if you don’t climb, just wandering through the corridors of rock is a fun experience.

Hall of Horrors Trail in Joshua Tree

Trail Stats: 

• Trailhead: Park in the lot for the Hall of Horrors area, which is located on Park Boulevard
• Distance: 0.6 miles (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy, with some opportunities for rock scrambling if desired. The trail itself is mostly flat and accessible to all.
• Time: 20–45 minutes, depending on how much time you spend exploring the rock formations.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but mornings and late afternoons are ideal for cooler temperatures and better lighting for photography.

Hall of Horrors Trail in Joshua Tree

GOOD TO KNOW: The Hall of Horrors is known for its narrow rock corridors that you can walk through. The name might sound spooky, but the area is far from frightening—unless you’re afraid of tight spaces!

Hall of Horrors in Joshua Tree

The Barker Dam Nature Trail is a short loop that offers a blend of history, wildlife, and stunning desert scenery.

Built over 100 years ago by early cattle ranchers, Barker Dam was constructed to store water for livestock and has since become a small oasis in the arid landscape.

The trail takes you to this historic dam, which often attracts a variety of wildlife, including birds and desert bighorn sheep, especially after seasonal rains. In addition to the dam, the trail provides great views of Joshua trees, large rock formations, and desert plants.

Informative plaques along the way explain the dam’s origin and use, and you can also spot Native American petroglyphs near the trail—adding a cultural aspect to this easy hike.

Barker Dam in Joshua Tree

Trail Stats:

• Trailhead: Barker Dam parking area
• Distance: 1.1 miles (loop).
• Difficulty: Easy; the trail is well-maintained with a few rocky sections, but overall very manageable for all skill levels.
• Time: 30–60 minutes, depending on how much time you spend at the dam or exploring the surrounding rock formations.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but after rainy periods, the dam is more likely to have water, making it a prime spot for wildlife viewing. Early morning or late afternoon hikes provide the best lighting for photos and cooler temperatures.

Barker Dam in Joshua Tree

The Hidden Valley Trail is one of Joshua Tree’s most popular and scenic hikes!

This short loop takes you into a unique valley enclosed by towering rock formations, offering a mix of dramatic desert scenery and fascinating history.

Legend has it that this valley was once used by cattle rustlers to hide stolen livestock, which is how it got its name.

The rock formations surrounding the valley are also a favorite among rock climbers, and you might spot some scaling the towering walls.

There are informational plaques along the path explaining the area’s history, geology, and plant life.

Hidden Valley Trail in Joshua Tree

Hike Stats: 

• Trailhead: Hidden Valley picnic area
• Distance: 1 mile (loop).
• Difficulty: Easy; the trail is mostly flat with some sandy and rocky sections. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
• Time: 30–60 minutes, depending on how much time you spend exploring the rock formations or taking in the views.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but fall and spring offer the best temperatures for hiking. Early mornings or late afternoons provide beautiful lighting and cooler conditions.

Hidden Valley in Joshua Tree National Park 

GOOD TO KNOW: Hidden Valley is home to one of the park’s densest concentrations of Joshua trees and also serves as a prime spot for viewing desert wildflowers in the spring.

The Skull Rock Trail is a short and fun hike that leads to one of Joshua Tree National Park’s most famous rock formations—Skull Rock.

As the name suggests, this massive granite boulder has eroded over time to resemble a skull, with eye sockets and all!

Skull Rock Trail in Joshua Tree

Trail Stats:

• Trailhead: Skull Rock parking area just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground; also accessible from within Jumbo Rocks Campground
• Distance: 1.7 miles (loop).
• Difficulty: Easy; the trail is well-marked and mostly flat, with some rocky sections for those who want to explore more.
• Time: 45–90 minutes, depending on how much time you spend climbing rocks or taking in the scenery.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, though early morning or late afternoon hikes provide cooler temperatures and the best lighting for photographing Skull Rock.

Skull Rock Trail in Joshua Tree

PRO TIP: The trailhead starts right along Park Boulevard, so Skull Rock can be seen without much walking, but taking the full loop offers a much richer experience!

The Split Rock Loop Trail is a scenic easy loop hike that will take you through a beautiful landscape filled with enormous boulders, interesting rock formations, and the characteristic desert flora that defines the park.

As you walk, you’ll encounter Split Rock itself, a massive boulder that has cracked down the middle, creating an impressive sight!

Split Rock Loop Trail in Joshua Tree

Hike Stats:

• Trailhead: Split Rock picnic area
• Distance: 2 miles (loop).
• Difficulty: Easy; the trail is mostly flat with some slight inclines, making it accessible to all.
• Time: 1–2 hours, depending on how much time you spend exploring and enjoying the views.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with spring and fall being ideal for pleasant temperatures. Mornings and late afternoons are perfect for cooler weather and better lighting.

GOOD TO KNOW: The trail offers excellent opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering for those seeking a little more adventure.

The Arch Rock Nature Trail is a must-do for visitors looking to experience one of Joshua Tree National Park’s most striking natural rock formations.

This short, easy hike leads you to a stunning natural arch, carved over time by wind and erosion. Not far from the arch is another great rock formation – Rock Heart!

Trail Stats: 

• Trailhead: Twin Tanks Parking lot aka the Arch Rock Trailhead
• Distance: 1.2 miles (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy; the trail is well-marked and mostly flat, with a few areas of rock scrambling near the arch.
• Time: 30–60 minutes, depending on how much time you spend exploring and photographing the arch.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, though sunrise or sunset offers the best lighting for photography. Spring and fall are ideal for cooler weather.

Arch Rock in Joshua Tree

GOOD TO KNOW: Arch Rock is part of the Pinto Gneiss formation, one of the oldest rock formations in the park, dating back nearly 1.7 billion years. The arch itself was formed through centuries of erosion from wind and water, creating a stunning natural structure.

The Wall Street Mill Trail is an easy, flat trail that takes you through a landscape dotted with Joshua trees and impressive rock formations, leading you to the remains of an old gold mill from the early 1930s.

The mill was part of a gold mining operation, and as you walk, you’ll encounter remnants of the machinery and structures that tell the story of this once-bustling site.

Along the way, you’ll also find informative signs that share the history of the area.

Wall Street Mill Trail in Joshua Tree

Hike Stats:

• Trailhead: The Wall Street Mill Trail can be started from two locations: Barker Dam Nature Trailhead and Wall Street Mill Trailhead
• Distance: 2.3 miles (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy; the trail is mostly flat with a few sandy areas, making it accessible for all skill levels.
• Time: 1–2 hours, depending on how much time you spend exploring the mill ruins and enjoying the scenery.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but spring and fall are ideal for cooler temperatures. Early mornings or late afternoons provide the best light for photography and a more comfortable hiking experience.

Wall Street Mill Trail in Joshua Tree

GOOD TO KNOW: The Wall Street Mill was part of a gold mining boom that occurred in the area during the early 1900s. Today, it stands as a reminder of the region’s mining history, with the structures and equipment partially preserved in the desert landscape.

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