Trio of Trails

Hike a classic circuit of short trails in Joshua Tree National Park

View from Keys View Joshua Tree

Get into Joshua Tree National Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We recommend starting at the west entrance and driving to the Hidden Valley trailhead.

Hike the classic circuit of short trails at Joshua Tree National Park

This 1-mile loop is an amphitheater and playground of boulders. The trail winds through a bounty of cactus, pinyon, juniper, and—of course— Joshua trees, with their spiny tops and branches artfully molded by nature in whimsical contortions.

Hike the classic circuit of short trails at Joshua Tree National Park

Hike the loop, scamper up boulders for bird’s-eye views, and watch as rock climbers scramble to the tip-tops of narrow rocks.

Next stop: Barker Dam Loop, just 5 minutes away by car. The trail is 1.5 miles among smooth rock face, stacks of boulders, and fields of Joshua trees. If you’re really lucky, maybe you’ll see a bighorn sheep, though you’re more likely to see the ancient petroglyphs at the end of the trail.

Onward to the third stop: Keys View. This is a good spot for having a packed lunch. At first it feels like drive-in scenery, and it kind of is! As the main overlook in the park, Keys is just a short walk up from the (often crowded) parking lot. Do it anyhow, and snap your selfies overlooking the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, and Palm Springs’ impressive Mount San Jacinto.

Hike the classic circuit of short trails at Joshua Tree National Park

Make a stop at the visitor center just outside the west entrance to the park. Pick up a map and talk to a park ranger. No dogs.

WHERE TO EAT & STAY: The town of Joshua Tree maintains a high desert bohemian and arts vibe. Grab a beer at the Joshua Tree Saloon, where the Old West welcomes hikers, climbers, campers, and locals eating everything from jalapeño poppers to baskets of baby back ribs basted in a homemade Jack Daniels No. 7 BBQ.Wash everything down with one of the seasonal brews or a staple Guinness.

Where to eat and drink in Joshua Tree

Camping at Joshua Tree is very popular, with plenty of options depending on what you like (and what you can get!).

Unique airstream experience in Joshua Tree

TIP: You can also look for unique stays and rental properties in the area.

Unique airstream experience in Joshua Tree

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  3. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. Two women on e-bikes at Cass Vineyard and Winery near Paso Robles

    Eat, Drink, E-bike!

    No offense to charcuterie but sometimes you want a full meal while tasting world-class wine. And Paso Robles knows this better than perhaps any other wine region in California. Case in point: Cass Vineyard and Winery, where you can eat, drink, and e-bike!

    View
  3. Diamond in the Rough

    March Madness may be over, but the wildflower rush has just begun! This spring, in the Southern California regional bracket, Hemet’s Diamond Valley Lake is our surprise pick for the Fab Flowers Finals. Take a 2-mile round-trip hike in botanical bliss.

    View
  4. Jurupa Jamboree

    If you like a short hike with a side of adventure, try the Jurupa Hills North Trail in Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Regional Park.

    View