Best
sunsets
Barker Dam Area
Sunset views with a chance of water reflections during wetter months. It’s peaceful, offering a quiet spot to unwind before the stars come out.
Cap Rock
It’s a short, easy walk from the parking area, providing a great sunset vantage point that’s quick to access.
Hidden Valley
Rock formations catch the sun’s final rays, creating a golden glow.
Must see
spots
Keys View
This is the highest viewpoint in the park that’s accessible by car, offering expansive views of the Coachella Valley, San Andreas Fault, and sometimes even Mexico’s Signal Mountain. Perfect for those who want a memorable view without a long hike.
Arch Rock
A natural rock arch spanning 30 feet, set amid a boulder-strewn landscape. It’s reached by a short trail from White Tank Campground. It’s an iconic and picturesque formation, especially stunning in early morning or late afternoon light.
Cholla Garden
This dense cluster of cholla cacti glows beautifully in the sunlight, creating an otherworldly experience at sunrise and sunset. It’s one of the park’s most unique and photogenic spots.
Best short hikes
Hidden Valley Trail
Distance: 1 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: This short, flat loop takes you through a valley surrounded by towering rock formations. It’s filled with desert plants and offers a great introduction to the park’s geology and flora.
Barker Dam Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: This popular trail leads to a historic water reservoir built by early ranchers. Along the way, you’ll see massive boulders, Joshua Trees, and possibly even some waterfowl near the dam during wetter months.
Wall Street Mill Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: This hike takes you to a historic gold mill, passing by old cars, rusty equipment, and other remnants of the area’s mining history. It’s an easy, flat trail with plenty of history and photo opportunities.
Joshua Tree National Park is a natural wonder
The park is named after the iconic Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia), a species of yucca plant known for their quirky, twisted shapes. Found only in the Mojave Desert, these trees make the park a truly unique destination.
Recognized as a Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree offers some of the clearest night skies in the country, making it an ideal spot for stargazing. On moonless nights, the Milky Way is visible in its full splendor.
The park lies at the junction of two distinct desert ecosystems—the Mojave and the Colorado Deserts—creating a rich blend of desert flora, fauna, giant rock formations, and an array of desert wildlife.
Towering boulders and rugged landscapes provide incredible opportunities for exploration, photography, and climbing. Iconic sites like Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and the Hidden Valley area showcase some of the park’s most distinctive geological features.
Beyond its natural beauty, the park has a rich cultural history, serving as home to Native American tribes, pioneers, and later, as a hub for artists and musicians seeking inspiration from the desert’s solitude and surreal landscapes.
Whether you’re a hiker, photographer, climber, or stargazer, Joshua Tree offers a magical experience that makes it one of the most distinctive national parks in the U.S.
We recommend utilizing the excellent resources the Park has created to help you plan your trip.