Hiking In Joshua Tree National Park

Hiking amid the oddly shaped Joshua trees, past clusters of cacti, and through mazes of rock rewards with both wonders right in front of your eyes as well as gorgeous far-off vistas. But you need to be prepared for wandering in this desertscape.

As rewarding as hiking in Joshua Tree can be, getting lost or suffering from the heat are two very real scenarios you must prepare against. Good maps, plenty of water and shielding from the sun, and letting folks know where you're heading are elements of your hike not to be overlooked.

There are 28 trails on offer in this national park, ranging from short, easy strolls of between 0.1 miles (0.16 kilometers) to less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) roundtrip, to longer, more strenuous treks of 8-36 miles (12.9-58 kilometers) roundtrip. Don't ever attempt the strenuous hikes in extreme heat.

Park Staff offer the following safety tips and 10 summer hiking essentials:

Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back
Bring plenty of food and water—even on short hikes
Don’t force fluids—drink when you are thirsty
Eat often—salty snacks are key for salt loss from sweating
Rest in the shade
Plan ahead and avoid hiking between 10am and 5pm during the summer
Read more safety tips here before visiting Joshua Tree

Water - plain and some with electrolyte replacement.
Food - especially salty foods. Eat twice as much as normal.
First Aid Kit - band aids, ace wrap, antiseptic, moleskin, etc.
Map - while many trails are well-marked, maps are helpful tools.
Pack - to carry the essentials.
Flashlight/Spare Batteries - allows you to hike out during the cool of the evening.
Spray Bottle - fill with water for your own personal air conditioning system.
Sun Protection - hat and sunscreen to keep the sun off you and protect your skin.
Whistle and/or Signal Mirror - for emergency use.
Waterproof Clothing - poncho or jacket; especially useful during monsoon season (mid-July to early September).

Hikes Featured in the Traveler

Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail

Cholla Garden Path
The nature trail winds through a maze of chollas.

Kurt Repanshek photo

While there are many long-distance hikes you can take in Joshua Tree National Park, sometimes the heat can just be too much. But even if it's the middle of the day, a stroll down the Cholla Cactus Garden path is well-worth your time to learn about these curious cacti.

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