Hiking
Easy Hikes
One of our other favorite areas is the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve which is like an "oasis" in the desert with beautiful Cottonwood Trees, deer, tons of birds, etc. Water running is seasonal. Lots of shade and benches to rest. Several trails to choose from and most are a "boardwalk" type trail. They have a bathroom too. They have picnic tables where you park or you can go next door to Covington Park with grass, trees, shade etc. for a picnic. This is in Morongo Valley which is "down the hill" a bit before you get into Yucca Valley. A nice place to stop on the way here, or the way out. https://www.bigmorongo.org/visit/
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Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
11055 East DriveOne of our other favorite areas is the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve which is like an "oasis" in the desert with beautiful Cottonwood Trees, deer, tons of birds, etc. Water running is seasonal. Lots of shade and benches to rest. Several trails to choose from and most are a "boardwalk" type trail. They have a bathroom too. They have picnic tables where you park or you can go next door to Covington Park with grass, trees, shade etc. for a picnic. This is in Morongo Valley which is "down the hill" a bit before you get into Yucca Valley. A nice place to stop on the way here, or the way out. https://www.bigmorongo.org/visit/
This is only about a mile by car to get to the beginning of the trail. Head up to Black Rock Campground and you will see signs to the right as you enter. You drive about a mile on a dirt road and then park. It is easy hiking. There are great views of San Gorgonio and especially beautiful when it is covered in snow. Always bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
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High View Nature Loop Trail
This is only about a mile by car to get to the beginning of the trail. Head up to Black Rock Campground and you will see signs to the right as you enter. You drive about a mile on a dirt road and then park. It is easy hiking. There are great views of San Gorgonio and especially beautiful when it is covered in snow. Always bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
The water in here is seasonal, but it's still very picturesque and full of nice rocks, desert pine trees, flora and fauna. There are bathrooms at the parking lot too. Best to go early in the day. https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/barker-dam-trail.htm
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Barker Dam Nature Trail
Barker Dam Nature TrailThe water in here is seasonal, but it's still very picturesque and full of nice rocks, desert pine trees, flora and fauna. There are bathrooms at the parking lot too. Best to go early in the day. https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/barker-dam-trail.htm
This is a day use area with quite a bit of parking. It's fun for just exploring and scrambling around on the rocks. If you wander off, don't get lost and forget the way to the car. Plenty of places to explore, but not so much "marked trails." https://www.roadsidesecrets.com/listing/hidden-valley-picnic-area/
Hidden Valley Picnic Area
Park BoulevardThis is a day use area with quite a bit of parking. It's fun for just exploring and scrambling around on the rocks. If you wander off, don't get lost and forget the way to the car. Plenty of places to explore, but not so much "marked trails." https://www.roadsidesecrets.com/listing/hidden-valley-picnic-area/
1 mile loop easy hike. Head behind the trail to the picnic area for more unique boulders an epic outcroppings, and without the crowds.
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Hidden Valley natursti
74485 National Park Drive1 mile loop easy hike. Head behind the trail to the picnic area for more unique boulders an epic outcroppings, and without the crowds.
Thousands of Cholla cactus plants, blanket 10 acres of land here. An easy 1/4 mile dirt path loops you around the garden with two short bridges. You can easily walk the trail and under 30 minutes but you might want to give yourself more time to enjoy the views.
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Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden TrailThousands of Cholla cactus plants, blanket 10 acres of land here. An easy 1/4 mile dirt path loops you around the garden with two short bridges. You can easily walk the trail and under 30 minutes but you might want to give yourself more time to enjoy the views.
This is a Gentle hike that leads to arch rock which spans over 30 feet. It is a perfect sunrise spot. 1 mile out and back.
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Arch Rock Nature Trail
This is a Gentle hike that leads to arch rock which spans over 30 feet. It is a perfect sunrise spot. 1 mile out and back.
This is a quick stop if you don’t have a lot of time and it’s one of the few wheelchair accessible views inside Joshua Tree National Park. The .25 mile path is fully paved and offers plenty of parking.
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Keys View
This is a quick stop if you don’t have a lot of time and it’s one of the few wheelchair accessible views inside Joshua Tree National Park. The .25 mile path is fully paved and offers plenty of parking.
Distance 0.25-1.75 miles. This has long been a favorite with Park visitors and it looks like an eerie skull with two sunken eye sockets. Parking is located along the road next to this formation. For more adventures, continue along the 1.7 mile nature trail for more great rock outcrops. There could be crowds so plan an early morning visit.
Skull Rock Trail
Distance 0.25-1.75 miles. This has long been a favorite with Park visitors and it looks like an eerie skull with two sunken eye sockets. Parking is located along the road next to this formation. For more adventures, continue along the 1.7 mile nature trail for more great rock outcrops. There could be crowds so plan an early morning visit.