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California
19 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Joshua Tree National Park
National Park unit boundary is mapped — agency alerts for it feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
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Why you'll love it
Bajada Trailhead
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
<p>The Bajada Nature Trail is a short, flat, quarter-mile nature trail that meanders through common vegetation found in the Colorado Desert. Along the trail are interpretive signs highlighting different plants and their adaptations and uses. The trail is located near the southern boundary of the park, south of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. It is much lower in elevation than most of the park and offers a unique showcase of plants highly adapted to extreme heat and little rain.<br /> <br /> Occasionally, after wet winters, this trail will offer vibrant displays of wildflowers in February and March. For more information on wildflowers, visit our <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/blooms.htm">Wildflower Viewing Page</a>. <br /> <br /> This trail offers little to no shade so make sure to bring proper sun protection. </p> <h4>Stats</h4> <ul> <li>Length: 0.25 miles</li> <li>Surface material: hard-packed sand</li> <li>Elevation gain: 20 feet</li> <li>This is a loop trail</li> </ul> <h4>Barriers</h4> <p>Transitioning from the parking lot to the ramp and then off the ramp onto trail may invlolve changes in the level exceeding 1 inch, depending on weather condiitons. There is a narrow section of the trail where you must go over a boardwalk section. </p> <h4>Parking </h4> <p>There are:</p> <ul> <li>1 standard accessible spaces</li> <li>10 other spaces</li> </ul> <h4>Restrooms </h4> <p>The nearest restroom is at Cottonwood Visitor Center, approximately 5.6 miles to the north on Pinto Basin Road. </p>
Cottonwood Spring
~7 min drive
<p>Cottonwood Spring is a lush desert oasis located in the southern portion of the Joshua Tree National Park near the Cottonwood Visitor Center off Cottonwood Spring Road. The spring is a short walk down a dirt path from the parking area, providing an opportunity to see a wide…
Cactus Springs
~57 min drive
Easy desert hike through cactus-studded landscape with natural springs.
Pinyon
~1h 10m drive
10.6-mile moderate desert trail through pinyon-juniper woodland with steady elevation gain.
Geology (Skull Rock)
~45 min drive
Skull Rock is a popular destination along Park Boulevard just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground. Formed over many millennia, water drops have slowly eroded two large holes into the rock to make the rock resemble a skull. Skull Rock can be reached by the Skull Rock Nature Trail ju…
Sawmill
~1h 5m drive
Moderate 5-mile climb with 1,816 ft gain through forest and chaparral.
Palm Canyon
~1h 10m drive
Long desert canyon hike featuring palm oases and valley views.
Discovery Trailhead
~45 min drive
<p paraeid="{a6af408c-b51b-47d4-92a5-8619324a9b92}{204}" paraid="862142058">The Discovery Trail is a 0.7-mile (1.1km) loop hike with 70ft (21.3m) of elevation gain and diverse views of the jumbo rocks area. Hike this trail through sandy washes, boulder piles, and unique rock f…
Skull Rock and Discovery Trail Trailheads
~45 min drive
Located along Park Boulevard between Jumbo Rocks and Live Oak, these trailheads provide access to the Skull Rock Nature Trail and the Discovery Trail. The Skull Rock Nature Trail is a 1.7 mile loop that can be started from trailheads on either side of the road. The north side…
California Riding and Hiking Trail at Geology Tour Road
~45 min drive
<p>Take a hike east or west from here on the California Riding and Hiking Trail. Carry water with you. The California Riding and Hiking Trail is 37 miles total, but smaller sections are popular day-hikes. This trailhead is in the middle of the California Riding and Hiking Trai…
Lost Horse Mine Trailhead
~48 min drive
<p paraeid="{9296a7fe-185c-4ce3-b578-0e633a2bc16b}{57}" paraid="1485989364">The Lost Horse Mine trail is a 4-mile (round trip) out-and-back hike with 550 feet of elevation gain. Lost Horse Mine operated from 1893 to 1936, producing over 9,000 ounces of gold. It was one of the…
