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California
48 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
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Why you'll love it
Big Trees 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 paraeid="{4e0e7a30-766a-4ca6-b32c-bbdc9e5407e1}{154}" paraid="765287846">Big Trees Trail is a 6 mile (round trip) out-and-back hike less than 100 ft of elevation gain. This trail is great for admiring the desert vegetation and looking out for wildlife. On this hike, you’ll see some of the bigger Joshua trees in the park. Take a moment and see if you can spot a nesting Red Tail Hawk or Scott’s Oriole in the Joshua trees. On the ground, be on the lookout for racing jackrabbits, burrowing ground squirrels, and the occasional lizard bathing in the sun. </p> <p paraeid="{4e0e7a30-766a-4ca6-b32c-bbdc9e5407e1}{226}" paraid="2056305915"> <br /> Big Trees Trail is also known as the Lost Horse Connector Trail because it connects to Lost Horse Mine Trail. If you continue on the Lost Horse Mine Trail to the historic mining site, then return to the trailhead, it creates a 10 mile (round trip) out-and back hike with approximately 650 feet of elevation gain. If you continue to hike the full Lost Horse Loop Hike, then return to the trailhead, it creates a 12.5 mile “lollipop” loop hike with approximately 900 feet of elevation gain. </p> <p paraeid="{4e0e7a30-766a-4ca6-b32c-bbdc9e5407e1}{248}" paraid="121894055">If camping at Ryan Campground, this trail can be accessed from the campground near campsite 13. If not camping, park your car in the Juniper Flats parking lot and start hiking northeast on the California Riding and Hiking Trail until you reach Ryan Campground. From the campground, begin hiking the Big Trees Trail at the trail junction near campsite 13. </p>
Cap Rock
~1 min drive
<p>Cap Rock is a popular rock formation in the central part of Joshua Tree National Park. Located near the north end of Keys View Road near Park Boulevard, Cap Rock is an easy to reach location. In addition to the unique rock formation, Cap Rock offers a picnic area with grill…
Ryan Ranch Trailhead
~2 min drive
<p paraeid="{5b31bcd1-638e-43cd-9cfa-6ec1a4d5f5ae}{107}" paraid="1311873658">Ryan Ranch is a one-mile (round trip) out-and-back hike with a 135-foot elevation gain. The trail travels along an old ranch road to a historic adobe structure at the base of Ryan Mountain. Ryan Ranch…
Minerva Hoyt (Minerva Hoyt Trail)
~2 min drive
The Minerva Hoyt Trail is an out-and-back hike to the Hidden Valley picnic area. It is 3 miles roundtrip with 100 feet of elevation gain. From the parking lot, the trail follows an old road before it takes a sharp right towards Hidden Valley. The hike goes through a valley of…
Lost Horse Mine Trailhead
~3 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…
Ryan Mountain Trailhead
~4 min drive
<p paraeid="{8cc8f37b-3c36-45c6-83d6-94e72c114c11}{25}" paraid="396559091">Ryan Mountain is a 3-mile (round trip) out-and-back hike with 1,050 feet of elevation gain. The summit rewards hikers with one of the best 360-degree views of any trail in the park. From the summit, you…
Hidden Valley Trailhead
~4 min drive
<p paraeid="{9296a7fe-185c-4ce3-b578-0e633a2bc16b}{152}" paraid="1177623846">The Hidden Valley Trail is a one-mile loop hike through a scenic valley surrounded by large rock formations. The trail is excellent for families and offers exciting opportunities for rock scrambling.…
Cow Rock
~5 min drive
A rock formation that is shaped like a cow overlooking the Hidden Valley Trail. To find this rock formation while hiking the Hidden Valley Trail, stop at the Mountain Quail Interpretive Sign and look to the west. At the top of the tall wall of rocks is Cow Rock.
Echo T Trailhead
~6 min drive
Take the Echo T Trail to connect to the Barker Dam Trail from the Echo T parking lot. This trail follows a wash near unique rock formations. Meander among Joshua trees and other desert plants. Watch for climbers or try to spot desert bighorn sheep. Get ready for a minor rock s…
Boy Scout Trailhead
~8 min drive
Explore the Wonderland of Rocks on the Boy Scout Trail. The Boy Scout Trail runs for a total of 8 miles one way(16 miles round trip), but hikes of any length can be a great way to experience the Wonderland of Rocks. Start from the Keys West Wilderness Backpacking Board along P…
Keys West Wilderness Backpacking Board
~8 min drive
The Keys West Backcountry Board is located at the Upper Boy Scout Trail, aka the south end of the Boy Scout Trail, along Park Boulevard. This trailhead provides access to the Boy Scout Trail and Willow Hole Trail. The backcountry board serves as a self registration point for b…
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