This is page 3 of the article. To start at the beginning, click here.
5. Ryan Mountain Trail
For one of the most dramatic views of the park — and some of the most fascinating flora and fauna — head to the top of Ryan Mountain.
Everything you need to know about this phenomenal trail can be found in my Ryan Mountain Trail Report. You won’t want to miss this one!
6. Keys View
For a spectacular birds-eye view of the park and its surrounding area, head to the most popular viewpoint in Joshua Tree — Keys View. From this viewpoint, you can see many notable landmarks, such as the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and the Santa Rosa Mountains, just to name a few.
What You Need to Know
This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible, but there is also a small trail you can take to another vantage point. Your view will be obstructed on hazy days, so try to pick a clear day to make the drive out here. This area is also a favorite place to watch the sunset in the park.
Getting Here
The turn-off to Keys View is located about halfway between the North Entrance and the West Entrance along Park Boulevard. From the North, drive along the road and look for the road to Keys View just after passing the Ryan Campground. From the West, you’ll find the Keys View Road just beyond the Hidden Valley area.
7. Hidden Valley Trail
The scenery of Hidden Valley is enhanced by a colorful history and is a fabulous place to explore and learn about the park. This gorgeous rock-enclosed valley was rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers as a hideout! Now, it’s a great example of the unique rock formations, plants, and animals that make Joshua Tree such a special place.
What You Need to Know
The nature trail through Hidden Valley is a 1-mile roundtrip and circles the perimeter of the valley. It offers excellent views and interpretive signs for an introduction to this area of the park. Hidden Valley is frequented by rock climbers, so it’s a fun place to go to catch the climbing fever!
Getting Here
Hidden Valley is located about 14 miles south of the town of Joshua Tree, near the West Entrance of the park.
8. Skull Rock
This iconic rock formation is a popular stop for Joshua Tree travelers…and you’ve got to admit that not much imagination is needed here. Skull Rock is a product of many, many years of water erosion and is a unique example of the various rock formations you’ll encounter during your time in the park.
What You Need to Know
While there is a 1.7-mile nature hike around Skull Rock, the hike is not necessary to see it. This formation is just right off the road, making this a quick stop. It’s not the most exciting thing to see in the park, but it’s easily recognizable and worth a minute of your time to snap a fun picture!
Getting Here
Skull Rock is located along Park Boulevard in between the North and West Entrance stations. If coming from the North Entrance, drive along Park Boulevard and stay right when you get to the junction. Continue along this road until you see the pullout for Skull Rock on either side of the road just before reaching the Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Bonus Stop: Keys Ranch
If you’re looking for a unique experience, try snatching up tickets for this fascinating ranger-led tour! You’ll learn all about the history of Bill and Frances Keys, who were hardy homesteaders in the Joshua Tree area. Click here to learn more about the tour and how to get tickets.
If you follow this list, you can have confidence that you are getting a fabulous taste of what Joshua Tree has to offer! Have a fantastic time in this beautiful national park!
Hi Ash. thanks for providing all the details. I’m planning a 1 1/2 days at Joshua end of May. Is that reasonably good time to see the park. – Not sure if this is a hot season to visit. Please advise.
It will be nice and toasty in May 🔥
Hi Ash,
Thinking of planning a trip to Joshua Tree in 2023 or 2024 over one of my kids’ school breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring). I see that there are quite a few campsites in this park. Do you have a favorite campsite? I believe I stayed at Jumbo Rocks the last time I was there, but that was a long time ago. My boys are 10- and 12-year-old and I plan on taking them rock climbing, if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Really any of the campgrounds along that main park road will do! If you’ll be doing a bunch of climbing, it would be more convenient to be at Hidden Valley or Ryan because those ones are closest to the best climbing spots :) But Jumbo Rocks, Belle, and White Tank are within striking distance as well. Climbing in Joshua Tree is so much fun — lucky kids!
How long would it take to see all these must-see places?
2 days!
Ash, you write here that the hike to Cottonwood Spring Oasis is 1 mile roundtrip but the park’s site (https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking.htm) says it’s a short walk, .1 mile. Is that talking about the same hike? Is the 1 mile you wrote above supposed to say .1 mile?
Yes, thank you for catching that. It’s a typo, and it is only 0.1 miles!
Hi Ashe! We are planning a trip to Joshua Tree sometime in October. Not sure what to pack clothing wise for hiking? What do you suggest?
It’s typically still pretty warm, but I would pack layers so that you can adjust as needed!
HI – we plan to drive from Las Vegas to LA in January 2023. If we some in through the west entrance, what sites & lookouts are easy to access and worth stopping at? Also, will we need snow chains at that time of year? Thanks
Hey Michelle! You won’t need chains in that park unless a random storm rolls through. But typically it’s a nice time to be there.
I would enter the park through Twentynine Palms and exit the park at the town of Joshua Tree. You’ll pass by stops like Skull Rock, Keys Ranch, Ryan Mountain, and Hidden Valley as you drive that road. Have fun!
We plan on visiting in winter (December). Any suggestions on what to visit and do during the winter months? Many thanks and I love your website!
The winter months are peak season in Joshua Tree, so you should be able to complete everything on this list with no problem!
Looking for a beautiful spot to propose. Any suggestions?
The top of Ryan Mountain would be awesome :)
Hi there! Thanks for this awesome info, I’m looking into coming out to backpack overnight. I’d like to come out Friday afternoon and car camp then wake up Saturday morning and backpack into a different camping spot… maybe a 6-10 mile hike in… Do you have any recommendations for this type of weekend trip?
I would take a look at the NPS site here: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm I’m not familiar with a lot of those longer trails, so I’m not exactly sure what would fit the bill for your upcoming trip. Have fun!
Hi Dirt in my shoes .. I am thinking on a trip to Joshua Tree in December? What should I expect weather wise etc .. we have an rv and were planning on camping ???
I really enjoy winter in Joshua Tree. I was there over New Year’s Eve/Day a few years ago and the weather was awesome…sunny skies, mild temps, beautiful trees. I think you’ll love it! RV camping should be very enjoyable. Have fun!
Hi Ash,
I’m so glad you included the Keys Ranch in your list. It was fascinating to learn how those folks scraped a living from the desert with their ranching and campground endeavors. Although it’s not a natural geological or botanical feature of the Park, I’m glad the NPS has continued to keep this bit of Park history accessible. We enjoyed learning about the history behind the formation of the Park and the role of the homesteaders. The artifacts on the ranch curated by the NPS are amazing. The tall tales, told by our guide, of the life of the Keys family, were even better.
I agree, Janice. The history of the parks is important to acknowledge, and I love the way they present this tour. It would have been a hard life out there, and the artifacts are fascinating. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. Happy trails!
Hi Ash, I am planning a trip to twentynine palms to see my son at the base at the end of March. And I deffently want to go into the park. I am hoping the flowers will be blooming in the park at that time of year. Do you think they will be?
This year hasn’t been a great year for water in Joshua Tree, so it’s hard to say how well the flowers will be blooming this year. I’d check the Joshua Tree facebook page….they often post up-to-date conditions within the park. It’s beautiful regardless — you’ll really enjoy it!!
Used a lot of your Joshua Tree suggestions on my last trip. Thank you so much. Included a link to this page in my blog post!! :) Enjoy http://www.thebubblymermaid.com/keys-view/
Thanks Jacq! Great photos of a beautiful place…glad you had a great trip!!