Take the path from the parking lot between rock walls into Hidden Valley. After climbing over and through this gap in the rocks enclosing hidden valley, you will reach the sandy desert floor and come to a T-junction. This one mile loop trail is surrounded by spectacular boulders at every angle, so it’s hard to pick a specific spot to highlight here. Whether you want a short family friendly introductory hike to Joshua Tree or a full day of scrambling, bouldering or climbing, you can’t go wrong here. This is definitely a popular hike, so my insider tip is head behind the trail to the picnic area for more unique boulders and epic outcroppings and without the crowds.
The trail climbs fairly steeply – about 1,500 feet over just 1.5 miles, one way – and takes you all the way to the top of one of the highest peaks in the central part of the park. Hiking up and down the trail can be challenging for some, so be sure to pack trekking poles to help with your balance. Spring is an amazing time in the desert, and Joshua Tree National Park is no exception. The Joshua’s themselves bloom, but many other plants, shrubs, and cactus come into bloom in the park as well. Climbers frequent Joshua Tree National Park, particularly during the winter months when the great climbing destinations further north, like Yosemite, are out of season. Climbers tends to congregate in several sections, but the Hidden Valley area and other nearby sites at the west end of the park are the main hot spots.
Table of Contents
Trailspotting
Don’t underestimate the desert heat and check the park website for heat advisories. We recommend allowing at least one hour, more if you can spare the time. You’ll want to read the many information plaques along the way, take in the scenery, scramble up some of the rock formations, and take lots of photos. The Hidden Valley Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a spectacular and easy nature trail, perfect for anyone that wishes to experience Joshua Tree’s signature rocks and trees in a not-too-long walk. This is one of the few Joshua Tree National Park hiking trails that offers some respite from the intense summer sun. Dogs are not allowed on any of the hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park.
This one-mile loop packs plenty in its diminutive distance. While other short nature trails may visit iconic formations such as Skull Rock and Cap Rock, Hidden Valley offers a look at an interesting micro-habitat. Besides the park’s signature trees, other vegetation here includes pinion pines, scrub oak, yucca and cacti, all of which thrive in the granite escarpment-bordered valley. This route leads through a tight passageway that was blasted out by Bill Keys to access grazing land in 1936 just prior the area’s designation as a national park. While the trail is just a mile long, give yourself plenty of time to explore the flora and rockpiles.
Juniper Flats Joshua Tree: Day 2 On The California Riding And Hiking Trail
The 90-minute tours are offered at a fee and involve a half-mile of walking. Farther along this road, heading towards Cottonwood, is theOcotillo Patch, but there are only a small number of these plants at this pullout location. If you plan on leaving the park on this road, there is no need to stop here because there are plenty more Ocotillos further on, beyond Cottonwood, on the way to Interstate 10. Park Boulevard is the main section of the park that is of interest to most visitors, but other places of interest are found along the north half of Pinto Basin Road.
Due to a few rocky staircases along the way, this trail is not wheel-chair or stroller accessible. Electronics – if you are using your phone for navigation, bring a portable battery such as the Anker portable battery charger. For longer hikes or backpacking trips, consider bringing a Garmin InReach Explorer.
The Best Time To Hike The Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Some of the cactus plants had dozens of buds getting ready to bloom and many of the yucca were in full flower mode. Because of the Hidden Valley’s natural encasement, a unique micro-habitat brings together a wide range of plants and animals not typically found together in other sections of the Park. Healthy populations of Joshua Tree, pinyon, juniper and oak share space with mesquite, yucca, nolina, various cacti and other species. The park launched a large search and rescue effort, but found no clues. As an avid hiker and photographer, Paul prepared well for this 3-mile roundtrip hike.
An easy, level walking trail takes you through this magical place. For nature lovers, the Cholla Cactus Garden is arguably one of the most awesome sites in the park, with more than a thousand densely packed chollas stretching out across the desert floor. While chollas are often sprinkled among other vegetation in the desert, here they arethe onlycactuses in this natural garden. It is well worth the drive up to Keys View, a lookout point at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, with sweeping views extending out over the Coachella Valley. In the distance, you can see the San Andreas fault line, Palm Springs, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, beyond to Mexico. If the air is clear, the view is spectacular and this is a great way to get oriented with the surrounding geography.
These formations are monzogranite that intruded upward and away from the earth’s crust while still molten, but cooled while still below miles of earth and rock. As the wind and water elements erode the surface, these formations are exposed as fully formed rockpiles. You’ll likely see climbers enjoying the fruits of this incredible process as you walk the loop.
I did check this spot out, it was a great place for a rest, much cooler and with plenty of rocks to sit on. Easily reached from the Arch Rock Trail, Heart Rock is another favorite with visitors. This boulder looks like a giant heart standing over 10 feet tall. Heart Rock is located off the main trail system, so if you do decide to visit please plan ahead wisely with GPS directions and appropriate water/food & sun protection.
If you’re an alumni of USC, you might think it looks like a Trojan soldier. If you’re a fan of the New England Patriots, you might think it looks like their logo. But no matter what you see when you look at Trojan Rock, you’ll remember it. An you’ll definitely remember hiking the Hidden Valley Nature Trail.
The spring bloom here is spectacular, even more so than the larger Joshua trees because the blooms are lower to the ground and close to eye level, making them easier to see. The spring came to life many years ago due to an earthquake and since then has been used by the native Cahuilla Indians, miners, and prospectors over the years. You can still see the remains of old gold processing equipment and some concrete ruins. The property, which includes the house, schoolhouse, store, and workshop, is a National Historic Register Site and can only be visited on ranger-led guided tours. These tours run seasonally throughout the winter and into spring.
This is a Personal Locator Device that enables you to trigger a SOS call to search and rescue and 2-way texting over satellite. Avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day if you can help it . Be sure to leave no trace of your visit behind and learn how to pee outside in case the urge strikes away from a bathroom. Be considerate of other visitors– the trail is narrow in spots. Yield to other hikers, and be respectful – no speakers or loud music. Despite the name, the Hidden Valley Nature Trail at Joshua Tree National Park isn’t exactly hidden!
There are signs and rock markers along the trail to lead the way and also to help you learn about the history of the area as well as plant-life and wildlife here. Because of the Hidden Valley’s location, a unique habitat was created, featuring a wide variety of plants and animals not typically found together in other areas in the park. This was why in 1937, desert pioneer Bill Keys blasted an opening through the rock walls to create access for his cattle herds. This opening still remains Hidden Valley’s main entrance.
English 
Romanian