The desert around Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park present some pretty incredible options for getting outdoors. We’ve spent a lot of time hiking and exploring around Palm Springs and Joshua Tree and both agree that some of our favorite ever hikes are in this area.
One of the things we love about this area is that there is something for everyone. Hiking in Palm Springs varies between easier, shorter hikes to longer mountain summits to places like Mount San Jacinto. Likewise, Joshua Tree hikes are really varied with really unusual, tactile scenery throughout.
Below, our guide goes through our firsthand experience of hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and some of the incredible places to hike in Palm Springs. We’ve rounded up shorter and longer trails, including backcountry trails that allow backpacking and overnight camping trips.
This list just scratches the surface – there’s simply so much to explore in this area. This is one of the reasons why hikes in Palm Springs are some of the best there are! Whatever trails you end up doing below, we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Table of Contents
ToggleBest Hikes Near Palm Springs & Joshua Tree National Park Trail Locations Map
This Palm Springs, Sand to Snow, Indian Canyons, San Jacinto and Joshua Tree National Park trail map will give you an idea of the approximate starting locations of the trails we’ve outlined below. The numbers used for each map location line up with the numbers used below for easy reference.
1. Palm Canyon Trail and Victor Trail Loop
Difficulty: Easy – a short distance trail with limited uphill and downhill. However, if you have mobility issues and need specialized equipment, you may struggle with this trail due to path unevenness.
Distance: 4.6km/2.85 mile loop
Elevation: 123m/403 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: October through to May – in summer this trail is not advised as ground temperatures are too hot.
AllTrails map alternative: Palm Canyon Trail
The Palm Canyon Trail Palm Springs is located in Indian Canyon and it’s without a doubt one of our favorite hikes near Palm Springs. The combination of the giant palm trees alongside the awe inducing mountain rock formations all around never disappoints. It’s also a great one if you’re short on time.
Through this trail, you’ll be treated to a lush canopy as you walk through the palm trees. Then on the second half of the hike you’ll see more open spaces with far reaching mountains all around you. Considering it’s pretty short, it’s really varied.
We think this Indian Canyon Trail is best completed between October and May because the temperatures make it near impossible to hike in summer. Be sure to bring plenty of water with you though whenever you do it as it can feel pretty hot!
You’ll also need to consider the time of day you do this hike as the park itself is only open until 5pm and you have to be out of the parking lot by that point. It can also be incredibly busy at weekends, so we would recommend heading there in the week if possible. You can arrive from 8am.
There’s also a fee to enter the reserve, which is currently $12 for an adult, $7 for seniors over 62 and students, and $6 for children. There’s also several ranger led hikes through the reserve which are well worth doing. More information on these can be found on their website.
About our interactive trail maps: We provide our trail maps using either Outdooractive or AllTrails. Where possible, we always try to give two options for each hike, so that you can have as much choice as possible to download the route using the mapping software you prefer!
2. Murray Canyon and Seven Falls, Indian Canyons
Difficulty: Moderate – some exposure in the sun, uphill and downhill on uneven terrain.
Distance: 5.95km/3.7 miles out and back
Elevation: 163m/538ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map link: Murray Canyon
This Indian Canyon, Palm Springs hike is another great one! If you have the energy, we always love doing both this and the Palm Canyon Trail on the same day, which is very doable.
This one is a little more of a challenge than the previous Indian Canyons trail we outlined, but it’s well worth the effort. If you hike this trail in the winter or early spring you can expect to see a lot more water, and with that in mind we’d always recommend waterproof hiking shoes. Likewise, sun protection is a must for this Palm Springs Indian Canyons hike as well as enough water to keep you hydrated.
The trail is mostly demanding due to the heat, and we found that even when hiking this trail earlier on in the day, it can soon get incredibly hot. For the first section of the hike, there’s shade, but after a while there’s none, so just be aware.
All that said, this is a great Palm Springs waterfall hike. There’s also some scrambling in parts so there’s enough to keep it interesting – it’s definitely one of our favorite hiking trails Palm Springs has to offer!
As with all hikes in Indian Canyons, you’ll need to pay to enter, which is $12 for an adult, $7 for seniors over 62 and students, and $6 for children. You can enter from 8am and the park closes at 5pm with last entry at 4pm. You must have left the parking lot by this point. We’d advise you visit their website for more information.
3. Pine City Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – relatively flat trail, but distance in the heat can make it tough.
Distance: 6.5km/4 miles out and back
Elevation: 48m/157ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Best between October and May – though please be mindful that temperatures can drop considerably at night if you decide to do this trail as a backpack.
AllTrails map alternative: Pine City Trail
We have such fond memories of the Pine City Trail and to us it’s one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. It doesn’t get as much footfall as some of the other trails, so whilst some of the rest of the park is really busy, you can often feel like you have this Joshua Tree hiking trail to yourself.
If you look at a Joshua Tree trail map when you enter the park, you’ll see that this trail isn’t so obvious. You do have to travel down a dirt track for a short while to get to it, but this is more than ok to do in any normal car.
The trail is fairly easy going from the parking lot, and it’s an out and back so you’ll be returning the same way. Some people say that the best views are at the end, and they are special with all the rock formations. However, we think the views are pretty beautiful and expansive the whole way through.
One of the reasons we really love this trail is that it was actually the first overnight backpack we did. The National Park allows for dispersed camping along this trail, provided you are away from the main trail and not visible and follow Leave No Trace principles.
When we backpacked on this trail, we hiked to near the end and took a fork into the right to find a spot for the night. It was incredible waking up in the morning to golden light hitting the rocks.
You can reserve your backpacking permit in advance or same day through Recreation.gov. You should also keep in mind that you need to take all your water in with you as there is no potable water on trail. Be sure to take warm clothes and an insulated sleeping pad for camping as well as a good sleeping bag with you – you’ll need it as it gets cold at night!
To enter Joshua Tree National Park, you need to pay to enter. We always go for an America the Beautiful Pass instead, as it allows access through a year to all US National Parks, some monuments, National Forests etc. You can buy one in advance through REI to save time and streamline entry.
Insider tip: If you’re looking for the best places to stay near Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs and Desert Cities, we’d recommend booking in as much advance as possible. Hotels and accommodation can get booked up well in advance, especially in peak season of October – May. We’d recommend using sites like Vrbo, Booking.com, Trip.com and Agoda to find the best deals on accommodation.
4. Skull Rock Joshua Tree Trail
Difficulty: Easy – mostly flat trail with a few steep sections to explore over the rocks.
Distance: 2.8km/1.7 miles loop
Elevation: 34m/111ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail is best between October and May due to heat. It’s also best to do this trail earlier or later in the day when the trail will be quieter.
AllTrails map alternative: Skull Rock Nature Trail
Whilst it’s possible to see Skull Rock from the road, we love this trail as getting out to explore allows you to see what Joshua Tree trails are all about – scrambling and exploring rocks! The reason this rock has its name is because the rock formation features a hollowed-out kind of eye socket that looks like a skull.
As with many of the main Joshua Tree National Park hikes, we’d advise you get there early as the parking lot can get busy. However, there is generally a good flow of traffic as people are going to look at the exhibits and move on. So, you shouldn’t be waiting too long for a space, and you could combine this with other shorter hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
This hike is a lot of fun and well worth doing. You’ll want to make sure you bring plenty of water and sun protection with you and we wouldn’t recommend doing this hike outside of the October – May timeframe.
You’ll need to pay a fee to enter Joshua Tree National Park, but we would advise an America the Beautiful Pass if you’re planning to visit more than just one National Park as it’s valid for all National Parks. It’s much better value and lasts a year. You can buy this through REI in advance.
5. Ryan Mountain, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – relatively short distance but elevation gain with steps up over this period makes it feel more moderate on hotter days.
Distance: 4.6km/2.8 miles out and back
Elevation: 317m/1040ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Ryan Mountain Trail
If you’ve spent any time looking at trails in Joshua Tree, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Ryan Mountain – it’s pretty iconic. As a result of that, it’s one of the busiest and most popular hikes in Joshua Tree.
With that in mind, you should try and get to the parking lot either earlier on or later in the day when the crowds aren’t as bad. At other times, and especially on weekends, you may go disappointed and not be able to park up.
Don’t let this put you off though, as the trail up Ryan Mountain is pretty short and sweet. It does feel very steep at times, and there are a lot of steps which feel a bit like they’ll never end. But the views are well worth it when you get to the top and the vistas over the park you get to see.
This is a particularly nice one to do for sunrise – you’ll usually get some pretty dramatic colors in the sky. It’s also a good time to start as you’ll get some shade for a good portion of the ascent. We love this hike and without a doubt think it’s one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree.
As with all trails in Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll need to pay a fee to use the National Park. This can be done at the entry booth, but we’d always recommend an America the Beautiful Pass which you can buy in advance from REI.
This gives you access to all National Parks in the US and is valid for a year. So, great if you know you plan on visiting more than one park in the next year!
Fancy something a little different in the Joshua Tree area? We’d recommend you book a guided experience like a half day hike with a locally experienced guide, a horseback ride or even rock climbing that’s suitable for the family. They’re a great way to see more of what Joshua Tree has to offer.
6. San Jacinto Peak (from the Aerial Tramway)
Difficulty: Hard – a long ascent at altitude with very little shade, some exposure and some scrambling toward the peak.
Distance: 11.7km/7.27 miles there and back
Elevation: 762m/3500 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Due to winter snowfall, it’s best to hike this trail from March to around November, depending on trail conditions.
What could be more iconic to Palm Springs hiking than tackling San Jacinto Mountain sitting at 3288m/10788ft. elevation. The views and the sense of achievement from getting to the top of this peak are unmatched.
The high altitude wilderness in Mount San Jacinto State Park is very different from what you’ll find down in nearby Palm Springs and the desert below. And this is one of the things that makes San Jacinto peak and the hike up to it so alluring.
Mt San Jacinto’s elevation makes for a truly alpine experience. The hike itself is moderate uphill (the high is obviously at elevation so keep that in mind when pacing). When you get toward the peak, there are boulders to navigate, but a good head for heights and navigation should see you set here.
There is very little by way of shade on the trail, so bring sunscreen and a hat! Plus, plenty of water. If you fancy it, you can also turn this into a backpack, as there are plenty of camping spots about half way into the hike from the Tramway.
A popular thing to do is reach the camping spots, set up and then tackle Mt San Jacinto Peak with a much lighter pack. You will need a Wilderness Permit to camp in the Mount Jacinto State Wilderness.
Likewise, if you plan to hike the trail from the Aerial Tramway, you’ll need to pay a fee to use the cable car. We’d advise this as otherwise, the hike from the bottom is pretty full on. The ride up itself is pretty amazing and always an experience we love! You can purchase your ticket in advance here to make things much easier on the day!
7. Desert View Trail, San Jacinto State Park
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – the trail is at altitude, and does include some ascent and descent, but this is on good paths.
Distance: 3km/1.86 miles loop
Elevation: 104m/341ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between April and January, depending on snow and weather conditions.
AllTrails Map Alternative: Desert View Trail
This great Palm Springs hike makes use of the Aerial Tramway to get to the start of the trail around Mount Jacinto. It’s the perfect trail to stretch your legs and if you want something a little shorter. We love going to the Peaks Restaurant and then taking a walk here afterward.
Don’t let the length of this hike put you off though, you get to see some truly amazing views, and each of the ‘notches’ along the trail are well worth taking a detour on to see the viewpoints out from them.
There aren’t very many places to hike in Palm Springs when the heat gets too much in the summer, so getting up to a higher elevation is a welcome respite. The San Jacinto alpine wilderness feels like a completely different experience and this trail really highlights that.
If you’re looking for good hikes in Palm Springs, we can’t recommend this trail enough! The journey up is pretty fun too as you’ll need to take the Aerial Tramway to get there. This runs every day and you’ll need a ticket for travel, which you can buy in advance here.
8. Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy – very short trail with literally no ascent
Distance: 0.5km/0.2 miles loop
Elevation: 7m/9ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Best between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Cholla Cactus Garden
This is a super short hike Joshua Tree has to offer, but we wanted to include it as the views from the Cholla Cactus Garden are pretty iconic and it’s well worth heading out this way. If you take a look at the Joshua Tree hikes map you’re given when you enter the park, there’s plenty of ways to fit this trail in whilst taking in some of the other best hikes at Joshua Tree.
What makes this short and sweet trail so special? Well, if you head there toward sunset, you’ll be able to get some amazing photographs of the cacti with sunlight behind them which makes them look like they have a halo.
Be sure to also turn the other way too, as we’ve seen some of the most stunning desert sunsets we’ve ever witnessed from this location. Be wary of the cacti though – they’re certainly spiky!
As with all Joshua Tree hikes, you’ll need a pass to get into the National Park. You can do this on arrival, but we always think it’s better value to get an America the Beautiful Pass. This gives you a year’s access to all US National Parks, so perfect if you know you’ll be visiting more parks in the upcoming year. You can buy it online in advance here.
9. Tahquitz Canyon Trail
Difficulty: Moderate – some elevation gain over a short distance, and heat exposure makes this trail a little tiring at times.
Distance: 3.2km/2 miles out and back
Elevation: 99m/328ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Best completed between October and May
AllTrails map link: Tahquitz Canyon Loop
Tahquitz Canyon is one of the quintessential Palm Springs hikes. Popular not only because of its proximity to Palm Springs itself, but because of the incredible Tahquitz Canyon waterfall at the end of the trail.
As you can imagine, there aren’t many Palm Springs hiking trails with waterfalls, so this trail can get pretty popular. Especially for people wanting to cool off on hot days. Tahquitz Canyon is so close to Palm Springs that it makes it a really easy trail to tack on to the start of later on in the day when you may already be doing something else – one of the reasons we love it so much.
At the start of the trail, you’ll need to go in via the Tahquitz Canyon Visitors Center and pay your fee to hike the trail and use the parking. It’s open from 7:30am – 5pm from October 1st until July 4th and you’ll need to be at the Tahquitz canyon hike trailhead for 3:30pm to start the hike latest.
At other times of year, it’s worth checking their website in advance for opening times and pricing. The Visitor Center will also make sure you have ample water – a 32oz supply is what they require you to show.
Once you’re on the trail if you’re lucky, you may see some big horn sheep. We’d recommend going earlier in the morning as there is still shade on the trail until around 10-11am. This makes the uphill much easier.
At the top, this well known and well loved Palm Springs waterfall is easily big enough to take a dip, and in the cooler months of the year, there should be enough water to make this feel really nice and refreshing after your effort. The rock formations on the Tahquitz Canyon trail are also spectacular and, in our opinion, this is absolutely one of the best Palm Desert hikes.
Insider tip: If you’re looking for something a little different in and around Palm Springs then a Jeep tour like this one will compliment your hikes really well! We had lots of fun when we did this tour of the San Andreas Fault and would really recommend it. You get some truly amazing views out over the desert!
10. Lost Horse Mine Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Moderate – a longer distance trail with little to no shade at any time on the hike.
Distance: 10.2km/6.3 mile loop
Elevation: 225m/738ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Lost Horse Mine
When you look at the Joshua Tree hiking map provided by the National Park when you enter, this trail isn’t so obvious. This is one of the reasons we love it, as it never seems too busy and it’s generally easy to find a parking spot.
This is actually one of the longer hikes Joshua Tree National Park has to offer and whilst many will just do an out and back to the Lost Horse Mine itself, we love to turn this into a loop. It’s well worth it for the far-reaching desert views and beautiful mountain that surround.
This trail is actually quite a lot different to some of the other hiking in Joshua Tree. Instead of being focused more so on rock formations, this trail takes you through undulating hill terrain. For this reason, it makes it feel a bit different and is well worth doing.
The Lost Horse Mine itself is really cool and it’s a relic of history from the area and the information boards are informative about this, making this a great interactive hike. If you hike this trail earlier on in the morning, the light is amazing and in our opinion, like all of the Joshua Tree best hikes, this trail is unique and interesting.
As with all the hiking trails Joshua Tree has to offer, you’ll need to pay to use the National Park. You can buy entry at the booth, but we think it’s much easier and saves time to buy in advance. We’d recommend using an America the Beautiful Pass, which you can buy online here. It allows you access to all US National Parks for a year from purchase. Ideal if you know you’ll be making more than two trips out to a National Park in the next year.
11. Red Dome via Pacific Crest Trail, Whitewater Preserve
Difficulty: Moderate – some uphill over a longer distance, little to no sun cover in a wilderness space.
Distance: 8.1km/5 miles out and back
Elevation: 141m/462ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between January and September
AllTrails map alternative: Red Dome via PCT
If you’re looking for hiking near Palm Springs that shows something completely different, then Sand to Snow National Monument and the Whitewater Preserve is one of our recommendations of where to go. If you go earlier in the year, there’s a good chance you’ll even get to see snow high up on the Palm Springs mountains above and this makes an amazing contrast to the desert below.
This trail follows a wash or riverbed for a good way up before going fairly gently uphill to Red Dome. Every time we’ve done this trail, we’ve been really amazed at just how quiet it is, so if you’re looking for some peace and solitude, this is one of the best hikes in Palm Springs for this.
The views out on this trail are wonderful and if you’re into bird watching, you’ll love it too as there’s plenty of opportunities to catch glimpses. You’ll want to make sure you take plenty of water with you as there is no shade at all on the trail.
If you go in the cooler months of the year, you may find that there is more water in the riverbed than not. With this in mind, we’d recommend you to wear good waterproof hiking shoes. Likewise, a good pair of trekking poles help here too. At other times, this is sandier, so you’ll just need to navigate around and across where the trail dictates.
12. Big Morongo Canyon Trail
Difficulty: Moderate – relatively flat for the distance, but very exposed and gets very hot!
Distance: 7.4km/4.6 miles part loop, part out and back
Elevation: 136m/446ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Whilst this trail is open all year, we’d recommend completing this trail between October and May, depending on the temperature.
AllTrails map alternative: Big Morongo Canyon Trail
We absolutely loved this hike when we did it and would easily say it’s one of the best hikes near Palm Springs! Around spring is particularly beautiful where you can (if conditions have been right) expect wildflowers standing up against tall, snow covered mountains.
This trail takes you through the Morongo Canyon Preserve to begin with, before taking you up into the canyon proper where you’ll be amongst some pretty impressive canyon walls. It’s varied, simply stunning and some of the best hiking Palm Springs has to offer.
This trail can get extremely hot, so we would advise keeping it reserved for days where it isn’t quite as full on. When you do this trail, we’d advise you take a good amount of water as it will keep you outdoors for a few hours and you’ll build up a sweat.
We think the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a great place to check out. One of the things we love about Palm Springs hiking trails is that they can be incredibly varied, and this trail is a great example of that!
13. Hall of Horrors, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy – a shorter distance trail with little elevation gain to see some iconic exhibits in Joshua Tree National Park. Can easily be tacked onto some other trails nearby or for a shorter trail.
Distance: 2.5km/1.5 miles loop
Elevation: 21m/68 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Best between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Hall of Horrors
This is a great short and sweet trail. We’ve found that many of the best Joshua Tree hikes take you around the exhibits to see the rock formations and can be combined with some of the other trails in the area. Some join up, and others you’ll need to drive between, but this is a great way to see a good overview of the park.
The Hall of Horrors shows some of the best hiking Joshua Tree has to offer – we love the incredible views out over the boulders of the Joshua Trees. It’s also a wonderful one to visit around sunset as the rocks start to change color along with the sky – it can feel pretty magical.
If you feel up for it, you can actually boulder your way around the trail, and this can make for quite a fun adventure and also makes it feel a little different and unique. What’s more exciting than that – enjoying some of the best trails in Joshua tree and getting up close to the rocks too.
If you’re into bouldering, we’d actually recommend a climbing experience with one of the guides in the park, which you can find out more about and book here. This can give you a great dose of confidence to make the most of the park and most of them are family friendly too.
You’ll need to pay to enter Joshua Tree National Park, and we’d always advise buying an America the Beautiful Pass which you can get in advance here. This gives you access to all US National Parks for a year, and we think it’s much better value.
Insider tip: A great way to enjoy all the exhibits and learn more about the fabulous rock formations, trees and landscape all around is to book a self-guided scenic drive tour. These allow you to go at your own pace and allow you to download the guide so that you can listen and get lots of interesting information. They’re actually well worth the money and you’ll learn so much that you wouldn’t otherwise. We’d recommend this one from GetYourGuide.
14. Barker Dam Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some uphill and exposure to heat and sun.
Distance: 5.2km/3.2 mile loop
Elevation: 81m/265ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Best completed between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Barker Dam
This is a great trail to enjoy near the North Entrance to the National Park. It provides a great introduction to what Joshua Tree National Park hiking is all about. Many people will take a shortened version of this trail, but we always love to extend it and go and see some more rock formations and viewpoints.
Rather than coming back down to make this a shorter loop, we will carry on to Echo Rock, and in here you can go and explore some of the boulders, slots and washes such as Chongo Boulder, Heart and Sole, Pope’s Crack and Echo Cove. We then take a little detour to Mounds before joining back up to take you back to the start.
This is without a doubt one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree that fits in a lot of different rock formations in a short timeframe. We’d advise you take plenty of water and whilst this is only a few km/miles, it’s well worth planning a good half day here to explore at ease.
15. Boy Scout Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Challenging – this is a long trail suitable more as a backpack out and back. It’s within the wilderness with no water sources and can get very hot. Though you could do shorter out and back sections to cut this down.
Distance: 26.1km/16.2 miles out and back
Elevation: 457m/1499ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Boy Scout Trail
We love this hike as it’s one of the best trails Joshua Tree offers for backpacking. You can very easily split this over a weekend, doing the outbound one day and the return the next. Likewise, if you don’t want the entire distance you can easily hike a section alone which is still a great way to see one of the top hikes in Joshua Tree!
If you take the trail from Indian Cove Road, there are some great views about 3 or so miles in where you start to go uphill. You’ll get vistas out over the mountains, rock formations and see plenty of Joshua Trees around you! This is also a great trail if you want some solitude. The Wonderland of Rocks area is simply mesmerizing.
We particularly love this trail in spring, as, if you’re lucky, you may get to see wildflowers coming into bloom. In fact, this is one of the best hikes Joshua Tree National Park offers when it comes to this due to its location.
If you want to backpack this trail, you’ll need a permit to camp within the Boy Scout Trail Zone and you need to camp in a designated campsite. You can find out more about permits and the designated camping sites through the NPS website here. This also gives plenty of information on the size of tents and groups that are allowed at each site.
16. Willow Hole Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Moderate – longer distance trail
Distance: 12.3km/7.6 miles out and back
Elevation: 85m/278ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Willow Hole
When you look at a Joshua Tree Trails map, you may see that the Willow Hole Trail actually joins with the other end of the Boy Scout Trail listed above. So, if you don’t want to do the whole Boy Scout Trail, then this is a great way to tie some of it in too.
The Willow Hole Trail shows some incredible views of rock formations and expansive views out over endless Joshua Trees. We’d say that if you only have time to do a couple of trails in the park and have a whole day for one of them, then this is one of the best hiking trails in Joshua Tree to get a great overview.
You can do as much or as little of this Joshua Tree hike as you like really, but if you can we’d recommend you head to the end. Especially if you’re there in the cooler months of the year when you might get an opportunity to see water in the Willow Hole.
As with many Joshua Tree hiking trails, the trail toward the end can feel very sandy, and with this, more exhausting. However, it’s well worth the effort!
You’ll need to pay a fee to enter Joshua Tree National Park, and we’d recommend you get an America the Beautiful Pass for this which you can buy here in advance. This park pass allows you entry to all US National Parks for a year and will save you a lot of money if you plan on visiting more than two!
17. Andreas Canyon, Palm Springs
Difficulty: Easy – a short trail with minimal ascent and descent.
Distance: 1.6km/0.9 miles loop
Elevation: 55m/180ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Andreas Canyon
This beautiful landscape is one of the best places to hike in Palm Springs. You’ll get to experience some incredible palm trees on this short trail and in the cooler months, be treated to snowcapped mountains and the stunning contrast with the desert all around you.
In the cooler months, you can use the creek to take a dip and cool off – in fact it’s one of the good hikes in Palm Springs with water. In warmer times, be really cautious on this trail as it can get very hot with little shade (like many Palm Desert hikes!).
This short and sweet trail will take you around to see some really stunning views and the trail is really well marked. It’s perfect to bring the whole family too due to the distance and ascent. As you hike round, you’ll find some really interesting rock formations which are well worth stopping to take in and explore around.
As with many Palm Springs hikes, there is a fee to park which you can find out more through the BLM website. You can also find out information on camping and backpacking in this area through the BLM site too.
18. Lake Cahuilla to La Quinta Cove
Difficulty: Moderate – distance and ascent play a part, also very exposed and no shade in the heat.
Distance: 10.8km/6.7 miles out and back
Elevation: 266m/872 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: We’d recommend only hiking this trail between October and May. However be mindful of the heat as there is no shade on this trail.
AllTrails map alternative: La Quinta Cove to Lake Cahuilla
This trail is a great option for hiking in Palm Springs and you can get to the trailhead from downtown pretty quickly. We’d actually recommend taking this trail straight up from Lake Cahuilla. Be sure to look out for bighorn sheep, who you’ll see on the mountain sides. They’re so curious and interesting to watch go about their day.
You’ll have to pay a fee to enter the parking for this hike, which is currently $6 per person. It’s also important to keep in mind that there is no swimming in the lake. Aside from that though, this is one of the many wonderful places to hike in Palm Springs and the Palm Desert.
When we hiked this trail, it felt extremely exposed, and we started early. So, keep this in mind, especially on hotter days (we’d recommend saving this for a cooler day). The great thing about this being an out and back trail is that you can do as much or as little as you wish.
If you do decide to make the hike shorter, we’d recommend going to halfway through the trail, making this around 5km/3.3 miles instead. At this point, you’ve climbed up higher and the views out are really fantastic and well worth the effort.
Looking for hotels near Joshua Tree National Park? Here are some of our favorite options:
- Onsen Hotel and Spa – Desert Hot Springs
- Sacred Sands – Joshua Tree
- Marbella Lane The Wine Mine Desert Escape – Joshua Tree
- Hotel El Cid – Palm Springs
- Chuck’s Cabin – Twentynine Palms
- AutoCamp Deluxe – Joshua Tree
19. Keys View to Inspiration Peak, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some slightly steeper uphill over a shorter distance
Distance: 3.2km/1.98 miles loop
Elevation: 139m/456 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Keys View
Keys View is great in its own right, but we love the addition of the hike up to Inspiration Peak which joins up from the main viewpoints. The views out along this hike are really incredible and well worth the effort – we find you can hike this trail in a couple of hours with lots of photo stops.
On particularly clear days you can see out to the Coachella Valley and even all the way out to the Salton Sea. This is also a wonderful hike to enjoy at sunset.
If you fancy doing the Keys View loop alone, this is also a really lovely trail. You can expect plenty of people due to the proximity to the road and parking lot, but don’t let this stop you, these are some of the most iconic views out in the National Park.
20. Cap Rock, Joshua Tree National Park
Difficulty: Easy – a short distance trail around an exhibit
Distance: 1.2km/0.7 miles loop
Elevation: 16m/52 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Between October and May
AllTrails map alternative: Cap Rock
This short and sweet Joshua Tree hike takes you on a figure of 8 around Cap Rock and it’s a great one if you fancy some bouldering or climbing too. You’ll also find some pretty stunning Joshua Trees from the trail making this a really picturesque place to spend some time.
As with a lot of hiking in Joshua Tree National Park in the main areas, you’ve got lots of short hikes around exhibits, and we always find it works really well to combine a few together. This is also an excellent way to see more of the park if this is your first time visiting.
This walk is also fun for children too as there are some interpretive signs around the trail. The trail is also pretty accessible too, and parking is flowing so you shouldn’t have to wait long for a space, if at all.
As with all Joshua Tree hikes, you’ll need to pay a fee to enter the National Park. You can pay this at the entry booth, but we’d always advise to buy an America the Beautiful Pass – which you can do in advance to save time. This is a great money saver as well if you know you’ll be planning to visit more than two National Parks in the coming year as it gives you a year’s access to all US National Parks.
Insider tip: Between May and October, there are lots of guided hikes offered around the full moon. The desert looks magical around this time, and these are well worth doing – it’s an unforgettable experience. You can book a spot in advance and see if the dates you’ll be visiting tally up with a full moon!
Essentials for Hiking Near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park
The desert can be a harsh environment and as such, you need to be prepared for heat. Here are some of the essentials we’d suggest bringing with you for hiking near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park:
- A good daypack: The best daypack for hiking will be about 20 liters, preferably with space for a water bladder.
- Water: We can’t stress this enough! You need plenty of water. This should be at least 32oz per person, or double depending on how long you’ll hike for. We’d recommend a water bladder or a Hydro Flask to keep your drink cool. We’d also recommend adding electrolyte tablets to your water in the desert too. We like Nuun the best as they offer some great flavors.
- Sun cover and sun cream: Bring a hat and as a high an SPF suncream as you can! We like this one from Neutrogena as it has a non-greasy formula.
- Waterproof hiking shoes: You may be wondering, why waterproof if you’re hiking in the desert? Depending on the trail you attempt, there can be water crossings on some, and as such, it’s worth wearing hiking shoes that are fit for purpose. Our guide to the best waterproof hiking shoes goes over some great options for every budget. If you know you won’t be encountering water, you’ll want a sturdy pair of shoes none the less. We also have a guide to the best hiking shoes, which goes over some of the best options out there.
- Trekking poles: There are plenty of steep and slightly loose ascents and descents in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. We always find we benefit with the stability offered from a trekking pole.
- Your map downloaded: If you plan to go hiking, you should always make sure you download your map before you go onto your device. It’s also a good idea to carry a compass and paper map if possible as a backup.
- Battery for charging your device: We always take a battery or power bank to charge up our phones just in case whilst on the trail. Something simple like this one will do the job.
- Camera: You’re going to want to take lots of photographs, so bring your camera! If you’re really into photography, we’d suggest bringing a range of lenses. We make the most use of longer lenses combined with shorter on our hikes around Joshua Tree and Palm Springs.
- Sunglasses: The desert can get very bright, and so you’ll want to make sure your eyes are protected well. We find that these Julbo ones are the best for hiking as they block out any side glare too and are perfect year round.
- America the Beautiful Pass: Whilst you can buy entry to Joshua Tree on site, we would always recommend buying an America the Beautiful Pass. This allows you entry to all US National Parks for a year and is well worth it if you know you’ll be visiting more than two parks in the upcoming year. You can buy this online in advance from REI which saves time.
FAQs about Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Hikes
What Are the Best Hiking Trails Near Palm Springs?
There are so many incredible trails to hike around Palm Springs! We would say that the best ones are around the Mount San Jacinto State Park, Indian Canyons and also around Tahquitz Canyon. These are all listed above in our hiking list.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Go Hiking in Palm Springs?
The best time of year to go hiking in Palm Springs is in the cooler months of the year, between October and May. Of course, it can get hot at any time, and this is more likely at the tail end of those time frames – so October and April.
This is because it can get extremely hot outside of these times. Any prolonged time in extreme heat can be extremely dangerous and it’s just not worth putting yourself, and the people around you in danger.
The main exception to this is around the Mount San Jacinto State Park, which is actually better to visit between about March to November depending on snow cover. This is possible because of the park’s higher elevation. This is a great option if you are visiting in the warmer months and still want to go hiking.
What Should I Bring on a Hike in the Palm Springs Area?
Our day hiking checklist goes into more detail about what you should bring depending on where you’re hiking and the time of year. But generally, make sure you bring plenty of water, shade/suncream and also good hiking shoes.
Are There Any Easy Hikes Suitable for Beginners?
Many of the hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park are actually suitable for beginners – as a lot of the trails we’ve listed above are either quite short or with limited ascent and descent. These are great for giving you a really good taster of what the park has to offer.
Likewise, the hikes that involve some elevation gain are still relatively accessible for beginner hikers. The exhibits are also a great way to hike around some of the main features of Joshua Tree.
Outside of this and around Palm Springs, we think some of the hikes in Indian Canyons, such as the Palm Canyon Trail (hike one) are suitable for beginners, and you can make this either a there and back (easier) or slightly longer as a loop (as we’ve outlined it above).
Many of the hikes we’ve listed above are also out and back trails, so these are really suited to beginners who may want to hike out for a while and turn back. Whatever your experience level, there are plenty of hikes to suit in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.
Just know your limits and get trail aware before you head out. You may want to read our guides on what to wear hiking, our day hiking checklist and our other outdoor learning guides. Ultimately though, the key thing is to bring enough water!
What Are Some Must-See Scenic Views?
We’d absolutely recommend taking the Aerial Tramway up to San Jacinto State Park. The views from here are mesmerizing and there are lots of hikes you can do in the area listed above. It’s really easy to buy your ticket in advance for the Aerial Tramway.
Likewise, we love Keys View, which you can get to by car in Joshua Tree National Park and do the short hike out to see (hike 19). Ryan Mountain (hike 5) also gives some pretty stunning views and sweeping vistas out over the surrounding landscape.
Is It Safe to Hike in Palm Springs During the Summer?
Generally speaking, it isn’t safe to hike at lower elevations in Palm Springs during the summer. This is because temperatures become extremely hot, and it’s advised to stick to areas such as Indian Canyons, Murray Canyons and other lower elevation hikes between October and May.
However, it is possible to hike in the summer months at the higher elevations around the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park. We’ve listed a couple of hikes here above (hikes 6 and 7). You’ll need to take the Aerial Tramway up, which you can buy tickets for in advance here.
Are Dogs Allowed on Hiking Trails Near Palm Springs?
Dogs are generally not allowed on hiking trails near Palm Springs. In fact, there are only a couple of areas that allow you to bring pets with you, and none of the hikes we’ve listed above currently allow dogs on trail. You are also not allowed to bring dogs with you into Joshua Tree National Park on the trails.
What Are the Best Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park?
The best hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park in our opinion are the trails that are a little bit longer. We love trails like Ryan Mountain (hike 5), Pine City Trail (hike 3) and Keys View to Inspiration Peak (hike 19) as they’re so picturesque and offer a few different things along the way. But whichever trail you do, you’ll love it!
What Should I Know Before Hiking in Joshua Tree?
We’d say one of the most important things to know before hiking in Joshua Tree is to be mindful of the heat. This goes for the whole area around Palm Springs and the Palm Desert too.
We’ve given the best time to do each hike, but you should always base this on what the weather is doing at the time. There is very little shade on any of the hikes in Joshua Tree, so you need to keep in mind that when temps rise, this can feel unbearable and lead to serious health risks with prolonged exposure.
Our advice is to take plenty of water, stick to the months of October – May and start early before the heat is too much. This is a wild landscape and as such, you need to be prepared for that!
Are There Any Family-Friendly Hiking Trails?
There are plenty of family friendly hiking trails around Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. In Joshua Tree, many of the exhibit trails are family friendly. You can usually find these by looking for the very short trails. These can be reached easily from the parking lot and are usually up to a couple of km/a mile or so.
We’ve listed several above, such as Skull Rock (hike 4), Cholla Cactus Garden (hike 8) and Cap Rock (hike 20). These are all great fun, and you can extend them by exploring the rocks around them too (where permitted).
Around Palm Springs, we’d recommend some of the trails in Indian Canyons, as some of these, such as the Palm Canyon Trail (hike 1) are shorter with not very much ascent and descent and gives lots of interest to the whole family with the towering palm trees.
What Are the Most Scenic Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park?
There are so many incredible Joshua Tree hikes that it’s difficult to hone down to which are the most scenic. This will of course depend on what your interests are. We personally enjoy hikes in Joshua Tree National Park for the combination of incredible rock formations and sweeping views showing endless Joshua Trees and desert mountains.
The views from Ryan Mountain (hike 5 above) are fantastic and give sweeping vistas from a higher view. The Pine City Trail has an amazing rolling view of trees and mountains where you then reach a viewpoint that’s simply stunning (our hike 3 above).
Then you’ve got the Barker Dam Trail (hike 14) which allows you to pack in a lot of interesting views, formations and scenery in a short trail which is well worth doing. If you only have a short about of time, we’d recommend you combine a few of the shorter trails in the park to get a good overview.
Do I Need a Permit to Hike in Joshua Tree National Park?
You don’t need a permit to hike in Joshua Tree National Park if you plan to do day hikes alone. You will need to pay a fee or use something like an America the Beautiful Pass to enter the park, like any US National Park. You’re then free to hike as you wish on the trails and use the parking for free in the park perimeter.
If you plan to do any overnight hikes or backpacking whilst in Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll need a permit and are required to get this in advance and pay a fee. More on this in the section below, and in the descriptions of the hikes we’ve outlined above that allow camping.
Are There Any Overnight Hiking Options in Joshua Tree?
There are quite a few overnight hiking options in Joshua Tree. Of course, there are a number of more developed campsites around the park, but there are plenty of backcountry options too.
Two of our favorite trails for backcountry and overnight hiking in Joshua Tree are the Pine City Trail (hike 3 in our guide) and the Boy Scout Trail (hike 15 in our guide). We’ve overnight hiked on both of these trails and loved them – they’re a great way to experience Joshua Tree in another light.
You will need a permit to camp at any of the trails in Joshua Tree, for the hikes above we’ve provided information for this in the trail write ups above with links to more information. Make sure you’re prepared in advance with the right backpacking gear and are prepared for backcountry camping.
Is It Safe to Hike Alone?
Depending on your experience level, it is absolutely safe to hike alone in and around Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. We’ve both hiked trails on our own and have never had any issues. You just need to be trail savvy and aware.
The most important thing is to let someone know where you’ll be and when you plan to be back. You can also use something like a Garmin inReach or a device with satellite info in case anything goes wrong. Take everything you need and be trail aware.
Enjoy Exploring the Hiking Trails Near Palm Springs, California
There is so much to explore when it comes to places to hike in Palm Springs and the Joshua Tree hikes available. As you can see from the trails we’ve outlined above there is so much variety and the landscape is simply stunning.
The trails we’ve gone through above are from our personal experience of the time we’ve spent and loved in the Palm Desert. However, these only scratch the surface – there are seemingly endless trails to explore, and we feel that we would never be able to explore them all! That’s one of the things that’s so special about this area.
We hope our guide above has given you some inspiration for Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, whether you’re in the stages of planning a visit or you’re already there and looking for a great hiking trail to get out and do. Whatever hike or experience you decide to do from our list and suggestions above, we can guarantee, you won’t be disappointed.
If you’re planning a longer trip, we have more guides on Joshua Tree and Palm Springs too which will help you plan something really memorable. Exploring the Desert around Joshua Tree National Park is a good place to start. Quieter Alternatives to Joshua Tree National Park also includes suggestions if you want to head off the beaten path that little bit more.
Depending on what you have in mind, you could even consider our best Western US road trip itinerary as well. This spans over 21 days and covers some of the most incredible landscapes in the American West, including Palm Springs, Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree National Park.
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