My Favorite Hiking and Bouldering in Joshua Tree NP: Hiking Guide №1
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Joshua Tree is a diverse dual-desert park famous for its weathering hills, alien tree-palm hybrids, and gold miner past. Hiking in Joshua tree is always going to include good views and beautiful nature. Save these 5 suggestions for your next perfect hike!
Arch Rock
Best for: Quintessential Joshua Tree Boulders
If you could only had one experience in Joshua Tree, it should be Arch Rock. In my poll on Twitter y’all choose bouldering as more quintessential than hiking in Joshua Tree. And I kinda agree… so the boulders at Arch Rock take the first spot. The boulders form a giant playground and the views are simply from Venus.
Inspiration Peak via Keys View
Best for: Sunset Views
The views of the Little San Bernardino mountain valley from Keys View are gorgeous. The less-trafficked trail to Inspiration Peak the ideal hike for sunset and sunrise. The short hike is light but more than a walk and the the views are stunning and expansive.
Crown Prince Lookout Trail
Best for: Adventure Bouldering
This hike features some moderate to strenuous rock climbing/bouldering. Most of the hike to the butte and on the return are fairly level but if you want to go to the top it does get harrowing even in grippy shoes. This hike features vertical bouldering with height, wind, following an at times-non obvious trail. I thought it was very cool to see the low desert and high desert in one trail. See varied dry vegetation and desert hare.
Don’t tackle this one if free-climbing a crumbly butte doesn’t sound fun to you! If it does, this is the perfect adventure hike!
Cap Rock and Jumbo Rocks via Gram Parsons Nature Trail
Best for: Bouldering and Joshua Trees
The trails around Cap Rock and Jumbo Rocks are fantastic hike-boulder-hike-boulder trails that have the best of everything Joshua Tree has to offer. Clamber where the big horn sheep go, and wander an alien forest. These hybrid trees are actually much larger up close than you’d think!
(FYI there are plentiful honey bees vibing around the boulders most of the year.)
Cottonwood Spring
Best for: Experiencing All of Joshua Tree
Cottonwood Spring trail is unique from my other JT recommendations as it is in the Colorado Desert part of the park. The Mohave views are more “classic” parts of the park. At Cottonwood Springs you will experience a new desert ecosystem with huge palm trees and vulture society. For a complete top-to-bottom Joshua Tree trip, Cottonwood Spring is unique and special hike in its own right.
I hope you have an incredible time in Joshua Tree National Park’s beautiful and surprising landscapes. They will tire out your legs but fill up your soul.
Happy Hiking,
Lili Byrne
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Did you like this blog post? Save for future reference and check out my other National Park hiking guides!
