Joshua Tree National Park Best Hikes For Kids

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Does hiking in the desert with kids seem like a not-so-great idea to you? Well, think again—because the Joshua Tree National Park best hikes for kids prove it can be an unforgettable adventure for the whole family!

Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California has plenty of kid friendly trails with little elevation gain that are easily doable despite the heat (planning for the right time of year also helps with that!). Many of the trails are under 2 miles, a good distance for kids of almost any age. All it requires is a little pacing, plenty of water, and an adventurous spirit! 

When I visited Joshua Tree National Park it was on a girl’s trip, so we did not have the kids with us. But nonetheless, I am always looking for family friendly hikes and ideas for when we do return with the kids. I found many of the trails to be very family friendly, despite the desert heat, and compiled a list of my best recommendations to make your trip planning easier! 

About Joshua Tree National Park 

Joshua Tree National Park features a unique desert landscape in Southern California across 800,000 acres. Joshua Tree encompasses the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. The park gets its name from the unique Joshua tree — a spiky, twisted member of the yucca family that grows only in this region.

Joshua Tree’s landscape was shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion. The most famous features are its granite rock formations, which formed underground and were exposed over time.

These rounded boulders, often stacked in dramatic piles, make the park a world-class climbing destination and a wonderland for families to explore. Visitors will also find dry lakebeds, rugged mountain ranges, and the sharp transition between the higher, cooler Mojave Desert and the lower, hotter Colorado Desert.

Joshua Tree was designated as a national monument in 1936 and named as a national park in 1994. 

What to Know Before Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park 

• The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is between October and April for milder, more pleasant weather. October and November and March-May are best, as the winter months can get quite chilly with snow at times. in the summer months, the temperature can get up to over 100 degrees. 
• Be sure to bring lots of water! Some of the campgrounds do have potable water, but not all of them! It can get very hot and with very little shade it is easy to get dehydrated. 
• The closest big city is about two hours from the park. There are 3 small towns outside the park entrances (Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley). 
• Cell service in the park can be spotty. Plan ahead and know where you are going. Download maps ahead of time to avoid issues with GPS. 
• There are no gas stations inside the park, so make sure you fill up ahead of time. 
• Joshua Tree National Park is a great destination for hiking, but it is also a great destination for climbers and boulderers. The park has more than 8,000 climbing routes. 
• There is no shade on most of the trails. Be sure to bring sun protection-eco-friendly sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. 
• Dogs are not allowed on most trails in the park, only picnic areas, campgrounds, and paved roads. 
• Practice the Leave No Trace Principles. Always be proactive about protecting the environment and gorgeous national parks located across the country. 

Joshua Tree National Park Best Hikes for Kids 

Discovery Trail 

The Discovery Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a unique trail because it was designed by kids for kids! Park rangers partnered with a local school in 2012 to design a kid friendly hike. The trail is 0.7 miles round trip and mostly flat (70 ft. of elevation gain). 

The trail will take you past a series of sandy washes, canyons, and boulder piles.One of the highlights of the trail is the scenic overlook that gives you views of jumbo rocks, skull rock, and elephant rock. 

Along the trail you will find signs that provide information about the park, the landscape, and history of Joshua Tree, making it a great educational opportunity for the kids. 

The trail head for Discovery Trail is on Park Boulevard across from Skull Rock. The trail connects to the Split Rock Trail and Face Rock. 

Hidden Valley Nature Trail 

The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is one of the Joshua Tree National Park best hikes for families and beginners. This 1-mile loop trail features a gentle 75-foot elevation gain and winds through a scenic valley surrounded by the park’s iconic boulders. It’s also a great spot for kids to enjoy some easy rock scrambling. There are a few stairs at the beginning and end of the trail, but overall it’s an easy and rewarding hike.

Hidden Valley also has an interesting history—back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was reportedly used as a hiding spot for cattle. Along the trail, you’ll find educational signs highlighting local plant and animal life, adding a fun learning element for families.

Because the Hidden Valley Nature Trail is one of the most popular in the park, expect the parking lot to fill quickly. Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds and parking issues. Keep in mind there’s no cell service on this trail, so plan ahead before you go.

Barker Dam Nature Trail Loop 

The Barker Dam Nature Trail Loop is 1.1 miles with an elevation gain of 60 ft. The Barker Dam Nature Trail features the historic Barker Dam and plenty of boulders perfect for rock scrambling. Water in the dam depends on rainfall and season. 

The trail begins on a flat, dirt trail, but quickly transitions into granite boulders. Some of the larger boulders have steps. The trail eventually takes you through/around boulders (can be a tight squeeze) and down into a sandy wash. 

The Barker Dam Nature Loop goes through the Southern part of the Wonderland of Rocks. It will also take you through some narrow rock corridors, past a seasonal lake, and past large boulders.  You can get some views of the San Gorgonio Mountains in the distance. 

The rock art site is a highlight of the trail, with Native American petroglyphs that tell the history of the area. The petroglyphs are very fragile, so avoid touching them to prevent any damage. 

The Barker Dam Nature Trail is also a good spot to see wildlife at times, including bighorn sheep and some bird species. Plant life is also abundant, with opportunities to see the iconic Joshua Trees, creosote, Mojave yucca, and pinon pines. 

The trailhead for the Barker Dam trail is found on Barker Dam Road, just off of Park Blvd. in the central part of Joshua Tree. There is a parking lot at the trail head, but it fills up quickly during busy times, so be sure to arrive early or later in the evening. 

Skull Rock Nature Trail 

The Skull Rock Nature Trail is a 1.7 mile round trip trail that includes the iconic skull rock. The trail has 120 ft. of elevation gain. This unique rock was formed over time as water accumulated in small depressions, eroding the granite rock and eventually carving out what appears to be the two hollowed out eye sockets that resemble a skull. 

There are two starting points for the trail-just across the road from the Jumbo Rocks Campground or within the campground. The trail will take you through giant boulder piles, washes, and to Skull Rock. There are some steeper, narrow sections on the trail, to be sure to use extra caution at those points. 

If you are only up for visiting the rock, you can do so with a short walk from the car, you don’t have to hike the entire trail. If you are starting at the Jumbo Rocks Campground, hike counter-clockwise and you will quickly come to Skull Rock. 

Arch Rock Trail 

The Arch Rock Trail is one of the Joshua Tree National Park best hikes for families and visitors who want to see one of the park’s most iconic natural formations up close. This 1.3-mile loop with a 100-foot elevation gain features the stunning 30-foot-wide Arch Rock, a favorite photo spot and geological wonder. Along the trail, you’ll find educational signs explaining the unique rock formations and desert landscape.

The Arch Rock Trail is known for its “lollipop” shape—the path begins as a straight, sandy stretch for about 0.6 miles before branching into a loop. The loop section is slightly rockier, eventually reconnecting with the main trail. For the best views and an easier time spotting Arch Rock, it’s recommended to hike the loop counterclockwise.

The trailhead for the Arch Rock Trail is near White Tank Campground on Pinto Basin Road. Like many desert trails, there’s no shade and no cell service, so be sure to bring plenty of water and start early in the day to avoid the heat.

Joshua Tree National Park Best Hikes: Cap Rock Trail 

Cap Rock is a quick, 0.4-mile loop that is perfect for kids of any age/hiking ability. The trail circles around the famous Cap Rock formation — a large boulder topped with a seemingly impossible “cap” stone balanced on top.  The path is flat and stroller-friendly, making it one of Joshua Tree National Park’s best hikes for families. 

It’s also a great spot for a picnic or to simply stretch your legs during a scenic drive through the park. There are picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area. The parking area can be found off of Park Blvd. 

Cholla Cactus Garden 

While not a traditional hike, the Cholla Cactus Garden offers one of the most unique landscapes in Joshua Tree and a must do when visiting with kids. The trail is found about 12 miles south of the North entrance. The trail is flat and wide, making it a great option for families. 

The trail takes you through 10 acres of land with the famous teddybear cholla. When visiting with young children, be sure to keep them away from the cactus. They appear soft and pretty, but their spines easily attach to skin and clothing. The Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the only areas in the park that grows this unique desert plant, so you won’t want to miss it! 

Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon will treat you to a special scene-the light makes the cacti appear to glow. The Cholla Cactus Garden is located in a lower desert area, so temperatures tend to get hotter here than in some other areas of the park. 

The trailhead for the Cholla Cactus Garden is found on Pinto Basin Road. There is a large parking area, but it does tend to fill up quickly. 

Oasis of Mara Trail 

The Oasis of Mara trail is a unique trail rich in history. The trail is one of the few paved trails in the park, making it stroller and wheelchair accessible. The trail is about a half mile to an oasis of trees said to be planted by the Serrano Native Americans. 

The Oasis of Mara is one of the only parts of the park that has water, rising from the Pinto Mountain Fault. The area also has an interesting history. It is said that the Serrano Native American tribe planted a palm tree each time a baby boy was born, because it is said a medicine man told them it was a good place to live. The trees became a source of food, clothing, and housing for the tribe. 

The trail is located just outside the park near the visitor center in Twentynine Palms (now administrative buildings). 

Ryan Ranch 

The Ryan Ranch trail is a 1 mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 135 ft. that highlights some of the park’s history. The trail follows an old ranch road that takes you past the ruins of the home built by Jepp and Tom Ryan in 1898 near Ryan Mountain.

It is mostly flat and sandy, making it easy to walk through, but pushing a stroller/wheelchair through might be difficult. The path is lined with the park’s iconic Joshua Trees and rock formations. 

The parking area for the Ryan Ranch trail is on Park Blvd. about 0.5 miles east of Ryan Campground. It can also be accessed near site 14 at the campgrounds.

Joshua Tree National Park Best Hikes: Hi View Nature Trail  

The Hi-View Nature Trail is a 1.3-mile loop that offers some of the best panoramic views of Joshua Tree National Park in a short distance. The trail has a 325 ft. elevation gain, with a steady uphill section, making it a little more challenging than some of the other hikes.  

Starting near the Black Rock Campground in the northwestern corner of the park, the trail climbs gently through a dense forest of Joshua trees before opening up to wide vistas of the surrounding desert valleys and mountain ranges. The Hi View Nature Trail gives you some great views of San Gorgonio Mountain and Yucca Valley. 

Because of its location, it’s one of the best places to see Joshua trees in abundance, especially during sunrise or sunset when the light makes the landscape glow. Wildlife is also plentiful in this area, with opportunities to spot jackrabbits, quail, and lizards. 

The Hi View Nature Trail begins near the back of the Black Rock Campground. Day-use visitors can park at the Black Rock Nature Center/Visitor Center. 

Split Rock 

Split Rock is a 2.5 mile loop with a 150 ft. elevation gain. The trail gets its name from the huge “split” boulder near the start, which looks as if it’s been sliced cleanly in two. Some parts of the trail may be hard to follow because it crosses over washes and social trails, so it is important to pay attention to the trail markers. 

The trail starts off going through rocky terrain, crosses over washes, and through fields of large boulders, before changing to oak and pine woodland. This trail is a little more difficult than the others mentioned as it is sandy and has some gentle climbs and descents. 

The trail has many unique rock formations perfect for scrambling and exploring, a bonus when visiting with kids who love to explore. If you are up for a little detour, there is a spur trail that takes you to Face Rock. This adds an extra 0.5 miles onto the hike. 

There are some picnic tables near the trailhead, making it a good spot to stop for lunch. The trailhead is found off of Park Blvd. in the Northern section of the park. 

Mastodon Peak 

The Mastdon Peak trail is 3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 375 ft., and is one of the more challenging hikes in Joshua Tree National Park for kids.The trail starts off on the Lost Palms Oasis Trail by Cottonwood Spring before branching off to the left to the Mastodon Peak Loop. 

This trail involves a lot of rock scrambling/climbing. The highlight of the trail is Mastodon Peak itself — a rocky outcrop that can be reached with a short but steep scramble near the loop’s midpoint. If you have small children you will want to use caution as there are big drops on all sides once you reach the peak. If you do not feel comfortable, you can always skip the peak climb and continue with the loop. 

If you do climb to the peak you will be treated to views of the Eagle Mountains, the Salton Sea, and the Colorado Desert in the distance. In addition to the peak, the trail also passes by remnants of the old Mastodon Mine, highlighting the park’s mining history. Interpretive signs explain how miners once searched for gold in this rugged desert landscape.

The hike begins at the Cottonwood Spring Oasis parking lot. There is no shade along the trail. Cell service is also lacking on the trail. 

Wall Street Mill/Wonderland Wash 

The Wall Street Mill/Wonderland Wash Trail is one of the Joshua Tree National Park best hikes for families who enjoy combining history with adventure. This 3.3-mile round-trip trail has an elevation gain of 144 feet and showcases the fascinating past of the area, including a well-preserved gold mill. Along the way, you’ll spot remnants of old machinery, an abandoned car, and the ruins of a former home on the Wonderland Wash.

The mill was built by miner William Keys in the 1930s during the second gold rush. Legend has it that Keys got into a dispute with his neighbor, Worth Bagley, which ended with Bagley’s death. Keys later built a makeshift tombstone marking Bagley’s grave—an intriguing piece of desert history you can still see today.

The trailhead for the Wall Street Mill/Wonderland Wash is located off Park Blvd., on the same turnoff as the Barker Dam Trail. There’s a large parking area labeled for the Wonderland of Rocks, making it easy to find and access this historic and scenic trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

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