Hikes in California

A longer route with a fair amount of elevation gain, Funeral Canyon Trail is a perfect route for the more experienced hiker who is looking to get away from the crowds found at more frequented routes within Death Valley National Park. Amazing views of the surrounding landscape can be enjoyed throughout the hike's duration.

A difficult route that leads to an incredible vista where panoramic views of the surrounding area can be enjoyed, the Lower Telephone Canyon Trail is perfect for experienced hikers. Leading you through an imposing canyon and along stunning hillsides, the Lower Telephone Canyon Trail is well worth the effort for those willing to put the work in!

An excellent route for families with young children and those looking for a more casual hiking experience, the Devil’s Hole Overlook Trail is a beautiful route within Death Valley National Park. Taking you past Devil’s Hole - an aquifer-feed geothermal cavern with endangered fish species - Devil’s Hole Overlook Trail is an intriguing route.

A physically demanding but beautiful route, the Saline Mountain Trail is a must do for experienced hikers in Death Valley National Park. Taking you through imposing canyons and up stunning mountains, the Saline Mountain Trail possesses a variety of scenery that will keep you intrigued throughout its extent.

A longer route with a fair amount of elevation gain, the Brown Peak Trail should only be attempted by experienced hikers. Ending at a scenic vista where beautiful views of the surrounding Death Valley National Park Landscape can be enjoyed, the Brown Peak Trail is well worth the effort!

Relatively short and with little elevation gain, the Barker Dam Nature Trail is a family-friendly hike that offers great views of the surrounding area. During the hike, numerous interpretive signs can be found to help educate you on the rock formations, desert vegetation, and wildlife found throughout the hike's duration.

Considered a harder route, the Quail Mountain via Juniper Flats Trail is ideal for those looking for more of a challenge. Longer, and with more elevation gain than many trails within Joshua Tree National Park, the Juniper Flats Hike is less trafficked, and offers a feeling of seclusion. The effort of completing the hike is well worth it, as Quail Mountain itself offers breathtaking panoramic views.

The Black Rock Canyon to Panorama Loop Trail is an excellent hike that is medium in length, and provides lots of opportunities for wildlife and desert wildflower viewing. Easily accessible, the Black Rock Canyon to Panorama Loop Trail is ideal for those with older children who are looking for a bit more of a challenge then found in many of the shorter hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.

The Black Rock Canyon Trail is a well marked hike that is both easily accessible and stunningly beautiful. A great place to see wildlife and unique desert vegetation, the Black Rock Canyon Trail is an ideal route for those looking for a more casual hiking experience.

With an abundance of unique rock formations, the Cap Rock and Gram Parsons Nature Trail is a short but fantastic hike that is good for the entire family. Photo opportunities are plentiful as you make your way through the relatively flat terrain. If you're lucky, you may even see some of the wildlife roaming the area.

The magnificently named Hall of Horrors Hike is an interactive hiking experience the entire family can enjoy. Characterized by distinctive rock formations with deep, narrow cavities throughout them, the Hall of Horrors Hike is perfect for those who like to get off the trail, and explore a bit. Alongside the main draw of the rock formations, plentiful opportunities exist for wildlife and desert vegetation viewing.

The Panorama Trail and Big Foot Walk is a longer, more secluded route that is ideal for the avid hiker. While longer than many Joshua Tree National Park hikes, the route offers seclusion from crowds found in other areas in the park, as well as fantastic views for those willing to put the effort in. An abundance of desert vegetation and wildlife can also be found throughout the route's duration.

The Eagle Cliff Mine Hike makes you work for all that it has to offer. While not that long of a route, the hike dramatically increases in elevation within a short distance, so some scrambling is required. Nevertheless, after you get to the top, you are rewarded with stunning views and the opponrunrity to visit the funky Eagle Cliff Boulder House.

Fairly short but packed with character, the Ryan Ranch Trail is a must-do in Joshua Tree National Park for those who love history. The trail leads you through the remnants of an old ranch, where various ruins can be found. Along with its historical significance, the route is also an excellent place to see a variety of wildlife and desert vegetation.

Passing by a number of old mine sites and other unique structures, the Desert Queen Mine Hike has no shortage of interesting places to visit. This moderately challenging route is ideal for hikers looking for a bit more of a challenge than many other shorter routes found within Joshua Tree National Park. Alongside the many historically significant sites to visit, opportunities for wildlife viewing are plentiful.

Fairly long and considered to be more difficult than many hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, the Eureka Peak Trail is not for everyone. That being said, the expansive views at the top of Eureka Peak and the abundance of wildlife observable throughout the route's duration make the Eureka Peak Trail an ideal hike for the more experienced.

Easily accessible and appropriate for the entire family, the Hidden Valley Campground to Barker Dam Nature Trail is a charming hike with no shortage of things to see. With an assortment of desert vegetation, wildlife and picturesque rock formations, the Hidden Valley Campground to Barker Dam Nature Trail has something for everyone.

The Joshua Tree West Side Trail is ideal for those seeking a stunning hike without wanting to drive too far into the park's interior. The route boasts scenic views and an abundance of opportunities to see wildlife and desert vegetation characteristic of Joshua Tree National Park. Unique rock formations can be found throughout the route and are both picturesque and beautiful.

Conveniently located near the town of Joshua Tree, the Maze Loop is both accessible and family-friendly. Taking you over fairly flat terrain, the Maze Loop is long enough to feel like a fun excursion, without being too physically demanding. Likewise, throughout the hike's duration, opportunities for wildlife viewing are plentiful.

The Mastodon Peak Loop Trail is a family-friendly route with no shortage of things to see and do. The route boasts a variety of notable historic sites to visit, accompanied by informative plaques to help educate you on the history of Joshua Tree National Park. If that isn't enough, the views on Mastodon Peak are spectacular as they overlook the expansive landscape.