Barker Dam Nature Trail

Route Description for Barker Dam Nature Trail

As the Barker Dam Nature Trail is within the desert environment of Joshua Tree National Park, hiking during the summer months can be rather hot, with little shelter from the sun. Therefore, it is suggested that you do the Barker Dam Nature Hike either earlier in the morning or later in the evening in order to beat the heat and intense sun seen during the summer months.

Having left your vehicle at the parking lot, follow the Barker Dam Trailhead in a northerly direction. After hiking a few hundred feet, you will arrive at a trail junction where you will turn right and follow the path north. The trail will bring you to a lake, where it will begin to veer west before arriving at the Barker Dam.

From the dam, the trail follows a southwestern direction before veering to the south. The Barker Dam Nature Trail will then bring you to a set of beautiful and historic Petroglyphs, so make sure you stop and admire them. After you have gotten your fill of the Petroglyphs, continue along the trail in an easterly direction until you arrive at the previously mentioned junction, where you will retrace your steps back to your vehicle.