Walk on the Wild Side

Hike J Trees CA Riding and Hiking Trail

Joshua Tree’s California Riding and Hiking Trail traverses 35 miles through the entire park, but you don't have to hike all of it to see the good stuff. Get up close and personal with the park's quirky namesake trees on a moderate out-and-back route starting from Ryan Campground. We recommend making it a roughly 6-mile round-tripper, but you can add or subtract mileage as you wish (and as conditions permit). Setting off towards the east you'll head into Joshua Tree wilderness. This portion of soft dirt singletrack takes you into a valley between the Hexie Mountains and Ryan Mountain. Joshua trees and mojave yucca galore decorate the desert floor. Follow the trail along gradual rolling hills, at an average elevation of 4,300 feet. Keep an eye out for the elusive bighorn sheep, sometimes seen in these parts. It’s more common to spot kit foxes and black-tailed jackrabbits. Another common sight this time of year: red blossoms of the ocotillo plant, which blooms in early spring and again in fall. However long you go, be sure to take a detour to the impressive Headstone Rock on the way back, located just east of Ryan Campground. It's a massive rock resembling a headstone and balanced on top of a towering granite pile. You can scramble up the rock pile to the base of the headstone and watch experienced climbers attempt the route to the top of it. The surrounding desert views confirm that you've truly gone into the wild.

From Twentynine Palms Hwy. (CA-62), turn south onto Park Blvd., where you will pass the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. From the visitor center, follow Park Blvd. (entering the West Entrance Station) until you see signs for Ryan Campground on the south side of the road, 16 miles from the visitor center. The trail heads east from the south side of the campground. Headstone Rock is less than a quarter mile from Ryan Campground and is visible from there, but you will also see a climbing route sign labeled Headstone Rock that will point you in the direction of the rock. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View