Discover Diverse Desert Views with these 5 Activities in Joshua Tree National Park

Located just 1 hour away from Palm Springs, California, this large desert park leaves a lot to be discovered. I have visited twice so far, most recently as part of a fun Solo Southwest Road Trip, and there’s still much I haven’t uncovered.

Here is a ranked list of my most loved actives in Joshua Tree National Park: Cholla Cactus Garden walk, Hidden Valley loop hike, Scull Rock to Split Rock hike, Keys Viewpoint drive, and Hall of Horrors loop hike. You can easily do all of these activities if you have one full day here.

Cholla Cactus Garden Walk

The Cholla Cactus Garden is my favorite. This magical .25 mile loop walk is very unique because of the dense population of Cholla cacti in one area. According to the National Park service, this is because the garden is located near the transition zone between the Colorado and Mohave Deserts which simply has more water to support a greater number of cacti.

While most of the park’s popular activities are located on the north end, the Cholla Cactus Garden is not. However, if you are entering (or exiting) the park from the south, via highway 10, the Cholla cacti will be one of your first (or last) stops as you make your way up (or down) the park.

Enjoy the walk on the short meandering trail, you can get as close as you dare to these cute cacti. 

Hidden Valley loop hike

This 1 mile hike gives you a lot of bang for your buck. From the parking lot you climb through a passage in the rocks and into the valley on the other side. The trail makes a loop around the perimeter of this valley and contains some amazing views of the surrounding boulders and allows you to get up close with the desert plant life. It’s an easy hike with just a few steps and elevation gains. Take your time and enjoy the stroll.

Scull Rock to Split Rock Hike

Scull Rock is a very popular stop that is right along one of the park’s main roads, Park Boulevard. There is a reduced speed limit and good amount of roadside parking here so, you won’t miss it. However, since Skull Rock is so easy to get to, it is often crowded. The good news is it’s not the only cool thing to see in this area. 

Score a parking spot either along Park Boulevard or at the Split Rock trailhead on Split Rock Road (a dirt road) and take the Split Rock Loop trail and combine it with a short out and back to see Face Rock and Skull Rock. This combined hike will total just under 4 miles and take you past many cool rocks, gnarly Joshua trees, and possibly even some rock climbers! 

I parked on Park Boulevard, viewed Skull Rock then took the discovery trail to Face Rock where it hooked up with the Split Rock Loop. Then I completed the loop and hiked the same stretch of the Discovery Trail back to the road. Here’s a quick photo tour of a few of the “other” cool rocks to see along this hike. 

Tip: There are picnic benches and a hidden shady spot to enjoy a packed lunch at the Split Rock Trailhead. 

Key’s Viewpoint Drive

Driving through the flat desert landscape peppered with the twisted silhouettes of the Joshua Trees is one of the coolest things to experience in Joshua Tree National Park. Both Park Boulevard and Key’s View Road offers this experience but only Key View Road ends in a wide open view overlooking the Cochella Valley and San Andreas Fault beyond. Due to a weather system that was passing through, we did not have the most clear view during our visit but, according to the National Park Service, you can sometimes see all the way to Signal Mountain in Mexico!

Apart from the 20 minute drive to reach the viewpoint, you don’t need too long at this stop. There is a short paved uphill path and plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the mountain and valley views. At over 5,000ft elevation, be prepared for some wind and cool temperatures! 

Hall of Horrors loop hike

This easy .6 mile loop hike is picturesque and offers some unique slot canyons to explore along with some fun rock scrambling. This nice trail also weaves you among a thick grove of Joshua Trees, so it’s a great spot for a family photo with one of the iconic trees the park is named for.

Here is a link to the official Joshua Tree National Park website and the official park map. Buy your Joshua Tree park pass ahead of time at recreation.gov. Happy exploring!