Top hikes at easy-to-reach Joshua Tree NP

Though seemingly in the remote desert, Joshua Tree National Park actually
is quite close to several metro areas, including Los Angeles and San Diego.

Though seemingly remote, Joshua Tree National Park actually is near several large cities and fairly easy to reach.

Most visitors to the national park will travel through or stay in the Palm Springs area, a popular resort destination. In Palm Springs or the Coachella Valley, get on Interstate 10 and exit onto Calif. Hwy. 62. This takes you directly to the park’s major ports of entry.

From Los Angeles and points north, wind your way on the appropriate freeway to I-10 and head east. After crossing the San Gorgonio Pass, exit onto Hwy. 62.

If in San Diego, take Interstate 15 north. At Temecula, go east onto Calif. Hwy. 79, south on Calif. Hwy. 371, and then east onto Calif. Hwy. 74 into Palm Desert. Go straight on Monterey Avenue and then left/west onto I-10. Lastly, exit onto Hwy. 62.

From Phoenix, take I-10 to Palm Springs and exit on Hwy. 62

If in Las Vegas, take Interstate 15 to Barstow, Calif., then go west onto Interstate 40. Exit onto County Road 66 (aka the National Trails Highway) and at Amboy go right/south onto Amboy Road. In Twentynine Palms, turn left/south onto Goodwin Road and then right/west onto Hwy. 62.

From Flagstaff, Ariz., and Grand Canyon National Park, take Interstate 40 west. Exit onto Kelbaker Road and head south. Turn right/west onto County Road 66 (aka the National Trails Highway). At Amboy, go left/south onto Amboy Road. In Twentynine Palms, turn left/south onto Goodwin Road and then right/west onto Hwy. 62.

Except for the drives from Los Angeles and Palm Springs, visitors will have to cross a lot of desert to reach Joshua Tree. If deserts aren’t your thing, then the perceived dullness of the largely flat, monotonous drive will make the otherworldly sights of Joshua Tree all that more thrilling.

After all that driving, you’ll want to get out of your vehicle and walk any of these great trails:
• Boy Scout Trail, southern segment (Joshua tree groves)
• Skull Rock Trail (granite monoliths)
• 49 Palms Oasis Trail (desert oasis)
• Barker Dam Nature Trail (ranching history)
• Lost Horse Mine Trail (mining history)