Top hikes to see Joshua Tree’s various areas

Several entry points exist to vast Joshua Tree National Park, but only a couple
of them are recommended for day trippers and casual hikers.

The bulk of Joshua Tree National Park’s best sights and the trails to see them are off of the park's main two highways. Park Boulevard loops from the Joshua Tree Visitor Center in Joshua Tree to the Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms. Pinto Basin Road runs from the Park Boulevard south of the Oasis Visitor Center all the way to the Cottonwood Visitor Center then on to Interstate 10 just west of Chiriaco Summit. A few roads branch off of these two major routes and lead to campgrounds and additional trails.

There are other entry points that offer access to plenty of interesting sites and trails, however.

From Yucca Valley, Black Rock Canyon Road heads to the Black Canyon Campground and a number of trails in the park’s northwest section. Other trails leading to South Park Peak can be accessed from Elata and Warren Vista avenues and from Santa Barbara Drive. Covington Road offers access to Eagle Peak and various hikes. The street Elk Trail connects to a trail that runs to Elata Avenue.

From Twentynine Palms, Indian Cove Road enters the park’s northcentral section. It heads to Indian Cove, Rattlesnake Canyon, and the Boy Scout Trail’s northern terminus. Fortynine Palms Oasis Road leads to its famous namesake.

Access points also are available on the the park’s south side, though none of them are recommended without a 4W drive vehicle or for day trippers. From north of Cactus City east of the Coachella Valley, a unnamed gravel road leads to a trail up Pinkham Canyon. North of Indio, the jeep trail Berdoo Canyon Road heads up the Little San Bernardino Mountains to the Geology Road Tour Road.

There are some access areas to remote areas that are best avoided, unless you’re a backcountry backpacker. In the park’s northeast central region, Old Dale and Brooklyn Mine roads enter the park several miles east of Twentynine Palms. The same is true for Calif. Hwy. 177, which skirts the park’s southeastern section, and Black Eagle Mountain Road, both near Eagle Mountain.

Overall, about 300 miles of official trails crisscross the park. Many other faint paths, carved out by wildlife and backpackers, exist but are best avoided unless with a local guide or if you are an experienced backcountry hiker.

Great day hikes to take in those various areas include:
• Boy Scout Trail southern terminus (Park Boulevard hike)
• Pinto Basin Sand Dunes Trail (Pinto Basin Road hike)
• Mastodon Peak Trail (Cottonwood Visitor Center hike)
• West Side Loop (Black Canyon Campground hike)
• Indian Cove Trail (Indian Cove hike)
• Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail (Fortynine Palms Oasis Road hike)