49 Palms Oasis Trail - Joshua Tree National Park

Find a Hidden Gem within the Desert Canyons of Joshua Tree along 49 Palms Oasis Trail

As many of you already know, the best way to experience a national park is through hiking. Short hikes, long hikes, or something in between, you can find the best sights along one of the many trails national parks have to offer.

Joshua Tree National Park is no exception to this and has tons of trails to best explore the park. One trail in particular, which exists outside the main section of the park, takes you to a rare fan palm oasis hidden within a desert canyon.

While you may not encounter many Joshua Trees along this route, you can still expect to be in awe of the desert canyon scenery and lush oasis at the end of your hike. 49 Palms Oasis Trail is a trail you don’t want to miss during your next visit to Joshua Tree National Park.

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49 Palms Oasis Trail – Hike Details/Info

Unlike the other trails in this park, 49 Palms Oasis Trail is located outside the main area of the park, meaning you don’t need to go through the entrance gates to reach the trailhead.

To get to the railhead, head south on Canyon Road off Highway 62, or Twentynine Palms Highway. This eventually turns into 49 Palms Canyon Road and ends at a small parking lot.

The trailhead is located in the parking lot along with some bathrooms. Amazingly, there is no entrance fee or permits to hike this trail in Joshua Tree NP. So get out there and enjoy some nature for FREE!

HIKE DETAILS

Length: 3 miles (Out & Back)
Elevation: About 300 ft each way
Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous
Time to complete: 2-3 hours
No pets allowed on the trail

KEEP IN MIND

Despite this trail only being 3 miles in length, the elevation gain is fairly steep in some areas
- Bring proper hiking shoes as the terrain is rocky and requires some climbing. We recommend a pair of Merrell Day Hiking Shoes.
- Trekking poles are always recommended to save your joints and knees
When hiking in the desert, always be mindful of temperature
- Bring enough water to stay hydrated while hiking
- Consider bringing any of these 6 articles of sun protection for hiking
There is little to no shade along this trail
- Keep your noggin safe with any of these 5 hiking hats
- Protect your eyes with any of these top hiking sunglasses

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

For those looking for overnight accommodations near Joshua Tree National Park, we highly recommended looking up a local Airbnb as there are TONS to choose from in this area!

We’ve stayed in at least 5 different Airbnb’s in the Joshua Tree area as they’re relatively cheap and offer a much better experience than a hotel or motel. Many of them provide a full size kitchen and/or outdoor patio areas with BBQ grills or firepits. Perfect for making a romantic dinner and enjoying a night of stargazing at the end of a long day.

If you’re wanting to opt for an Airbnb, make sure you use our Airbnb discount code which offers $65 off your first trip reservation!

For those wanting wanting traditional lodging here are a couple great options:

Pioneertown Motel – An incredibly charming and highly rated motel in Pioneertown. It literally breathes the old west and it’s just 25 minutes away from Joshua Tree. This quaint little old west town is a must see for those traveling through the area. Keep in mind, because of it’s popularity and theme it is on the more expensive side.
El Rancho Dolores at JT National Park – If you’re like us and generally looking for a budget option, we recommend this motel as it’s right outside the park.

49 Palms Oasis Trail – Starting The First Half

The first half of 49 Palms Oasis Trail is mainly made up of a steady incline. Once you start on the trail, you’re immediately starting the climb up into the rocky mountain tops.

As you head up, you’re surrounded by a landscape of massive boulders and dry terrain.

The ascent up is fairly quick and soon enough you’ll start to see some impressive views of the desert valley.

As you near the top, there is a great viewpoint off to the left just before you turn the corner to the other side of the mountain.

Be aware of where you step on the way up! We had some hikers ahead of us spot a rattlesnake in the bushes just off the trail. There’s many flat rocks and crevices along the path, all perfect places where snakes tend to hide.

Once you’re at the top, you’ll have a small section which is fairly flat that winds you around the other side of the mountain. As you start the descent, you know you’re about half way there!

The Second Half – Reaching 49 Palms Oasis

What’s nice about the second portion of the trail is that it’s basically one big descent to the oasis. While it’s enjoyable down, be mindful that you must complete the climb up on the way back.

So be conscious of your water supply to last you the entire round trip!

The environment is basically the same scenery as before. A very rocky, dry terrain, with no shade in sight. Sounds unpleasant but if you love the desert like us, it is a fun landscape to be trekking through!

The way down is a bit more steep than the first half of the hike with some steeper sections. Fortunately these parts have some steps making it easier.

As you keep descending, you’ll eventually reach a part with massive boulders that sit right below a tall mountain. Once here, there’s only about 0.3 more miles to go before seeing the 49 Palms Oasis!

Continue on and just around the bend, you will see the thick palm tree grove.

Relaxing Within The 49 Palms Oasis

The 49 palms oasis sits near the base, in between 3 different mountain ranges.

Nestled in this rocky canyon, you will see towering palm trees, large boulders, and just below, clear pools of water.

The large boulders scattered throughout the oasis make a lovely place to rest at the end of the hike. Take a minute (or hour) to sit under the canopy of trees and hear the small trickling water of the oasis running through the canyon.

Finding a comfy spot on one of the boulders was easy for us. We brought some snacks for a small picnic and enjoyed some much needed peace and quiet among the desert canyon.

The calmness and beauty found at Joshua Tree easily makes this one of our 8 best desert destinations in southern California.

We poked around the area a bit more and were surprised at just how rough the trunks of the palm trees are to the touch!

For living in Los Angeles and being surrounded by palm trees, these fan palms are much different than what we have back home.

Once you’re done enjoying the oasis, head back up the trail the way you came back to the parking lot. Keep in mind the way back is a bit steeper compared the way in. Preserve your water and take your time!

49 Palms Oasis Trail is Perfect Outing for Those Passing by Joshua Tree National Park

Whether you’re spending the day in Joshua Tree National Park or just passing by it on the highway, 49 Palms Oasis Trail is an ideal trail to add to your desert adventure.

Just 10 minutes from the city of Twentynine Palms, this short but moderately strenuous 3 mile trail is a true treat hidden in the desert. Climb up, over, and through a scenic rocky mountain terrain to reach a lush and hidden fan palm desert oasis.

It’s easy to find peace within these canyon walls as you relax under the canopy of trees and listen to the sound of strong wind and trickling water. 49 Palms Oasis Trail is one of our favorite trails in Joshua Tree National Park and recommend it to all hikers, both beginners and experienced.

For more desert hikes in the surrounding area, check out Whitewater Preserve, just east of the Joshua Tree. Stunning trails along the beautiful White Water River.

Or head to Palm Springs to find one of our favorite desert oasis hikes – Murray Canyon Trail in Indian Canyons. Dense palm trees, running water, and gorgeous desert views!