Get The Most Out of Your Day at Joshua Tree National Park
If you’ve ever had the chance to visit Joshua Tree National Park, then you know you need more than one day to see the park. I mean, this is true for all parks.
There are 25+ incredible hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous scattered throughout Joshua Tree. With so many options, it’s hard to choose which hike to do especially if you only have one day here.
If you prefer to fill your day with a variety of shorter hikes over one long hike, you should check out the park’s top hikes under 1 mile! We easily fit these 3 trails into one day and still had time for lunch and a chance to watch the sunset.
Here’s our list of 3 epic 1 mile & under hikes to experience at Joshua Tree National Park.
Tip – we still recommend using proper hiking shoes even for these shorter trails. I’ll admit I was unable to get away with using sandals. Sandy, rocky desert terrain isn’t necessarily easy on the feet. Also, hike safe in the desert by bringing an ample amount of water!
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜1. Cholla Cactus Garden – .25 mile loop
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail is located in the center region of the park, right on the border of the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. Since this trail is furthest south, we recommend starting here and working your way back up towards the park entrance.
This short hike is well worth the stop. This trail takes you through the beautiful cactus garden of Teddy Bear Cholla cacti, a gorgeous bright yellow spiny cactus.
We’ve never seen so many Teddy Bear Cholla cacti in one condensed space! Definitely one of the more “lively” desert trails we’ve encountered, outside of the lush Murray Canyon Trail in Palm Springs.
Beautiful? Yes. Dangerous? Hell yes! Remember to be careful around these little guys. Just slightly brushing up on one causes the spines to detach and easily stick to your shoes, clothes, or skin.
This is actually how the cactus uses its environment to transfer to new areas where it will eventually grow new Teddy Bear Cholla cacti.
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail is a lovely trail to see during all seasons. If you want to really see the cactus glow, visit a few hours before dark. The less harsh lighting really brings out the bright yellow color.
You can pickup a free brochure beforehand to read information on the area along 16 different markers found along the way.
This short little loop is one of the highlights (pun intended) of Joshua Tree National Park. A one of a kind feature to the park.
2. Arch Rock Nature Trail – .5 mile loop
Another fun and unique feature Joshua Tree National Park offers is Arch Rock, located near White Tank Campground.
You can park in a small parking lot next to the campground which is near the trailhead. Walk through the campground till you reach the trailhead marker. This is the start of the Arch Rock Nature Trail.
First, climb up a small hill and see some great views of the desert valley. Continue down the trail and you will quickly come up on the arch on your right. You’ll know you’re here from the blatant placard in front stating “The Arch.” Nathan literally asked me “Is this the Arch?,” just to run into this sign moments later. We both had a laugh!
So What’s The Story of this Arch?
This historic arch was created from geological processes over the course of many, many years. Weathering and erosion from wind and rain over long periods of time formed the beautiful arch you see today.
Unfortunately, with all things nature, nothing is permanent.
Over time, water will continue to dissolve the minerals on the surface, causing tiny cracks to expand and contact with temperature extremes. Pieces of the arch will chip away slowly day by day. Then one day, this arch will tumble, only to be replaced with another obscure rock shape and formation.
A bittersweet cycle of our natural earth. So enjoy it while it’s here!
If you leave the trail, you can climb up towards the arch for further exploration. We enjoyed seeing the underside as well as scrambling along the many boulders around and behind the arch.
Once you’re satisfied, you can either continue along the loop trail or head back the way you came. Heading back the way you came would be the quicker option.
If you want to continue, the trail loops you through more gorgeous desert scenery and then connects you back to the campground.
If you’re a true arch lover after seeing this one arch, you should make a trip out to Arches National Park in Utah. Did you know that it’s the home of 2,000+ natural sandstone arches?!
3. Hidden Valley Trail – 1 mile loop
If you’re trying to find the most epic short hike in Joshua Tree National Park, then you can’t go wrong with Hidden Valley Trail.
This 1 mile loop circles you through a valley surrounded by massive boulders, beautiful desert foliage, and through some pretty scenic terrain. All enclosed by tall mountainous rocks, literally making it an actual hidden valley.
Park in the large parking lot and follow the trail through some tight rocks up and into the valley.
Most people typically travel clockwise along this loop but the choice is up to you! There’s no wrong way to roam Hidden Valley.
Along the path you will see informational placards that explain more on the foliage, wildlife, and geology of the area. This trail is mostly flat with just a small change in elevation.
As we strolled through the valley we were constantly in awe of these tall rock structures. We were literally surrounded in all directions.
Many of the rock formations are climbable which added some extra fun to our hike. Similar to our experience at Red Rock Canyon State Park where we climbed many of the desert rock formations. It’s no surprise people choose to boulder and rock climb within this valley. Look out for the large climbing pads and dangling ropes!
As you near the opposite end of the valley, you will see some incredible views of these huge boulders. Towering high, stretching seemingly far off into the distance. It almost doesn’t look real, like something out of a science fiction movie.
Try to Stay On The Trail!
Some parts of the trail are a little hard to distinguish. We accidentally wandered off trail a few times.
Nothing to worry about though, it’s easy to find your way back to the original trail. Honestly, it’s pretty impossible to get lost in here as your enclosed in a relatively flat area.
Towards the end of the loop you come across some lonely barren trees. It strangely complemented the scenery well, adding to the overall desolate feeling of being in the desert.
Near the end of the loop, climb up a few rock steps which quickly takes you back up towards the beginning of the loop.
Hidden Valley Trail is all you could ask for and more for in a short 1 mile trail. We feel that everyone should add this to their list when looking to find the best short hike in Joshua Tree National Park.
Need Nightly Accommodation?
If you’re traveling from out of a town and looking for accommodation, you can find it in the nearby towns of Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms. A little further away is the larger city of Yucca Valley.
Any of these locations have numerous hotels and motels to choose from along with plenty of restaurants and stores.
TIP! – there is a large amount of affordable and amazing Airbnb’s in this area. Even though we don’t live far, we still prefer to stay overnight at one of these fun Airbnb’s.
From retro RVs, to cute little guest houses, I just love spending the night under the desert star lit sky. J Tree is one of the best places for star gazing in California. One place even had a star gazing deck, complete with outdoor couches!
Some of my best nights have been spent out here in the desert, with nothing but the sound of the wind, twinkling stars, and a few howling coyotes.
Be sure to use our $40 off coupon towards your Airbnb reservation if you’re looking for an Airbnb near Joshua Tree!
3 Short Hikes with Huge Reward in Joshua Tree National Park
Choosing what to do in Joshua Tree is hard, especially if you have a limited amount of time. You can either spend your day trekking one long hike, or stretch it out between a few shorter hikes. If you’ve never been before choosing several smaller hikes will showcase the variety in flora and landscape J Tree has to offer.
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail, Arch Trail, and Hidden Valley Trail are some of our favorite short hikes to do. Each just 1 mile or less. The variety and beauty among all the trails makes this park easily one of our 8 best desert spots in southern California!
An easy yet exciting excursion for spending a day in Joshua Tree National Park. Start early, and still have time to watch the sunset!
For more desert hikes like these, be sure to check out Amboy Crater about an hour north of the park. And just 20 minutes above Amboy Crater, you can explore the Mojave National Preserve. A huge area packed full of incredible desert hiking. Many of our favorites are right here in this preserve.
What hikes do you love at Joshua Tree? We’re always looking for recommendations. Share with us in the comments below!
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