Joshua Tree Hiking Tips

Hiking in Joshua Tree offers some of the most unique, rugged, and surreal scenery in the world. Joshua Tree National Park is where the lower Sonoran Desert (like the one you see in movies) meets the rugged, higher altitude, Mojave Desert. This unique ecosystem is not only home to unique species like the Joshua Tree, but also home to unique and picturesque hiking trails for all levels. This hiking guide has not only lots of individual hikes you can do, but also some helpful insider tips on hiking at Joshua Tree.

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[BKDDY]

hahaha people from LA and their instagram shots.

[rickjjacobs]

Thank you. Very informative and very no-nonsense!

[steviejd]

Actually, thinking about it, we are here on the 16th, a full moon hike is now planned! Spooky….

[Ashley_Schaeffer]

One of my favourite regions in the US! Hiking Guy probably has some of the most extensive guides for most of the trails around here!

[qwertie_]

These are great videos! I'm planning a trip late Feb. and plan to arrive at the park early morning (6-7 a.m.) to get hiking. Is the park usual busy that early or do most people wait until later in the morning?

[tortoisewhisperer]

This is a great video intro to Joshua Tree. Been going to Joshua the last dozen years or so, usually in the spring sometimes in the fall when it is not too hot. When I started going all the campsites were first come, first serve. just drive up get a campsite then put the cash in the yellow envelope. Now you need a reservation at most campsites, I also noticed this year you also need an advance online permit to 'back country camp'. Before you could drive up to one of the backcountry boards, fillout the yellow card then takeoff. Now there are designated areas to camp, so you need to check the online map to make sure the area is OK to backback into. So I have seen these changes as time has gone on, I think they are for the better since this Park has become more popular and it helps the Rangers to manage the park as visitors have increased yearly. A couple things I can add about the wildlife: first in the event you may encounter a desert tortoise, your best chances for good photographs would be to stay some distance away from the tortoise and get down on your stomach and crawl to approach the tortoise. If you stand up and walk toward the tortoise, at some point it will sense your presence, go into a defensive posture and it will retreat into it's shell, it will just sit there and it won't come out till you leave. So my advice is, hit the dirt, get on your stomach and find an angle where you can get a good photo while it is still walking around. If you are lucky it may even approach your and give you a 'head nod' . And never get too close to them and never touch them or pick them up unless they are in the road and in danger of being hit by an automobile. My other advice would be regarding snakes. There are some sidewinders there mainly in the very sandy areas these snakes can bury themselves in the sand all but their head and will wait outside of burrows to strike at rodents going in or out of the burrows. So keep an eye out. I usually wear snake gaiters, one of my first times out I nearly stepped on a sidewinder they are hard to see as they blend in with the sand, so keep an eye out ! There are also some wild mules out there in some remote areas I have seen just the tracks but never seen one individually.
Regarding the seasons, sometime it can get real hot as soon as mid-to late April, in the 90's if you are hiking in the southern part of the park. If you are camping in the park, it is best to have a shade shelter as there really are no trees for shade in most places. I have an REI 10 x 10 shade shelter which fits perfectly over the tables that are installed at the campsites. AS far as night sky goes, it is not as good as it once was years ago, but still good so if you have a telescope be sure to bring it.

[greedygringoprospecting]

tell them to rent a subaru crosstrek raised up enough and ALL WHEEL DRIVE

[kerryschelden]

I liked the suggestion to bring the National Geographic map. It has helped me find specific sites. It also shows distance between points on trails. They have them at the visitor center in Joshua Tree. The maps that are free are not what you want if you are actually hiking.
Very practical tips!

[inlandempress]

I wish I could follow you around on your hikes. Ive been hiking SoCal alone for years but sure love the videos❤️

[ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great information. Nice video. Hope to see that area someday. ✌️

[jill_peacock]

camping solo for the first time there....thank you for the tips!

[steviejd]

Hey thanks for such a great video. You’ve done a good job and it’s helped me plan my visit and get me excited. I’m going in mid Feb, yeah, probs busy but can’t be helped. Cheers. 🇺🇸🌵🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[MohsenShahghasemi]

I wanna hike in Joshua after seeing this! So far I have only driven and taken pictures.

[nevtube]

Heading that way tomorrow...thanks for the update

[elizabethlandis]

Thanks for this. I’m a writer and my characters live in Joshua Tree CA so these videos are super helpful. Someday I want to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

[VuNguyen-nuiw]

enjoying the videos! thanks for sharing and keep it up!

[amandap.]

This was super helpful, thank you very much!

[MuddyRuttzz]

thanks, another great video! Their campgrounds are run like crap. We got there late and found the last first come first serve camping spot in Hidden Valley Campground. We saw some old tennis shoes. Rangers told me to stay because no ticket on the post. We got set up and a dude shows up said its his site. By then it was snowing. No campground host, nobody to talk too. What a mess!

[SwagAli]

Going for a few days this weekend. Thanks for the tips. I consider myself a moderate to advanced hiker. What are the most difficult hikes at JT? From what I have researched it seems Ryan Mountain would be the only moderate challenge.

[leinadqse]

Is it legal to have a fixed blade at Joshua tree ? I usually camp and hike with a knife on a belt sheath