14 Best Short Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park for kids & Families
Uncover the best short hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, perfect for families, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and maximizing short trips.
Joshua Tree National Park in the Southern California desert is a hiker’s paradise. Along with longer trails to abandoned mines and up some small mountains, there are dozens of easy hikes in Joshua Tree, perfect for any age.
In fact, visitors can experience many of the “must see” spots and rock formations in Joshua Tree without hiking more than 1-2 miles.
As family travelers with two little boys who burn out quickly, this meant we got a lot of bang for our buck with Joshua Tree. Short hikes kept complaining to a minimum, but we never felt that we missed out on anything spectacular while keeping to easy trails.
Iconic spots like Arch Rock, Heart Rock, Cap Rock, Skull Rock and Split Rock are all accessible along super easy, short hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. For those looking to tackle more, know that many of these spots connect via longer spur trails or sit near the trail heads of other lengthier hikes.
If you’ve ever hiked with kids, you know that sometimes they don’t go more than a quarter of a mile, other times they’ve got gas in the tank to keep going. Joshua Tree is perfect for the spontaneity!
Joshua Tree is also just a fun park that reminds us of a Dr. Seuss book. Kids love meandering through cacti, climbing on rocks, and looking for fun shapes in nature, so we anticipate that a lot of these short hikes in Joshua Tree will be quite the hit!
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Before we jump into the best short hikes in Joshua Tree, make sure you check out our guide to to Joshua Tree National Park with kids. In addition to covering some family friendly hikes in Joshua Tree, you’ll get information on where to stay, how long to plan for, packing guides, and more to do in the area.
Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park: Safety trips
Regardless of the time of year, no matter how long or short your hike is, it is paramount to exercise caution in the desert.
Especially during the summer, even the shortest, most easy hikes in Joshua Tree can become dangerous without preparation. We always recommend the following:
- Let someone know where you will be hiking and when you plan to return
- Bring plenty of water. Double the amount of water you think you’ll need, but don’t force hydrate.
- Snack often on salty snacks to prevent salt loss from sweating
- Rest when needed in the shade.
- Plan to hike early in the morning (before 9/10am) or after the sun sets during the summer.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating.
- Wear sturdy, closed toe shoes among the cacti.
- Always carry the ten essentials.
- Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, hats, sun shirts and hydration.
- Always stay on marked trails and keep a distance from wildlife.
- Pack out what you pack in.
- Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to bail on a hike that it too hot, too long, or too difficult.
As parents of school aged kiddos who travel during school breaks and the summer, I understand that sometimes you plan trips at less than ideal times. Like a 116 degree summer in the desert.
We visited Joshua Tree National Park during summer break and took an abundance of caution when hiking with our little boys. Even on easy hikes in Joshua Tree, we wore hats, sunglasses, and long sleeve sun-shirts. We packed gallons of water per person and stepped prior to 10am.
Still, we bailed on certain hikes because of the heat. And I have no shame.
Best Short Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park:
Arch Rock Trail
- Distance: 1.4 Miles | 1.6 Miles with Heart Rock
- Elevation Gain: <100 ft>
- Trail Type: Lollipop
Arch Rock is one of the most popular short hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, beginning at the Twin Tanks parking lot. A .6 mile sandy, straight trail leads to a .2 mile rocky loop. Take the loop clockwise to easily spot the famous Arch Rock about .1 mile into the loop.
To add on Heart Rock: travel about .5 miles on the Arch Rock Trail before coming to a fork, just before the loop portion of the trail. You’ll take the left fork for a short distance to the rock formation, then backtrack to continue onto Arch Rock.
Discovery Trail
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: <100 ft>
- Trail Type: Loop
This short hike connects the Split Rock and Skull Rock trails at Face Rock. You’ll also experience boulders and desert washes.
Ryan Ranch
- Distance: 1.1 Miles
- Elevation Gain: <100 ft>
- Trail Type: Out and Back
An old ranch roads leads hikers to the ruins of a historic adobe structure that dates back to 1896 when the six room house was built.
Cap Rock Nature Trail
- Distance: 0.4 Miles
- Elevation Gain: <20 ft>
- Trail Type: Loop
Discover fun boulders and rocks, including one that is shaped like a hat. There are also picnic tables and grills at the trail head.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
- Distance: 1.1 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 118 ft.
- Trail Type: Loop
A rock enclosed valley that was rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers. The trail includes interpretive panels to learn about the trail’s biodiversity, cultural history, and geology.
Hall of Horrors
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: <100 ft>
- Trail Type: loop
The Hall of Horrors is a must visit spot with a short hike and two slot canyons. Also popular for rock climbing, it’s a fun area to spend some time exploring
Barker Dam
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: <100 ft>
- Trail Type: loop
Considered one of the best short hikes in Joshua Tree National Park for families, explore cultural history and and a water tank build by cattle ranchers. You may even see bighorn sheep!
Cholla Cactus Garden
- Distance: 0.25 miles
- Elevation Gain: about 0
- Trail Type: loop
Meander through thousands of naturally growing Cholla Cacti along a short loop, located about 12 miles south of the park’s northern entrance.
Oasis of Mara
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: about 0
- Trail Type: lollipop
A short walk near the Twenty Nine Palms Visitor’s Center that explores a desert oasis. This is one of the few trails where leashed pets are allowed.
Moderately Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree Around 2-3 Miles:
We still consider these easy hikes in Joshua Tree, but with a bit more mileage and caution during the warmer months. Why are we including moderate hikes in a list of easy and short hikes in Joshua Tree? Because ease is relative.
Your kids may be older, you might be more experienced. You may have more time in the park. 2.5 miles is relatively short, but when you couple the length with intense summer temps of 100+ degrees, an easy hike becomes moderate. We believe in providing a range for you to make the best and safest choices as possible during your park trip.
Split Rock Loop
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 150 ft.
- Trail Type
A rocky loop that meanders through jumbo rocks and iconic desert landscapes. The actual split rock is right at the trailhead, but a short spur leads hikers to Face Rock.
Skull Rock Trail
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 120 ft.
- Trail Type: loop
Explore boulders, washes, the infamous Skull Rock, and unique desert plants. This trail is also accessible from the Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Hi- View
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 400 ft.
- Trail Type: loop
A steep ridge with plenty of areas to rest before an epic view of the park. One of the best hikes to see the iconic Joshua Trees.
More Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree Near Cottonwood Visitor’s Center:
Bajada Nature Trail
- Distance: 0.25 miles
- Elevation Gain: about 0
- Trail Type: loop
Walk along a bajada (desert lowland carved out by stormwater and gravel deposits) and explore the plants of the Colorado Desert.
Cottonwood Springs
- Distance: 0.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 0
- Trail Type: out and back
A very short walk to a fan palm oasis, with plenty of birds and shady spots. This short trail also provides access to Mastodon Peak (3 miles) and Lost Palms Oasis (7.5 miles)
There are so many hikes that we look forward to completing when we (hopefully) return during more temperate months. As always, exercise caution when exploring the desert, pack enough water, and always tell someone where you’ll be hiking!
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