JOSHUA TREE HIKE PICKER

Tell us your group size and ages — get the Joshua Tree trails that actually fit, linked to full trail details. Free, no sign-up.

Your group

Adults (16–64)
Young kids (0–7)
Steers toward easy, short, kid-friendly
Older kids (8–15)
Seniors (65+)
Include strenuous / exposed hikes?
e.g. Ryan Mountain or Lost Horse Mine (steep, exposed)
Bringing a dog?
Dogs aren't allowed on Joshua Tree trails

No exact matches — here's the closest

Suggestions are based on our trail database and grow as we add more hikes. Browse all Joshua Tree hikes →

Joshua Tree Hiking FAQ

What is the easiest hike in Joshua Tree National Park?

Short, mostly flat trails like Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, the Cholla Cactus Garden loop, Cap Rock, and the Oasis of Mara are the easiest options, while Skull Rock is an easy favorite right off Park Boulevard. Use the picker above with young kids in your group to see the gentlest hikes that fit, with full trail details.

What is the best Joshua Tree hike for families with young kids?

Look for trails rated easy, marked kid-friendly, under ~2 miles, with little elevation gain. Hidden Valley loops through a rock-rimmed basin, Barker Dam passes petroglyphs and a desert water source, and Skull Rock has fun boulders to scramble. The Hike Picker filters to exactly those when you add young kids to your group.

What is the hardest hike in Joshua Tree?

Strenuous Joshua Tree hikes include Ryan Mountain (the best summit, a steep climb to 5,457 ft), the Lost Horse Mine loop, Mastodon Peak, and the long Boy Scout Trail — exposed routes with significant elevation gain and almost no shade. Only include them if your group is fit and carries plenty of water.

Do any Joshua Tree hikes require a permit?

No — Joshua Tree's day hikes need no permit and there's no permit lottery. Free permits are required only for overnight backcountry trips and climbing fixed anchors. The picker flags a hike only if our trail database marks it as permit-required.