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When you enter Joshua Tree’s Chasm of Doom, your fate is sealed. Your life becomes an experience of mystery, steep climbs, steeper drops, chimneying, and death. Joshua Tree virtual tour - sit back and explore the Park from home; Old-timer Bill Keys - The story of Bill Keys; First Timers Guide to Joshua Tree - A fantastic resource with lots of helpful hints and advice for any Joshua Tree visitor; Joshua Tree National Park maps - Assorted maps of Joshua Tree NP (campgrounds, roads, trails and more). Mar 23, 2011 Hikes in the California Desert Explore more trails in Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Mojave National Preserve. Similar Trails Grotto Canyon in Death Valley This 2 to 4 mile hike requires a bit of. Joshua Tree National Park is a giant park, with so much more to offer - even for those no longer in touch with their inner twelve-year-old. The Joshua Tree itself. It's one giant yucca. At this time of year, desert cactus and other plants are in bloom all around us. Camp in the rocks. 22 rows One of many unconnected sections of the California Riding and Hiking Trail crosses the.
In the high desert country that was to become Joshua Tree National Park, rugged individuals tried their luck at cattle ranching, mining, and homesteading. The story of William F. Keys and his family is particularly representative of the hard work and ingenuity it took to settle and prosper in the Mojave Desert.
The ranger-guided tour of the ranch includes the colorful story of the 60 years Bill and Frances spent working together to make a life and raise their five children in this remote location. The ranch house, school house, store, and workshop still stand; the orchard has been replanted; and the grounds are full of the cars, trucks, mining equipment, and spare parts that are a part of the Desert Queen Ranch story.
Visiting the Ranch
Listed as a National Historic Register Site, the property is located in a remote, rocky canyon in Joshua Tree National Park. To preserve its historic character, admission to the ranch is restricted to guided walking tours. The tours are a half-mile in length and last 90 minutes. Group size is limited to 25 people.
Tour Schedule
Tours are typically held from October - May and are not available during the hot summer months. For current program schedule visit our Calendar page.
Tickets
Camping Joshua Tree National Park
Tickets are required and can be reserved ahead of time on Recreation.gov.
Keys Ranch tours cost $10 per person aged 12 and over and $5 for children 6 to 11. Children under six are admitted free. Senior and Access Pass (Golden Age and Golden Access passport) holders pay $5. Please note: Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Keys Ranch tours cost $10 per person aged 12 and over and $5 for children 6 to 11. Children under six are admitted free. Senior and Access Pass (Golden Age and Golden Access passport) holders pay $5. Please note: Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
These tour fees do not include the park entrance fee.
- Tickets can be booked up to 60 days in advance.
- Maximum of 10 people per party (subject to availability).
- Reservations are required and can be made on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777
Directions
To find the ranch, pass the entrance to Hidden Valley Campground, turn left at the Y-intersection, follow the road approximately two miles to the locked gate. Your guide will meet you there. (See map.) Please arrive at the ranch gate 15 minutes prior to your tour.
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Safety & Comfort
Joshua Tree National Park Map
Sturdy walking shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat will add to your comfort. Dress in layers to be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Smoking and eating are not allowed during the tour. Camcorders and cameras are permitted but camera tripods are not. (You may inquire about special tours for photographers and other artists.)
Dogs are not permitted on this program.
Dogs are not permitted on this program.
Joshua Tree National Park History
Trail | Trailhead Location | Distance Elevation | Estimated Time | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bajada | South of Cottonwood Visitor Center; 0.5 mile (0.8 km) north of the South Entrance | 0.25 mile (0.4 km) 20 feet (6.1 m) | 15-20 minutes | Loop. Walk on a bajada and discover plants of the Colorado Desert on this easy path. |
Barker Dam | Barker Dam parking area | 1.1 miles (1.8 km) 50 feet (15.2 m) | 1 hour | Loop. Explore cultural history and view a water tank built by early cattle ranchers. Watch for bighorn sheep. |
Cap Rock | Cap Rock parking area, at the junction of Park Boulevard and Keys View Road | 0.4 mile (0.6 km) 20 feet (6.1 m) | 30-45 minutes | Loop. View boulder piles, Joshua trees, and other desert plants on this easy path. |
Cholla Cactus Garden | 20 miles (32 km) north of Cottonwood Visitor Center | 0.25 mile (0.4 km) 10 feet (3 m) | 15-30 minutes | Loop. View thousands of densely concentrated, naturally growing cholla cactus. Stay on the trail, where closed-toe shoes, and be aware of prickly cactus. |
Cottonwood Spring | 1 mile (1.5 km) east of Cottonwood Visitor Center | 0.1 mile (0.2 km) 25 feet (7.6 m) | 10 minutes | Short walk to fan palm oasis with cottonwood trees. Fantastic birding location with plentiful shade. |
Discovery Trail | Skull Rock parking area just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground | 0.7 mile (1.1 km) 70 feet (21.3 m) | 30-45 minutes | Loop. Connects Skull Rock and Split Rock Loop trails at Face Rock. Easy hike through boulder piles and desert washes. |
Hidden Valley | Hidden Valley picnic area | 1 mile (1.6 km) 100 feet (30.5 m) | 1 hour | Loop. Discover a rock-enclosed valley that was once rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers. |
Hi-View | Northwest of Black Rock Campground | 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from parking area. 3 miles (4.8 km) from visitor center. 400 feet (121.92 m) | 1.5 hours | Loop. Discover the world of Joshua tree forests. Hike up a ridge on the western side of the park and take in panoramic views of the area. There are some steep sections, as well as a several benches to take a break and enjoy the view. |
Indian Cove | West end of Indian Cove Campground | 0.6 miles (1 km) 50 feet (15.2 m) | 30-45 minutes | Loop. Walk on a gently rolling path with a few steps. Take a closer look at desert plants and learn about their traditional uses by Native Americans. |
Keys View | Keys View | 0.25 miles (0.4 km) 25 feet (7.6 m) | 30 minutes | Short, paved loop path is steep. Breathtaking views of the San Andreas Fault, Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio, and the Salton Sea. |
Oasis of Mara | Oasis Visitor Center, Twentynine Palms | 0.5 mile (0.8 km) minimal elevation | 30-45 minutes | Loop. Explore a desert oasis on this easy walk. See how the Oasis of Mara has been used by wildlife and people throughout time. Pets on leash allowed. |
Ryan Ranch | Ryan Ranch trailhead, about 0.5 mile (0.8 km) east of Ryan Campground | 1 mile (1.6 km) 135 feet (41.1 m) | 1 hour | Out and back. Enjoy an easy hike along an old ranch road and see a historic adobe structure. |
Skull Rock | Skull Rock parking area just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground; also accessible from within Jumbo Rocks Campground | 1.7 miles (2.7 km) 160 feet (48.8 m) | 1-2 hours | Loop. Take an easy hike and explore boulder piles, desert washes, and of course the namesake Skull Rock. |
Moderate Hikes
These hikes may not be recommended for summer. Use caution when hiking in the desert in the heat.Trail | Trailhead Location | Distance | Estimated Time | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fortynine Palms Oasis | Fortynine Palms parking area, accessed off Highway 62. | 3 miles (4.8 km) 300 feet (91 m) | 2-3 hours | Out and back. There is a 300 foot (91 m) elevation gain in both directions, as you hike up and over a ridge dotted with barrel cactus. Beyond the ridge, descend to a fan palm oasis in a rocky canyon. Avoid this trail when it's hot out. |
Lost Horse Mine | Lost Horse Mine trailhead off Keys View Road | 4 miles (6.4 km) 550 feet (168 m) | 2-3 hours | Out and back. Explore around one of the most successful gold mines in the park. Stay outside the fenced area to protect the millsite and mine. For a longer option, see Lost Horse Loop, under Challenging Hikes. Elevation change is 550 feet. |
Mastodon Peak | Cottonwood Spring parking area | 3 miles (4.8 km) 375 feet (115 m) | 1.5-2.5 hours | Loop. An optional rock scramble takes you to the top of a craggy granite peak. The trail then loops around past an old gold mine. Elevation change is about 375 feet. |
Pine City | Pine City trailhead at end of Desert Queen Mine Road | 4 miles (6.4 km) | 2-3 hours | Out and back. The highlight of this fairly flat trail is a dense stand of junipers and pinyon. The trail also goes to an old mining site. |
Split Rock Loop | Split Rock picnic area | 2.5 miles (4 km) 150 feet (45.7 m) | 1.5-2.5 hours | Loop. Distance includes safe trip to Face Rock. |
West Side Loop | Black Rock | 4.7 miles (7.6 km) 785 feet (239.3 m) | 2.5-4 hours | Loop. Explore the ridge and washes west of Black Rock Campground. |
Challenging Hikes - Do Not Attempt in the Heat
The following trails should not be attempted during the summer or whenever it is hot out, because they are extremely dangerous due to sun exposure, temperatures, and dehydration risks. Every year visitors have to be rescued and sometimes perish on these hikes.
Trail | Trailhead Location | Distance Elevation | Estimated Time | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boy Scout Trail | North end: Indian Cove backcountry board. South end: Boy Scout Trailhead. | 8 miles (12.9 km) 1190 feet (362.7 m) | 6 hours | One way. Go deep into the Wonderland of Rocks. Stay on trail to avoid getting lost among the boulders. Most hikers prefer to start at the south trailhead, inside the West Entrance, and finish at Indian Cove. Vehicle shuttle strongly recommended for hikers interested in doing the full length the trail. |
California Riding and HIking Trail | Several | 35 miles (56.3 km) | 2-3 days to hike entire length | One way. Shorter hikes possible on sections of this long trail. Travel from Black Rock Canyon to the North Entrance of the park, passing through a variety of Mojave Desert landscapes. |
Lost Horse Loop | Lost Horse Mine trailhead off Keys View Road | 6.5 miles (10.5 km) 550 feet (167.64 m) | 3-4 hours | Loop. For a shorter option, see Lost Horse Mine, under Moderate Hikes. |
Lost Palms Oasis | Cottonwood Spring parking area | 7.5 miles (12 km) 500 feet (152 m) | 5-6 hours | Out and back. Enjoy sandy washes and rolling terrain, then hike down into a canyon to explore a remote fan palm oasis. Climbing back out the canyon is strenuous. |
Panorama Loop | Black Rock | 6.6 miles (10.6 km) 1,100 feet (336 m) | 3.5-4.5 hours | Loop. Hike up a sandy wash, then follow the ridgeline of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Enjoy scenic views, dense Joshua tree forest, and pinyon-juniper woodland. |
Ryan Mountain | Parking area between Sheep Pass and Ryan Campground | 3 miles (4.8 km) 1,050 feet (320 m) | 1.5-2.5 hours | Out and back. Hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain. This is one of the most popular hikes in the park. |
Warren Peak | Black Rock | 6.3 miles (10.1 km) 1,110 feet (338.3 m) | Out and back. Hike to the summit of Warren Peak. Enjoy panormaic views of the quiet western part of Joshua Tree. | |
Willow Hole | Boy Scout Trailhead - south end inside the park | 7.2 miles (11.5 km) | 4 hours | Out and back. Mostly flat trail along the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. Travel through Joshua tree forests, boulder landscape, and sandy washes. Trail ends at willow trees. |