The Smoketree Cottage Joshua Tree National Park Guidebook
Sightseeing
In season (October-May), plan to go early if you want to take this easy trail to Barker Dam. If you go early enough, you may catch desert bighorn sheep coming down to eat and drink. But wait too long, and you'll be stuck in crowds of visitors.
81 locals recommend
Barker Dam Nature Trail
Barker Dam Nature TrailIn season (October-May), plan to go early if you want to take this easy trail to Barker Dam. If you go early enough, you may catch desert bighorn sheep coming down to eat and drink. But wait too long, and you'll be stuck in crowds of visitors.
This trail is a little less traveled than nearby Barker Dam. The mill used to process ore from the nearby mines. You'll see signs of homesteading and you'll even cross the location where Bill Keys shot and killed Worth Bagley.
16 locals recommend
Wall Street Mill
This trail is a little less traveled than nearby Barker Dam. The mill used to process ore from the nearby mines. You'll see signs of homesteading and you'll even cross the location where Bill Keys shot and killed Worth Bagley.
A moderately easy hike in Hidden Valley takes you through some great rock formations. Imagine you ride with the McHaney brothers who reportedly stashed cattle they rustled in this area.
113 locals recommend
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
74485 National Park DriveA moderately easy hike in Hidden Valley takes you through some great rock formations. Imagine you ride with the McHaney brothers who reportedly stashed cattle they rustled in this area.
An approximately 6.5 mile loop trail that takes you out to Johnny Lang's Lost Horse Mine, then on to some great vistas and back around. It's a moderate hike with some fun surprises.
17 locals recommend
Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail
Lost Horse Mine Loop TrailAn approximately 6.5 mile loop trail that takes you out to Johnny Lang's Lost Horse Mine, then on to some great vistas and back around. It's a moderate hike with some fun surprises.
Keys View provides a great overlook where you can see the Coachella Valley, Mt. San Jacinto, and on clear days, the Salton Sea and even Mexico. It can be a bit breezy. Also a great location if you want to watch all of the Coachella Valley's 4th of July fireworks shows at once.
109 locals recommend
Keys View
Keys View provides a great overlook where you can see the Coachella Valley, Mt. San Jacinto, and on clear days, the Salton Sea and even Mexico. It can be a bit breezy. Also a great location if you want to watch all of the Coachella Valley's 4th of July fireworks shows at once.
Get to know our pal, Cholla. He can be a bit clingy sometimes, and has a sharp wit, but we love him anyway. This is a great place to visit at sunset.
129 locals recommend
Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden TrailGet to know our pal, Cholla. He can be a bit clingy sometimes, and has a sharp wit, but we love him anyway. This is a great place to visit at sunset.
A great trail that tends to not have as much traffic on it as many other JTNP trails.
Pine City Trail
A great trail that tends to not have as much traffic on it as many other JTNP trails.
A fun place to explore with mine shafts and the stone ruins of an old cabin.
10 locals recommend
Desert Queen Mine
A fun place to explore with mine shafts and the stone ruins of an old cabin.
An excellent back road experience, but only really suited for high-clearance vehicles. Usually 4WD is not required.
Geology Tour Road
Geology Tour RoadAn excellent back road experience, but only really suited for high-clearance vehicles. Usually 4WD is not required.
Skull Rock
It's a rock. And it looks like a skull. Check it out.
Cottonwood Visitor Center
Pinto Basin RoadOasis Visitor Center
74485 National Park DrJoshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
6554 Park BlvdA popular moderate hiking trail that offers some great expansive views.
53 locals recommend
Ryan Mountain Trail
Ryan Mountain TrailA popular moderate hiking trail that offers some great expansive views.
An easy trail to an old adobe ranch house and outbuildings dating back to the park's cattle ranching days.
Ryan Ranch Trail
Ryan Ranch TrailAn easy trail to an old adobe ranch house and outbuildings dating back to the park's cattle ranching days.
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail
Fortynine Palms Oasis TrailA great trail out to a natural palm oasis.
Black Rock Nature Center
9800 Black Rock Canyon RdDon't tell anyone, but some of the best hikes can be found down this dirt road that's a bit of a secret.
Lower Covington Flat Road
Lower Covington Flat RoadDon't tell anyone, but some of the best hikes can be found down this dirt road that's a bit of a secret.
Eureka Peak Road
Eureka Peak RoadA rough dirt road (high-clearance vehicles only), that offers some nice views.
Key's Ranch
74485 National Park DrTake a tour of Key's Ranch to see how real desert rats lived before Airbnbs!
Samuelson was a bit of an odd duck. He came from Sweden to prospect this area, and lived out on a tiny hill with his wife. When not prospecting, he carved his political thoughts on the boulders of the hill, not having Facebook available to vent on back in the day.
Samuelsons Rock
Samuelson was a bit of an odd duck. He came from Sweden to prospect this area, and lived out on a tiny hill with his wife. When not prospecting, he carved his political thoughts on the boulders of the hill, not having Facebook available to vent on back in the day.