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A nature trail that is great for wildflowers in the spring, and provides access to Skull Rock.


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Map Key

1.8

Miles

2.8

KM

Loop

4,432' 1,351 m

High

4,324' 1,318 m

Low

147' 45 m

Up

147' 45 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Wildflowers

Family Friendly The trail is an easy hike through the giant rocks of Joshua Tree National Park. Placards provide information about the desert environment surrounding you.

Overview

A popular trail with lots of opportunities to climb and explore the area.

Description

The trailhead is located on Park Boulevard near the Jumbo Rocks Campground on the 29 Palms side of the park. There is parking on both sides of the road, which can fill up in the spring and on the weekends. It's a popular trail due to Skull Rock and the large boulder fields that provide opportunities for climbing and exploring.

The trail departs the road and passes through large boulder field on either side of the trail before it turns to the left and starts to follow a gravel and sand wash. The road is never far from the trail, so the sounds of the cars is ever present. In the spring, wildflowers bloom along both sides of the trail. The trail moves between some boulders, where a giant rock sits in the middle of the trail that you need to squeeze around .2 miles. It exits the boulders and then the trail goes off to the left and starts to climb along a ridge where lots of wildflowers can be seen. The trail reaches its high point at 0.7 miles before it starts descending toward the road at .8 miles.

After crossing Park Blvd, the trail follows the road into the Jumbo rocks campground. Make your way along the road back into the campground until you pass the amphitheater, which sits on the right. Shortly after passing the amphitheater, a sign for the Skull Rock Trail goes off to the left and departs the road. On this side of the trail, there are more placards explaining what is going on in the area, identifying plants and animals that make up the desert ecosystem. The trail is sandy for a majority of the way back to the parking lot, although it does cross some rock faces where the trail is marked by rocks. Mojave yucca cacti, desert pine trees, and small wildflowers can be seen along the trail from here. Skull Rock sits off on the right of the trail just before you get back to the road. Take the opportunity to explore the rocks, take photos of the famous rock formation, and enjoy the area. The trail turns to the left and returns quickly to the road and your vehicle.

If you don't want to complete the 1.8 miles to get to Skull Rock, you can take the trail in reverse and get to the rock formation very quickly as the formation can be seen from the road. This makes it a popular area, so you won't be the only one on the trail, especially in the spring and on the weekends.

Flora & Fauna

A wide variety of wildflowers can be seen blooming in the spring along the trail. Various types of cacti can be seen along the trail as well.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock with improvements by Benjamin Peterson

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 29 votes

#932

Overall
  3.8 from 29 votes
5 Star
28%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
38%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#152

in California

#932

Overall
71 Views Last Month
4,209 Since Apr 8, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

54%
8%
38%
0%
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Photos

Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park.
Apr 2, 2020 near Twentyn…, CA
Joshua Tree and its many rock formations, near Skull Rock.
May 26, 2016 near Twentyn…, CA
Skull Rock peeks up through the surrounding boulders. Photo credit: NPS/Robb Hannawacker.
May 25, 2017 near Twentyn…, CA
Joshua Tree
Mar 21, 2019 near Twentyn…, CA
Face rock
Mar 19, 2018 near Twentyn…, CA
Mar and Skull Rock near Jumbo Rocks
Dec 7, 2017 near Twentyn…, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 42 days ago
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