Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Elevation Gain
560.00 ft (170.69 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
4.00 mi (6.44 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Smack in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park, this excellent day hike weaves in and out of desert washes, through groves of pristine Joshua trees, among historical sites, and allows for ample extracurricular exploration. In the springtime, the wildflowers ignite the hillsides along the Lost Horse Mine Hike—the quiet desert hills almost feel as though they are breathing.

Although the trail can be a bit difficult to track as it parallels Quail Wash, the hike is relatively well-marked with signage appearing every quarter mile at most. That said, bringing along a good topo map, a compass or GPS device, and some navigational savviness is ideal. Additionally, as with all desert travel, bring more water than you think you’ll need and expect sometimes excruciatingly hot temperatures with not much reprieve if you travel in late spring to early fall.

At the terminus of this gently-graded 4-mile trail sits the Lost Horse Mine. It rivals the Wall Street Mine for the best-preserved historical mines protected within the park. Strewn about the area are relics of the early 20th century miners’ day-to-day lives—keep a sharp eye out for old food storage tins and other miscellaneous items.

Though mining in these and the surrounding hills yielded enough precious metal to spark a second, slightly smaller gold rush, the Lost Horse Mine was purportedly one of the only ones to actually yield productive quantities. According to the National Park Service, this small mine yielded about 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver. 

Feeling like going the extra mile? Don’t turn back and do this one as an out-and-back—summit Lost Horse Peak and finish the trail as a loop.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Pros

Historic mine originating from 1893. Panoramic views.

Cons

Limited parking. Sun exposure.

Trailhead Elevation

4,585.00 ft (1,397.51 m)

Features

Historically significant
Mine
Big vistas
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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