Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Elevation Gain
1,795.00 ft (547.12 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
16.00 mi (25.75 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.

Joshua Tree National Park's Boy Scout Trail is a 16-mile out-and-back trail near Twentynine Palms, California. This backcountry adventure is an excellent way for visitors to get away from the road and into the wilderness. Among its highlights are the Wonderland of Rocks, a landscape formed by massive boulders and granite rocks as well as Joshua Tree groves and Bighorn Sheep (if you are lucky enough to see one). With its gentle grade and rolling hills, this trail is a popular place for trail running, hiking, and backpacking. 

Indian Cove Trailhead serves as the starting and ending point for this route, however, it can also be completed in the opposite direction, beginning and ending at the south trailhead located off of Park Boulevard. 

COMMON VEGETATION

Pinyon and juniper trees, desert grasses, various cacti, and cholla. 

CAMPING AND PERMITS

  • Backpackers are required to register at the backcountry registration board before starting. The backcountry registration board is located at both the north and south trailheads. More information can be found at https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm

WATER

All water must be carried with you. 

SEASONS

This hike is open and accessible year-round, however, it is best completed in the cooler months, October - May. Due to extreme sun exposure, temperatures, and lack of water, this trail should be avoided in the summer. 

ALTERNATES

If time and/or distance are a concern, visitors can arrange a shuttle and complete this hike as a one way, 9 mile adventure. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Open Year-round

Yes

Days

2

Pros

Wonderland of Rocks. Well maintained singletrack trail. Desert Landscape.

Cons

Can get busy on the weekends. Lack of water.

Trailhead Elevation

2,857.00 ft (870.81 m)

Highest point

4,191.00 ft (1,277.42 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Big vistas
Geologically significant

Typically multi-day

Yes

Permit required

Yes

Permit self-issue on site

Yes

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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