Joshua Tree Activities

Mountain Biking

Bike riding in the park is restricted to roads open to vehicles. The park's Backcountry and Wilderness Management Plan designates approximately 29 miles of trails for non-motorized bike use, however, the new trails cannot be used until Congress gives its approval. In the meanwhile, the park's backcountry roads offer opportunities to explore many areas.

Biking Safety

    * Carry plenty of water, at least one gallon per person per day--two for extended or uphill trips.
    * Wear a helmet. If you take a spill your brain will thank you.
    * Ride with caution: Park roads are narrow with sandy shoulders, bumps, and potholes.
    * Watch for RVs and trucks with extended side-view mirrors.
    * Wear reflective clothing after dark.

Hiking

California Riding and Hiking Trail
Thirty-five miles of the California Riding and Hiking Trail pass through pinyon/juniper forests, Joshua tree forests and creosote-dominated lowlands. You can access the trail at Black Rock Campground, Upper Covington Flats, Ryan Campground, Twin Tanks parking, and just south of north entrance. Two to three days are required to hike the entire length but shorter hikes of 4, 6.7, or 11 miles (6.4, 10.7, or 17.6 km) are possible. If you will be out overnight you will need to park and register at a backcountry registration board.

Boy Scout Hiking and Equestrian Trail
The trail extends eight miles from the Indian Cove backcountry registration board through a sandy wash, climbing through steep mountains and rocky canyons as it winds around the western edge of the Wonderland of Rocks to the Keys West backcountry registration board. You must park and register at a backcountry registration board if you will be out overnight.

Rock Climbing

Joshua Tree welcomes climbers and bouldering enthusiasts from around the world. This high desert monzogranite climbing mecca is famous for its traditional-style crack, slab, and steep-face climbing. With more than 400 climbing formations and 8,000 climbing routes, Joshua Tree offers challenging climbs for all levels of climbing ability. It is truly a world-class climbing destination.

If you are new to rock climbing and bouldering, please be sure that you are properly trained and equipped before you engage in these activities. You may wish to purchase a climbing guide or hiking map if you are unfamiliar with the park. They are available at park visitor centers and at outdoor shops in the surrounding communities. Information about commercial guide services can be found on the Internet and at local climbing stores.

Tread Lightly Fifty years ago, the impact of rock climbers at Joshua Tree was minimal, but today the park hosts hundreds of climbers and boulderers on a busy weekend. We must all do our part to protect this fragile desert environment, or it will cease to be a viable habitat for plants and animals, a valuable research area for scientisits, and a welcoming place for climbers to enjoy. Treading lightly is everyone's responsibility.

Etiquette Be considerate--ask permission if you wish to climb in a campsite that is occupied.

Pack out your trash--all of it: tape, chalk pieces, cigarette butts, micro-food articles and wrappers, and fruit peels and cores (they don't decompose in this arid environment). Please don't create a mess by dumping your trash into a pit toilet or leaving it next to a full dumpster or recycle bin. Pit toilets have to be pumped and filling them with trash makes the job (aren't you glad it's not yours?) difficult, to say the least. Trash left outside dumpsters attracts ravens; ravens eat baby tortoises, and the desert tortoise is already on the edge of extinction. Leave your campsite and your climbing area cleaner than when you found it. Better yet, leave no trace!

Plants and Soils Multiple approach paths, called "social trails," to the same cliff or boulder damage fragile desert plants and soils. Cryptobiotic soils that contain micro-organisms help to keep the sand in place and provide nutrients and moisture so plants can grow. When you walk on cryptobiotic soil, the micro-organisms die, so don't create a new path--even if it is the shortest distance to your climb--when a well-worn approach already exists. Walk on rock surfaces and in washes rather than trampling undisturbed soil.

Use your crash pad carefully to prevent damage to plants near the base of climbs. Carry it rather than dragging it across the ground. Place it so that plants are not broken or crushed when a boulderer lands on it.

Don't be guilty of "large group sprawl." Limit the number of bodies around the boulder and you will limit the damage to the area surrounding the boulder. If several people are already bouldering in the area of your choice, look for someplace better.

Cultural Artifacts Joshua Tree has a rich cultural history and protects significant artifacts from historic and prehistoric American Indian groups. By law, archeological and historic sites and artifacts may not be disturbed. This includes rock art (pictographs and petroglyphs), habitation sites (rock shelters and camping sites), and cultural artifacts (pottery vessels and sherds, projectile points, stone tools, beads, etc.) While taking a single piece (sherd) of broken pottery may not seem wrong, it could provide the clue an archeologist needs to accurately interpret the activities of American Indians in this area.

Climbing within 50 feet of rock art is prohibited. Pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings) are easily damaged and should not be touched. Skin oils, chalk, and boot rubber hasten the deterioration of these irreplaceable cultural artifacts. So does fire, never start a fire in a rock shelter.

Animals In order to protect sensitive wildlife habitat, the entire Wonderland of Rocks is closed to overnight use. This allows the desert bighorn sheep and other animals to visit water sources without being disturbed. Pets are banned from the backcountry. The presence of carnivores, such as domestic dogs, inhibits the feeding, travel, and reproductive cycles of animals who must struggle to survive in the wild. Even leashed dogs cause extra stress on wild animals and are only allowed in campgrounds and within 100 feet of designated roads.

Joshua Tree is home to about 250 bird species, including several birds of prey (raptors). Occasionally a climbing route will be closed during nesting season to protect these birds. Closure notices are posted in the area of the closure, at park visitor centers, at entrance stations, and at local climbing shops. If you encounter nesting raptors while climbing, please inform park staff and avoid the area.

Rock Formations Chipping, scraping, gardening, comfortizing, and gluing holds is prohibited. Minimize the use of chalk and brush it off after bouldering sessions to minimize the visual impact.

Closed to Climbing Six areas of the park are closed to rock climbing due to their proximity to sensitive resources or private property. They include: "Energy Crisis" on the east side of "Little Hunk," the "Schwarzenegger Wall," the "Pictograph Boulder" at the base of Queen Mountain, and within 50 feet of "Chicken Wing," "Heavy Metal," and "Hell Flake" in the "Indian Wave" boulder area. The private property across from the Hemingway parking area is closed to climbing, as is the Keys Ranch property. Visitors to the ranch must be accompanied by a park ranger; scheduled tours are available.