- Region
- CA, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Permits are required for all overnight wil…
- Managed by
- National Park Service — Joshua Tree National Park
Plan with verified data
Joshua Tree Wilderness trip tools
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Photos of Joshua Tree Wilderness
How to get there
Approach the park via Interstate 10 or Highway 62. The West Entrance is five miles south of the Highway 62 and Park Boulevard junction at Joshua Tree Village. The North Entrance is in Twentynine Palms, three miles south of Highway 62 and Utah Trail. The South Entrance at Cottonwood Spring is accessible from Interstate 10, east of Indio. The closest airport is in Palm Springs. Plan the entrance around the intended backcountry trailhead; crossing the park by road can take up to two hours.
- Boy Scout Backcountry Trailhead
One of two backcountry trailheads serving the Boy Scout Trail designated campsites. Match the permit entry and exit selections to the planned parking location.
- Indian Cove Backcountry Trailhead
Provides access to the Boy Scout Trail designated campsites. Potable water is available at Indian Cove Ranger Station; do not assume water is available at the trailhead itself.
- Pine City Backcountry Trailhead
Access point for the Pine City Backcountry Camping Zone, where overnight permits are limited.
- Upper Covington Backcountry Trailhead
A wilderness backpacking access point requiring a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Check road conditions before committing to the approach.
Sources: recreation.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
CA, USA · United States
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Surfing
- Hiking
Two deserts, varied wilderness
Joshua Tree Wilderness occupies much of Joshua Tree National Park away from its road corridors, spanning the meeting of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts in Southern California. The western Mojave side is cooler and moister, with Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines among monzogranite outcrops. The lower, drier eastern Colorado Desert opens into washes, playas, sloping bajadas, and woodlands of small-leaved desert plants, with creosote, ocotillo, and cholla also shaping the landscape. Across the park, elevations range from below 1,000 feet at the eastern boundary to above 5,800 feet on Quail Mountain in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. That range makes location and elevation important parts of trip planning: an exposed summit and a low sandy basin offer different conditions. Choose a specific backcountry zone rather than treating the whole wilderness as one uniform desert hike.
Backpacking permits and campsite choices
All overnight wilderness backpacking trips require a permit; day-use visitors do not need to register. Reservations through Recreation.gov are available up to six months before departure, with online same-day permits available until 11:59 p.m. on departure day, subject to availability and possible changes. The park has 13 backcountry zones, and reservations must identify the camping zone for each night. Boy Scout Trail backpackers must use one of 14 designated campsites, with one campsite per group and site-specific group limits. Pine City also limits permits: two are available in advance and two for same-day use. Other zones have no advance-reservation quota and allow low-impact, at-large camping. Those camps must be at least one mile from a backcountry trailhead, half a mile from a legally open road, and 200 feet off a trail. Camping in or near rock shelters or in designated day-use-only areas is prohibited.
Water, roads, and communication
Arrange water and fuel before heading to a backcountry trailhead. Potable water is available at Cottonwood Campground, Park Headquarters and the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, Black Rock Nature Center in Yucca Valley, Indian Cove Ranger Station, and the West Entrance. Carry the water needed for the planned outing rather than counting on finding it in the wilderness. There is no gas or other services inside the park; nearby service towns include Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Indio. Road travel across the park can take up to two hours, even when map distances look modest. Most backcountry trailheads are reached by paved roads, but Upper Covington, Geology Tour Road, and Pleasant Valley require high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. Flooding or snow can make roads temporarily impassable. Cell coverage is unreliable, so finish necessary calls beforehand and carry an alternative communication device.
Rock, fragile soils, and desert wildlife
Granite monoliths and outcrops are a major part of Joshua Tree’s appeal to climbers and hikers, but the less conspicuous ground deserves equal attention. Desert varnish marks long-exposed rock faces, while small cryptobiotic soil crusts occur in sandy basins. Choose travel lines and camps carefully to avoid trampling these fragile surfaces. Wilderness extensions reach into the Pinto, Coxcomb, Eagle, and Little San Bernardino Mountains, offering a broader setting than the familiar roadside rock formations. Bighorn sheep inhabit mountainous slopes, and lizards and eagles may be visible by day. After dark, wildlife includes rattlesnakes, tarantulas, coyotes, jackrabbits, bobcats, kangaroo rats, and burrowing owls. Watch footing and hand placement around rocks, give animals room, and use a light when moving around camp at night. Exposed terrain and the contrast between warm days and cooler nights call for sun protection and adaptable layers.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Joshua Tree Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 33.9886, -115.4709
- Latitude (DMS)
- 33° 59′ 19.1″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 115° 28′ 15.1″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Joshua Tree Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 transformed Joshua Tree National Monument into a national park and expanded the wilderness. The additions thrust north into the Pinto Mountains, northeast into...
Key takeaways
- Region: CA, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 33.989, -115.471
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Joshua Tree Wilderness
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Joshua Tree Wilderness
Two deserts, varied wilderness
Joshua Tree Wilderness occupies much of Joshua Tree National Park away from its road corridors, spanning the meeting of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts in Southern California. The western Mojave side is cooler and moister, with Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines among monzogranite outcrops. The lower, drier eastern Colorado Desert opens into washes, playas, sloping bajadas, and woodlands of small-leaved desert plants, with creosote, ocotillo, and cholla also shaping the landscape. Across the park, elevations range from below 1,000 feet at the eastern boundary to above 5,800 feet on Quail Mountain in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. That range makes location and elevation important parts of trip planning: an exposed summit and a low sandy basin offer different conditions. Choose a specific backcountry zone rather than treating the whole wilderness as one uniform desert hike.
Backpacking permits and campsite choices
All overnight wilderness backpacking trips require a permit; day-use visitors do not need to register. Reservations through Recreation.gov are available up to six months before departure, with online same-day permits available until 11:59 p.m. on departure day, subject to availability and possible changes. The park has 13 backcountry zones, and reservations must identify the camping zone for each night. Boy Scout Trail backpackers must use one of 14 designated campsites, with one campsite per group and site-specific group limits. Pine City also limits permits: two are available in advance and two for same-day use. Other zones have no advance-reservation quota and allow low-impact, at-large camping. Those camps must be at least one mile from a backcountry trailhead, half a mile from a legally open road, and 200 feet off a trail. Camping in or near rock shelters or in designated day-use-only areas is prohibited.
Water, roads, and communication
Arrange water and fuel before heading to a backcountry trailhead. Potable water is available at Cottonwood Campground, Park Headquarters and the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, Black Rock Nature Center in Yucca Valley, Indian Cove Ranger Station, and the West Entrance. Carry the water needed for the planned outing rather than counting on finding it in the wilderness. There is no gas or other services inside the park; nearby service towns include Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Indio. Road travel across the park can take up to two hours, even when map distances look modest. Most backcountry trailheads are reached by paved roads, but Upper Covington, Geology Tour Road, and Pleasant Valley require high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. Flooding or snow can make roads temporarily impassable. Cell coverage is unreliable, so finish necessary calls beforehand and carry an alternative communication device.
Rock, fragile soils, and desert wildlife
Granite monoliths and outcrops are a major part of Joshua Tree’s appeal to climbers and hikers, but the less conspicuous ground deserves equal attention. Desert varnish marks long-exposed rock faces, while small cryptobiotic soil crusts occur in sandy basins. Choose travel lines and camps carefully to avoid trampling these fragile surfaces. Wilderness extensions reach into the Pinto, Coxcomb, Eagle, and Little San Bernardino Mountains, offering a broader setting than the familiar roadside rock formations. Bighorn sheep inhabit mountainous slopes, and lizards and eagles may be visible by day. After dark, wildlife includes rattlesnakes, tarantulas, coyotes, jackrabbits, bobcats, kangaroo rats, and burrowing owls. Watch footing and hand placement around rocks, give animals room, and use a light when moving around camp at night. Exposed terrain and the contrast between warm days and cooler nights call for sun protection and adaptable layers.
Route options
- Boy Scout Trail backpacking
Plan an overnight trip from the Indian Cove or Boy Scout Backcountry Trailhead. Camping is restricted to 14 designated sites, and groups may reserve only one campsite along the trail. Select a site whose group-size limit fits the party.
- Pine City zone backpacking
Enter from Pine City Backcountry Trailhead for an at-large camping trip within the Pine City zone. Two advance permits and two same-day permits are available. Choose a low-impact campsite that meets the park’s trailhead, road, and trail setbacks.
Sample itineraries
- Boy Scout Trail Overnight · 2 days
Enter from the Boy Scout or Indian Cove backcountry trailhead, hike to your reserved designated campsite, and return the next day. Choose a site suited to your group size. Carry your overnight water and navigation tools rather than relying on cell service.
- Pine City Wilderness Overnight · 2 days
Start at Pine City Backcountry Trailhead for an overnight in the Pine City Zone. Secure a permit before committing to the trip; availability is limited. Choose a low-impact campsite that meets at-large camping setbacks, then return to the same trailhead.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; check conditions for your elevation
Plan for differences between the lower, drier Colorado Desert and the cooler Mojave Desert uplands. Carry water and sun protection, with layers for changing temperatures. Check road conditions before traveling to an unpaved access point.
Summer
Summer; favor cooler hours for walking
Desert heat and exposed terrain call for conservative distances, ample carried water, and sun protection. Higher terrain is relatively cooler, but exposed summits still require careful planning. Avoid treating a short route on the map as an easy outing.
Fall
Fall; plan around current forecasts
Carry sun protection for exposed daytime travel and layers for cool desert nights. Conditions differ substantially with elevation. Check access roads before departure; flooding can make roads temporarily impassable.
Winter
Winter; check snow and road conditions
Prepare for cold nights and colder conditions in the higher country. Snow can temporarily make roads impassable. Confirm access before heading toward remote trailheads, particularly those reached by unpaved roads.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; check conditions for your elevation | Plan for differences between the lower, drier Colorado Desert and the cooler Mojave Desert uplands. Carry water and sun protection, with layers for changing temperatures. Check road conditions before traveling to an unpaved access point. |
| Summer | Summer; favor cooler hours for walking | Desert heat and exposed terrain call for conservative distances, ample carried water, and sun protection. Higher terrain is relatively cooler, but exposed summits still require careful planning. Avoid treating a short route on the map as an easy outing. |
| Fall | Fall; plan around current forecasts | Carry sun protection for exposed daytime travel and layers for cool desert nights. Conditions differ substantially with elevation. Check access roads before departure; flooding can make roads temporarily impassable. |
| Winter | Winter; check snow and road conditions | Prepare for cold nights and colder conditions in the higher country. Snow can temporarily make roads impassable. Confirm access before heading toward remote trailheads, particularly those reached by unpaved roads. |
Permits, fees & closures
Permits are required for all overnight wilderness backpacking trips; day-use visitors do not need to register. Specify your camping zone for each night. Boy Scout Trail requires designated campsites; other zones allow at-large camping subject to setbacks and restrictions.
Reservations: Reserve through Recreation.gov up to six months ahead. Same-day online permits are available until 11:59 p.m. on departure day, subject to availability and possible changes. Boy Scout Trail has 14 designated campsites. Pine City offers two advance permits and two same-day permits.
Official source: Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Backpacking Permits, Joshua Tree ... · Verified November 1, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Desert heat and dry conditions increase water needs. Carry water for your full wilderness outing rather than counting on natural sources.
- Cell service is spotty or unavailable across much of the park. Carry alternative communication and make necessary calls before entering.
- Flooding or snow can make roads temporarily impassable. Check access conditions before departure.
- Steep canyons, exposed summits, and rocky terrain require careful navigation and secure footing.
- Rattlesnakes and cholla cactus warrant attention to hand placement, foot placement, and campsite surroundings.
What to pack for Joshua Tree Wilderness
- Water capacity for the full outing
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Sun-protective clothing
- Offline map showing backcountry zones and trailheads
- Compass
- Satellite messenger
- Headlamp
- Shelter
- Sleeping system suited to forecast temperatures
- Warm layers
- Footwear with reliable traction
- First-aid kit
Joshua Tree Wilderness FAQ
- Where can an at-large wilderness campsite be placed?
- Camp at least 1 mile from any backcountry trailhead, 1/2 mile from a legally open road, and 200 feet off a trail. Camping in or near rock shelters or in designated day-use-only areas is prohibited. Boy Scout Trail instead requires a designated campsite.
- Is a four-wheel-drive vehicle necessary?
- Most backcountry trailheads are accessible by paved roads. Upper Covington, Geology Tour Road, and Pleasant Valley backcountry trailheads require high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. Flooding or snow can disrupt access.
- Where can drinking water be obtained?
- Potable water is available at Cottonwood Campground, Park Headquarters, Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, Black Rock Nature Center in Yucca Valley, Indian Cove Ranger Station, and the West Entrance. Fill up before heading into the wilderness.
- Are fuel and other services available inside the park?
- No gas or other services are available inside the park. Use Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, or Indio before entering. Driving across the park can take up to two hours, even when map distances look short.
- How do the wilderness landscapes differ?
- The eastern Colorado Desert is lower and drier, with creosote, ocotillo, and cholla. The western Mojave Desert is cooler and moister, supporting Joshua trees. Higher country includes juniper woodland, granite outcrops, steep canyons, and exposed summits; lower terrain includes playas, washes, and sloping bajadas.
- How can fragile desert ground be protected?
- Avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soil crusts in sandy basins. Choose low-impact campsites and watch where you walk around camp. Keep clear of wildlife and give animals room, particularly when moving after dark.