Visiting Joshua Tree National Park? Don’t miss Arch Rock Nature Trail!
I can’t believe I’m blogging in Vegas at 3 AM, but I wanted to share my first post on our recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park. We’ve been meaning to take a trip out there for the longest time, and it was on our checklist of West Coast road trips to take while living in LA.
After our trip to Death Valley, where the temperatures nearly killed us, we decided to wait out the summer until it was cooler and much more bearable. It turns out that November was the perfect time (mid-to-high 60s the entire time)!
This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
Last Updated: February 12, 2025
TLDR
📍 Location – Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California, where the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert meet. It’s about 130 miles east of Los Angeles and 50 miles northeast of Palm Springs. The park is famous for its unique Joshua trees, rugged rock formations, and star-filled night skies. It’s a hotspot for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.
🍭 Trail Description – 1.2 Mile Out and Back Lollipop-style Trail with 88 ft elevation gain. Should take roughly 30 minutes.
🦬 Wildlife – Desert Bighorn Sheep, Black-tailed Jackrabbits, Coyotes, Kangaroo Rats, Desert Tortoises, Chuckwallas, Roadrunners, Golden Eagles, Tarantulas, Scorpions
📸 Photography Tips – Visit the arch during sunrise or sunset for the best light for photography.
About Arch Rock Nature Trail
We had a lot planned out for the day, but we started with the Arch Rock nature trail. It was a 0.5-mile trail and was leisurely. We loved seeing all the amazing rock formations! Although there weren’t as many Joshua trees in this part of the park, there was a playground of boulders and rocks that you could climb on. It felt like we were in a city from The Flintstones.
The trail entrance is in the White Tank campground opposite campsite 9. There is parking available right there, but the park ranger also told us we could park at any of the empty campsites. It looks like a great camping location, and we’d love to return!
Trailhead: 33.9894641,-116.0255427, map (in the White Tank campground opposite campsite 9)
Distance: 1.2 Mile Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 88 ft Elevation Gain
Time: The hikes takes around 30 minutes.
See More: 11 Amazing Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
What to Pack
- Bring enough drinking water. There aren’t many places in the park where you can get water. If you’re there multiple days, you can always do a supply run in town or drive out daily for what you need.
- Pack layers. The desert temperatures can change drastically from day to night.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen. There isn’t much shade in the park.
- America the Beautiful Pass to save money if you are visiting multiple parks.
- Your National Park Passport to collect your stamp!
See More: Joshua Tree Camping – What You Need to Know
What to Eat
- The Natural Sisters Cafe, Joshua Tree (Vegetarian & Brunch, $$)
- Sky High Pizza, Joshua Tree (Pizza, $$) – this place is usually packed. It took us a few visits before we could get in.
- Crossroads Cafe, Joshua Tree (American, $$)
- La Copine, Yucca Valley (New American, $$)
- Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace (New American, $$) – open late and has live music.
Where to Stay
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Find a great deal on Joshua Tree hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Joshua Tree travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
What is your favorite hike in Joshua Tree?
SEE MORE NATIONAL PARK GUIDES
⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡
“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
