This is probably one of the easiest ones for me to write about, because this is the closest park to me! I’m always here, either on my solo adventures or with family and friends. I’ve trekked JTNP in the scorching hot heat, and in the below freezing snow— and lemme tell y’all— there’s always something magical about this place. It’s a rock climber’s perfect playground!
But, let me get started with the important stuff, aka, a breakdown on what you’ll see in this post:
Background on the Park
Wheelchair Accessible Trails & Spots
Places You MUST See
My Favorite Trails
Things to Do in The Park
Awesome Places Outside The Park
What to Pack/Bring
A Little Background on Joshua Tree National Park
So, long before its elevation to National Park status in 1994, the land on what we now know as Joshua Tree National Park actually belonged to four different Indigenous groups— the Serrano, the Cahuilla, the Mojave, and the Chemehuevi. These names should sound familiar if you’re looking at a park map, because they’re actually referred to in the station names around the park. As always, I think it’s really important to know and acknowledge who these lands belonged to as a part of our appreciation for the area— so I’m going to link y’all to a really cool short history lesson on the ethnographic history of the land here.
Fast forward a few hundred years, and after creation of the United States, in 1936 a Pasadena woman named Minerva Hoyt, succeeded in making Joshua Tree a National Monument. It wasn’t until October 31, 1994 when JT finally became a National Park, but I’m assuming spooky celebrations were in order to commemorate this event.
Anyways, outside of history— let’s talk a little more about the Park itself. Joshua Tree National Park is a ecological wonderland. The park itself has about three different climate zones, and is the physical location of where two entirely different deserts collide— the Colorado and the Mojave Desert. Joshua Tree National Park is also home to 813 higher plant species, 46 reptile species, 57 mammal species, and over 250 bird species.
But okay, enough of me just listing facts I found from the NPS page. Let’s start talking about what you can do when you get here.
Wheelchair Accessible Trails & Spots
One thing I’ll always make sure to do, on any of my adventures, is make sure that I note and describe all the trails and areas I can bring my little sister Devika on. She doesn’t walk anymore, so we’re limited to just places that wheelchairs can go, and if I’m being honest— part of me writing these spots out is an effort to make MORE spots available for my fellow members of the disabled community.
That being said, Joshua Tree National Park does have a few trails and spots I’ve been to that Devika really loved, so I’ll list them here:
*Please also check out this awesome guide that the NPS has up on their site for accessibility
Quail Springs
This was the first spot I ever brought Devika to. It’s probably the most accessible spot in the park as far as parking and space goes. There are Disabled Accessible parking spots available next to the bathrooms, and picnic tables also onsite. It’s located next to a giant stack of boulders, so if there are people in your party who like to scramble, climb, or boulder — this is perfect for them too. There’s really a little bit for everyone on this spot!
Hidden Valley Picnic Loop
This area’s great for hanging out with your group, scrambling around rocks, watching the sunset, and just taking a nice stroll. We usually stop here if there’s an empty spot for us to park and watch the sunset while we wheel Devika around. There’s not much of an incline, and she gets prime sunset and Joshua Tree views.
Cholla Cactus Garden Loop
This is wheelchair friendly, and there’s also wooden flat areas for the wheelchair to rest on if you’re uncomfortable being wheeled on the dirt. Do be sure to watch out for prickly cacti and jumping cacti though— I warned y’all! I know if Devika was able to walk around when we go through here, I’d want to keep an eye on her, so please, if you are traveling with someone who has special needs or cognitive disabilities, I would be very careful here and assist them while walking around.
Hall of Horrors (Parking lot & tiny part of the trail)
So I’m not sure if this one is like ~officially recommended~ but I’m putting this on the list because I’ve taken Devika on this path so she could get super close to the big rocks, and close enough to an actual Joshua Tree so that she could take a picture. It’s a little narrow, so I would take caution if there’s a lot of people in the parking lot— but it’s important to note that there ARE disabled parking spots available here. You don’t have to be out climbing routes in the Hall of Horrors to still be able to take in the great views.
Ryan Mountain
I’d follow signs on the map to get to here— there’s a bit of the trail that we’ve taken Devika on easily before we eventually turned back, but she enjoyed being on it. I wouldn’t recommend the full trail with a wheelchair, but if you are able to hike and would like one with less elevation and struggle— this is one of the easier ones worth checking out
Places You Must See
So while the above short list is a few of the most wheelchair friendly trails I’ve seen— there are still a few notable spots all over the park that are accessible. I’m going to list all my favorite spots, and then denote which ones are most disabled accessible with an asterisk:
Qual Springs*
Hidden Valley*
Barker Dam
Keys View
OMG PLEASE BE CAREFUL HERE! There’s hella bees and it’s really steep, but the view of the valley below is totally worth it
Ryan Mountain
Skull Rock
Jumbo Rocks*
Cholla Cactus Garden*
Cottonwood Spring
My Favorite Trails/Places to Scramble or Climb
Below are a few of my go-tos, but here’s a complete list of the trails by difficulty. I’ve done most of them, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Discovery Trail
This one loops Skull Rock and a bunch of Swiss Cheese Rock Formations
Barker Dam
Semi-easy trail that takes about an hour, but is super scenic
Hidden Valley
Super easy to scramble over, hike around, and even free climb up!
Hall of Horrors
A little hard, the further up and further in you go (be careful about your footing here and don’t get lost in the slots!)
Ryan Mountain (Summit)
Trail Running is so much fun here! Be careful when going up, and make sure someone knows where you are at all times— I once went back and did this one by myself.
Things to Do in The Park
Contrary to most beliefs— there’s a TON of fun stuff to do in the desert. I’m gonna list a few here, and then also link you to some really helpful guides:
Picnic
Camp
Stargaze
Rock Climb
Scramble over Rocks
Hike
Trail Run
Bird Watch
Biking
Horseback Riding
And here’s the NPS recommended guide on things to do in the Park!
Awesome Places Outside the Park
As I mentioned earlier, I’m always in Joshua Tree. It’s a short trip down the 10 freeway for me, and I come here a lot for day trips and just to spend sometime connecting with the outdoors. Below’s a list of the local-run spots that I frequent on my way to the Park.
Hadley’s Date Shakes
It’s right off the freeway & next to Morongo, lol— but coming here has been a tradition ever since my Dad would take me here as a kid. They make incredible classic and not-too-sweet Date Shakes, and the little stand is located inside a shop that sells other snacks. I usually stop here for some healthy snacks and drinks to take along with me on my trip. Here’s their website if you want more info.
The Jelly Donut
I’m a donut fiend! Sometimes when I’m on my way into the park super early, I stop here for some fresh donuts and a thai iced tea. Here’s their YELP link.
Natural Sisters Cafe
I ALWAYS come here before I go into the Park, no exceptions. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner— anything! They make some of the best fresh and healthy meals I’ve had, and they have a ton of options on the menu. I personally love their Lavender Lemonades or fresh juices to compliment my meals, but you really can’t go wrong here. Also it’s notable to mention that they have a bulletin board inside that shows events happening in and around the park, there’s a really cool mural on the side of their building, and that sometimes there’s a farmers market in the parking lot. Also!! Random, but I always meet the most fun people here when I’m waiting in line to order. Here’s their website.
Joshua Tree Coffee Company
Their coffee’s so good that sometimes I buy it over at Mother’s Market when I’m back home! They have dairy alternatives too, so don’t worry if you’re like me and lactose sensitive. Just make sure that however much coffee you drink, you also drink equal parts water in case you’re out in the heat that day. Here’s their website.
Aaaaand okay I really have so much more, but I’ll stop myself because this list is already super long. I might change my mind and update this list later, but for now, here’s the local small businesses where I frequent.
What to Pack/Bring
!!!!! AND JUST REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW!!!!!
WATER! Make sure you have enough water to last you the entire time you’re in the park. There’s no water stations available outside the entrance stations and visitor stations, and they are FEW and FAR between.
A MAP! It’s easy to get lost here, and it’s important that you have a map that you can reference. Nothing’s worse than being lost in the dark without a map here. Trust me, that’s happened to me once with my family, and one of the exits was closed and we were aimlessly driving around the park in pitch-black darkness and SNOW.
A FLASHLIGHT! Sometimes it gets so dark here that I can’t see my own hands in front of me, and sometimes the light pollution or the moonlight is so bright, that I can see totally clearly. Regardless, it’s always nice to be prepared.
A FULLY CHARGED CELLPHONE! You won’t have any service on the park when you’re on the ground, and chances are iffy if you’ll get any service after climbing or scrambling to the top of a pile of boulders. Just make sure you have enough juice on your phone in case of emergency.
MAKE SURE SOMEONE KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT YOUR PLAN IS! I’m saying this especially if you’re rolling through solo. I always tell my Mom exactly which areas I’m planning to be in, in case there’s an emergency with Devika and she needs to reach me, or if something happens to me, so she knows where I’m going.
EXTRA LAYERS! It gets really reaaalllly cold at night sometimes, so I always make sure to pack extra layers and blankets in my car if I’m camping or planning on being out there late.
IDENTIFICATION! Just in case you get lost or anything like that, it’s a general rule to have some sort of ID on you, so people can help you.
And I think that’s it! I mean, for this general list anyways. I’m planning on making specific trip guides that depend on how long you’re planning on being in the park, and also just references on air bnb’s and hotels you can stay in if you’re not tryna camp. As always, I just wanna say that while you’re there, please be sure to pack out what you pack in, please be respectful of the land and the fellow adventurers who are there with you, and please be mindful of the critters in the park because that’s their home too.
Please reach out if you have any more questions that I can help with!
Safe travels and happy trails!
-Ambika