In truth, almost all the hikes in Joshua Tree National Park are appropriate for kids. There are a few back country permit hikes, but we found more than a dozen short walks that are just right for children. We’ve written about each hike in detail, and here is a short round-up of each family-friendly hike on our list.
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South Entrance
If you are coming in to Joshua Tree from the south entrance, there are two very short walks that you can try near the Cottonwood Visitor Center. We don’t think they are worth the long drive to the bottom if you aren’t coming from that way.
Bajada Nature Trail
This tiny nature trail has interpretive signs that teach you a bit about the desert. The trail has no shade, but only runs about a quarter mile in a loop.
Cottonwood Springs Nature Trail
This 0.1 mile walk is considered a trail on park literature, but it barely qualifies as more than a short stop. The huge trees and pretty green oasis in the middle of the desert make it worth the very short trip if you are in the area.
Central Area
Most hikes are located in the central area of Joshua Tree. You can minimize your driving by sticking to these hikes. They are listed here from West to East if you were entering from the town of Joshua Tree.
Hidden Valley Trail
Cattle rustlers once used this bowl to hide their pilfered cows and horses. The trail walks 1.0 mile around the edge of the bowl along the massive boulders.
Barker Dam
This was our favorite hike due to the wide variety of wildlife we saw. There were plenty of birds and small mammals. It was also a bit different from other hikes in the park, and you can see the old Barker Dam.
Cap Rock Nature Trail
This one is just 0.4, and we really liked the interpretive signs. It is flat and easy so anyone could handle this simple trail.
Key’s View
The view is spectacular. It is a short 0.1 mile climb to the lookout. You can see all the way south across Palm Springs to Mexico on a clear day.
Ryan Ranch
It’s one mile across very flat open terrain to some ruins of an old ranch. The ruins aren’t amazing, but there are some great views of the Joshua trees and a chance to see bighorn sheep.
Hall of Horrors
The most unique hike in the park is the Hall of Horrors. It allows you to explore as you wish, and if you follow our instructions, you can easily find two VERY narrow slot canyons.
Skull Rock Trail
This one runs 1.7 miles from the famous Skull Rock up to Jumbo Rocks Campground and back to Skull Rock. The trail is easy and has beautiful terrain of rocks and Joshua Trees.
Split Rock Trail
The longest hike on our list at 2.0 miles, Split Rock winds through several different terrains, giving you a nice taste of the massive boulders, small rubble, and open views of the Joshua Trees. This one has a little up and down, but nothing too stressful.
Pinto Basin Road
These two trails lie along the Pinto Basin Road that heads from the main park road down to the Cottonwood Visitor Center. They are both worth doing and not too far from the main area of the park.
Arch Rock Trail
Located at the very beginning of the Pinto Basin Road, Arch Rock Trail boasts the best feature in the park. It is 1.4 miles to see a picturesque arch, and though it’s busy, it is flat and easy.
Cholla Cactus Garden
This amazing stand of “teddybear cactus” is technically on the south road, but it is worth traveling down to walk through. The trail is flat, easy, and you can adjust the distance to your liking.
North
Oasis of Mara
This trail is located outside the park at the old Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms now known as the administrative offices. It walks along a paved path, which is wheel-accessible for half a mile to an amazing oasis visible from the road.
Indian Cove Nature Trail
Most people don’t bother to enter the north end of the park at Indian Cove, but we enjoyed the short drive. This nature trail is unique with amazing rock features. The park bills it at 0.6, but it seemed more like three quarters of a mile to us. Though the trail is a little difficult to follow, we found it to be very flat and easy.
We hope this list of Joshua Tree Kid hikes will help you plan your trip to Joshua Tree National Park. For more details and info, check out our family guide with information on lodging and other stops worth taking.
