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California
169 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Joshua Tree National Park
National Park unit boundary is mapped — agency alerts for it feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Why you'll love it
Lucky Boy Loop Trailhead
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
<p paraeid="{52b92e0a-0a54-4723-a658-5668a4beb5b9}{82}" paraid="1852801838">Lucky Boy Loop is a 3.25-mile hike with 555 ft of elevation gain. This loop leads hikers through diverse scenery of desert vegetation, rock formations, vista points, and the remains of Elton Mine. Look out for wildlife including scrub jays fluttering in the Pinyon pines, lizards basking on the rocks, and cottontails hiding in the shrubs. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a desert tortoise making its way across the landscape or eating some of the springtime wildflowers. The last section of the loop is .5 mile along the dirt Desert Queen Mine Road back to the Pine City parking lot. Keep an eye out for passing vehicles. </p> <p paraeid="{52b92e0a-0a54-4723-a658-5668a4beb5b9}{152}" paraid="131205732"> </p> <p paraeid="{52b92e0a-0a54-4723-a658-5668a4beb5b9}{156}" paraid="81299843">This trail is not recommended in the summer heat, due to it’s length and lack of shade. Make sure to bring adequate food and water supplies and proper sun protection. </p>
Pine City Trailhead
~1 min drive
<p>Pine City Trailhead is located in the central portion of the park at the east end of Queen Valley Road. This trailhead provides access to the Pine City Trail and the Lucky Boy Vista Trail. The Pine City Trail is a four mile out and back mostly sand and level trail with occa…
Skull Rock and Discovery Trail Trailheads
~3 min drive
Located along Park Boulevard between Jumbo Rocks and Live Oak, these trailheads provide access to the Skull Rock Nature Trail and the Discovery Trail. The Skull Rock Nature Trail is a 1.7 mile loop that can be started from trailheads on either side of the road. The north side…
Discovery Trailhead
~3 min drive
<p paraeid="{a6af408c-b51b-47d4-92a5-8619324a9b92}{204}" paraid="862142058">The Discovery Trail is a 0.7-mile (1.1km) loop hike with 70ft (21.3m) of elevation gain and diverse views of the jumbo rocks area. Hike this trail through sandy washes, boulder piles, and unique rock f…
Geology (Skull Rock)
~3 min drive
Skull Rock is a popular destination along Park Boulevard just east of Jumbo Rocks Campground. Formed over many millennia, water drops have slowly eroded two large holes into the rock to make the rock resemble a skull. Skull Rock can be reached by the Skull Rock Nature Trail ju…
California Riding and Hiking Trail at Geology Tour Road
~4 min drive
<p>Take a hike east or west from here on the California Riding and Hiking Trail. Carry water with you. The California Riding and Hiking Trail is 37 miles total, but smaller sections are popular day-hikes. This trailhead is in the middle of the California Riding and Hiking Trai…
Ryan Mountain Trailhead
~6 min drive
<p paraeid="{8cc8f37b-3c36-45c6-83d6-94e72c114c11}{25}" paraid="396559091">Ryan Mountain is a 3-mile (round trip) out-and-back hike with 1,050 feet of elevation gain. The summit rewards hikers with one of the best 360-degree views of any trail in the park. From the summit, you…
Echo T Trailhead
~7 min drive
Take the Echo T Trail to connect to the Barker Dam Trail from the Echo T parking lot. This trail follows a wash near unique rock formations. Meander among Joshua trees and other desert plants. Watch for climbers or try to spot desert bighorn sheep. Get ready for a minor rock s…
Ryan Ranch Trailhead
~8 min drive
<p paraeid="{5b31bcd1-638e-43cd-9cfa-6ec1a4d5f5ae}{107}" paraid="1311873658">Ryan Ranch is a one-mile (round trip) out-and-back hike with a 135-foot elevation gain. The trail travels along an old ranch road to a historic adobe structure at the base of Ryan Mountain. Ryan Ranch…
Desert Tortoise (Contact Mine)
~8 min drive
The Contact Mine Trail is an out-and-back hike to a historic mining site. It is 4-miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins in a sandy wash then ascends a rocky mountainside to the mine. The hike features expansive views of the surrounding mountains an…
Hidden Valley Trailhead
~8 min drive
<p paraeid="{9296a7fe-185c-4ce3-b578-0e633a2bc16b}{152}" paraid="1177623846">The Hidden Valley Trail is a one-mile loop hike through a scenic valley surrounded by large rock formations. The trail is excellent for families and offers exciting opportunities for rock scrambling.…
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