Hidden Valley Campground

Road cyclists use Park Boulevard for long rides, but be advised there is no bike lane and cars travel fast. Gravel and mountain bike riders will experience less traffic by using the park's unpaved roads. You can link up to a few of these dirt routes, like Queen Valley Road and Big Horn Road, beyond the Barker Dam parking area. It goes without saying though, that since you're in the desert, you should be sure to bring and drink plenty of water—there is no potable water in Joshua Tree National Park.

The one-mile Hidden Valley Loop trail starts at the day-use area near Hidden Valley Campground. The Barker Dam, Ryan Mountain, and Boy Scout trails are all less than three miles away as well. Because this is the desert (and there is no potable water), you should be absolutely certain to only go as far as you can stay hydrated, and bring more water than you think you will need.

Sometimes, a strikingly beautiful place is just made better by the presence of a good friend. We believe this absolutely applies to horses, and there many paths open to equestrians and their four-legged friends at Joshua Tree. Riders can come for the day, camp at one of two campgrounds that have facilities for horses, or acquire a special permit for camping in the backcountry with livestock. Personally, we think falling asleep under the stars in one of the wildest places in the country with your favorite non-human sounds pretty epic. Check out the trails open for exploration here and, if you are interested in renting horses for the afternoon, you can head over to Joshua Tree Ranch, which offers tours in the park.

You KNOW those endless stretches of California desert are calling your name, and you can feel your fingers itching at the thought of revving up the four-wheel drive and hitting those dusty paths. There are, quite literally, nearly 100 miles of road available for exploring this forlorn and mystical land, giving you extensive opportunities to reach toward that horizon and take in some of the truly striking scenery surrounding you. Check out some of our favorite treks , then pack up the 4-wheeler and get some mud (well, dust) on those tires.

Hidden Valley is Joshua Tree’s unofficial climber’s campground. It’s home to some of the park’s best trad climbing on Intersection Rock, and there are hundreds of bouldering sites nearby. On weekend mornings from October to April, the park’s climbing ranger hosts Climber Coffee meetups here. Visitors are spoiled—Joshua Tree National Park boasts some of the most amazing climbing routes in the world with more than 400 climbing formations and 8,000 climbing routes.

Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled for coyotes at Hidden Valley Campground. With a bit of luck, you may also spot kangaroo rats, cottontail rabbits, hummingbirds, horned lizards, and desert tortoises on your J-Tree camping trip.