Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

Riverside County, California

4.4/5

based on 8 reviews

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Details

Distance

0.25 miles

Elevation Gain

0 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Ryan Dewane

Cholla Cactus Garden is home to thousands of cactus with some wildflowers during the right season. This is a great sport for sunrise and sunset as the cacti begin to glow in the light.

The Cholla Cactus Garden is something everyone can appreciate and enjoy. The trail is in total about a 0.25 loop, but you are certainly free to wander around more. Plan on spending at least 30 minutes to an hour enjoying the scenery.

If you are a photographer, you will be enthralled by the lighting conditions. The garden is located off of Pinto Basin Roa in Joshua Tree. The parking lot is 20 miles north of the Cottonwood Visitor Center and almost impossible to miss as it is surrounded by the thousands of cactus that make the spot so famous.

During the early morning or sunset, the needles on the cactus begin to look like they glow and it creates quite a scene. It is usually not too crowded so it is a great spot to just relax at after a long day of hiking or rock climbing. Jumbo Rocks and White Tank campgrounds are both near by if you are staying in the park overnight.

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Features

Camping

Photography

Hiking

Easy Parking

Picnic Area

Scenic

Wildflowers

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens Reviews

Dominic Pascucci

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

11/10/22

This is a very easy hike with a large parking lot right next to it. We came for sunset and it did not disappoint. While visiting there were a couple of professional photographers doing their thing. We also noticed some people that got too close to the cholla, those things will stick ya. Watch you step too, but pieces of them can be on the ground and they’ll attach to your shoes. Sunset sunset sunset

5.0

Natalie F

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

07/16/20

Wander through this garden. Cool to see these so up close. Blue sky backdrop makes for some nice photos. Worth a stop for sure!

4.0

Charlie Jasper

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

03/12/18

The only problem with this trail is, well, it gets a little crowded. But it being out of the main valley, likes he Tuolmne Meadows is (are?) for Yosemite, makes for a less overrun with annoying tourists experience in general. So while we missed the sunrise, we did get some epic shots.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

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Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Backcountry Camp in Joshua Tree

Night Shoot at Arch Rock

Camp at Joshua Tree's White Tank Campground

Arch Rock Nature Trail

Camp at Joshua Tree's Jumbo Rocks

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