Outbound Collective logo

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

Riverside County, California

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.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Camping
Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Picnic Area
Scenic
Wildflowers

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

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

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

Skull Rock Trail at Joshua Tree National Park