La Quinta, California

Set your tent up next to a wall of tall boulders. This campground can offer a little shade, which is key especially during the warmer months. At the campground, there are 124 first-come, first-serve sites for $10 per night. Each campsite comes available with a picnic table and fire ring. The camp...

The Barker Damn trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail across flat terrain which makes it great for the whole family. The hike starts out from the Barker Dam parking lot which is shared with the Wall Street Mill trailhead. You can find the Barker Dam trailhead just to the left of the bathrooms. After ...

You can park at the Jumbo Rocks Campground to start this quick hike. There are two parking locations for this campground and it will be easiest if you use the first one you see, rather than going farther off the road and right next to the campsites. To start the hike, start going north and immedi...

The Willow Hole hike begins at Boy Scout trailhead and winds past and through the Wonderland of Rocks to a marshy stand of willows. The trail is flat, but with little shade so be sure to bring lots of water! As you leave the parking lot you'll enter an expansive stand of Joshua Trees that grows...

Joshua Tree National Park flawlessly combines otherworldly landscapes, incredible recreational opportunities, and a colorful, wild-west history. Before it was a national park, Joshua Tree was home to cattle rustlers, gunslingers, miners, and rugged homesteaders.   One of the most quirky characte...

White Tank Campground is in the perfect spot to get a taste of all that Joshua Tree has to offer. As a central location to nearby hiking and climbing, it is easy to access the various parts of the park. Removed from the border of the park, White Tank doesn't attract as many visitors as the more p...

If you're setting up camp, be sure to check out White Tank Campground, which is home to one of the most epic rock formations. The Arch is located here. It's only about 1/2 round trip of walking to this spot. Geology Tour Road offers some flat wide open views of Joshua Trees in all directions. If ...

Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is located just north of the park visitor center, making it a convenient place to begin your exploration of the Anza-Borrego Desert. To reach the trailhead, drive through Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, the largest developed campground in the park, where an $8 day use fe...

With over 600,000 acres, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in the contiguous United States. 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the Colorado Desert. The park i...

This is an out and back 1.6 mile round trip with 636 feet of elevation gain. The top has excellent views of Anza Borrego. It is close to the visitor center.

This is a rock formation very popular with young crowds at Joshua Tree. The views from this hike are spectacular. If you hike this trail at sunset, the gorgeous colors of the ski are reflected onto the rocks.  There is a plaque along the trail detailing rock formations and facts about the parks ...

Starting out at the Split Rock Trail parking lot, you'll see Split Rock, which might be the most visited boulder in the park. Everyone makes a visit to it and while it is absolutely amazing, it's great to take the hour or two to wander around to more amazing scenery.  Immediately upon starting t...

This is a great trail and arguably, entering the mines is the coolest part. Bring a headlamp so you can see down tunnels. As you go past the giant boulders on the right, you enter a nice microclimate of cooler air and scrubby oak trees. Don't forget to look up - you'll see lots of erosion on the ...

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 light...

The starting point for this hike is at the Black Rock campground, 5 miles from the town of Yucca Valley. You'll need to self register for a free backcountry permit before starting. The first section of the trail follows a wash then the trail narrows and, after only a mile or two, you'll begin cl...

Lake Fulmor is a small lake in the San Jacinto Wilderness near Idyllwild, CA.  The trail loops around the lake offering spectacular views and is good for all skill levels.  There are picnic tables, grills, and a small dock where you can peer out over the lake or cast a line.  To fish in Lake Fulm...