Cholla Cactus Garden Trail (Joshua Tree National Park)

• Location: Pinto Basin Road, Joshua Tree National Park. The Cholla Cactus Garden Trail is 18.4 miles southeast of Highway 62 (via Utah Trail, Park Blvd. and Pinto Basin Rd.) and 27 miles north of Interstate 10 (via Cottonwood Springs Rd. and Pinto Basin Rd.) Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is $25 per vehicle (for one week). Annual passes are $40. The Interagency Pass ($80 annually) is also accepted here.
• Agency: Joshua Tree National Park
• Distance: 0.3 mile
• Elevation gain: Level
• Difficulty Rating: G
• Suggested time: 15 minutes
• Best season:  Year round but hot during the summer
• Recommended guidebook: Best Easy Day Hikes Joshua Tree National Park
• Dogs: Not allowed
• Cell phone reception: None
• Water: None
• Restrooms: None
• Camping: Day use only. The nearest campground is White Tank, about four miles north on Pinto Basin Road.
• More information: Trip descriptions here, here, here and here (including nearby Arch Rock and Skull Rock)
• Rating: 4

If you are driving from the north to south ends of Joshua Tree National Park on Pinto Basin Road, you will pass the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail. It makes for an ideal spot to stop and stretch your legs – but make sure your legs don’t get too close to the infamous plants, which are found in abundance here. Cholla cacti are known for “jumping” on passersby. If you are reasonably careful, you will not have any problems avoiding them, but exercise extra caution if you are hiking with kids.

The short trail takes visitors through an impressive collection of the plants – a few of which are nearly 10 feet tall. Besides the cacti another highlight of this trip is the panoramic view of the lower desert to the east.

Text and photography copyright 2017  by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.