Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree – Two separate desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. The diversity of flora and fauna and surreal geological features add to the wonder of this park, which has been sculpted by strong winds and occasional rains.
Although humans have inhabited the Joshua Tree region for at least 5,000 years, the development of new desert roads in the late 1920s led to an influx of farmers and cactus hunters. As concerns about the removal of cacti and other plants grew, in 1936 an area of 825,000 acres was protected as the Joshua Tree National Monument.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree
The monument was granted park status in 1994 as part of the Wildlife Protection Act. The bill added 234,000 acres after earlier cuts. The new park boundary follows natural features and includes complete ecological units such as entire mountain ranges covering 500,000 acres.
Big Trees Trailhead (u.s. National Park Service)
Before introducing your dog to Joshua Tree National Park, let’s talk about when to visit and plan your trip.
Temperatures are more comfortable during the fall and spring months, with highs typically 70-85°F (21-29°C) and lows around 50 (10°C). High temperatures in winter are usually around 60°F (15°C) and nights are near or below freezing. Sometimes it snows in higher places. Summers are hot and we advise you to avoid them. Highs are usually 100°F (38°C) and lows are usually 75°F (24°C) at night. Spring and the holidays are the busiest times of the year and the park can get very crowded. Try to avoid or plan for heavy crowds on weekends from October to May and during spring break (March to mid-April). Be prepared for long lines, limited parking, busy trails, and full campgrounds.
I like to visit during the winter months for milder temperatures and fewer crowds. The spring months can be too hot for your dog’s paws on the park sidewalk.
Whether you’re just visiting for the day or planning to camp in the park, you’ll need to plan a few things ahead of time.
Best Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park
When we visit Palm Springs we visit Joshua Tree National Park, so we only did day trips versus camping. I don’t think there is enough work with your dog to extend your day beyond a full day or half day visit.
Joshua Tree National Park is located within a few hours of several major metropolitan areas. The park is nearby
Do not rely on GPS directions to navigate near or within Joshua Tree National Park. Vehicle navigation systems sometimes try to direct you to country roads with potholes or soft sand that may be impassable to your vehicle.
You can get to Joshua Tree from Interstate 10 or California Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway). The nearest airport is in Palm Springs.
Hike To Wall Street Mine In Joshua Tree National Park — Chrissi Hernandez
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can drive in and out anytime. There is an entrance fee, but sometimes the cabin is closed. Upon exit you may be asked to show your pass or pay an entry fee. No reservation is required for entry.
One of the great things about the Joshua Tree area is all the unique lodging options you can choose from for your stay. The ambiance is always high desert oasis, super luxurious or out of this world unique.
For our weekend getaway, we wanted an upscale experience that wouldn’t break the bank and had plenty of room for a small group traveling with a dog. Mesa Tavira was the perfect location for our stay and just minutes from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The house consisted of three bedrooms and a washing machine. A fully stocked kitchen with two sitting areas and our favorite feature is the container pool with hot tub just off the patio. Enjoying the cotton sunset in the fire pit was a treat for us too. You can see the full property tour on our Instagram.
Here’s a great list of some unique options in Joshua Tree, or check out AirBnB or VRBO to explore your options with a pet-friendly filter.
Favorite Short & Easy Trails To Hike In Joshua Tree National Park 🤩⤵️…
There are no restaurants, cafes, grocery stores or gas stations in Joshua Tree National Park. If you plan to eat in the park, you should pack your food with you.
There are many restaurants and cafes around the entrance to the park, which make for great options when entering and exiting the park. We stopped at Twentynine Palms at GRD SQRL for lunch before heading to the park in the afternoon. They serve American food and have great draft beer. We both enjoyed our burgers and the beer cheese bagel was a delicious appetizer. There are several options in Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Pioneertown. If you live in the area, don’t miss the best barbecue at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown. Their patio is dog friendly and they usually have live music on weekends.
Now for the boring but important part…all the rules! It’s no secret that national parks aren’t dog-friendly, so here’s what you need to know when visiting with your dog.
Because the park has to protect ecosystems and wildlife and manage many visitors, there are areas where your dog is not allowed. However, as long as you follow a few simple rules, you and your dog can see the Joshua Tree’s many different landscapes, and that’s what makes it so special.
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36 CFR 2.15 prohibits leaving animals unattended or tethered to an object. Leaving your pet in your car can be deadly.
Now that we’ve got all the rules out of the way, let’s explore all the things you can do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Although there are restrictions on visiting Joshua Tree National Park with your furry friend, these dog-friendly activities allow you to experience the park’s varied landscapes and truly absorb the essence of Joshua Tree.
These activities can easily be enjoyed in a half-day visit, but if you plan to explore more hikes or aren’t staying in the area, I’d recommend planning a full day in the park. To begin, head to the Twentynine Palms Park entrance to pave your way to these activities with little or no backtracking, and end your day at Sunset Keys View.
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Mara’s Oasis is a short 0.5 mile trail in Twentynine Palms, headquarters of Joshua Tree National Park. This oasis is unique in the park due to its highly alkaline conditions, large bee hives and fans that are influenced by the surrounding areas and desert salt bushes and scrub plants that prefer heavy soils. This smooth, well-paved lane is the most accessible spot for the California fan palm, as well as several plant species found in very few places in the park, such as sedges and mojaves. Interpretive signs along the way introduce visitors to the site’s historical significance and local ecology, and there are several places to enjoy the view.
This trail is open year-round and is the least dog-friendly activity in this guide, as the most scenic part of the walk is in the first 2 minutes and you won’t see any Joshua trees here. But since this is the officially designated dog trail in Joshua Tree, we stopped.
This is a great place to stop for water and bathrooms at the park or on your way out.
This 2.6 mile hike takes you through a loop at Jumbo Rocks Campground. This is an easy step that takes an average of 35 minutes. It’s a popular area for camping, jogging and walking, so you’re likely to meet other people as you explore.
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Since it is a well-equipped park, you can take your dog with you as long as it is on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed outside the path carved into the stones. Be careful with vehicles as this hike is entirely on the road leading to the campsite. There are several parking lots near the entrance, not for campers, otherwise you will need to park on the shoulder of the park’s main road.
The Big Horn Pass Road Trail is a 4.6 mile trail that is generally considered moderately challenging. The trail is great for hiking, mountain biking and off-road riding, and you’re unlikely to meet many other people while exploring. October to May is the best time to visit this trail.
Back roads are designated by the park for mountain biking and are some of the places you can bring your dog in the park. This route can also be done as a scenic route. 4WD is not required for this road, but your vehicle must be road legal as OHVs are prohibited in the park.
This trail has limited shade and unreliable trellis
