One of the most popular stops on the Joshua Tree Tour, the Hidden Valley Nature Trail offers a short yet captivating journey into one of the park’s most iconic landscapes.
As you hike along the easy one-mile loop, you’ll be surrounded by some of Joshua Tree National Park’s most dramatic and iconic rock formations. The boulders are massive, weathered, and scattered throughout the valley, creating a maze-like environment. Hidden Valley is not just a great hiking trail – it’s also a mecca for rock climbers. The trail is easy, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels, including families with children. The landscape is particularly photogenic during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. Wildlife such as lizards, squirrels, and the occasional jackrabbit can be spotted as well. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is meant to be savored. Take your time to appreciate the views, scramble up the boulders, and enjoy the desert’s quiet serenity. And fun fact – it was isolated enough to be used as a hideout for the McHaney Gang, outlaws and cattle rustlers who were active in the 1870s and ’80s.
