Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park earned a spot in my top ten favorite national parks list. Because of the less-than-ideal climbing weather during my visit, the crowds were minimal, but the views were vast! I was thrilled to be a recipient of rain during our visit because the park receives less than 13 inches of precipitation a year, making it a special rarity.

Best Time to Visit:

October 1^st – May 15^th. Please note that most outfitters close shop outside of those months due to the extreme heat.

There are three entrances to Joshua Tree National Park, with the west entrance being the main entrance with the iconic sign and abundance of Joshua trees. We took a short detour here but spent a majority of our time in Rattlesnake Canyon with Cliffhanger Guides.

What to Check out:

1. Hidden Valley, surrounded by tall boulders, is great for rock climbing, scrambling, and viewing local flora and fauna. What it’s not great for is hiking, especially in rainy weather. While this was our first choice, the rain made for unsafe conditions, so we moved on to Rattlesnake Canyon.
2. Rattlesnake Canyon is another area ideal for climbing and scrambling. It contains the Wonderland of Rocks, where large monzonite boulders and cliffs extend for ten square miles. We entered on the north side next to the Indian Cove campground. Our guides were fantastic and accommodated our group’s various skill levels and allowed for scrambling, rappelling, and bouldering. Despite the canyon name, we didn’t see a single snake, but I was definitely on the lookout as I found handholds in crevices and scooted down rocks!
3. If hiking is your preference or if you want a full day in the park, check out the hiking trails through the expansive Joshua Tree Forest. The Willow Hole Route is 6.9 miles and features 260 feet of elevation gain.

Know Before you Go:

1. I would definitely recommend using a GPS, otherwise it can be hard to find the parking lot again if you’re not familiar with the area. An experienced guide is recommended for your first visit, especially if you are climbing.
2. It’s the desert, so sun protection is a must. Long pants and sturdy, closed toed shoes are recommended. There are lots of sharp, pokey plants (looking at you, Cholla) in the desert all trying to stick to you.
3. Speaking of Cholla cactus, I also recommend a black puffer if it’s cold. Black jackets are easier to patch (the patch blends in better) when your jacket inevitably snags on one of the aforementioned pokey plants.
4. Portable water is a must!
5. Slow your speed and watch the road. Drivers are the biggest danger to the threatened desert tortoise.

Random Tidbit:

• It is illegal to disturb, move, replant, remove, or kill western Joshua trees.
• One of our guides was obsessed with Chuckwallas. While we never saw one of the evasive lizards, their habitat is the rocky outcrops, lava flows, and rocky hillsides of the Great Basin, Mohave, and Sonoran deserts. I like to think of them as the puffer fish of the desert because they puff up to protect themselves. When threatened, the Chuckwalla scurries into a crevice, gulps air to inflate its body, and wedges itself into the safety of the rocks, making it extremely difficult for a predator to remove. Count yourself lucky if you see one!

In Summary:

Joshua Tree was fantastic, but I highly suggest extending your adventure and adding on Pioneertown and Palm Springs. There is something for every age and ability in both areas, and they are great for family, solo, and friend trips alike! For more information, see my California Desert post.