Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley
4.5
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- Howard14 contributionsBeautiful TrailMy wife and I, are both in our late 70s and reasonably fit, and this was our first visit to Joshua Tree National Park. We did several hours of hiking per day for four days, and this trail was our favorite. It's mostly flat loop trail that's suitable for hikers at all ability levels. It's fairly easy-to-navigate and is accessible directly from the parking lot. Most of all, the rock formations are quite beautiful!Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 3, 2024
- Janka KBrno, Czech Republic9,200 contributionsWhen you want to see what Joshua Tree NP offers at all onceI really recommend this trail if you want to experience Joshua Tree National Park and do a bit of hiking. In something more than 1 hour, you see everything that you can see in the park, and from relatively close perspective. I recommend to go for this hike early in the morning, just to avoid big heat. But you even see this warning on the board when entering the trail.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 1, 2024
- SteveBTangHalf Moon Bay, California366 contributionsGet Your Rocks Off!This was a short hike, but had incredible rocks where you can climb and explore. The trail itself was not to exciting but the rock formation makes it worth visiting. When visiting, try to go early, parking is nuts like after 10AM. We almost saw a few fisticuffs for people trying to find parking. Also when we went, it was quite a hot day (even in December), make sure to bring water.Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 1, 2025
- tinaNtravelSan Jose, California2,149 contributionsSimple, easy trail with beautiful sceneryThis is a very popular trail as it is simple and easy and it gives you a nice overview of the scenery. There is a lot of parking, but it all fills up very quickly. We got there before 10am and it was already half full. By time we finished walking the short trail, all the parking was filled. So you may want to go early.Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 19, 2025
- LadureeFanRichmond, Virginia1,391 contributionsEasy loop trail…good pick for a windy day!Our first day in Joshua Tree was very windy with gusts up to 50 mph so even though it was in the 50’s, with the wind it was, at times, bitterly cold. Park rangers at the entrance advised us to hike Hidden Valley and Barker Dam as both are somewhat protected from the wind by rock formations. Such. Great. Advice. Nice one mile loop.Visited January 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten February 11, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Carol S
Tucson, AZ28 contributions
Dec 2022
Beautiful hike in a valley ringed by rocky hills. A warning for those with mobility issues, though - many reviewers call this an easy hike. If you have knee and ankle issues like me, it's more challenging than that. There are lots of stairs and rocks on the trail, and some of them are pretty big rises. You might need a friendly hand or a good walking stick to navigate some of it. It was definitely worth it, but - not so "easy" for me.
Written December 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hilo88
Honolulu, HI373 contributions
Mar 2022
This was my one must do for this trip based off of the descriptions that I read in a guidebook. 100% it was worth the time and I would happily do it again.
Basically we take a trail through some boulders and on the other side you are in a valley of boulders on all sides that apparently guys hid cattle in a long time ago. It is very pretty and also, kind of surreal to be surrounded by boulders. The trail is not hard at all and my 4 year old had a lot of fun climbing on boulders and trying to explore. It is a very kid friendly hike even for younger ones.
We were there in March and it got pretty sunny so be prepared. I heard this trail is really popular and parking can be an issue.We got here at around 3pm during high visit season and there was a lot of parking.
The one thing I didn’t like was the bathroom in the parking lot area was nasty. Everything else we experienced made it a must do at Joshua Tree.
Basically we take a trail through some boulders and on the other side you are in a valley of boulders on all sides that apparently guys hid cattle in a long time ago. It is very pretty and also, kind of surreal to be surrounded by boulders. The trail is not hard at all and my 4 year old had a lot of fun climbing on boulders and trying to explore. It is a very kid friendly hike even for younger ones.
We were there in March and it got pretty sunny so be prepared. I heard this trail is really popular and parking can be an issue.We got here at around 3pm during high visit season and there was a lot of parking.
The one thing I didn’t like was the bathroom in the parking lot area was nasty. Everything else we experienced made it a must do at Joshua Tree.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BDrew
Brighton and Hove, UK187 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We drove from LA to Joshua Tree National Park for a day trip. Totally doable two hour drive - leave early to avoid traffic. The staff at the visitors centre were very helpful and helped us plan our route for the day. We entered through the Oasis Visitor centre and worked our way backwards to the Joshua Tree visitors centre... This made most sense as we were driving back in that direction to LA later that day. It also meant it wasn't as busy as most people were going the opposite direction.
We went in January and it was still beautiful sunshine, however I suspect actually easier to do some of the hiking because of the cooler weather - there was even snow on the ground in some parts so bring good footwear.
Obviously a stunning area of outstanding natural beauty... Well worth the $30 per car entrance fee (this lasts for 7 days).... Notable spots for a day trip are the Jumbo Rocks and Hidden Valley. Make it up to Keys View for the sunset ☺
We went in January and it was still beautiful sunshine, however I suspect actually easier to do some of the hiking because of the cooler weather - there was even snow on the ground in some parts so bring good footwear.
Obviously a stunning area of outstanding natural beauty... Well worth the $30 per car entrance fee (this lasts for 7 days).... Notable spots for a day trip are the Jumbo Rocks and Hidden Valley. Make it up to Keys View for the sunset ☺
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JamieJW
Quakertown, PA4,506 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Driving from PA to CA and drove right past the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park and had to stop. Beautiful Park with breathtaking Landscapes.
We entered the park via the Twenty one Palms entrance and drove the 26 miles through the park to the Joshua Tree entrance.
The views change constantly and the park has various places to pull off the road and explore. The rock formations are breathtaking set against the thousands of Joshua Trees that fill the park.
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California east of Los Angeles and San Bernardino near Palm Springs. The park is named for the Joshua trees, a variety of Yucca native to the Mojave Desert. Originally declared a national monument in 1936, Joshua Tree was redesignated as a national park in 1994. Encompassing a total of 790,636 acres. an area slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. Straddling the border between San Bernardino County and Riverside County, the park includes parts of two deserts, each an ecosystem whose characteristics are determined primarily by elevation: the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. The Little San Bernardino Mountains traverse the southwest edge of the park.
As with all other national parks here in the US, worth a stop and exploration.
We entered the park via the Twenty one Palms entrance and drove the 26 miles through the park to the Joshua Tree entrance.
The views change constantly and the park has various places to pull off the road and explore. The rock formations are breathtaking set against the thousands of Joshua Trees that fill the park.
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California east of Los Angeles and San Bernardino near Palm Springs. The park is named for the Joshua trees, a variety of Yucca native to the Mojave Desert. Originally declared a national monument in 1936, Joshua Tree was redesignated as a national park in 1994. Encompassing a total of 790,636 acres. an area slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. Straddling the border between San Bernardino County and Riverside County, the park includes parts of two deserts, each an ecosystem whose characteristics are determined primarily by elevation: the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. The Little San Bernardino Mountains traverse the southwest edge of the park.
As with all other national parks here in the US, worth a stop and exploration.
Written July 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason C
Littleton, New Hampshire175 contributions
Jan 2020
An easy loop where you see Indian petroglyphs and a man-made lake (dammed by the early cattle herders) in a "valley" that was blasted open specifically for cattle and then used by rustlers and others trying to "hideaway". Lots of opportunities to boulder and I think would keep the kids interested. Very little incline and the valley has information signs about plants and observations throughout the loop that increase interesting information along the way.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica Bensberg
Huntington Beach, CA2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
We did this trail on our last visit 2 years ago, and the kids, now age 10 and 6, requested it again. It’s a pretty easy one mile loop, lots of places to stop and explore a little while staying close to the trail. It’s very popular and the lot can fill up, a few basic bathrooms available, no running water. Great picnic area as well
Written February 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoldenBernese
Japan156 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A 1-mile (=1.6km) hiking trail that you can easily walk in sneakers. The trail is almost circular, with a valley floor-like structure surrounded by strange rock formations. Unlike trails that are the same on the way there and back, the scenery changes each time. The scenery is truly one of a kind. You can learn that not only Joshua trees and yucca trees, but also many other plants and creatures live here.
Even if you only have a short time in the park, it's worth making this a top priority.
Even if you only have a short time in the park, it's worth making this a top priority.

Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
black325
Prescott Valley, AZ369 contributions
Jan 2022
I'm not much of a hiker but I thoroughly enjoyed the Hidden Valley Trail. Because it is listed in TA as the #1 spot in Joshua Tree NP it does have quite a bit of traffic and we were lucky to get a parking spot. It is a bit over 1 mile loop trail and has lots of interesting rock formations.
Written February 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisaMNUSA
Saint Paul, MN1,125 contributions
Mar 2022
Based on the reviews, this is a busy trail, so we got there around 8:30am in a Saturday in early march, maybe because it was windy and cold, there were plenty of parking.
The trail was easy, mostly flat. There were boulders, Joshua trees with flowers, it was a beautiful trail. We also saw rock climbers.
The trail was easy, mostly flat. There were boulders, Joshua trees with flowers, it was a beautiful trail. We also saw rock climbers.
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johanekenstierna
Lund, Sweden3,892 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
magic trail
most awesome place on earth🌞
Beyond beautiful
Hiking Trails and routes are so interesting and beautiful.
We did many trails in one day from morning to evening.
The Joshua Trees and other wildlife is so special here.
Sun rise and sun set is a must see
desert 🌵 beyond good
most awesome place on earth🌞
Beyond beautiful
Hiking Trails and routes are so interesting and beautiful.
We did many trails in one day from morning to evening.
The Joshua Trees and other wildlife is so special here.
Sun rise and sun set is a must see
desert 🌵 beyond good
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey I am looking for the dead tree that you took a photo of and was curious if it was an easy access to get to? Would i be able to drive up to it or do I have to hike to it?
Thanks and hope to hear from you
Written November 27, 2019
Yes, very easy to get to. Drive right up!
Written March 6, 2020
Are dogs allowed to hike with us there?
Written May 23, 2019
Hi. They are not. No dogs are allowed more than 100 feet from roads, and are not allowed on hiking trails. They cannot be left unattended for any reason, including in vehicles. They are allowed on designated campgrounds, vistas such as Keys View, and can be walked on unpaved backcountry roads on a lead, just not on hiking trails.
Written June 4, 2019
Ich habe erfahren, dass dort ein Einsedler lebt ?
Written December 27, 2017
Recommendations for places to stay near here with a 3 year old. Would love to have a swimming pool that is heated and suitable for February weather. Thanks!
Written January 15, 2016
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