Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is an easy 0.7-mile loop walk with a lot of Joshua Trees and beautiful stacked boulder formations of all shapes and sizes.
Tip: There is a great Self-Driving Audio Tour on Get Your Guide for the National Park if you enjoy having a historical background on the gold prospecting and cattle rustling of Joshua Tree’s past.
Hiking Info
- Trailhead location: Cap Rock Parking Lot
- Nature Trail: 0.7 Mile Loop Trail
- Rated: Easy
- Elevation change: 39 feet
- Bathrooms at trailhead
When To Go
- The best time of year to visit Joshua Tree National Park is March-May and October-November.
- Avoid July & August, too hot to do anything.
- The winter months of December – February are cold but still doable if you prefer off season travel.
- June and September are on the hotter side, but if you avoid midday hiking you would be okay
Just For Fun Park Tees
It’s always fun to get a tank or tee with the National Park name on it for photos. If you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no added cost to you. Thank you for supporting this travel blog with your purchase!
The Walk: Cap Rock Nature Trail
Start the trail from the parking lot looking up at the Cap Rock you see in the image below.
As you continue down the clearly marked trail you’ll see all kinds of shapes and sizes of the rock formations Joshua Tree is known for. For those who are old enough to know the reference this reminds me of the Flintstones home of Bedrock. Yabba-dabba-do!
The boulders can be fun to climb because the traction is good. If you decide to climb, wear shoes with good tread and be safe. I’d had a few friends scrape themselves up a bit because the rocks are course like sandpaper.
This a great short trail for families, or something you can do if the day is too hot for a longer hike. Even though it’s short, remember to bring plenty of water.
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