The Best Sunrise Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
Chantelle KincyJoshua Tree National Park is a stunning desert landscape, filled with towering boulders and spiky Joshua Trees.
It’s an amazing place to explore during the day, but it’s also one of the best places in the world to watch a sunrise.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning traveler, there are plenty of spectacular spots where you can enjoy the beauty of nature at its most dramatic moment.
In this post, I’ll tell you the Best Sunrise Hike in Joshua Tree, as well as a few other places you should catch the sunrise while visiting the park.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is one of 63 National Parks in the US. It is located in Southern California near Twentynine Palms.
Joshua Tree is unique as it is the site where 2 deserts meet. The Colorado desert and the Mojave desert collide here, creating a remarkable landscape of unusual plants and animals. The park is also known for its impressive geologic features such as massive boulder piles and tall monzogranite formations.
The closest airport to Joshua Tree National Park is located in Palm Springs.
You will need a car to explore the park, as there are no shuttles available. You can get your rental car right from the airport, and then drive to Joshua Tree.
There are plenty of unique places to stay near Joshua Tree. Look for campsites, glamping, vacation rentals, and hotels in the towns of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and nearby Pioneertown.
🚗 Reserve a Car for Joshua Tree by Clicking here
The Best Sunrise Hike in Joshua Tree: Ryan Mountain Trail
- Distance: 2.9 miles
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
- Type of hike: Out and back
- Time Needed: 2 hours
The Ryan Mountain Hike in Joshua Tree is one of the best sunrise hikes in the desert – and for good reason. This nearly three-mile round trip trail has an elevation gain of 1,050 feet, and it takes you up to the summit of 5,457-foot Ryan Mountain.
From the top, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the jumbled rock formations and Joshua tree forests that make up this unique park. As the sun rises, you’ll be able to take in a breathtaking view of the entire park from above.
What makes this a great sunrise hike is not only one of the best views of the park but since there is no shade on the trail, it’s great to get up and down the mountain, before it gets too hot.
Ryan Mountain is a popular and busy trail, by leaving before the sun rises, you can beat some of the crowds that flock to this trail.
Plan on leaving about an hour before sunrise so you can reach the top before the sun rises, giving you plenty of time to watch it come up over the surrounding mountains.
You’ll want to bring a headlamp, or flashlight to help you navigate the uneven terrain on the hike up. Be sure and wear good hiking shoes to help protect your ankles while walking over the rocks and steps in the dark.
There isn’t a lot of parking at the trailhead, so if the lot is full you’ll need to park nearby. Moderate hike, not a ton of parking at the trailhead. Hall of Horrors parking lot is .75 miles down and there is another lot another .5 miles away.
Other Places to watch the sunrise in Joshua Tree
There are plenty of other spectacular places inside Joshua Tree to watch the sunrise. If you have 2 days in the park, I would suggest one sunrise hike and one sunrise “view” that doesn’t require hiking.
Barker Dam Trail
- Distance: 1.1 mile
- Difficulty: easy
- Type of hike: Loop
- Time Needed: under an hour
Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree is a great spot to watch the sunrise and an easy loop trail for any level of hiker. The 1.1-mile loop takes you through a scenic path surrounded by rock formations, tall shrubs, and the famous Joshua Trees.
The views at the dam are stunning, and you get a great view of the sunrise lighting up the surrounding landscape. It’s also an easy trail that most visitors should be able to complete in under an hour – making it a great spot for those short on time.
Keep an eye on the rocks above the dam area for bighorn Sheep, in the mornings and evenings, you can sometimes spot them up there.
Towards the end of the trail, be on the lookout for the petroglyphs. You’ll see where a few of them have been destroyed by a Disney film crew in the 60s when they painted over the petroglyphs to make them stand out more in a movie.
This serves as a great reminder about why we need to preserve these historical artifacts and not deface them.
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
This is my personal choice for the best place to watch the sunrise in Joshua Tree. I wouldn’t consider it a hike though, which is why it is lower on the list in this post.
Cholla Cactus are cacti that are often referred to as “Teddy Bear cactus”. They got this nickname because they look fuzzy rather than sharp or pointy like the Saguaro Cactus.
Trust me when I tell you, they are not at all soft, or cuddly! In fact, the needles get into your clothes if you walk too close, and are a pain (literally) to get out.
There is a medical kit with tweezers at the beginning of the garden in case you need to remove a needle or two from your skin or clothes.
This garden is filled with hundreds of these cacti, so it’s an absolutely stunning sight to watch the sun rise over them. The light hits the numerous needles and creates a beautiful glow.
The walk here circles the garden and is on mostly flat ground with a couple of wooden bridges. It’s only about .25 of a mile around and is easy to navigate. You won’t need any special gear to enjoy the sunrise here.
While the cholla garden is great any time of day, sunrise is definitely the best time to visit.
You’ll find the Cholla Cactus Garden on Pinto Basin Road.
Keys View
Keys View is an amazing spot to watch the sunrise over Joshua Tree National Park.
This viewpoint is located at the highest point in the park, and it is just a short 3-minute drive down the main road (Park Boulevard) once you get through the entrance.
It provides unobstructed views of Mt San Jacinto, Mt San Gorgonio, and the Coachella Valley.
On a clear day you can see the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and all the way to Mexico!
There is a viewing platform, but you can also walk around the area and take in the views from different angles. It is disabled accessible and it doesn’t require any special gear or hiking skills.
The key to getting good sunrise photos here is getting to the viewpoint early. It is popular and can get busy, so you’ll want to arrive early if you want a spot with no other people in your picture.
Tips for Hiking in Joshua Tree
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as well as sun protection like hats, long sleeves, and sunscreen.
- Always turn around on your hike, when you have used half your water.
- Wear sturdy shoes or boots with good traction to avoid slips or falls.
- Stay on marked trails and beware of uneven terrain or obstacles that may cause injury.
- Avoid hiking in extreme heat and be aware of changing weather conditions, such as sudden storms or high winds. Joshua Tree can be very hot during the day, and very cold at night and early morning.
- Carry a map of the park, especially if you plan on doing any off-trail explorations. You can also download the free NPS app to have a map available.
- Watch for Rattlesnakes. They like to sleep under rocks and in crevices. Don’t reach under rocks and stay alert.
- Resist touching plants, animals, rocks, or artifacts as these could be protected species or historic artifacts that should not be disturbed or removed from the park for any reason.
- Pack a flashlight for early morning hikes so you can watch your step when it’s still dark outside!
- Respect other hikers on the trail by staying on designated paths.
- Let someone else know your destination and expected return time — it’s always a good idea to have a plan in case something unexpected happens while out on the trail!
- As always, practice leave no trace principles, and always carry the 10 essentials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best sunrise hikes in Joshua Tree National Park offer breathtaking views of stunning desert landscapes and vast open spaces.
From Keys View to Cholla Cactus Garden, these hikes can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities with no special gear required.
With a little bit of research, planning ahead, and knowledge about safety tips and park rules, you can make the most of your sunrise hike in Joshua Tree National Park and create beautiful memories to last a lifetime.
Happy hiking!
