Boy Scout Trail, Mojave Desert Travel Guide

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Hike through Joshua Tree's Wonderland of Rocks on this iconic trail, offering stunning desert scenery and a memorable backcountry adventure.

The Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a popular 8-mile (one-way) hiking trail that winds through the stunning Wonderland of Rocks, offering a diverse Mojave Desert landscape and a memorable backcountry experience.

A brief summary to Boy Scout Trail

64568 Park Blvd, Twentynine Palms, California, 92277, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Boy Scout Trail.

Bring plenty of water, especially during summer, as the trail offers little shade.
Start early to avoid the heat and crowds, especially during peak season.
Wear sturdy hiking boots and consider using trekking poles for the descent.
Pay attention to trail markers in the Wonderland of Rocks to avoid getting lost.
Consider arranging a car shuttle to avoid a strenuous 16-mile roundtrip hike.

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Explore Boy Scout Trail on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Boy Scout Trail, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

To reach the Boy Scout Trailhead from Twentynine Palms, drive south on Utah Trail, which becomes Park Boulevard inside the park. Continue past the West Entrance. The trailhead and parking area are located at the Keys West Backcountry Camping Registration area on the right. There are no entrance fees to access the park before entering the West Entrance. Entrance fees to Joshua Tree National Park are $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days.
Walking

If you are already near the West Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, follow Park Boulevard south. The trailhead will be on your right-hand side, a short distance from the entrance. Look for the Keys West Backcountry Camping Registration parking area.

Discover more about Boy Scout Trail

The Boy Scout Trail is a captivating 8-mile (one-way) hike through Joshua Tree National Park, renowned for its unique geological formations and diverse desert ecosystem. Beginning near the park's West Entrance at the Keys West Backcountry Camping Registration parking area, the trail initially meanders through a relatively flat Mojave Desert landscape adorned with Joshua trees, yucca, cacti and creosote bushes.As hikers venture further, the landscape dramatically transforms into the Wonderland of Rocks, a mesmerizing area characterized by towering rock piles, granite boulders, cliffs, canyons and domes. This section of the trail offers panoramic viewpoints and a chance to witness the transition from the upper Mojave Desert to the lower Mojave Desert. Keep an eye out for rock climbers, as several trails split off to popular climbing formations.The trail then descends over 1,000 feet in elevation through a rocky canyon, eventually leading to the Indian Cove Campground. The final stretch flattens out, showcasing the Colorado Desert ecosystem with its yucca, creosote, and cholla cactus. Backpacking is popular along the Boy Scout Trail, but camping is only permitted to the west of the trail in designated campsites. Permits are required and can be obtained at the Key West or Indian Cove parking lots.