Trailspotting Hiking California, New Hampshire and More

Barker Dam Nature Trail, Joshua Tree CA

• 3-hike
• 1 mile loop
• Easy | Gain 70 feet
• Twentynine Palms, CA | Joshua Tree
.
The image shows a person hiking along a trail in a desert landscape. The scene features large rock formations, sparse vegetation including Joshua trees, and a clear blue sky with a visible contrail from an airplane. The hiker is wearing a backpack and walking towards the rocky terrain.

The image shows a person hiking along a trail in a desert landscape. The scene features large rock formations, sparse vegetation including Joshua trees, and a clear blue sky with a visible contrail from an airplane. The hiker is wearing a backpack and walking towards the rocky terrain.

The Barker Dam Nature Trail offers an excellent introduction to Joshua Tree National Park, covering 1.3 miles in an easy loop that takes most visitors 30-45 minutes. The trail pairs well with the neighboring Wall Street Mill Trail for a half-day exploration of the area's natural and historical features. Most of the path follows solid sandy ground with a few short rock scrambling sections that present minimal challenge for most people.

The trail winds through classic Joshua Tree landscape, passing between massive weathered granite boulders and diverse desert vegetation. Joshua trees, junipers, and various cacti line the route as it leads toward lower-lying ground where Barker Dam sits. Built in the early 1900s by cattlemen including C.O. Barker, the dam created a small reservoir that supplied water for cattle operations and nearby mining activities. Today when water levels are adequate, typically after winter rains, the reservoir attracts wildlife and creates a rare desert oasis.

Trail Options Expand KMZ · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Barker Dam Nature Trail 1.3 mi loop, easy gain 70 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

$ NPS entrance fee

Rather than backtracking, continue on the loop for more varied terrain and excellent interpretive signage. The nature trail features some of the park's best educational signs, covering topics from geology to plant adaptations. One sign highlights the cheesebush, a small shrub whose leaves emit a distinctive cheese-like odor when crushed—worth stopping to experience this unusual desert plant firsthand.

On the southwestern section of the loop, past the main junction, you'll find ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock face. An interpretive sign marks the location, making it easy to spot. These Native American rock art images date back hundreds of years and were created by the Serrano and Cahuilla peoples who inhabited the area.

The trailhead is located off Park Boulevard in the Hidden Valley area, accessible via a short spur road. The parking lot accommodates roughly 30 vehicles but fills quickly during peak visitation periods from October through April. Arriving early morning provides the best chance for parking and opportunities to spot wildlife near the dam.

The image shows a desert landscape with large rock formations and boulders scattered throughout. There is a clear blue sky above, and sparse vegetation, including some bushes and small trees, can be seen among the rocks. In the foreground, there is a man-made structure, possibly a dam or wall, partially visible among the rocks.

The image shows a desert landscape with large rock formations and boulders scattered throughout. There is a clear blue sky above, and sparse vegetation, including some bushes and small trees, can be seen among the rocks. In the foreground, there is a man-made structure, possibly a dam or wall, partially visible among the rocks.

Barker dam, mostly devoid of water.

The image depicts a vast desert landscape with Joshua trees dispersed throughout the area. In the background, there are towering rock formations under a bright, clear blue sky. The ground is covered in sand, with occasional patches of sparse vegetation like bushes and small shrubs.

The image depicts a vast desert landscape with Joshua trees dispersed throughout the area. In the background, there are towering rock formations under a bright, clear blue sky. The ground is covered in sand, with occasional patches of sparse vegetation like bushes and small shrubs.

Be sure to read the great interpretative signs on this nature trail.

Tangents:
• Official: Joshua Tree National Park
• AllTrails Public: Barker Dam Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Joshua Tree's Best Trails
The hikes around Joshua Tree National Park reviewed and categorized.

LA's Best Trails
Explore the natural side of Los Angeles with Trailspotting's Best Trails feature.

Yosemite's Best Trails
Epic scenery and adventures await. Summit hikes, waterfalls and more to choose from.

Trailspotting | Hiking California, New Hampshire, New England and More

Search this site

Barker Dam Nature Trail, Joshua Tree CA