High View Loop, Joshua Tree CA


• 4-star hike
• 1.4 mile loop
• Easy | Gain 340 feet
• Yucca Valley, CA | Joshua Tree
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A wide desert mountain landscape under a mostly clear sky, featuring rugged terrain and sparse vegetation. In the foreground, large sunlit boulders are surrounded by desert flora including spiky yucca plants and low shrubs. The midground reveals rolling hills dotted with scattered bushes and small trees, transitioning into distant mountain ranges. The background showcases taller peaks, some capped with snow, rising beneath a few wispy clouds.
Varied terrain and vegetation in Joshua Tree's NW corner.

Located next to the Black Rock Campground within the northwestern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, this picturesque loop combines the High View Nature Trail with a section of the West Side Loop Trail to showcase a variety of desert scenery and leads to some spectacular views.

Expect a mostly easy hike on this dusty desert trail route. Even the climb up to the High View Point is relatively easy, thanks to the trail builders' evenly spaced steps carved into the hillside. You could also reach this view on an out-and-back route, but our preferred looping route is roughly equal in terms of mileage and elevation gain and provides more variety.

This northwest corner of Joshua Tree National Park sits at a higher elevation than the main visitor areas along Park Boulevard, resulting in cooler temperatures, a wider variety of flora and less populated trails.
⬤ 4★ High View Loop   1.4 mi loop, easy, gain 340 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 $  NPS entrance fee

As this trail is located within Joshua Tree National Park, a valid entrance pass is required to visit. The nearest place to purchase a park pass is the Black Rock Nature Center located within the campground. Other sources may claim that a park pass is not required at this location, but that's a technicality based on observations that the pass apparently doesn't need to be displayed in vehicles at this trailhead, and rangers do not request to see your pass on the trail.

⚠ Heat Safety Tips: Expect full sun exposure with minimal shade in this terrain. Stay safe by checking the forecast and planning to avoid peak heat. Recognize danger signs and turn back when necessary. Wear lightweight, non-cotton clothing and head coverings. Use sunblock and UV lip balm. Bring more water than you think you need, along with salt and electrolyte tablets.

The image shows a desert landscape with a prominent Joshua tree in the foreground. The Joshua tree has a thick trunk with multiple branches, each adorned with spiky green leaves. The background features a vast expanse of similar Joshua trees scattered across the desert terrain, with rocky hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.
 MAP PACK  Joshua Tree
Navigate the park with our free offline map.
Two hikers walk along a dusty trail winding through a sunlit desert landscape dominated by Joshua trees. The terrain is dry and sandy, dotted with low shrubs and tufts of grass. Both individuals wear wide-brimmed hats and casual hiking clothes; one carries a backpack. The trail gently curves toward rugged hills in the distance, which rise under a clear blue sky.
Hikers on the mostly easy loop trail.

A dirt hiking trail climbs a dry desert hillside via a series of evenly spaced wooden steps embedded into the rocky terrain. The path is flanked by sparse vegetation including low shrubs, small trees, and spiky desert plants such as yucca. Sunlight casts sharp shadows across the arid ground, emphasizing the rugged texture of the landscape. The trail leads upward toward the crest of the hill, framed by a clear blue sky with a single small cloud.
Stairs built into the hillside make the climb a breeze to handle.

A twisted, leafless tree stands prominently in the foreground of a desert landscape, its gnarled branches reaching skyward against a backdrop of dry hills and distant snow-capped mountains. The terrain is arid, covered with sparse vegetation and muted earth tones. Behind the tree, rolling hills transition into a towering mountain range, partially veiled by a layer of fluffy white clouds. The peaks glisten with snow under a clear blue sky, creating a striking contrast between the parched foreground and alpine heights.
Parched desert and snowy mountains seen on the High View Loop.

A side-by-side desert flora composition. On the left, a tall Joshua tree stands in the foreground, its spiky branches silhouetted against a deep blue sky and a single large, fluffy white cloud. The dry terrain below is covered with yellowish grass and scattered shrubs, with low hills and more vegetation in the distance. On the right, a close-up view of barrel cacti reveals their dense, rounded forms with sharp spines and reddish tips. The background is softly blurred, showing sandy ground and sparse desert plants beneath a clear sky.
Plenty of fauna to identify along the trail.

A desert landscape featuring a mix of vegetation including clusters of barrel cacti, spiky Joshua trees, and dry shrubs scattered across sandy, uneven terrain. The midground rises into low hills, leading toward a distant mountain range with snow-capped peaks. The sky above is mostly clear with a few scattered clouds, casting soft light across the scene.
More spacious Joshua Tree park views.

Tangents:
• Official: National Park Service
• AllTrails Public: High View Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Trailspotting


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