Panorama Loop, Joshua Tree CA


• 5-star hikes
• 7 to 8 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 1,200 to 1,700 feet
• Yucca Valley, CA | Joshua Tree
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A lone hiker in a red shirt, dark pants, and black backpack walks away from the camera along a dusty desert trail lined with Joshua trees and sparse scrub vegetation. The hiker wears a cap and strides toward distant rocky mountains under a vivid blue sky.
Varied hking through deserts and up mountains on Panorama Loop.

The path climbs from desert campground to mountain ridge, threading through narrow canyons and vegetation zones that shift with elevation. This loop, just within the northwestern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, combines flat Joshua tree woodland, canyon narrows, ridgeline traverses, and mountainous peaks rising beyond the arid landscape.

The hike begins at the entrance to Black Rock Canyon Campground. The initial section follows an almost unnoticeable uphill grade along a desert path heading southwest. Occasional shallow sandy patches on the trail pose no real obstacle.

The trail passes through dense Joshua tree groves while low mountains frame the surrounding landscape before reaching the Panorama Loop junction after 1.9 miles. Taking the loop clockwise leads through Black Rock Canyon, where rock formations line the narrow canyon walls.
⬤ 5★ Panorama Loop   6.6 mi part-loop, moderate, gain 1,200 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
⬤ 5★ Panorama Loop & Warren Point   8.0 mi part-loop, moderate, gain 1,700 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
 $  NPS entrance fee

The Panorama Loop trail gradually climbs through transitional vegetation zones where Joshua trees give way to pinyon pines and junipers. A set of switchbacks along a narrow, rocky ridge marks the most significant climb of the route, though it remains manageable for hikers of almost any fitness level.

The trail reaches its highest point at Panorama Peak (5,195 ft) and continues along the ridgeline. The massive San Bernardino Mountains reveal themselves to the west, sometimes snow-capped, while views stretch across the broad valley to the northeast. This exposed ridge section contrasts the arid desert terrain with distant mountain ranges, particularly San Gorgonio Mountain and Mount San Jacinto.

The descent from the ridge features rocky switchbacks into another valley where pine trees and oaks provide intermittent shade. Joshua trees become more prevalent again as the trail drops back toward Black Rock Canyon, closing the loop before retracing the initial stretch to the trailhead. A side trip to Warren Peak provides an additional opportunity for peakbaggers, offering even more expansive panoramic views.

Two hikers wearing wide-brimmed sun hats and backpacks walk side by side along a sandy desert trail bordered by Joshua trees and low shrubs. The trail winds gently through a sunlit landscape of dry vegetation and scattered boulders, with rocky hills rising in the distance. Puffy white clouds drift across a blue sky, casting soft shadows on the terrain.
A mile along the flat Black Rock Canyon Trail.

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.

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.
A mature Joshua tree stands prominently in the foreground of a sunlit desert landscape, its thick, weathered trunk branching into multiple arms tipped with clusters of spiky green leaves. The surrounding terrain is dry and sandy, dotted with grasses, shrubs, and scattered Joshua trees. In the distance, low rocky hills rise beneath a partly cloudy sky streaked with wispy cirrus clouds.
One of many of the route's signature Joshua Trees.

Split image showing two desert scenes. On the left, a close-up of a Joshua tree in bloom reveals a dense cluster of creamy white flowers nestled among sharp green leaves. The tree stands against a backdrop of arid terrain dotted with more Joshua trees and distant hills beneath a partly cloudy sky. On the right, a hiker in a red shirt and backpack walks along a dirt trail through rocky desert terrain, approaching a large tree with sparse foliage. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting warm light across the path and surrounding vegetation. Together, the images highlight the Mojave Desert’s seasonal beauty and the human experience of exploring its rugged landscape.
Shallow canyon heading clockwise on Panorama Loop.

Two hikers in winter clothing walk along a dirt trail winding through a mountainous desert landscape. One wears a blue beanie and carries a silver backpack; the other has an orange backpack with a white item attached. The terrain is sparsely vegetated with shrubs and scattered Joshua trees, and the trail leads toward rolling hills and distant mountain ranges. The sky is partly cloudy, casting soft light across the rugged scenery.
Views as the loop gently climbs into the mountains.

Panoramic view from a desert mountain summit featuring jagged foreground rocks and a black plastic container nestled among them, likely a summit register or geocache. A round metal survey marker is embedded in one of the rocks, marking the official high point. The landscape stretches into a series of rugged ridges and deep valleys, with snow-capped peaks visible in the distance beneath a partly cloudy sky.
A summit register on top of Panorama Peak.

Wide landscape view of a desert valley framed by tall, rugged mountains with snow-dusted peaks partially obscured by low-hanging clouds. In the foreground, gently rolling hills are sparsely covered with shrubs and small trees. At the base of the mountains, a large wind farm stretches across the valley floor, with dozens of white wind turbines evenly spaced across the terrain.
San Jacinto Mt and the wind turbines on the playa below.

Two hikers ascend a dry, rocky trail that winds uphill through a rugged desert or semi-desert landscape. The path is uneven and flanked by sparse vegetation, including low shrubs and small trees adapted to arid conditions. Both hikers wear casual outdoor clothing and appear mid-stride as they climb. Above them, the sky is mostly clear with streaks of wispy clouds, suggesting fair weather.
Add 1.4 miles and 500 feet to bag Warren Point.

Tangents:
• Official: National Park Service
• AllTrails Public: Panorama Loop
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Trailspotting


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