Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree – Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A variety of flora and fauna and strange geological features add to the wonder of this park, which has been sculpted by strong winds and occasional rains.
While the Joshua Tree area has been inhabited by humans for at least 5,000 years, the development of new roads into the wilderness in the late 1920s led to an influx of cultivators and cactus hunters. As concerns about the removal of cacti and other plants grew, in 1936 825,000 acres were preserved as the Joshua Tree National Monument.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree
The monument was turned into a park in 1994 as part of the Wilderness Protection Act. The bill also added 234,000 acres after earlier cuts. The new park boundary follows nature and includes a complete ecological unit, such as the entire mountain, which extends over 500,000 acres.
Dog-friendly Guide To Joshua Tree National Park — Hellorubydoodle
Before you introduce your dog to Joshua Tree National Park, let’s talk about when to visit and plan your trip.
Temperatures are most pleasant in the spring and fall, with highs typically 70–85°F (21–29°C) and lows around 50 (10°C). In winter, temperatures are usually around 15 °C and at or below freezing at night. Sometimes it will snow in high places. Summers are hot and it is recommended to avoid them. The minimum temperature is 38 degrees, the maximum is 24 degrees at night. Spring and the holidays are the busiest times of the year and the park can get very crowded. Try to avoid or plan for large crowds on weekends from October to May and during spring break (March to mid-April). Be prepared for long lines, limited parking, busy roads and full campsites.
I like to visit in the winter for the milder temperatures and smaller crowds. Even the spring months can be too hot for your dog’s paws on the sidewalk inside the park.
Whether you’re just visiting for the day or planning to camp inside the park, there are a few things you should plan ahead of time.
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We also visited Joshua Tree National Park when we visited Palm Springs, so we only did one day camping. I don’t think there is enough to do with your dog to extend the day beyond a full day or half day visit.
Joshua Tree National Park is within a few hours’ drive of many major metropolitan areas. Near the park
Do not rely on GPS directions to navigate near or within Joshua Tree National Park. Sometimes the car’s navigation system tries to direct you to back roads where there are potholes or soft sand that could make your car impassable.
You can get to Joshua Tree from Interstate 10 or California Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway). The nearest airport is in Palm Springs.
Joshua Tree National Park Boy Scout Trail — Danielle Bedics-arizala Photography
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can drive in and out at any time. There is an entrance fee, but sometimes the tollbooth is closed. You may be asked to show your passport or pay an entry fee upon exit. No reservations are required for entry.
One of the most exciting things about the Joshua Tree area is all the unique lodging options you have to choose from for your vacation. The atmosphere is always high desert oasis, ultra-luxury or completely unique.
For our weekend trip, we wanted an upscale experience that wouldn’t break the bank and had enough room for a small group traveling with a dog. Mesa Tavira was perfect for our stay and just steps away from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The house has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a laundry room. The fully equipped kitchen has seating for two, and our favorite spot is the pool with hot tub just steps away from the patio. It was even nicer for us to enjoy cotton candy by the fire pit at sunset. You can see the full property tour on our Instagram.
Here’s a great list of some unique Joshua Tree options, or check out AirBnB or VRBO to explore your options with pet-friendly filters.
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There are no restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, or gas stations inside Joshua Tree National Park. If you plan to eat inside the park, you should pack your food with you.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafes around the entrance to the park, providing good options when you’re walking in and out. We stopped and had lunch at Twentynine Palms at GRD SQRL before heading into the park in the afternoon. They serve American food and have good beer. We both enjoyed our burgers and beer cheese pretzels as a delicious appetizer. There are also many options in Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Pioneertown. If you live in the area, don’t miss the best barbecue at Pappy + Harriet in Pioneertown. Their patio is dog friendly and they often have live music on weekends.
Now for the boring but important part…all the rules. It’s no secret that national parks aren’t very dog-friendly, so here’s what you need to know when visiting with your dog.
As the park wants to protect the ecosystem and wildlife, as well as cater to the large number of visitors, there are areas where your dog is not allowed. But as long as you follow a few simple rules, you and your dog can still see the different landscapes of Joshua trees and what makes them unique.
Favorite Short & Easy Trails To Hike In Joshua Tree National Park 🤩⤵️…
Leaving animals unattended or tied to property is prohibited in accordance with 36 CFR 2.15. Leaving your pet in a car can be deadly.
Now that we have all the rules, let’s dive into all the things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
While there are restrictions on visiting Joshua Tree National Park with your furry loved one, these dog-friendly activities still allow you to experience the different landscapes of the park and truly experience Joshua Tree.
These activities can easily be enjoyed in a half-day visit, but if you plan to explore a lot on trips or don’t live in the area, I’d plan a full day at the park. To start, check in at the Twentynine Palms park entrance to improve your route to these events with little or no return and end your day at Keys View for sunset.
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Oasis of Mara is 0.5 miles away located at Twentynine Palms, headquarters of Joshua Tree National Park. This oasis is unique in the park because of the very alkaline conditions, the large population of honey bees, and the surrounding playas and fans dominated by desert salt bushes and shrubs that prefer heavier soils. This paved road provides access to California fan palms, as well as several other plants found in the park, such as arrow-weed and Mojave seablite. In addition, interpretive signs guide visitors to the site’s historical and local ecological significance, and there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.
Open year-round, this trail is the least dog-friendly activity on this guide as the most scenic part of the hike is within the first 2 minutes, and you won’t see any Joshua trees here. But since this is the only officially designated dog-friendly trail in Joshua Tree, we stopped.
This is a great place to stop for water and toilets in the park or on the way out.
A 1.6 mile hike will take you to Jumbo Rocks Campground. This is an easy walk that takes an average of 35 minutes to complete. It’s a very popular area for camping, jogging and walking, so you may meet other people as you explore.
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Since this is a paved trail, you can bring your dog with you as long as it is on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed off the cobbled path. Be careful with vehicles as this tour is throughout the camp. There are a few spots near the entrance for non-campers, otherwise you have to park on the shoulder of the park’s main road.
Big Horn Pass Rd. The trail is 4.6 miles, generally considered a moderately difficult trail. This trail is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road riding, and you’re unlikely to meet many other people while exploring. The best time to visit this route is from October to May.
Backcountry trails are designated by the park for mountain biking and are some of the only places you can take your dog in the park. This route can also be done as a scenic route. 4WD is not required for this road, but your vehicle must be street legal as OHVs are prohibited in the park.
This route has limited shade and unreliable cells
