Joshua Tree National Park

Black Rock Canyon

Tucked into the isolated northwest corner of the park, this area climbs to about 4,000 feet, where the air runs cooler than in the lower desert. The road ends at Black Rock Campground, whose sites sit on a hillside at the canyon mouth among Joshua trees, junipers, and cholla cacti. A network of hiking trails winds through the Joshua tree stands, mountains, and boulders, and the Panorama Loop Trail rewards hikers with views from higher ground. Pinyon pine and juniper also grow in the surrounding Black Rock Zone, where wilderness backpackers can head into the backcountry, though camping is limited to designated areas. Wildlife viewing needs no hike at all: ground squirrels, jackrabbits, and cactus wrens are common around camp, and listeners may hear coyotes after sunset.

Cottonwood Springs

Cottonwood Spring Oasis is a spring-fed pool shaded by cottonwood trees and California fan palms, a two-minute walk from the parking area. Earthquake activity created the spring, and the Cahuilla Indians drew on it for centuries, leaving bedrock mortars and clay pots nearby. Prospectors and miners later used its water for gold processing, and an arrastra, a primitive gold mill, still lies near the spring. Hiking begins here. A three-mile loop climbs to Mastodon Peak, where walkers get 360-degree views, and the Lost Palms Oasis Trail runs eight miles round trip to the park's biggest group of fan palms. Birders come for the variety of species around the water. Cottonwood Campground, with shaded picnic tables, sits nearby, and the Cottonwood Visitor Center offers exhibits and ranger help.

Hidden Valley

Boulders stacked around the rim form a bowl, and the one-mile Hidden Valley Trail loops around the inside of it. Hiking here is easy, and the loop usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, passing rocky walls, desert plants and interpretive signs about the local plants and wildlife. The valley is rumored to have been a hideout for cattle rustlers, which adds a bit of history to the walk. The trail starts near the Hidden Valley Picnic Area, which has barbecue grills and can be hard to park at midday. Climbers are drawn to the many routes here, and the Hidden Valley Campground has 44 sites with picnic tables and fire pits, many with climbing routes right beside them.

Indian Cove

Set apart in the park's northern reaches, this area has its own entrance off Highway 62, and no road links it with the park's other sections. Towering rock piles ring the campground, which has 101 sites, many of them tucked among the boulders for a more natural feel when pitching a tent. Camping here puts you steps from the rock, and climbers come to test routes of varying difficulty on formations such as Billboard Buttress, Pixie Rock and Short Wall. The easy Indian Cove Trail, a 0.6-mile loop, starts at the campground's west end, and interpretive panels along it describe local plants and how Native Americans traditionally used them. A small ranger station sits roughly two miles north of the campground, where visitors can also fill water bottles.

Pinto Basin

A flat, sandy dry lakebed lies at the heart of this low-lying area in the Colorado Desert portion of the park. Pinto Basin Road runs past the Cholla Cactus Garden, which sits on the edge of the basin. The easy quarter-mile walk there wanders among a thick cluster of teddy bear cholla, so closed-toe shoes are strongly advised. Cottonwood Campground and the Cottonwood Visitor Center sit off Pinto Basin Road. Old Dale Road crosses the basin's sand and requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle, while Black Eagle Mine Road follows its edge into the Eagle Mountains. Experienced backpackers can travel off-trail and camp in the backcountry, though they should be well versed in navigation. The park's spring wildflower bloom has drawn increasing numbers of visitors.

Twentynine Palms

This small town north of the park is the gateway to the North Entrance, with lodging and dining. The Visitor Center stands within a block of Highway 62 and offers educational exhibits, a bookstore and visitor information. Behind it, the Oasis of Mara is a small desert oasis circled by a paved loop trail, which makes it simple to explore. For a longer outing, the three-mile out-and-back Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail crosses a rocky ridge before dropping into a canyon, with panoramic views of town along the way. Expect no shade and no cell service, and stay on the trail near the oasis, an essential water source for wildlife. Overnight guests can also choose Indian Cove Campground, which has vault-style toilets, an amphitheater and paths into hiking areas.