Joshua Tree National Park hiking guide
Skull Rock Nature Trail
A 1.8-mile loop with 200 ft of climbing in Hidden Valley, rated easy.
Key facts
- Length
- 1.8 mi (2.8 km)
- Elevation gain
- 200 ft (60 m)
- Route type
- Loop
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Area
- Hidden Valley
- Highest point
- 4,437 ft
- Lowest point
- 4,316 ft
About Skull Rock Nature Trail
Granite boulders fill this loop in the Jumbo Rocks area, with dry washes winding between them. Rainwater eroded hollows into one large boulder near the start, giving it eye and nose sockets like a skull. The route passes through Jumbo Rocks Campground, and the footing shifts between deep sand, hard-packed dirt and rocky steps. Expect uneven ground and narrow stretches, and the trail is not wheelchair accessible.
Route map
This route was checked by Parka editors.
