Skull Rock Nature Trail is a 1.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Twentynine Palms, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from October until April.
kid friendly
camping
hiking
nature trips
walking
views
wild flowers
wildlife
rocky
scramble
no shade
no dogs
This loop contains .5 miles of walking along the paved campground road. Alternatively, visitors could just hike from Skull Rock, through the Jumbo Rocks area, and then turn around upon reaching the campground. This out-and-back route would be a mile roundtrip.
Rock only vaguely resembles a skull. Really I would call this an easy walk unless you are going to climb up to or on Skull Rock. Lots of tourists all trying to get a photo with the rock. It was not really worth the trouble considering all the other excellent hiking and climbing at Joshua Tree.
a lot of people the skull does not look like a skull with much imagination and it's not worth the effort to see it from the road
This easy hike weaves around Skull Rock and takes you through many mesmerizing rock formations. And for an added treat, follow the short Face Rock option...
Alex Z.
September 2019: Hot, Hot & Hot!! Otherwise the trail was easy and fun.
walk up
Really nice quick jaunt though JoTr if you’re short on time but want a great experience. Lots of cool boulders and Skull Rock is a neat spot!
The second half of the trail is pretty empty. Easy loop walk with really interesting boulders. I thought the trail was well marked with arrows. the only part that wasn't great was the part where you walk on the road, but plenty of bathroom opportunities there.
Tricia W.
Easy.
Skull Rock is right off of the main road when going through Joshua Tree which makes it a very popular spot for pictures. There is a lot of opportunity for climbing through the rock formations in this area if you are looking to go off the trail.
Teresa Zhu recorded 5/26/19 Skull Rock
easy loop great for family. scenic view along the way. we stopped every 2minutes to take pics. the park was super windy and sunny on memorial weekend. bring jacket, hat and sunglasses.
Cool Instagram spot on the roadside
Jack Massee recorded Skull Rock Nature Trail
Easy. Pretty with all the rock formations. Well maintained and well marked.
Natalie Black recorded Skull Rock Nature Trail
Would’ve been good except not clearly marked
yes, the skull is around 20 feet from the main road. there will likely be a lot of people scrambling for pictures, but go another 20 feet in from the road and you will find yourself in a 3D labyrinth of boulders. the walk is generally pretty easy, but with a lot of options for climbing on stuff. there is a bit of a rest as you walk through the beautiful Jumbo Rocks campsite. in our experience, the second half of the loop was nearly empty.
Ed Stuerle recorded Skull Rock Nature Trail
Trail from Skull Rock to Jumbo Rock campgrounds and back. Cool scenery.
Short hike. Pretty flat with some rock stairs. If you start from the road pull off that signifies skull rock hike make sure you see skull rock off the trail to the left. We started pretty early and completely missed skull rock and found it on our way back around. Also on our day in Joshua Tree it was pretty cold. 63 degrees and windy. I wish I had my coat also besides just a sweatshirt.
Very short but the joy is in walking and scrambling onto the rocks so if you’re looking to be free instead of confined to a trail this is the spot.
While crowds visit Skull Rock, much fewer visitors venture on the Nature Trail. The Trail offers an outstanding route among desert granite monoliths. Iconic Joshua Trees frame vistas of desert mountains. A highlight of hiking in the desert are the technicolor sunsets. Visit SKULL ROCK, SPLIT ROCK HIKE at hikingthegoldenstate.com for additional hike details.
So much fun! Basically a big playground of rocks! Be careful not to get lost!
