Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A variety of plants and animals and surreal geologic features add the wonder of this park that’s been sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain.

While the Joshua Tree area has been inhabited by humans for at least 5,000 years, by the late 1920s the development of new roads into the desert had brought an influx of land developers and cactus poachers. As concern grew for the removal of cacti and other plants, 825,000 acres became protected as Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936

The monument was elevated to park status in 1994 as a part of the Desert Protection Bill. The bill also added 234,000 acres after previously being downsized. The new park boundary follows natural features and includes complete ecological units such as entire mountain ranges spanning 500,000 acres.

Before we get into what you can and cannot do with your dog in Joshua Tree National Park, let’s talk about when to visit and planning for your trip.

When to visit Joshua Tree National Park and planning for your trip

Temperatures are most comfortable in the fall and spring months, with highs typically in the range of 70-85°F (21-29°C) and lows around 50 (10°C). In the winter, highs are usually around 60°F (15°C) and near or below freezing at night. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot and would recommend avoiding them. The highs are typically around 100°F (38°C), and lows are usually near 75°F (24°C) at night. Springtime and holidays are the busiest times of the year and the park can be very crowded. Try to avoid or plan for large crowds on weekends from Oct–May, and during the spring break season (March–mid April). Be prepared for long lines, limited parking, busy trails, and full campgrounds.

I love visiting in the winter months for the mild temps and less crowds. Even spring months can get too hot for your dog’s paws on the pavement inside the park.

Whether you’re just visiting for the day or plan to camp inside the park, you’ll need to plan for a few things ahead of time.

There are no gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, or hotels inside the park. Plan to bring all your food and supplies.
There is also no water available in the interior of the park so pack plenty for you and your dog based on your duration in the park.
Cell phone reception is very limited inside the park. It’s best to stop by the visitor center or entrance gate when it’s open to get a park map for navigating around Joshua Tree.
And, don’t forget to stop and fill up your car on gas before entering too.

If you’re planning to visit during the busy season, here are some ways to plan ahead.

Purchase your pass ahead of time at recreation.gov. This will help expedite the wait times at the entrance. Passes can also be purchased at any visitor center or entrance station.

If camping, reserve your campsite in advance. Nearly 85% of the 500+ campsites in the park are by reservation only. They can be booked on recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance. First-come, first-serve campsites fill up very quickly on holidays, most weekends, and the springtime.
Check out the current conditions webpage. This has up-to-date information on closures, restrictions, and advisories.
Check the weather forecast. It can range from blistering hot to freezing cold and can include gale-force winds, heavy rain, and snow.

We also visit Joshua Tree National Park when we’re visiting Palm Springs, so we’ve only done day trips vs. camping. I don’t think there’s enough to do with your dog to extend your day beyond one full-day or one half-day visit.

HOW TO GET TO Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park lies within a few hours' drive of several major metropolitan areas. The park is located about

140 miles east of Los Angeles,
175 miles northeast of San Diego,
215 miles southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, and
222 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona.

Do not rely on GPS directions to navigate to or within Joshua Tree National Park. Vehicle navigation systems sometimes try to route you onto backcountry roads with ruts or soft sand that may be impassable to your vehicle.

You can approach Joshua Tree from Interstate 10 or California Highway 62 (the Twentynine Palms Highway). The closest airport is in Palm Springs.

There are three park entrance stations:

The West Entrance is located five miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village.
The North Entrance is in Twentynine Palms, three miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail.
The South Entrance near Cottonwood Spring is an access point along Interstate 10, 25 miles east of Indio.

The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You are welcome to drive in and out at any time. There is an entrance fee, but sometimes the fee booth is closed. You may be asked to show your pass or pay the entrance fee on your way out. Reservations are not required for entrance.

WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING Joshua Tree National Park

One of the coolest things about the Joshua Tree area is all of the unique lodging options you have to choose from for your stay. The vibes are always elevated desert oasis, super luxe, or out-of-this-world unique.

For our weekend getaway, we wanted an elevated experience that wouldn’t break the bank and had enough space for a small group traveling with a dog. Mesa Tavira was the perfect fit for our stay and is just minutes away from the Joshua Tree National Park entrance. The home featured three bedrooms and one bathroom with laundry facilities. A fully stocked kitchen with two seating areas and our favorite feature was the container pool with a hot tub just steps from the patio. Enjoying the cotton candy sunsets by the firepit was also pretty up there for us. You can see a full tour of the property on our Instagram.

Here’s a great list of some unique options in Joshua Tree, or check out AirBnB or VRBO to explore your options with the pet-friendly filter.

where to eat when visiting Joshua Tree National Park

Inside Joshua Tree National Park there are no restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, or gas stations. If you plan to eat inside the park you’ll need to pack your food with you.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes surrounding the entrances to the park that make for good options when entering and exiting. We stopped and grabbed lunch in Twentynine Palms at GRD SQRL before entering the park for the afternoon. They serve American fare and had some good beer on tap. We both enjoyed our burger and the pretzel with beer cheese was a delicious starter. There are also several options in Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Pioneertown. If you’re staying in the area, don’t miss the best BBQ at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown. Their patio is dog-friendly and they usually have live music on the weekends.

RULES WHEN TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG TO Joshua Tree National Park

Now for the boring but important part…all the rules. It’s no secret that national parks are not very dog-friendly, so here’s what you need to know when visiting one with your dog.

Because the park needs to protect ecosystems and wildlife, as well as manage a lot of visitation, there are places where your dog will not be allowed. However, as long as you follow some simple rules, you and your dog can still see the varying landscapes of Joshua Tree and what makes it so unique.

Where your dog is not allowed:

Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in park buildings. Even if they are in a backpack or carried, they are still now allowed in these areas.

Pets must remain within 100 feet (30.5 m) of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds.
Pets must remain on a leash at all times.
Leashes must be 6 feet (1.8 m) long or less.
Owners must pick up any droppings and put them in the trash.
Regulation violators are subject to fine.
Bring plenty of water for your pet.

Leaving pets unattended or tied to an object is prohibited under 2.15 of 36 CFR. It can be lethal to leave your pet in your vehicle.

General dog rules:

Dogs need to be on a short leash – not more than 6 feet (2 m) long.
Don’t leave your dog unattended.
Clean up after them. Carry poop bags and throw your pet’s bagged waste into the trash.
Be alert for wildlife.

Now that we’ve got all the rules out of the way, let’s dive into all the dog-friendly things there are to do in Joshua Tree National Park.

DOG-FRIENDLY HIKES AND SCENIC VIEWPOINTS IN Joshua Tree National Park

While there are limitations when it comes to visiting Joshua Tree National Park with your furry bestie, these dog-friendly activities still allow you to experience the various landscapes of the park and really take in the essence of Joshua Tree.

These activities can easily be enjoyed during a half-day visit, but if you plan to explore more road hikes or are not staying in the area, then I’d plan for an entire day in the park. To get started, enter through the Twentynine Palms park entrance to streamline your route to these activities with little to no backtracking and end your day at Keys View for sunset.

Oasis of Mara

Oasis of Mara is a short 0.5-mile loop trail is located in Twentynine Palms at the Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters. This oasis is unique within the Park due to the more alkaline conditions, the large stand of honey mesquite, and the surrounding playas and fans dominated by desert saltbush and burrobush, which prefer heavier soils. This flat paved loop is the most accessible place to view the California fan palm, as well as a number of plant species found in very few places in the park, such as arrow-weed and Mojave seablite. Along the way, interpretive signs introduce visitors to the historical significance and local ecology of this site, and there are several places to sit down and enjoy the view.

This trail is open year-round and is the most underwhelming dog-friendly activity in this guide as the most scenic part of the walk is within the first 2 minutes, and you will not see Joshua Trees here. But, since this is the only officially designated dog-friendly trail in Joshua Tree we made the stop.

This is a great place to stop for water and bathrooms on the way in or out of the park.

Jumbo Rocks Campground Loop

This 1.6-mile walk takes you on a loop through the 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, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Since this is a paved park road, you can take your dog with you as long as they are on a leash. Dogs are not allowed off of the developed road into the boulders, however. Be cautious of vehicles since this walk is entirely on the campground road. There are a few parking spots at the entrance for non-campers, otherwise, you’ll need to park on the shoulder of the park’s main road.

The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Big Horn Pass Rd.

Big Horn Pass Rd. trail is a 4.6-mile out-and-back trail that is generally considered a moderately challenging route. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road driving, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are October through May.

Backcountry roads are designated by the park for mountain biking and are some of the only places you can bring your dog on a hike in the park. This route can also be done as a scenic drive. 4WD is not required for this road, but your vehicle must be street legal as OHV are not allowed in the park.

This trail has limited shade and unreliable cell service. I wasn’t a huge fan of hiking a road where there was traffic, so we drove part of the road and walked offshoots from the main road and enjoyed the concentration of Joshua Trees in the area.

If you’re making a fuller day out of your visit, here’s a list of additional roads you can hike with your dog.

Queen Valley Road—one-way traffic
2.9 miles (4.7 km)

Stirrup Tank Road
1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Odell Road
1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Geology Tour Road to mile 5.4 (km 8.7)
5.4 miles (8.7 km)
Desert Queen Mine Road
1.2 miles (1.9 km)

Hidden Valley Picnic Area

Hidden Valley Picnic Area is a large spread-out picnic area along Park Boulevard in the middle of the park. Located in an area of large rock formations with many Joshua trees, there are many picnic tables and grills available. The parking area and sidewalks with access to the pit toilets are paved while the areas around the picnic tables are flat dirt areas.

This was one of my favorite places to take photos during our trip because you can really capture the diverse landscape of the national park within areas your dog is allowed to go.

This is also a popular spot for sunset, stargazing, and astrophotography.

Keys View

Keys View (previously known as Salton View) is one of the "must see" places in Joshua Tree National Park for breathtaking views and sunsets. This is a well-know spot for sunset so you’ll want to arrive early to find a parking spot. The lot is small and you’ll probably have to circle a few times.

Once you secure a spot, you’ll walk up the short path to perch on the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains to get panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. The views reach as far south as Salton Sea and on some clear days you can see Mexico's Signal Mountain. At the top of Key Views, you'll also see Mt San Jacinto and Mt San Gorgonio, two of the highest in Southern California, and down in the valley the San Andreas Fault.

It does get windy up there so dress warmly and enjoy the views.

Enjoy your visit to Joshua Tree National Park and leave us a comment if you did one of these activities and loved it or if there’s a dog-friendly activity we missed that our readers should know about!