Trip Date: 2/22/2015

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit ($15), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass

Trails: NPS

Directions: From Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley follow the signs to JTNP (south on Park Blvd - Quail Springs Rd - National Park Dr) to the kiosk at the Northwest entrance. Drive 17.2 miles on Park Boulevard (be sure to stay left at the junction with Keys View Rd.) from the entrance to the the right turn into the Jumbo Rocks campground. Drive just under a half-mile on the main campground road to the Skull Rock trailhead on your left. Parking is on the right side of the road.

Synopsis: Skull Rock is a popular attraction in the park. It's also right next to the road so many people (and even tour buses) stop for pictures and to climb on the rocks. Don't let that keep you away from a very nice trail, though. The walk from the campground is certainly enjoyable, but the part of the trail on the north side of the park road is quite pretty, and less crowded.

Trail sequence: Skull Rock Nature Trail / campground road

Type: Loop

Distance: 2 miles

Elevation: Min. - 4247’, Max. - 4408'

Profile:

Rating: Easy (factors: heat)

Trail notes: When you cross the Park Boulevard to pick up the trail, look for and follow the painted hash marks on the road.

Track: Skull Rock Nature Trail - Joshua Tree NP 

Turn by turn:

  -- Not much to worry about on this hike. You set out north from the trailhead. Upon nearing the Park Boulevard the path turns to the northeast and parallels the road the half-mile or so to Skull Rock.

  -- Pick up the trail on the other side of the road by following the hash marks on the pavement. From here the path winds its way southwest, again essentially paralleling the road.

  -- After a bit of climbing the trail drops down closer to the road. Here you'll see the campground entrance.

  -- Upon reaching the road, cross to the campground entrance and follow the Jumbo Rocks road back to your car.

Photo gallery: Flickr

Video: Youtube