Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree – Traveling to Joshua Tree National Park with your dog? Worried you won’t see much because pets aren’t allowed on the trails? We have good news – there is a lot to do in Joshua Tree!
America has some animal-friendly national parks that go out of their way to welcome your furry companions. But it’s usually rare to find wildlife-friendly tours in a national park. In fact, most national parks strictly limit pets on trails. This makes visiting Joshua Tree with dogs a pleasant surprise!
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree
With a few exceptions, most national parks require pets to be kept 100 meters from paved roads, parking lots, or campsites. Outside of the vehicle, pets must be kept in a cage, carrier or leash no longer than 6 feet.
Joshua Tree National Park
When hiking, pets are prohibited on all trails in many national parks. Experiences in the park are limited to the keys and viewpoints along the way. That doesn’t mean these reviews are bad! There is so much to see if you get off the beaten track.
Before our visit, I checked the park website for pet policies. Like many national parks, Joshua Tree allows dogs in its picnic areas and campsites. These trails include the paved hiking trails at Mara Oasis and Keys View. But as you might have guessed, Joshua Tree does not allow pets on the trails, in the countryside, or in the park buildings.
However, I note that pets are welcome on all dirt roads. This gave me hope because Joshua Tree has several miles of dirt roads that offer access to a wide variety of terrain. There is very little vehicular traffic, so exploring on foot is ideal!
Be aware that Joshua Tree’s trails and sidewalks get so hot that they burn your pet’s paws. Go for walks during the cooler parts of the day and get yourself some dog boots to protect your pup’s paws. MORE INFORMATION ⇒ YOUR DOG CAN BECOME A CUTTER IN THE JOSHUA TREE!
Palm Springs To Joshua Tree Day Trip: What You Need To Know Before You Go
Joshua Tree’s dirt roads offer stunning scenery and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the desert scenery with your pet. According to the parking rules, you can take your dog on a leash anywhere you can drive. So pick up a map from the visitor center and ask the rangers which routes offer the best scenery and which are suitable for your skill level.
Most streets in Joshua Tree have exits or nearby parking lots where you can begin your journey. Of course, the usual etiquette for keeping and picking up dogs always applies. And don’t forget to pack plenty of water for you and your pet. The combination of altitude and desert air can quickly cause dehydration.
Some roads are rougher than others. So choose the path that is right for you. Even if there is not a lot of traffic on the roads listed below, be careful and avoid passing cars.
Joshua Tree is one of our national parks that is fairly easy to explore without hiking miles of backcountry trails. I can drive down the side roads or even turn off the main road and see the rock formations and Joshua trees that make this park so famous.
Black Rock Area Hiking
We started at the south entrance and reached the north end of the park by mid-afternoon. We stopped there for a picnic and to watch a group of climbers enjoying the sun on a beautiful day. It was a fun trip to a place I’ve always wanted to see.
Is climbing your thing? Or maybe you prefer watching climbers master the challenge. Either way, you’ll be pleased to know that four of the climbing sites are within 100 meters of a road, picnic area or campsite, making it pet-friendly!
No matter what you choose, a trip to Joshua Tree with dogs is one you’ll never forget!
Looking for more programs in your area? Check out the 10 best dog-friendly things to do in Palm Springs
Hiking Panorama Loop Trail With Kids In Joshua Tree National Park
Mary Hone is a photographer, artist and author of Stories From The Range, a blog about Mary’s passion for saving wild horses. She and her husband, Al, who is also a talented artist, travel full-time in an RV with their adorable dog, Tori.
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Unfortunately, we cannot find any animal-friendly entries in our database. Please check that you entered the search correctly or try to enter fewer characters. Joshua Tree’s dog-friendly tours are a great option for any adventurous pet owner (or any dog with their own Instagram account).
Hall Of Horrors Slot Canyons (joshua Tree National Park) — Flying Dawn Marie
This is to protect the complex ecosystem. Your dog is allowed on all vehicular trails. This includes paved and unpaved roads.
You will find that getting around is as easy as in any other national park. There are many ways to keep yourself and your dog busy.
Given its location in California’s high desert, it’s best to plan a trip to Joshua Tree during the cooler months.
Traveling between December and March will be more pleasant for your dog. The average daytime temperature is around 60 degrees and the sky is sunny. You can take full advantage of the daylight hours and not be limited to early morning or late afternoon tours. Autumn and spring are also great times to travel.
Boy Scout Trail (joshua Tree) Hike
Since the average temperature in July is 99 degrees, I would avoid summer vacation visits with pets. Although possible, keeping dogs cool in the heat is difficult.
If a summer visit is a must, take precautions. Pack plenty of water and know the signs of heat stroke in dogs.
Tip: One of the perks of visiting in the spring is seeing the wildflowers in bloom. They provide an impressive splash of color in the barren landscape!
Keeping your dog on a leash in the park is also an important safety step. Although the local flora and fauna are beautiful and should be respected, they can pose a risk to your dog.
Joshua Tree National Park Boy Scout Trail — Danielle Bedics Arizala Photography
I strongly recommend that you carry a proper canine first aid kit and leave your dog on the road if possible. Coyotes, rattlesnakes and scorpions call Joshua Tree home.
Although animals are less likely to venture onto busy roads, you are likely to encounter them from time to time, so it is better to be prepared.
Plants can also be a problem. In addition to the sharp spines of native cacti, some plants are poisonous if eaten. Research the local flora and keep a close eye on your pet to make sure they aren’t consuming any bushes for food.
Plan your walk in advance and familiarize yourself with the park area. You can find a great map through the NPS.
Best Hikes With Dogs In Los Angeles
The Mara Oasis Trail is an easy paved loop through a true desert oasis. It is located directly behind the Oasis of Mara Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms.
The trail itself is flat and 0.5 miles long. The entire circuit takes 30-45 minutes for an average hiker and dog.
Information dashboards are a great resource for this walk. Through it you can discover the history of the place and local stories. You can also discover plants such as beaver cactus and desert mistletoe.
The Keys View Trail is a small hike with a big reward. This walk is only 0.25 miles long and takes you to Keys View.
Plan Your Trip To Joshua Tree National Park
From this picturesque viewpoint, you can enjoy an unparalleled view of the surrounding valley. You can see the Salton Sea, the San Andreas Fault, Mount San Jacinto, and Mount San Gorgonio. This is a great place to capture some memories of your trip.
Get off the beaten track and take a walk along the Queen Valley Trail. As it is a relatively quiet street, you will bump into other travelers from time to time, but you will not be overwhelmed by the crowds.
We found that the silence of this road attracted many animals. If you want to see the local wildlife up close, keep your eyes peeled! This is a great opportunity to do so.
There are a few unmarked intersections on this road. If you are not familiar with the park, it is best to stay on the main road. It is also open and very shady, so be sure to pack as much water as you and your dog will need.
Don’t Touch The Trees At Joshua Tree, & Other Don’ts At This National Park
The Geology Tor Trail is one of the easiest 4×4 trails in Joshua Tree. You can also explore on foot! It is 11.7 miles long, giving a great impression of the desert
