Trail Guide To Hiking Skull Rock At Joshua Tree National Park
Overview
Referencing a little bit of Van Gogh’s Screaming Man and Pirates of the Lost Caribbean, Skull Rock is an Instagram-loved site for every first-time visitor to Joshua Tree National Park. This trail is one of the most popular in Joshua Tree National Park and the WKNDR Airbnb at Joshua Tree National Park is the closest to it.
As one of the most instagrammable spots in Joshua Tree National Park, Skull Rock is the perfect place to grab that family, squad or solo photo. To avoid crowds, enter the park through the north entrance and make Skull Rock your first stop in the morning. If you’re looking for a less crowded trail, get your Skull Rock photo in the morning and head over to a less trafficked trail of similar difficulty like Pine City.
Trail Stats
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: High
Distance: 1.8 miles
Elevation: 120 feet
How Much Time To Plan: 30 min - 1 hr
Best Photo Spots
Directly in front of Skull Rock
At night, as a dramatic subject for star photography
From the car on busy days
Plan Your Visit
Trailhead: Jumbo Rocks Campground
Where to Park: The best way to access this loop is in Jumbo Rocks Campground at the trailhead just across from site 93. This will eliminate the traffic issues that are associated with parking off of Park Boulevard.
When to Go: All year round, but strongly advise early morning to beat the crowds.
What to pack: For this trail, use our Desert Hiking Essentials list.
Footwear: Hiking sandals or trail runners.
Other Helpful Hints:
Furry friends (dogs, cats, and other pets) are not permitted on any trails in Joshua Tree National Park.
Check the weather. Summer can be brutal and there is no escaping the heat on this trail.
Please leave with what you came with and follow the Leave No Trace principles so everyone now and into the future can enjoy this amazing location.