Trail Description

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The Boy Scout Trail spans an 8 mile transition zone between the high Mojave and low Mojave Desert, showcasing an extraordinary range of plants, cacti, trees and terrain along its path. The southern portion travels through an archetypal Joshua Tree forest, then edges higher into the lower reaches of a pinyon-juniper ecosystem. Moving north, the trail drops sharply into a rugged canyon, emerging in a broad plateau that hosts a variety of plants and succulents from the low Mojave and Colorado deserts. Observant hikers will note how even subtle elevation changes bring forth varying ecological compositions along each mile of this beautiful trail.

Heading north, the trail rises gently through a Joshua Tree forest with terrific westerly views of distant peaks in the San Bernadino Wilderness. The mild grade continues for a short time beyond the Willow Hole Trail junction (1.25 miles : 4,130'), edging closer to the Wonderland of Rocks and an intensifying landscape.

The terrain changes noticeably beyond 2.8 miles, undulating with regularity along an occasionally faint path amid increasingly diverse vegetation. Note the emergence of juniper, pinyon, oak, mojave yucca, nolina and a variety of cacti and cholla species as the trail passes through 3 miles and its highest point (4,185’) - arguably the most scenic section of the Boy Scout Trail.

The trail levels on a high plateau and spills into an open wash (3.75 miles : 4,060’); take note of the signpost at this point, a useful navigation mark on the return. Here the trail is intermittently rugged, cluttered and ill-defined as it nears and passes the Big Pine Trail junction (3.95 miles : 4,025'), quickly alternating through narrow washes and tangles of mesquite, cats claw and oak. Though fairly intuitive, exercise navigational vigilance. You’ll eschew a dry fall at 4.15 miles (3,981’), at the base of which lies an old cattle tank (another good landmark when backtracking).

The trail exits a wash on the high plateau (4.35 miles) and follows a twisting course to the top of a rugged canyon with sweeping northerly views of a decidedly more desolate landscape. At 4.65 miles (3,958’) the trail crests momentarily before dropping 400’ in just .4 miles along faint, tightly wound switchbacks into the deep canyon below (see GPS points).

The trail reaches the canyon floor (5.2 miles : 3,550’) and bears right down the wash. The next sparingly-marked mile drops gradually down the narrow, sandy canyon. Its well-drained rock pile walls are the preferred habitat of mojave yucca, mistletoe, barrel cacti and mound cacti, and you’ll see many along the way.

A signpost and string of rocks marks the wash exit (6.2 miles : 3,275’); bear right to exit the canyon over a small knoll. The trail drops into the canyon’s wide, brush-filled spillway (6.4 miles : 3,184’) and keeps right. Desert willow, Mormon Tea, creosote, mistletoe and jojoba are particularly abundant.

The trail veers out of the spillway over another small knoll and pours into a broad desert expanse (6.65 miles : 3,165’). Joshua Trees are nowhere to be found in the lower Mojave, a markedly different ecological environment from which you started. Here creosote thrives, while cheesebush, paperbag bush and a variety desert scrub and cholla species fill out the landscape.

The sandy trail glides for 1.6 miles through open desert to its northern terminus at Indian Cove (8.2 miles : 2,920’).

GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

• N34 02.469 W116 11.149 - Boy Scout Trailhead South

• N34 03.427 W116 10.773 - Willow Hole Trail junction

• N34 05.163 W116 11.528 - Signpost in faint section of trail

• N34 05.372 W116 11.663 - Big Pine Trail junction

• N34 05.496 W116 11.712 - Old cattle water tank

• N34 05.798 W116 11.863 - Begin descent into canyon

• N34 06.069 W116 11.957 - Reach canyon floor - turn right down wash

• N34 06.241 W116 11.201 - Exit canyon wash to right

• N34 06.251 W116 11.048 - Enter canyon spillway

• N34 06.370 W116 10.848 - Exit canyon spillway - begin descent to north trailhead

• N34 06.789 W116 09.336 - Boy Scout Trailhead North (Indian Cove)

Worth Noting

• The trail's ecological and topographic diversity appeal to many of the Park's mammals and reptiles. Bighorn Sheep are known to inhabit the Wonderland of Rocks area.



• While only a moderate roundtrip elevation gain, the trail's varied terrain and length make it a moderately challenging day hike. Anticipate longer travel time on the return from Indian Cove



• Some segments of the trail are faint, indistinguishable or run through unmarked wash sections. Patience, vigilance, ample preparations and a good topo map are essential for travel in such terrain.



• Overnight campers must observe Day Use Only restrictions, which limit camping to the west side of the Boy Scout Trail.

Camping and Backpacking Information

• Overnight campers must observe Day Use Area restrictions, which limit camping to the west side of the Boy Scout Trail. There are no maintained backcountry campsites along this trail. Speak with a Ranger for detailed information on backcountry camping zones, permits and regulations.

Directions to Trailhead

The Boyscout Trailhead (south) is located approximately 6.5 miles south of the West Entrance Station on Park Boulevard.

Contact Information

Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3597

Visitor Information
760-367-5500