California – Adventuring into the Wonderland of Rocks, Joshua Tree NP
The Wonderland of Rocks Wash hike in Joshua Tree National Park is a trail that I wouldn’t usually recommend. I don’t recommend it for everyone because the National Park does not maintain it. It is relatively well-traveled but does not always have a clear path to go and is overgrown at times. However, if you decide to embark on the hike, you’ll go on an exploratory wander through the Wonderland of Rocks. Yes, it is as magical as it sounds. Essentially, you follow a dry streambed/wash through the enormous boulder stacks that are iconic to Joshua Tree. You can also reach the Wonderland of Rocks via the Willow Hole or Boy Scout Trail, but I will be covering the route from the Barker Dam Trailhead in this post. Let’s get into it!
Extra warnings: Since it is not a maintained trail, you should over-prepare yourself with water, snacks, sunscreen, and knowledge/map access. There is no cell service in Joshua Tree National Park, so be sure to download a map ahead of time. Do NOT entirely rely on my written instructions as I am not an expert in Joshua Tree National Park’s geographical area. Also, save this hike for cool weather as it can become dangerous if you become dehydrated. Finally, remember to leave no trace as you make your way through the boulder fields.
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Where to Begin this Exploratory Hike
I sound like a broken record, but since this is not a formally maintained trail by the National Park, it will not be on your Park map. There will also not be signs pointing you where to go. Head to the Barker Dam trailhead, then go down the sandy path toward the Wall Street Mill. There is another dirt parking lot down a dirt road that will save you a bit of hiking. Access this parking area from the Barker Dam parking area.
Just past the dirt parking lot and bathroom, there will be an obvious dirt path that leads to the remains of a pink housing structure. You will be able to see this from the Wall Street Mill Trail. These structures are fun to explore before heading toward the wash. After the pink housing remains is where things get tricky. While facing away from the Wall Street Mill trail, make a left (heading west) through the bushes. Sometimes this is overgrown, but there are typically a couple of paths. On the other side of the bushes, there will be a large sandy area. You made it to the super-important wash!
The dry streambed is the primary trail to follow. I also refer to this streambed as a wash. The wash will get you either further into the Wonderland of Rocks by going uphill/upstream or back to the trailhead by going downhill/downstream. However, the further you wander and explore, there is a chance you can find another streambed, which could get confusing. Keep aware of your surroundings and path at all times.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would go again
- Intensity: Hiking Clothes, Hiking Shoes
- Location: Trailhead begins at the Barker Dam Trailhead
- Cost: Free
- Restrooms: At the trailhead
- Timing: 3 – 4 hours
- Distance: As far as you like to go, typically 1 to 3 miles roundtrip
Highlights:
- Be surrounded by boulder stacks of Joshua Tree National Park
- Watch climbers
- Explore at your pace
Lowlights:
- Not a maintained trail, so be careful!
Sights to Look For While Exploring
While on your exploratory hike through the Wonderland of Rocks, here are a few fun things to look for, in no particular order:
- The run-down pink buildings (obviously!)
- Rock climbers on some of the more prominent boulder faces
- Large upright rocks with the centers carved out – I’m not sure if this rock has a particular name, but it looks like a wave from the inside and a fierce cat from the backside. Incredible to explore
- Other unique rock formations
- Cactuses vs. Succulents
- Run-down car (this is best accessed back from the Wall Street Mill trail, past the split toward the run-down buildings)
- A view surrounded by the giant boulder stacks
When to Turn Around
The hardest part of this trail is deciding where to turn around. There is not an end destination. This trail’s beauty is not how far you can go but rather what you see along the way. I typically go maybe a mile or maybe 1.5 miles into up the streambed before turning around with short detours to check something out. There is a point where the wash opens up with large sandy areas with the boulder stacks further apart. I climbed up a gentle slope of a boulder stack for a near-360-degree view of the Wonderland of Rocks. This view felt like the perfect place to grab a snack and turn-around.
GoogleMaps has a location much further into the rocks. It’s my understanding that this entire boulder field is the Wonderland of Rocks and that the sights are going to be roughly the same. The Google Maps location is likely best accessed from the Boy Scout Trail or possibly the Rattlesnake Cayon Trail. I’m mentioning it to reduce confusion.
Wonderland of Rocks Gear Recommendations
Since this is a relatively short yet exploratory hike, here is what I recommend you bring with you on the Wonderland of Rocks Wash hike:
- Sturdy hiking shoes with grip – I wearing Keens in the photos, but think some trail runners with flexibility and grip would have been great!
- Download the Alltrails Map — this one is similar and you can decide how much to do.
- Day Pack – I used a small 16L backpack from Amazon. Consider the Gregory May 16 or small Osprey pack.
- Water bottle – You cannot go wrong with a handy dandy Nalgene
- Layers to add and remove as needed – I wore a tanktop with a lightweight REI long-sleeve.
- Sunscreen – I use this sunscreen for my face, and this one for my body
- Hat for shade
- Small tripod for photos
- Sense of curiosity and adventure
Getting to the Trailhead
You can start at the paved parking area of the Barker Dam Trailhead or dirt parking Wall Street Mill Trailhead. There are bathrooms at both trailheads.
Overall Thoughts: Wonderland of Rocks
Although a unique “trail,” it is worth being surrounded by the individual boulder stacks and prickly pear cactus in the Wonderland of Rocks area. You can also explore the Wonderland of Rocks by taking the Barker Dam loop or hiking in via the Boy Scout Trail. It also looks like there might also be a way to access the Wonderland of Rocks from the Indian Cove Campground. Much to explore in this National Park and even more fun for rock climbers. As always, be alert and be safe!
If you’re looking for more things to do in the area, check out my Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park blog post!
I’m always looking for more hikes to do in Joshua Tree National Park. Do you recommend any other hikes for me to check out? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
I’ve been in the Wonderland Wash a few times. It is totally worth going farther than you describe. Bear to the right as you start dropping into the wash below Astro Dome and follow the route instead towards the main wash farther east. You go through some amazing Joshua Tree patches and towards the outcrop that includes the Gray Giant. One “could” go all the way to Willow Hole, but I’ve hiked to Gray Giant from Willow Hole and the last 1/2 – 3/4 mile is hard, with a lot of bouldering. Better to turn back and hike to Willow Hole the “regular” way unless you are more than moderately adeventurous