An easy hike to Arch Rock at Joshua Tree NP

When you think of national parks and natural arches, Joshua Tree National Park probably doesn’t come to mind.

But there actually is an “Arch Rock” at the Southern California park, with a fun little hike leading to it. 

It’s a good choice for people who have Parkinson’s disease and are looking for an outdoor adventure: The trail is mostly flat with some low steps at the end, and it takes less than an hour round trip.

And, while this Arch Rock may not be as — shall we say — impressive as the formations at Arches NP in Utah, the Joshua Tree hike offers a bonus rock that’s guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat.

Joshua Tree is the closest national park to Los Angeles. To get to the trail, Mr. Unshakable and I drove into the park through the North Entrance from Twentynine Palms. (High marks to whoever named that town.) 

The trailhead is at the south end of the lot. 

The trail was a smooth, crushed-rock path that went along with the road at first. 

Pretty desert flora were everywhere. Definitely a different landscape from where I come from, but nature does pretty well with surviving on little water here.

We walked eastward on a well-groomed and well-marked path amid a chilly February wind. 

Parkinson’s hiking tip

Even when it’s cold out, the importance of staying hydrated can’t be overstated. This is especially true in summer heat for long or short jaunts in desert heat. Parkinson’s symptoms like low blood pressure, tremor, and poor balance worsen when you ignore your thirst.

Parkinson’s hiking tip

Such a smooth path beckons bicyclists but, alas, bikes are not allowed. However, certain types of wheelchairs or wheeled walkers could do well for much of the trail.

And here’s the serendipitous bonus: Heart Rock, which was aptly named and provided a great photo op.

Getting there was about a four-minute diversion from the loop trail.

Here’s a closeup shot.

The lookout is about 20 yards from the arch, but people who like scrambling over rocks can go right under it.

The mister climbed up for a photo. He admits he was a little disappointed in the arch’s size, having grown up near Utah’s national parks for comparison.

But for a desert landscape, Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park was an interesting look at what the forces of nature can create over time.

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Catch my video of our hike here.

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Hike info

PD difficulty level (see chart): easy
Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Trailhead location: just south of Twin Tanks parking lot, which is off Pinto Basin Road
Bathrooms: none
Emergency medical support: 30-minute drive to Bush Naval Hospital
Cost: $30 per vehicle to enter park. Annual national park pass costs $80.

Insider tip: This was a great winter hike, but even in Southern California the weather can be dicey. Joshua Tree has a split personality; while it’s raining like crazy in the far western portion, often the rest of the park is dry.

That’s because western mountains act as a barrier to coastal rains. Arch Rock and other great hikes are in the drier part.

Think this one should be called Egg Rock? It’d be worth its weight in gold if were a real egg!