Joshua Tree National Park - Backcountry Roads

Backcountry Roads for mountain bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles

Mountain bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles are welcome in the Joshua Tree National Park. For your own safety, and for the protection of the natural features of the park, please stay on established roads. Tire tracks on the open desert can last for years and will spoil the wilderness experience of future hikers.

Paved roads in the park are narrow and without paved shoulders. Curves, boulder piles, and Joshua trees restrict the vision of bikers and motorists. The unpaved roads in the park are safer for bikes and offer many opportunities to explore the area.

Here are a few of the dirt roads that are open to bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles:

Pinkham Canyon Road

This challenging 20-mile (32.4-km) road begins at the Cottonwood Visitor Center travels along the Smoke Tree Wash, and then cuts down through Pinkham Canyon. Sections of this road run through soft sand and rocky flood plains. The road connects to a service road next to Interstate 10.

Black Eagle Mine Road

Starting 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north of the Cottonwood Visitor Center, this dead-end dirt road runs along the edge of the Pinto Basin, crosses several dry washes, and then winds up through canyons in the Eagle Mountains. The first 9 miles (14.5 km) of the road are within the park boundary. Beyond that point is Bureau of Land Management land and a number of side roads. Several old mines are located near these roads, and are dangerous to approach.

WARNING! Do NOT enter ANY mine shaft for ANY reason

Old Dale Road

This 23 mile (37.3 km) road starts at the same point as the Black Eagle Road, above. For the first 11 miles (17.8 km), the road runs across the Pinto Basin, a flat and sandy, dry lake bed. Shortly after leaving the basin, the road climbs up a steep hill, then crosses the park boundary. Near this point, a number of side roads veer off toward old mines and private residences. If you stay on the main road, you will come out on highway 62, 15 miles (24.3 km) east of Twentynine Palms.

Queen Valley Roads

A network of roads, totaling 13.4 miles (21.7 km), cross this valley of boulder piles and Joshua Trees. A bike trip can begin at Hidden Valley Campground or at the dirt road opposite the Geology Tour Road. A bike rack is located at the Barker Dam Nature Trail so visitors can lock their bikes and go hiking.

Geology Tour Road

The road turns south from the paved road 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Jumbo Rocks. The distance from the junction to Squaw Tank is 5.4 miles (8.8 km). This section is mostly downhill, but bumpy and sandy. Starting at Squaw Tank, a 6 mile (9.7 km) circular route can be taken that explores Pleasant Valley. A guide is available at the beginning of the road.

Covington Flats

The dirt roads in Covington Flats offer access to some of the park's largest Joshua Trees, as well as junipers, pinion pines, and some of the lushest vegetation in the high desert. A nice trip is from the Covington Flats picnic area to Eureka Peak, 3.8 miles (6.2 km) one way. The dirt road is steep near the end, but the top offers views of Palm Springs, the surrounding mountains, and the Morongo Basin. Your trip will be 6.5 miles (10.5 km) or longer if you ride or drive to the backcountry board , a starting point for excellent hiking.

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