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Arch Rock Nature Trail - 1 member in 7 triplogs has rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
7 triplogs
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Nov 09 2025
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 Guides 2
 Routes 278
 Photos 10,206
 Triplogs 418

62 male
 Joined Dec 02 2014
 Mesa, AZ
Arch Rock Nature TrailInland, CA
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Nov 09 2025
adilling • Triplogs 418
Hiking
Hiking
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After spending the weekend at the crazy Filipino Family Festival (FFF) in Redlands, CA, we did a "drive-by" to Joshua Tree NP on the way back to AZ. The goodbye's took way too long in Redlands, and we ended up arriving at the park just before sunset. We made our way to the Arch Rock Trail, and I headed out to see the arch.

I really love this park. No giant flashy views or signature destination spots, but this park is loaded with small little treasures. I really need to get back here and give it a proper visit again. It's been too long.

The Arch Rock trail starts along Pinto Valley Rd and heads over towards the rocks. The parking lot wasn't very full when I took off. When I got close to the arch, I could see the throngs of humanity moving to and from the arch. I made my way over there and it was crawling with 20-30 people. Complete "infestation". Looks like everyone still parks at the "verboten" campground parking area. I opted to head out to see the Heart Rock instead. There was a "line" for that as well. I got my pictures and started my off-trail journey back to the arch, in hopes the impending darkness would thin out the hoard.

I arrived back and there was still either a Russian (or Ukrainian family) taking pictures. Finally, I had the place with a clear view. A couple of other photographer types were relieved as well. I got my pictures in the golden hour and then the blue hour and made my way back to the parking area.

Just like every other cool outdoor spot, this place was packed. Traffic jams, no parking and overrun sites. I need to come back here during the week when the weather is either too cold or too hot for "normal" people.
_____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling
 
Oct 30 2025
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 Routes 281
 Photos 8
 Triplogs 287

54 male
 Joined Feb 19 2015
 Phoenix
Arch Rock Nature TrailInland, CA
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Oct 30 2025
bjonson • Triplogs 287
Hiking2.50 Miles 252 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles      57 Mns   2.63 mph
252 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
presumably took memories and left without a trace...
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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Mar 01 2025
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 Guides 3
 Routes 656
 Photos 8,821
 Triplogs 630

55 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Arch Rock Nature TrailInland, CA
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Mar 01 2025
ddgrunning • Triplogs 630
Hiking1.59 Miles 112 AEG
Hiking1.59 Miles      50 Mns   2.03 mph
112 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Last hike on the tour of Joshua Tree NP.

This was a quick, sunset jaunt out to Arch Rock and Heart Rock. Both a popular tourist traps, and given the ease of accessibility, there were lots of folks in the area.

The arch is worth a look (and involved some, wait your turn for Insta-photo crowds), but I found the surrounding rock formations more fascinating.

Heart rock is just what it says. We watched the sun go down from here and then headed back to our RV.

On the drive out, we took a pitstop in the dark to stop at Cottonwood Spring and wander down to see the stand of palms and cottonwoods with our headlamps. Pretty cool.

All in all, we packed in quite a lot for a two day visit:
Hidden Valley + Chasm of Doom
Barker Dam
Wall Street Mill
Hall of Horrors
Ryan Mountain
Skull Rock
Split Rock Loop
Keys View
Desert Queen Mine + Eagle Cliff Boulder House
Arch and Heart Rocks
Cottonwood Spring

If I go back, a couple of the rangers suggested the trail out to Willow Hole. Next Time!
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Nov 09 2021
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 Guides 10
 Routes 692
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,785

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Joshua Tree National Park TrailsInland, CA
Joshua Tree National Park Trails
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Nov 09 2021
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,785
Hiking8.40 Miles 1,565 AEG
Hiking8.40 Miles
1,565 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Ryan Mountain
Keys View / Inspiration Peak
Lost Horse Mine
Cap Rock Nature Trail
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Partners none no partners
enjoyed a nice sunrise and leisurely breakfast at cottonwood campground before driving further into the park

ryan mountain:
got going mid morning in cool temps
steady ascent among boulders on good trail, winding around the mountain
easier grade toward the top
big summit area with great views of san jacinto and san gorgonio, along with much of the park
really nice hike, wished it was longer
maybe my favorite of the trip

keys view:
short walk to an overlook with good views, including the salton sea

lost horse mine:
better than anticipated, followed an old road to a historic gold mine
interesting destination and a nice hike

cap rock:
easy short loop featuring lots of larger joshua trees and cool boulders

arch rock:
easy trail to the boulders near white tank campground
good sized arch and another little arch nearby
some fun scrambling and exploring around the rocks

got back to camp a little earlier this time
it was windy, so we read in the car for awhile after making dinner
wasn't that cold, which was nice
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Arch Rock
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sunrise
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hazhole
 
Dec 15 2017
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 194
 Photos 6,012
 Triplogs 1,659

male
 Joined Mar 12 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Joshua Tree National Park TrailsInland, CA
Joshua Tree National Park Trails
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Dec 15 2017
John9L • Triplogs 1,659
Hiking18.50 Miles 3,500 AEG
Hiking18.50 Miles
3,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   11 linked trail guides
Mastodon Peak Loop Trail
Mastadon Peak
Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail
Ryan Mountain
Barker Dam Trail
Barker Dam Nature Trail Loop
Keys View / Inspiration Peak
Hidden Valley - Joshua Tree NP
Skull Rock Nature Trail
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail
Partners none no partners
Headed up to Joshua Tree with a friend for a fun weekend exploring. We car camped two nights in the Cottonwood Campground and did a variety of hikes over the weekend and then I headed back to Phoenix Sunday afternoon.


Mastodon Peak Loop – Made a quick loop on Friday afternoon during sunset. There are remains of an old mine and a use trail that wraps around to the top of Mastodon Peak. Nice views up there!

Ryan Mountain – Started off with Ryan on Saturday morning. The trail is in great condition and makes a healthy climb over the course of 1.5 miles. The summit is marked by a massive rock cairn. The views would have been nice if not for the extremely poor air quality.

Barker Dam Loop – After Ryan, we headed over to the Barker Dam area and spent some time exploring the area and searching for glyphs. We had mixed results by finding some and not others. There is one set of glyphs, marked on the topo map, that have been touched up with paint. There was a light rain for about an hour.

Hidden Valley – Made the quick Hidden Valley loop in the afternoon. This is a really nice area that is very popular with rock climbers and day hikers. Very scenic and nice hiking.

Key Views – We ended our Saturday at Key Views where we hiked a short way up a use trail to the west and enjoyed the sunset. It’s a wonderful view of Palm Springs and San Jacinto but the air quality is disgusting! From there we returned to Cottonwood and settled in for the evening.

Split Rock Loop / Skull Rock – On Sunday morning we drove back into the heart of the park and did a short loop hike by Split Rock / Skull Rock. Fairly nice area.

Arch Rock – Short hike and exploration by Arch Rock

Cholla Garden – We ended on the Cholla Garden Nature Walk.
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  1 archive
Mar 19 2016
avatar

 Guides 11
 Routes 2
 Photos 3,776
 Triplogs 334

49 male
 Joined Jun 09 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Arch Rock Nature TrailInland, CA
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Mar 19 2016
cw50must • Triplogs 334
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles      30 Mns   2.00 mph
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Our first day in the park included are $wd venture out on Pinkham Canyon road and then a quick stop at Arch Rock Nature trail before heading to 29 palms where we would stay for the night. Arch rock is pretty cool to check out, the whole area fight there offers a lot with all the bolder formations to play around on. Since its also pretty much in a campgrounds there will always be people around. This was a good little intro to the park since we would be doing the majority of our exploring the following day. we also found a nice looking chuckwalla climbing around the rocks too. :)

https://youtube.com ... b-Z4
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Chuckwalla
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Feb 03 2013
avatar

 Triplogs 348

32 male
 Joined Oct 13 2012
 Tucson, AZ
Arch Rock Nature TrailInland, CA
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Feb 03 2013
iborrego • Triplogs 348
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.22 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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