Barker Dam Nature Trail, Joshua Tree CA

• 4-star hike
• 1 mile loop
• Easy | Gain 70 feet
• Twentynine Palms, CA | Joshua Tree
.
The image shows a person hiking along a trail in a desert landscape. The scene features large rock formations, sparse vegetation including Joshua trees, and a clear blue sky with a visible contrail from an airplane. The hiker is wearing a backpack and walking towards the rocky terrain.

The image shows a person hiking along a trail in a desert landscape. The scene features large rock formations, sparse vegetation including Joshua trees, and a clear blue sky with a visible contrail from an airplane. The hiker is wearing a backpack and walking towards the rocky terrain.

This is a great easy introductory Joshua Tree trail, best paired with the neighboring Wall Street Mill trail. Most of the trail is on solid sandy ground, though there are some short areas of rock scrambling that are unlikely to be a significant obstacle to most people.

Follow the trail into and winding through the iconic weathered Joshua Tree rocks and vegetation to reach the low-lying ground and historic Barker Dam used to provide water for nearby mining operations.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Barker Dam Nature Trail 1.3 mi loop, easy gain 70 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Though you could return the way you came, we recommend continuing on a short loop, where you’ll find a more varied landscape and the continuation of possibly the best group of interpretive signs in the park. One of our favorite signs points out the diminutive cheesebush - smell it to figure out why it is so named.

Don’t miss the ancient petroglyphs on the South West corner of our loop - you’ll have to proceed a little further than the ‘Y’ junction to find it, but it shouldn’t be too difficult since it is also marked by an interpretive sign.

The image shows a desert landscape with large rock formations and boulders scattered throughout. There is a clear blue sky above, and sparse vegetation, including some bushes and small trees, can be seen among the rocks. In the foreground, there is a man-made structure, possibly a dam or wall, partially visible among the rocks.

The image shows a desert landscape with large rock formations and boulders scattered throughout. There is a clear blue sky above, and sparse vegetation, including some bushes and small trees, can be seen among the rocks. In the foreground, there is a man-made structure, possibly a dam or wall, partially visible among the rocks.

Barker dam, mostly devoid of water.

The image depicts a vast desert landscape with Joshua trees dispersed throughout the area. In the background, there are towering rock formations under a bright, clear blue sky. The ground is covered in sand, with occasional patches of sparse vegetation like bushes and small shrubs.

The image depicts a vast desert landscape with Joshua trees dispersed throughout the area. In the background, there are towering rock formations under a bright, clear blue sky. The ground is covered in sand, with occasional patches of sparse vegetation like bushes and small shrubs.

Be sure to read the great interpretative signs on this nature trail.

Tangents:
• Official: Joshua Tree National Park
• Public Map at AllTrails: Barker Dam Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Joshua Tree's Best Trails
The hikes around Joshua Tree National Park reviewed and categorized.

LA's Best Trails
Explore the natural side of Los Angeles with Trailspotting's Best Trails feature.

Yosemite's Best Trails
Epic scenery and adventures await. Summit hikes, waterfalls and more to choose from.