If you’re eager to explore the stunning desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park, the Split Rock Trail is the perfect hike for you! 😍
This 2.5-mile loop immerses you in the park’s vibrant plant life, towering boulders, and rich cultural history.
Native American groups like the Cahuilla and Serrano once used these rock formations for shelter, tools, and spiritual practices.
The trail’s namesake, Split Rock, is a massive boulder cracked by natural forces, showcasing the park’s fascinating geology shaped by volcanic activity and erosion.
Easy to follow and great for all skill levels, the trail also offers optional rock scrambling for those feeling a little adventurous.
If you’re up for more, a connecting trail leads to incredible spots like Face Rock and Skull Rock – totally worth the extra miles! 🙌
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Split Rock Loop Trail Stats and Map
Split Rock Loop Trail Stats
Starting Point: Split Rock Trailhead
Length: 2 miles roundtrip (3 miles if adding Face Rock and Skull Rock to this hike)
Elevation Gain: 270 feet
Hiking Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty Rating: Easy (moderate if adding Face and Skull Rock)
Pet-friendly? No, pets are not allowed
Hike Features: Split Rock, Face Rock, Skull Rock, lots of boulders for climbing
Split Rock Loop Trail Map
Joshua Tree Entrance Fee
Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park costs $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. However, if you have the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, your entry is free!
For those who love exploring national parks, investing in the Annual Pass is a smart choice. At just $80, it grants you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country!
Split Rock Trailhead and Parking
Split Rock is located within Joshua Tree National Park about 10 miles from the Oasis Visitor Center and about 27 miles from the Joshua Tree Visitor Center.
The Split Rock Trailhead is located at the end of Split Rock Road. There is a road sign indicating when to turn off from Park Boulevard to reach the trailhead.
The dirt road leading to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles.
The parking lot is fairly big but fills up quickly during the busy season.
🅿️ There are other parking options near the Split Rock Trail:
Best Time to Hike Split Rock Loop
The fall and spring months offer mild temperatures, making these seasons the most comfortable for exploring.
Winter is also a magical time to visit, especially if you get a chance to see the desert covered in a layer of snow!
Summer can be extremely hot, so visit early or later in the day.
⚠️ Summer Safety Tips
- Carry plenty of water and include electrolytes to stay hydrated.
- Hike early or late to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Use sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and lightweight sun-protective clothing.
- Check the weather and avoid hiking in extreme heat.
- Pack snacks, a first-aid kit, and a map or GPS device.
- Wear moisture-wicking clothing and sturdy footwear.
- Watch for signs of heat-related illness, like dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and confusion, and act quickly if symptoms appear.
- Take breaks in the shade and pace yourself to prevent overexertion.
- Follow Leave No Trace principles by carrying out trash and staying on trails. (this rule applies for any day of the year – help keep the outdoors pristine for future visitors!)
Split Rock Loop Trail Directions
Split Rock Loop Trail (+ cave)
It’s recommended to hike this loop counterclockwise. So, start by hiking to the left of Split Rock along the Split Rock Trail.
On the other side of the Split Rock is a neat little cave. I read that native people used this cave thousands of years ago.
Please respect this area (and everywhere else in this national park) and follow Leave No Trace principles.
Follow the trail signs and trail markers the best you can. Some sections can be a bit confusing as you will encounter more false or social trails that can cause you to go off trail.
Make sure to have an offline map to help you stay on the main trail.
Trail Junction
You will eventually reach a junction in the trail.
If you only want to do the Split Rock Trail, then follow the trail sign to remain on that trail.
If you plan to only hike the Split Rock Trail, directions continue below…
Face Rock (optional)
But if you want to see a few more awesome rock formations and you don’t mind adding a few more miles to the hike, then take a right to get onto the Face Rock Trail.
From the side this giant rock really does look like a side profile of a face!
But from the front… not even recognizable.
Skull Rock (optional)
Follow the Face Rock Trail until you merge onto the Discovery Trail. You will soon reach Skull Rock.
This is probably one of my favorite rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park.
Retrace your steps back to the junction in the trail to return to the Split Rock Trail.
Finish Split Rock Loop
Follow the Split Rock Loop Trail until you return to the trailhead parking area.
Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Tips for Hiking Split Rock Loop
1. Start Early: Beat the crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures by starting your hike early in the morning, especially during peak season.
2. Bring Plenty of Water and Snacks: Carry plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially in the summer. Also, bring high-energy snacks to refuel and help maintain your energy during the hike.
3. Sun Protection: Wear lightweight, breathable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
4. False Trails: Hiking trails within Joshua Tree National Park can be confusing due to difficulty following the trail markers (or lack thereof).
I highly recommend downloading offline maps and having a physical map and compass in your backpack just in case you get off trail.
5. Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles – plan ahead, pack out all trash, avoid disturbing wildlife, be considerate of others, and respect the natural beauty of Joshua Tree National Park.
✨ More Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
- Hike the Split Rock Loop Trail and take a side quest to see unique rock formations, including Face Rock and Skull Rock.
- Hike the Wall Street Mill Trail and discover the incredible history of Joshua Tree’s land.
- Hike the Arch Rock Trail and see the iconic Arch Rock as well as Heart Rock.
- Visit Cholla Cactus Garden – watch sunrise and hike a short trail surrounded by teddy bear cholla cacti!
Hiking in Joshua Tree Packing List
👚 Layers of Clothing (top) – Pack a moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece mid-layer, an insulated jacket, and an outer shell to protect you from the elements, such as rain and wind. You may not need all these layers, especially in the summer months, but it’s always best to be over-prepared!
Check out my favorite tops 👇
- Base layer: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie (warm/mild conditions) and REI Co-op Midweight Long-Sleeve Base Layer (cooler conditions)
- Fleece mid layer: Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
- Down mid layer: Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
- Outer shell: In the summer I always pack a light windbreaker, such as the Cotopaxi Teca Crop Windbreaker or the RevolutionRace Unit Light Windbreaker. If cold, windy, and rainy conditions are in the forecast (or there’s a slight possibility), I make sure to pack my Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket.
🩳 Hiking Shorts or Pants – Pack a comfortable, durable, and stretchy pair of hiking shorts or pants. Also think about what conditions you might run into, such as warm or cold temperatures, wind and/or rain, bugs, and overgrown trails.
Check out my favorite hiking bottoms 👇
- Cotopaxi Losdos Zip-Off Pants
- RevolutionRace Breezy Ankle Outdoor Pants
- Baleaf Fleece-Lined Jogger Pants
- RevolutionRace Summit Pocket Tights
- Revolution Race Hike & Dive Shorts
🥾 Hiking Footwear – Bring a good pair of hiking boots or shoes with good traction. If I’m not expecting to hike in too much mud or snow, my go-to hiking shoes are the Altra Lone Peak trail runners. They have a wide-toe box, 0 mm heel-to-toe drop, and MaxTrac rubber outsole. Plus, they’re lightweight and so comfy!
🧦 Socks – Moisture-wicking, quick-drying socks are the way to go. My favorite pair of hiking socks are Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks. Always pack an extra pair!
🎒 Day Pack – What you plan to do (sightseeing, hiking, etc.), determines what size pack you’ll need. Here is what I typically bring based on what I’m doing that day 👇
- Short walks and sightseeing: Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5L Del Dia Hip Pack
- Short, easy to moderate day hikes: REI Co-op Flash 22L Pack
- Long, moderate to challenging day hikes: REI Co-op Trail 25L Pack or Cotopaxi Luzon Del Dia 24L Pack
🥢 Trekking Poles – Essential for stability, balance, and support when hiking trails, especially on tough, rocky, and uneven terrain. I use REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles and love them!
❄️ Microspikes – Bring a pair of microspikes if you’re visiting in the winter and you’re planning to hike along icy trails. They will give you good traction to avoid slipping! I use Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device.
🦟 Mosquito/Bug Repellants – In the warmer months, be prepared for annoying gnats, mosquitoes, and flies. Wear long-sleeve clothing, a head net, and use bug spray.
🧤 Extra Warm Layers – If you expect cooler conditions or hiking to higher elevations, make sure to pack extra layers for added warmth, such as gloves, beanie, neck gaiter, and a light jacket.
🗺️ Navigation – Carry a physical topographic map, compass, a satellite messenger (or personal locator beacon), and download offline maps to help you stay on course, find your way in unfamiliar terrain, and call for help if needed.
🔦 Headlamp/Flashlight – A reliable light source with extra batteries, in case you end up hiking in the dark or need it for emergency situations.
💧 Water – Water bottles to carry sufficient water to stay hydrated, along with a filtration system or purification tablets if you plan to refill from natural sources.
🍕 Food – Energy-rich snacks or meals to keep your energy levels up during the hike.
😎 Sun Protection – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, even when it’s cloudy. Also, polarized sunglasses are important when it’s bright outside and to reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and roads.
🩹 First-Aid Kit – A basic first-aid kit with items like bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may need.
🥶 Emergency Shelter – Pack an emergency bivy sack or space blanket for shelter in case of sudden weather changes.
🔥 Fire – A lighter, matches, or fire starter to help you build a fire for warmth or signaling in case of emergency. Along with matches, I also carry a multi-tool carabiner that has a fire starter, utility blade, screwdriver, and bottle opener.
🗡️ Multi-Tool and Repair Kit – A versatile tool/knife and repair kit to handle any task, from preparing food to making repairs.
💩 Waste Disposal Supplies – WAG bags, trowel, toilet paper, pee cloth, wipes, Ziploc bags – be sure to pack out everything!
Conclusion
The Split Rock Loop Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a captivating journey through the park’s iconic desert landscape.
With its cool rock formations, easy-to-follow path, and peaceful desert vibes, it’s a perfect hike for anyone looking to soak in the scenery without too much effort.
Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for a peaceful nature walk, the Split Rock Loop Trail delivers a memorable adventure that showcases Joshua Tree’s beauty.
If this guide inspires you to hike the Split Rock Loop, I’d love to hear about your adventure. Leave a comment and share your experience!
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