South Park Peak and High View Nature Trails in Joshua Tree National Park ⋆ A Rambling Unicorn

Escape the crowds in busy Joshua Tree National Park with these two easy yet rewarding trails. Tucked away in the park’s remote northwest corner, the South Park Peak and High View Nature Trails are great family-friendly hikes offering inspiring views. Located near the Black Rock Canyon Campground and Nature Center, these short trails tend to experience less traffic than other routes in the main part of the park.

During my visit to Joshua Tree, I combined both trails into a single loop at dusk and was rewarded with a fabulous sunset from the top of High View Point.

Pro tip: before starting out on this or any desert hike, be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection, wear sturdy footwear, pack the 10 essentials, and leave no trace of your visit behind.

Sunset from High View Point on High View Nature Trail

Table of Contents

South Park Peak Trail

Distance – .6 miles
Elevation gain – 216 feet

At .6 miles roundtrip, the South Park Peak Trail is a short but mighty hike with amazing views of Yucca Valley and beyond. The trail starts in a sandy wash and quickly climbs the 216 feet of elevation to the summit. A park bench perched on top of the hill provides a great place to relax and take in the valley below. The loop trail continues east past the summit and circles around the southern portion of the hill before returning to the parking area.

Although technically situated just outside of Joshua Tree’s boundary, the South Park Peak Trail shares the same trailhead as the High View Nature Trail (which is located inside of the park).

The South Park Peak Trail begins by following this sandy wash

The trail climbs uphill towards South Park Peak

High View Nature Trail

Distance – 1.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation – 321 feet elevation gain

High View Nature Trail is a 1.3-mile loop that wanders through pinyon-juniper and Joshua Tree woodlands as it ascends up a short ridge. The highest point provides great views both towards Yucca Valley and San Gorgonio Mountain.

This trail begins to the left of the dirt parking area through a wooden fence. I chose to hike this trail counter-clockwise, so I stayed to the right at the junction. After passing an intersection for the West Side Loop Trail, I continued south until the trail circled back around heading north again. Here the trail climbs up a saddle and a short spur leads to High View Point. I happened to be here just at sunset and the views were incredible.

From here, the trail continues north towards the parking area. Several benches are positioned along the way to take advantage of the great views along the ridge.

A lovely vista as seen from High View Point

Some steps along the High View Nature Trail

South Park Peak-High View Nature Trail Loop

Distance – 3 miles
Elevation – 596 feet

During my visit to Joshua Tree, I decided to combine both the South Park Peak and High View Nature Trails into one loop starting at the Black Rock Canyon Nature Center. There are many trails to choose from in the Black Rock Canyon area and it’s easy to design your own route – just grab a trail map from the Nature Center and you’re good to go.

I started my 3-mile hike at the West Side Loop Trailhead near the Black Rock Nature Center. After hiking west for about half a mile, I reached the trailhead for South Park Peak and High View Nature Trails. I hadn’t initially planned to summit South Park Peak, but it’s such a cute little hill that I couldn’t help myself. I was glad I did.

After returning to the parking area, I headed south along High View Nature Trail and made it to High View Point just in time for sunset. From there, I retraced my steps back down to the saddle below. According to the map, there was a trail here that headed east towards the Black Rock Canyon Nature Center. After a little sleuthing, I found a faint trail that obviously hadn’t seen much use. The trail was steep and not in the best condition, but it did eventually lead back to the West Side Loop and the parking area.

If I had it to do over again, I would have completed the High View Nature Loop and then retraced my steps along the West Side Loop Trail back to the Black Rock Nature Center.

I began my hike at the West Side Loop Trailhead west of the Black Rock Canyon Nature Center

West Side Loop Trail. South Park Peak is the middle hill in the distance.

South Park Peak-High View Nature Trail Loop Map

Park and Parking Information

The fee to enter Joshua Tree National Park is $30 per vehicle which is good for seven days. I recommend buying the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, however, which costs $80. This allows entry to all National Parks for an entire year, as well as most federal lands (including National Forests, Bureau of Land Management and more).

Both of these hikes are located at the same trailhead which is located just outside of Joshua Tree National Park’s northern boundary.

Driving directions from Highway 62: turn south onto Joshua Lane in the town of Yucca Valley (this is about 5 miles west of the park’s west entrance). Drive about 5 miles and take a right onto San Marino Drive which turns into Black Rock Road. Just before the entrance to Back Rock Canyon Campground, take a right onto a dirt road. The parking area is another .7 miles along the dirt road past a horse camp parking area and an interagency fire station.

To access the Black Rock Nature Center and grab a trail map, continue into the campground rather than taking a right at the dirt road as described above.