Trail Stats

The Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park offers a serene, otherworldly experience for backpackers, weaving through rugged canyons, Joshua tree forests, and sweeping desert vistas. This 8-mile point-to-point trail is ideal for a one- or two-night backpacking trip, giving adventurers the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the Mojave Desert. This trail is a great introduction to desert backpacking—you can shorten or extend the length of your trip however you like, but still feel like you’re getting off the grid and deep into nature. I embarked on the Boy Scout trail in October of 2023 and spent one magical night under a giant desert moon, and ever since I have been itching to get out there again.

Planning Your Hike

Permits
A permit is required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. A permit costs $6 and allows for a group size of 1 to 12 people to stay up to 14 nights. Permittees are allowed to stay up to three consecutive nights in an individual zone. Permits may be booked up to 6 months in advance. They can be acquired in one of three ways:

1. Visit Recreation.gov and book a permit online.
2. Call 1-877-444-6777 and book a permit through a Recreation.gov agent.
3. Visit the permit office at our headquarters located at 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA. It is located in office building 100 near the flag pole. The permit office is open 8 am–4 pm. In person same day permits will be available up until 4 pm at the permit office. Permit office hours may be subject to change based on demand and staff availability.

Backcountry Camping Zones
When booking a permit, you are required to camp within one of fifteen zones. Most zones offer unlimited permits, allowing for greater flexibility. However, in the high-use Boy Scout zone, backpackers are restricted to camping in one of the 14 designated sites. If you do not possess a permit for a specific zone, you are permitted to backpack through but not camp in that zone.

If you’re hiking the Boy Scout Trail, I recommend taking a look at the NPS Boy Scout Trail page for more detailed information on each specific camp site, plus photos and location markers to help you decide which spot to camp.

For all other zones, certain guidelines must be followed: campsites must be at least 1 mile from any backcountry trailhead, at least ½ mile from any road, and at least 200 feet away from any trail. It is important to note that camping is prohibited in day-use areas. For detailed information on where camping is allowed, be sure to consult the maps provided on the zone webpages.

Shuttle Logistics
Since this is a point-to-point trail, arrange a car shuttle or use a ride share service to transport you between trailheads. Otherwise, you’ll need to double your distance with a RT hike. Starting from the Indian Cove trailhead means a gradual climb, while beginning at Upper Boy Scout Trail off Park Blvd. offers more downhill terrain.

Parking
Overnight backpackers are permitted to park their vehicles only at backcountry trailheads or outside the park boundaries. When completing a permit application, you will select your entry and exit points from a drop-down list containing 13 backcountry trailheads. Vehicles parked in day-use areas or along the roadside may face fines or towing. If choosing to park outside the national park, it is your responsibility to be aware of legal parking regulations. To minimize congestion at trailhead parking, consider carpooling to the park.

Water Availability
There are no reliable water sources along the Boy Scout Trail, and you are not allowed to filter water in Joshua Tree National Park, so bring all of the water you’ll need. Plan for around 1 gallon per person per day, and consider bringing more if temperatures are warm. Because the weather was cooler, we brought about 6 liters total for the two of us and it was just enough for drinking and cooking.

Food & Water Caching
You most likely won’t need to cache for the Boy Scout Trail, but water caching is permitted in Joshua Tree. If you choose to cache water, you need to label your container with your name, phone number, and trip dates. Do not leave any containers behind. Use a sturdy, animal-resistant container, as ravens or other critters can easily puncture thin plastic water jugs.

If you're caching food, it must be stored in a vehicle or a hard-sided container that can withstand wildlife access. While bears are not present in this area, bear canisters are effective for food caching.

Remember to secure your food at night. Leaving it exposed increases the likelihood that rodents, ravens, and coyotes will access it.

No Fires
Campfires are prohibited in the backcountry due to the high risk of wildfires in Joshua Tree. This area is particularly vulnerable, and most Joshua trees do not withstand fires well, struggling to regenerate in areas that have burned. However, you are permitted to utilize backpacking camp stoves for cooking.

For more up-to-date planning for Joshua Tree National Park, visit the nps website.

What to Pack

Backpacking Essentials:
- Tent, sleeping bag/quilt, and sleeping pad
- Stove, fuel, and food for the duration of your trip
- At least 3-4 liters of water per person per day (I recommend bringing a large Nalgene and/or multiple Smart Water bottles.
- Navigation tools, like AllTrails (map, compass, GPS)
Clothing:
- Layers for fluctuating desert temperatures
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun shirt
- Lightweight jacket for cool nights
Extras:
- Camera for capturing desert landscapes
- Lightweight sit pad or camp chair for breaks
- Stargazing app to identify constellations at night

Desert Safety Tips

Hydration: Dehydration is a serious risk in desert environments; ensure you have enough water and electrolytes.
Navigation: The trail can be faint in places—pay attention to trail markers and carry a detailed map. Download your GPS maps ahead of time as cell service is non-existent in the park.
Weather Awareness: Check the forecast before your trip and avoid hiking during extreme heat or high winds.
Leave No Trace: Pack out all trash, minimize campfire impact (fires are prohibited), and respect the fragile desert ecosystem.

Day One: Boy Scout Trail Parking Lot to Campsite 6

I’ve always had a deep appreciation for hiking in the desert. This is largely due to it being the environment where I truly rediscovered my love for hiking, and it consistently offers stunning photographic opportunities—featuring breathtaking sunsets and incredible stargazing. However, I have found backpacking in the desert to be somewhat daunting. I tend to favor overnight trips in areas with readily available water sources, as the thought of carrying all the water I might need can be a real source of anxiety for me.

After doing a bit of research, I came across the Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This trail is quite accessible, featuring minimal elevation gain and allowing hikers to customize the length of their trek—ranging from a total of 4 miles to a full 16 miles. Usually, I prefer the flexibility of not pre-selecting my campsite, but given that this was my inaugural desert backpacking trip, I appreciated the reassurance of knowing the exact location of my campsite and what to anticipate upon arrival. It served as one less concern as I ventured into this new experience.

Once I learned enough about the trail, I selected my campsite and started planning. Campsite 6 is located approximately 4 miles in, providing enough distance to feel a sense of achievement and seclusion from the outside world, yet close enough that we could easily retreat if the weather turned unfavorable or if any issues arose. This, in turn, made it much easier to persuade my husband, Mark, to join me, which I was very grateful for.

So, on a Saturday in late October, we packed up our bags and hit the road bright and early from Los Angeles for Joshua Tree. We arrived at the Boy Scout Trail parking lot around 10am, spent some time sorting our packs, and then headed out by 10:30am.

The trail greets you with a gentle descent into the heart of Joshua Tree’s desert wilderness. The first mile features sandy paths framed by sprawling Joshua tree groves. The trail is wide and easy to follow here, making for a relaxed start to your journey. For some, this part of the trail can feel a bit monotonous, but I find the desert landscape to be so fun and interesting and really enjoyed this first stretch of trail.

As you continue, the landscape gradually changes. By mile two, scattered boulders and rugged terrain begin to dot the path, giving a glimpse of the park’s iconic rock formations. This section offers plenty of opportunities to pause and take in the unique desert scenery, with occasional shady spots under larger Joshua trees. We stopped around the 2 mile marker to eat some sandwiches we packed and check the weather on my Garmin. While the weather didn’t call for rain, we had some ominous clouds following us that we certainly keeping us on our toes. Much of this trail winds through a wash, and the last thing I wanted was to get caught in a flash flood.

After we refueled we headed out on our third mile of trail. The section narrows and dips into a shallow canyon, where the sandy ground gives way to firmer footing. You may notice the vegetation becoming more varied, with yucca plants and creosote bushes adding to the desert tapestry. This is a great area to keep an eye out for wildlife; jackrabbits and lizards are common throughout this spot.

Finally, we found ourselves at mile four, where the trail rises slightly, offering beautiful expansive views of the surrounding desert. Campsite 6 is nestled back in a quiet, sheltered area near the base of a rock outcrop, providing a perfect spot to set up camp. The site’s natural windbreak and proximity to stunning rock formations made it an ideal place to camp.

Perched on our plateau of Campsite 6, we unloaded our packs and began setting up camp. We tucked out tent close to the rocks in hopes for some shleter from the high desert winds and then quickly started making a dinner of our freeze dried backpacking meals. As the sun began to get lower on the horizon, the temperature started to drop significantly and we were glad to be eating a warm meal while sipping hot tea.

Not long after dinner, the sun dipped below the boulders, putting on a spectacular display. Once it vanished, we hurried into our tent, adding extra layers for warmth. However, I couldn’t remain inside for long; one of my favorite aspects of the desert is the stunning stargazing. I wanted to step out before the moon rose, allowing me to spot as many constellations as possible.

As I stood in the dark outside of our tent, I suddenly noticed a bright light in the distance behind some boulders to the southeast. Confused by the aura of light I was seeing, I called out to Mark, “Wow, the city of 29 Palms really lets off a lot of light…” but then suddenly I realized, it wasn’t the city lights; in fact, it was a giant full moon rising on the horizon behind the boulders.

As it ascended higher and higher in the sky, spilling its silver glow all across the landscape, it transformed the desert into a mesmerizing spectacle. The moon's brightness nearly paralleled daylight, illuminating the rocky terrain and casting long, dark shadows across the desert floor. I felt as if I had been transported to another planet.

In that moment, surrounded by the stillness of the night and bathed in all of that lunar light, I was struck by the profoundness of nature and the beauty of it all actually brought me to tears. It was a serene reminder of the many wonders that the great outdoors holds, and a fleeting glimpse of the magic that occurs when the world sleeps under the gaze of a full moon.

I tend to have moments like these on most of my backpacking trips—where I’m suddenly struck by just how lucky I am to be alive, in this moment, in this place—but this was truly something else. I was so happy I finally made the decision to spend the night out in the backcountry of Joshua Tree and to experience a moment like this that would remain etched in my memory forever.

After a while of taking it all in, I decided to call it a night and headed back to our tent. To be honest, it wasn't the best night I’ve spent outdoors. Every now and then, the noise of the tent flapping in the wind would mimic footsteps coming closer, sending my sleepy brain into high alert. I really need to invest in a pair of decent ear plugs for these sort of trips.

Day Two: Campsite 6 to Boy Scout Trail Parking Lot

We rose early the next morning to a refreshing chill in the air. Though it was difficult to remove ourselves from the warmth of our sleeping bags, we quickly brewed coffee and began preparing breakfast. We had another four-mile journey ahead of us, retracing our steps to the car.

After a satisfying meal of instant oatmeal topped with nuts and seeds, we packed our gear, bid farewell to our lovely little campsite, and set off back to the trail. As always, the return trip seemed to pass by much more quickly than the initial hike in. Familiarity with the terrain helped us navigate the desert landscape, and even though we were on the same path, the views felt surprisingly fresh and different.

We reached our car by 11 a.m., leaving us ample time to grab lunch in town before making our way back to Los Angeles with daylight to spare.

This trail served as an excellent introduction to backpacking in the desert. I look forward to returning in early spring for another trip, this time with a focus on astrophotography. If only dogs were allowed, I would love to bring Shadow along!

Have questions about how to backpack the Boy Scout Trail or any other zones in Joshua Tree? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to guide you!