As one of Joshua Tree National Park’s one-of-a-kind features, the Cholla Cactus Garden is one of our favorite stops here. It is a very short and easy hike but it’s definitely worth a visit to see these unique desert plants.
STATS:
Where: Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
Coordinates: 33°55’30.86″N 115°55’43.50″W
Parking: There is a good-sized parking lot, but it can get crowded on weekends and holidays.
Restroom: There are no restrooms at the garden
Distance: 0.25 mile
Elevation Gain: 22 ft
Level: easy but watch your steps for the fuzzy little balls of needles.
Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes
Ideal Weather: Spring is the best season to visit, especially when the flowers are blooming. Summer can get very hot while winter can be freezing cold.
Ideal Time: This area is very photogenic but either sunset or sunrise is the best time to visit as the cactuses will look like they are glowing.
Dog-friendly: Dogs are not allowed on trails at the park.
THE ADVENTURE:
Joshua Tree is such an interesting place. As you drive through the park, you’ll notice the concentration of certain features in certain areas. One area would be full of giant boulders and rocks while another one is amassed with Joshua trees. The Cholla Cactus garden is one of these special areas. It is where the Teddy Bear Cactus, more commonly known The Jumping Cactus has thrived. It grows for almost as far as the eye can see. At this current time, the Teddy Bear Cactus covers an area that is nearly 10 acres. Don’t let the cute nickname fool you though. If you brush up against one of these plants, you are going to have a rough day.
These are quite possibly the most feared and hated c
Once you get one of these spiky balls on you, it is very hard to get it off because of the concentration of spines (needles) on them. There are so many spines, in fact, that these cactus actually look soft and fuzzy. Trust me, you don’t want to touch them. The spines of the Jumping Cactus are hollow and razor-sharp. Speaking from personal experiences, it is very painful if you touch them. As stated above, they like to roll around, so be sure to watch your steps as you navigate your way down the path. These balls aren’t strictly for evil purposes though. They are actually the Cholla’s way of spreading its seeds around, similarly to a tumbleweed. In fact, it is possible that this entire area could have started with a single cactus.
As menacing as they sound, these Teddy Bear Cactus are quite beautiful. Depending on the time of day, these cacti glow a gorgeous golden color. It is truly something that you have to see to believe. In Spring, you will also be treated to the Cholla’s beautiful flowers.
One of my favorite things about these Chollas is that they are as unique in death as they are in life. You will spot various cacti on the nature walk that have unfortunately crossed over to the other side. After its outer layer has rotted away, you will be able to see the inner workings of this crazy plant. Inside, it is made up of an intricate mesh that somewhat resembles a carbon fiber weave. It is quite beautiful to look at. The Jumping Cactus can grow to a very impressive 10 feet tall, but on average, most of the ones on this trail are more likely from 4-6 feet.
This trail is a very short and easy loop trail. Once you park, you can go through either entrance. The trail itself is a nice little stroll. Far too short to be considered any type of hike. The path weaves its way through the sea of glowing Chollas. There are several points where you cross over low bridges. It is a pretty walk any time of day. But either sunsets or sunrises are a million times better. If you are visiting Joshua Tree National Park, make sure to put this quick stop on your to-do list.
After you leave the Cholla garden be sure to head over to the Arch Rock Hike. it is only 7.4 miles down the road. If you are looking for even more hikes, our good friends over at Just Go Travel Studios put together a super-comprehensive guide to all of the hikes in the park. You can find all of the info Here.
If you are going to Joshua Tree through the Cottonwood side, don’t forget to check out our Painted Canyon/Ladder Hike in Mecca for a super cool day hike.
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RECOMMEND GEAR:
Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
• Sunscreen:
We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen
• Comfortable hiking shoes
You definitely need sturdy shoes just in case you step on one of these spikey balls. Vy’s shoes are North Face HedgeHog GTX. Dustin’s shoes are Coleman Tasman Hiking Shoes.
• Water
It can get extremely hot here. Vy uses the Camelback L.U.X.E. Dustin uses the Clik Small pack (sadly Clik is no longer around).
• Lunch and snacks
You won’t need lunch or snacks for the trail since it’s pretty short, however, there is no food inside the park so it’s always smart to bring extra.
CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a7 III
• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX
