Big Pine Trail

Big Pine Trail is a 1.6-mile one-way branch in Joshua Tree’s backcountry. From the south Boy Scout Trailhead, the route first follows Boy Scout Trail about 3.9 miles to the Big Pine junction, then continues roughly 1.7 miles on Big Pine itself. Turn around at the mapped end and retrace the same path: about 11.2 miles round trip, with around six hours on foot. The short view near the junction comes well before the end of Big Pine, so keep going if you came for the whole trail. I’d choose this only if you want a long backcountry day, not a quick stop.

The trailhead is off Park Boulevard at the south end of Boy Scout Trail. The approach crosses broad, rolling Joshua-tree country, with Mount San Gorgonio to the west. There are two easy places to take the wrong branch: stay right at the earlier climbing-area sign, then take the left fork when Willow Hole branches off to the right. The Big Pine junction comes after the path enters a wash.

From the junction, Big Pine continues through the sandy wash. After about ten minutes the view opens north toward distant plains, and there’s a rocky perch above the path for a break. A short stretch of deeper sand was reported in the wash, but the route overall is easy underfoot. The named trail continues beyond that first view; the 1.6-mile figure is one way, not a round trip.

There’s no water in the park interior, and much of this walk crosses open ground. The park warns that summer heat can become dangerous, so plan around the cooler part of the day and carry all the water you’ll need. Cell service is very limited in the backcountry. Pets aren’t allowed on the trail. A day hike needs no backcountry permit; overnight camping does, and the Boy Scout zone requires a designated site.