Big Trees Trail

Big Trees Trail is an out-and-back from Ryan Campground near campsite 13 to its junction with Lost Horse Mine Trail, then back. The park lists it at about six miles round trip. The main reason to go is the chance to spend a few hours among some of the park’s larger Joshua trees and its desert vegetation. Allow roughly three to four hours for the trail itself, with time to watch for wildlife.

The trail begins near campsite 13. If you are not staying at Ryan Campground, park at Juniper Flats and hike northeast on the California Riding and Hiking Trail to the campground, then continue to the Big Trees junction. That public access walk adds about a mile each way, so the outing from Juniper Flats is longer than the six-mile trail figure. The Big Trees route turns at the Lost Horse Mine Trail junction; continuing to the mine or around Lost Horse Loop makes a different, longer hike.

The route passes some of the larger Joshua trees in the park. Red-tailed hawks and Scott’s orioles may nest in their branches; jackrabbits, burrowing ground squirrels and lizards are possible sightings on the ground. Give the trees room and watch for wildlife without approaching nests.

There is a meaningful elevation disagreement: the published trail description says under 100 feet of gain, while the mapped terrain places the Lost Horse junction roughly 360 feet above the campground and shows additional rolling ups and downs. Expect a climb back to camp and treat the figures as approximate. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons; summer days can exceed 100°F and winter nights can freeze. Ryan Campground has vault toilets but no potable water, so bring enough for the whole outing.