Covington Crest Trail

Covington Crest is a 3-mile out-and-back from Upper Covington Flat to a canyon-edge overlook. Follow the trail about 1.5 miles south, then return the same way. It gains only about 140 feet, so this is an easy half-day option rather than a summit climb; allow roughly 1 to 1.5 hours and take time at the end.

A clear path climbs gradually through high-elevation Joshua tree woodland, with pinyon pines and junipers mixed in. The Covington Zone has some of the park's largest Joshua trees, and the trail gives you a quiet walk among them before the view opens. The main route is straightforward to follow; the stored line ends at the overlook, not on an alternate spur.

The path stops abruptly above canyons, with the Coachella Valley beyond. This is the hike's payoff and turnaround, not a summit. Stay well back from the edge. For the signature photo, make the canyon folds the foreground and the valley the distance; that shows both the drop and the scale of the view.

Begin at the Upper Covington Flat backcountry board. La Contenta Road runs south from CA-62 and becomes dirt; the final drive is long and rough. The park recommends four-wheel drive, and the road directions describe high-clearance access. The small trailhead lot holds roughly six cars. Bring water and supplies before leaving pavement.

The route sits around 4,800 to 4,950 feet. Freezing temperatures are common in the colder months, so this short walk can feel very different from the warmer desert floor. Pets aren't allowed on Joshua Tree's trails; the paved Oasis of Mara path is the park's exception.

A separate Lone Tree Hill detour leaves the trail on the return leg and crosses open country to a solitary Joshua tree; the Salton Sea is visible through a notch to the southeast. It is not part of this 3-mile route, and the cross-country navigation makes it a choice for hikers who are comfortable leaving a clear path.