Cap Rock Nature Trail & Bizarre History - Joshua Tree National Park
Happy Monday friends! This week we're enjoying the rugged beauty of Joshua Tree National Park and uncovering the hidden gems of the Cap Rock Trail. Grab your hiking boots and let's embark on this unforgettable adventure filled with beautiful Joshua trees, giant boulder formations, and bizarre history.
Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Location
Nestled within the stunning expanse of Joshua Tree National Park, the Cap Rock Nature Trail offers a captivating glimpse into the park's unique ecosystem. Located in the park's northwestern section, the Cap Rock Nature Trail and picnic area sits at the intersection of Park Blvd and Keys View Road, making it a convenient stop on any Joshua Tree visit. Right from the parking lot, which contains over 2 dozen vehicle spots, you’ll find restrooms, multiple picnic tables with bbqs, and plenty of boulders perfect for exploring. It’s not difficult to see why this area is referred to as Cap Rock. The large boulder pile next to the parking area features a substantial flat rock precariously perched on top shaped like an old newsboy cap.
Joshua tree along Cap Rock Nature Trail
Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park
Cap Rock Nature Trail
The large group of boulders with the “cap rock” on top is popular with rock-climbers, and there’s an unofficial dirt path that circles it for about a third of a mile, providing great opportunities to rock-hop and explore the unique landscape here. This path, however, isn’t the official Cap Rock Nature Trail. The official half-mile trail actually loops around a neighboring rock pile just to the east, weaving its way over through Joshua tree and juniper woodlands, providing a wonderful example of the park’s diverse flora and fauna. Meandering through Joshua Tree's iconic rocky terrain, the Cap Rock Nature Trail loop spans approximately half a mile round trip. This easy hiking trail is accessible and perfect for families looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the desert landscape.
Cap Rock picnic area and parking lot Joshua Tree
Hiking through boulder piles along Cap Rock Nature Trail
Along this short loop you can find plenty of opportunities to scramble up boulders and explore this otherworldly landscape. Just be sure to watch where you step. Many reptiles call this park their home, including the Mojave Desert Tortoise, along with all kinds of lizards & snakes, including several types of rattlesnake. You see all kinds of desert plants and trees as you hike, such as Rock Goldenbush, Desert Sage, Woolly Marigold, Silver Cholla, and New Mexico Thistle. One thing you won’t see in abundance is the teddy bear jumping cholla cactus, but you can always head over to Joshua Tree’s Cholla Cactus Garden to enjoy a stunning strand. Of course, the highlight of any visit to this park is certainly the park namesake “Joshua Tree” itself, and this trail shows off this yucca plant wonderfully.
Joshua tree forest seen from Cap Rock Nature Trail
Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
History
As you traverse the trails in this area, you follow in the footsteps of the indigenous peoples and early settlers who called this land home. Keep an eye out for remnants of the area's rich cultural history, which offer glimpses into the past. There’s also a bit of bizarre history tied to this location. Gram Parsons, a 1960s & 70s rock’n’roll singer/songwriter who loved this park, sadly died from an overdose at the nearby Joshua Tree Inn. Months prior to his passing, Parsons and his good friend & road manager, Phil Kaufman, made a vow that if either of them died, the other would take their body out to Joshua Tree and burn it after one last drink. Well, Kaufman wasn’t present when Parsons past, so he and a few buddies stole Parsons’ body from the airport prior to the remains being flown back to New Orleans. As promised, they drove out to the desert, pulled off at Cap Rock, and “cremated” the corpse in an open flame. If you’re interested in reading more on this unbelievable tale, check out a great article on DesertUSA.com with the whole story. There’s a spot on the north side of the Cap Rock boulder pile where visitors have occasionally marked up the boulders or left small tributes. However, I urge you to not participate in the defacing of these rocks and natural habitats...please always honor the Leave No Trace Principles when visiting our national parks.
Gram Parsons unofficial memorial spot at Cap Rock
Unofficial memorial for Gram Parsons at Joshua Tree’s Cap Rock
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Know Before You Go
• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles so this park’s natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Make sure to check out the official Joshua Tree NPS website prior to your visit for the most up-to-date park, road and trail conditions.
• The parking lot can fill up quickly, so I’d recommend checking out this area earlier in the morning and on weekdays if possible.
• In addition to Joshua trees, there are a wide array of plants and cacti along the path, including cholla cactus. Cholla barbs can be painful and difficult to remove, so make sure to stay on the designated path.
• This trail offers minimal shade. As with any Joshua Tree hike, come prepared with sun protection and plenty of water.
Top 10 Easy Joshua Tree Hikes
Bird’s nest inside a cholla cactus along Cap Rock Nature Trail
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Joshua Tree National Park. For a virtual visit of Cap Rock Nature Trail, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Unique rock formations along Cap Rock Nature Trail
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Today we're exploring the Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This is the perfect family friendly spot to take an easy hike and enjoy a bbq lunch at the picnic area amidst towering rock formations, cactus & endless Joshua trees. Read this travel guide to discover one of the top things to do and places to go in Joshua Tree on your next SoCal weekend road trip from Los Angeles.