Easy Day Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
The Split Rock loop is 1.9 mile loop with minimal elevation gain and a well worn path making the trail a wonderful hike for almost any level of experienced hiker. Pit toilets and picnic tables are on site in the parking lot. The name Split Rock is derived from an enormous free-standing boulder at the beginning of the trail that has split in two. If you are into rocks, and who isn’t?, it is a sight to behold.
Although this trail is well-used, there are enough little duck-off points to feel the breadth of nature here. The loop is mostly without shade, but there is a small lovely juniper canopy toward the end as well as multiple rock formations large enough to shade throughout various times of early morning and late afternoon.
There is an abundance of wildlife on this trail including birds, lizards and mammals. You might see such delight as Gambel’s quail, chuckwalas, and black-tailed jack rabbits. As always, it is important to not interfere with wildlife by feeding or pursuing.
Please note that much of the area, even very close to the trail, is undisturbed by human footsteps. Much of the desert is held together by microbes that hold the soil together. These microbes, in what is known as cryptobiotic crusts, are easily disturbed by human footprints. As such, in order to keep nature intact, it is important to only travel in washes and established trails.
If you look a little too long upon the trail, you just might see some litter. Actually, you will. So let’s all be good sports and bring a little trash bag along and pick up a few things after the less civilized of the human race. Happy trails!
Split Rock Loop Day Hike Photo Gallery
Split Rock Links
National Park Service Split Rock Botanical Guide
Not looking to camp? Split Rock AirBnB is a charming vacation rental with a Spa!