Boy Scout Trail (Joshua Tree) Hike

16 miles - Hard Effort
Or: 9.6 Miles to Viewpoint and Back
6-8 Hours (Total)
1,850 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 4,240 feet
No Dogs Allowed

As one of the longer recommended day hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, the Boy Scout Trail is a popular hike. Starting at the Keys West Trailhead, you'll hike across an open desert full of Joshua Trees, then transition into a rocky descent through the Wonderland of Rocks that offers panoramic viewpoints. And then, 1,000 feet lower, the trail makes its way through washes and canyons to Indian Cove. The hike is unusual in that you get a taste of the upper Mojave desert with it's Joshua Trees, and then lower Mojave desert, with cactus and yucca. Do the out-and-back hike for 16 miles, or just hike to the viewpoint for a respectable 9.5-miler.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn By Turn Directions for the Boy Scout Trail
How to Get to the Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree
Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for the Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where Is the Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree?

The Boy Scout Trail has two ends, and this guide starts at the east terminus of Keys West, just off of Park Blvd, relatively close to the West Entrance of the park. There are signs off the main Park Blvd for Boy Scout Trail parking. Use this trailhead address:
Boy Scout Trail, 64568 Park Blvd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Boy Scout Trail Directions 2 — The lot at Keys West is one of the biggest for any trailhead in the park, but it does fill up at popular times. Get here early to beat the crowds.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 3 — There's a primitive toilet at the trailhead and some trash cans, but no water.

Gear for the Hike

This is a long desert hike that's entirely exposed, so you need to prepare accordingly. I bring at least 3L of water, wear good hiking boots, and have trekking poles for the climbs. If you need to top up your water, you can walk an extra mile (0.5 there, 0.5 back) to the Indian Cove Entrance Station and refill when you're at the half-way point. Otherwise, there's no water on the hike for a refill. Having small snacks will keep your energy up for the distance.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Camping on the Boy Scout Trail

Unlike the rest of Joshua Tree National Park, where dispersed camping is allowed (with a permit), the Boy Scout Trail requires you to stay at a designated campsite. This is due to the popularity of the trail. You can read about the different campsite options here and book a permit for the sites on Recreation.gov.

Boy Scout Trail Maps

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

This out-and-back hike is similar to the Grand Canyon in that you start with a descent and then hike back up. What this means in practical terms is that you need to save energy for the trip back. And while the climb out is only about 1,300 feet, the first half of it is done in loose sand, which is hard to hike through. Doing the full hike is always a little tougher than you'd think.

Boy Scout Trail Elevation — Here's the one way (west to east) profile of the hike. It's flat for about halfway, then you descend. On the way back, you have to climb back out.

Hike Landmarks

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Trailhead	0	4030
Willow Hole Trail Junction	1.3	4130
Big Pine Junction	4	4030
Viewpoint	4.8	3900
Wash Begins	5.4	3560
Indian Cove	8	2860

3d Map

Boy Scout Trail Hike Directions

Boy Scout Trail Directions 4 — The hike starts at the main Keys West trail board by the toilet.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 5 — Whoa! Today I saw a coyote right at the start!

Boy Scout Trail Directions 7 — Soon after the start you'll see this mileage sign. We're heading to Indian Cove.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 6 — Jackrabbit! Mornings are the best time to spot wildlife.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 8 — The beginning of the hike has several side trails to climbing areas. Stay straight on the main Boy Scout Trail.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 9 — Here's a closeup of the marker at that last junction. The climbing area access trails have posts with this little icon on it so that you don't get confused.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 10 — Look left as you hike for nice views of San Gorgonio mountain, the highest point in Southern California.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 11 — At the junction with the Willow Hole Trail, hike left to stay on the Boy Scout Trail.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 12 — Right after the junction a sign confirms that you are in the right place.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 13 — The next few miles are mellow and pretty flat, with lots of great Joshua Trees.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 14 — As you approach the Wonderland of Rocks, the trail gets less sandy and rockier. More plants grow here because they can access water that pools in cracks in the rocks. An arrow trail marker helps you along. These arrow trail markers are scattered throughout the hike.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 15 — The trail starts sloping downward and enters a wash.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 1 — And soon you arrive at the junction with the Big Pine Trail off to your left. Continue right down the wash.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 16 — Here's a closeup of the sign at the last trail junction.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 17 — Keep hiking down the wash. You'll have to hop down boulders at some points, but it's not any time of a major rock scramble.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 18 — You'll pass this water basin from an old mine that was here many years ago.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 19 — Arrow markers lead you in and out of the wash.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 20 — You'll start getting some glimpses down into Twentynine Palms.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 21 — And now the trail starts descending through loose boulders.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 22 — And there's more great views.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 23 — And after about 4.5 miles you'll reach an epic viewpoint. If you're doing the shorter hike, you can turn around here. Otherwise enjoy the view and continue.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 24 — The trail continues to wind down through the canyons.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 25 — And there's one last section of steep switchbacks dropping you a few hundred feet through the rocks.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 26 — At the end of the steep rocky descent, make the right into the wash. The spot is marked with an arrow.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 27 — Keep hiking down the wash. Your path is confirmed by arrow markers.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 28 — At points the wash gets fairly wide.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 29 — And then narrows into slot canyons.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 30 — And eventually you'll see this marker pointing you out of the wash and up to the right.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 31 — The trail climbs for a second and then starts back down along the side of the hill.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 32 — And soon you're back in the big, wide wash. Look for stones on the side of the trail like these to mark the way.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 33 — Soon the trail in the wash transitions to just a regular trail again and you have a small climb.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 34 — And then you have a long, gradual downhill to the Indian Cove trailhead. The trail is well-worn and easy to follow.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 35 — Toward the end you'll see this sign for the campground and entrance station. If you need to refill your water, make a left at the road and walk down to the ranger station. The campground has no water FYI.

Boy Scout Trail Directions 36 — And here you are at the Indian Cove Trailhead, the end of the hike. From here, turn around and go back the way you came to finish the hike.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.