Hike the Pine City Trail (Joshua Tree)
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Joshua Tree Hikes

Hike the Pine City Trail (Joshua Tree)

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated May 4, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance
4.2 miles
Time
1:30-2:30 Hours
Total Climbing
280 feet
Difficulty
Easy
Crowds
Quiet
Dogs
No Dogs
Gear
What I Use
Weather
Latest Report
Park
Joshua Tree National Park

If you want to dip your toe into desert hiking at Joshua Tree, the hike on the Pine City Trail is a great place to get started. The Pine City Trail is straight and easy to follow, with no climbs. But you hike through some beautiful pinyon pine and Joshua Tree vegetation until you reach Pine City, not much of a city anymore. In fact, the only thing left are two hidden mine shafts. But you do get beautiful sweeping views into Pine City Canyon and onward toward Twentynine Palms in the distance. It's a great hike for everyone, including families.

Where is the Pine City Trail?

The Pine City Trail shares the same (small) parking lot with the hike to Desert Queen Mine. It's a few minutes off the main Park Blvd on a dirt road. The dirt road is drivable by regular (low-clearance) cars. Use this trailhead address:
Pine City Trail, Desert Queen Mine Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA, 92277

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There's a small parking lot by the trailhead.
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There is a primitive toilet but no water.

Gear for the Hike

The Pine City hike isn't a rigorous or technical one, and you are best served with light hiking gear. Hiking boots with cuffs will help keep the sand and rocks off of your feet. Bring at least 1L of water and prepare for desert conditions. There is no cover or shade. You can also do the hike in fitness clothes and in a pinch, casual gear.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Pine City Trail Maps

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CalTopo
Print Map, Work With It Yourself
GPX
Bring the Guide to Any GPS
Pine City Hike 3d Map
The hike is a straight shot across the Joshua Tree desert terrain, ending at an overlook by Pine City Canyon.

Pine City Trail Hike Directions

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Head to the trail on the left of the toilet from the parking lot. There's a trail board at the start.
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The start also has a trail sign for Pine City Trail with an incorrect distance on it.
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Continue past the trail board.
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The trail, an old road to the mine, is wide, straight, and easy to follow.
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The trail turns into hard-packed sand and continues straight. Queen mountain lies in front of you.
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Look off to your left for views of the big mountains - San Jacinto and San Gorgonio - two of the highest points in Southern California.
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Soon the vegetation gets lush as you approach a rocky area. The area here is considered a pinyon pine microclimate. This cactus is a Mojave Yucca.
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When you get to the boulder field, follow the trail around to the left of them. There used to be a side trail to the right into the rocks, but it's been blocked off by the parks service.
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Continue around the left side of the granite boulders.
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The trail starts to slope up as you continue straight.
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When you get to the boulder field on your left, you've reached the Pine City area. There are small trails off to the left, but you should keep going straight on the main trail. There are two mine shafts hidden around the area; be careful if you're exploring.
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When you get to this sign saying "Trail not maintained beyond this point," hike up to the left.
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Climb up the ridge.
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And your reward is a panoramic view up Pine City Canyon with the North Entrance in the distance.

From here, just turn around and go back the way you came.