Hike the Pine City Trail (Joshua Tree)

4.2 miles - Easy Effort
1:30-2:30 Hours (Total)
280 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 4,810 feet
No Dogs Allowed

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.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn by Turn Directions for the Pine City Hike
Parking for the Trail to Pine City
Everything Yo Need To Know Before the Hike

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

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

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 1 — There's a small parking lot by the trailhead.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 2 — 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.

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.

Pine City 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

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

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 3 — Head to the trail on the left of the toilet from the parking lot. There's a trail board at the start.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 4 — The start also has a trail sign for Pine City Trail with an incorrect distance on it.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 5 — Continue past the trail board.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 6 — The trail, an old road to the mine, is wide, straight, and easy to follow.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 7 — The trail turns into hard-packed sand and continues straight. Queen mountain lies in front of you.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 8 — Look off to your left for views of the big mountains - San Jacinto and San Gorgonio - two of the highest points in Southern California.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 9 — 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.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 10 — 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.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 11 — Continue around the left side of the granite boulders.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 12 — The trail starts to slope up as you continue straight.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 14 — 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.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 15 — When you get to this sign saying "Trail not maintained beyond this point," hike up to the left.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 16 — Climb up the ridge.

Hike Pine City Trail Joshua Tree 17 — 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.

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.