Hike Willow Hole (Joshua Tree)

7 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
320 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 4,150 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The hike to Willow Hole in Joshua Tree takes you through quintessential desert scenery to a hidden willow grove that has its own microclimate. Willow Hole, a seasonal water source protected by a thicket of Willow trees, is nestled in a small canyon in the Wonderland of Rocks. The hike starts tame, making its way through some popular climbing areas, then it begins to feel like a real adventure, snaking through washes and canyons until you reach Willow Hole. And although the hike is 7 miles, it's relatively flat and doable by most hikers.

In this Guide:

Willow Hole Trail Hike Directions & Video
How to Get to the Willow Hole Hike in Joshua Tree
Everything You Need to Know to Plan the Hike

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

Getting to the Willow Hole Trail

The hike to Willow Hole starts at the popular Boy Scout Trail parking lot, close to Joshua Tree's west entrance on Park Blvd. Use this trailhead address:
Boy Scout Trail, 64568 Park Blvd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Willow Hole Trail 2 — Three's a good amount of parking at the Boy Scout Trail trailhead, but it can fill up.

Willow Hole Trail 3 — There are primitive toilets by the trailhead.

Gear for the Hike

This is a moderately long (7 mile) desert hike, so I recommend having proper hiking gear if you have it available. Hiking boots with a cuff will keep the sand and debris out of your feet. There is no shade, so 2L of water and some sun protection make the most sense. And like most of Joshua Tree National Park, there is no/low phone reception, so having a satellite communicator is a safe bet.

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.

Willow Hole Trail Maps

Overall the hike is well-marked and relatively easy to follow. You do go through a popular rock climbing area, and you will see many small use trails off the main trail leading to climbing spots. Most of these side trails have markers but some don't. Stay on the larger, well-worn trail if you see a small use trail to the side.

Willow Hole Trail 28 — Here's an example of a marker for a side trail used for climbing. These trails are NOT the ones you use to get to Willow Hole.

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

Willow Hole Trail Elevation — The trail is relatively flat and there's some exaggeration in this one-way elevation profile, but it does give you an idea of the overall scheme of things. You have a gradual (and gentle) upslope until you reach the Wonderland of Rocks, then you head downhill to Willow Hole.

Hike Landmarks

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Trailhead	0	4035
Start Willow Hole Trail	1.3	4130
Start of Wonderland of Rocks	2.3	4130
Narrow Canyon	3.2	4050
Start of Willow Grove	3.4	4050
Willow Hole	3.5	4050

3D Map

Willow Hole Hike Directions

Willow Hole Trail 5 — There are many small use trails around the parking lot. You want to the main trailhead of the Boy Scout Trail, called Keys West, that is right next to the toilet.

Willow Hole Trail 4 — Head past the hiker board to start the hike. You don't need to fill out the permit forms, they are only for overnighters.

Willow Hole Trail 6 — Soon after leaving the parking area there's a trail sign confirming that you're in the right place.

Willow Hole Trail 7 — As you hike you'll have great views of San Gorgonio,,the highest point in Southern California, to your left.

Willow Hole Trail 8 — Avoid all the climbing access trails and continue on the main Boy Scout Trail.

Willow Hole Trail 1 — At the junction with the Willow Hole Trail, make the right towards Willow Hole, leaving the Boy Scout Trail.

Willow Hole Trail 9 — Here's a closeup of the sign at that last trail junction.

Willow Hole Trail 10 — To your right you'll see some of the granite that has made Joshua Tree popular with climbers. This granite was pushed up from under the earth by action on the San Andreas Fault. Then thousands of years of erosion smoothed the edges of the rock, giving the granite at Joshua Tree that famous "melted ice cube" look. Keep your eyes out for climbers as you hike through all the rock formations. It can be fun to watch them make there way up the rock face.

Willow Hole Trail 11 — This section of the Willow Hole Trail is mellow and has some nice Joshua Trees that you can get up close with.

Willow Hole Trail 12 — And like before, there are climbing access trails to the side. Stay on the main trail.

Willow Hole Trail 13 — Soon the landscape changes dramatically and you'll enter the Wonderland of Rocks. There is more vegetation here because the plants extend their roots into the rock crevices where water pools.

Willow Hole Trail 14 — Most of the trail from here follows washes. Look for rocks that block the side trails and lead the way for the main Willow Hole Trail.

Willow Hole Trail 15 — Soon you'll see a wall of granite in front of you and the trail gently bends downhill to the right.

Willow Hole Trail 16 — Make your way down along the washes. Sometimes they are wide and obvious; and at other times you make your way around rocks and boulders.

Willow Hole Trail 17 — You'll also have some small rock piles, or cairns, to confirm where the trail is.

Willow Hole Trail 18 — Eventually you'll go through a narrow slot canyon with boulders.

Willow Hole Trail 19 — Continue to follow the wash down as it goes through narrow and wide sections.

Willow Hole Trail 20 — There's a great piece of granite on this stretch that has a sad gorilla face.

Welcome To Willow Hole — The wide wash funnels into a thicket of vegetation. Take the narrow trail through the trees.

Willow Hole Trail 22 — And you'll come out in the hidden area where Willow Hole is. Continue straight and then up to the left.

The water at Willow Hole attracts lots of wildlife. Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep and birds.

Willow Hole Trail 23 — The water here is seasonal, but is usually found in bogs and puddles like this. Sometimes the entire area is like pond. Other times it's totally dry.

Willow Hole Trail 24 — Cross over the logs to the left of the area.

Willow Hole Trail 25 — And take the small trail around the side of the granite.

Willow Hole Trail 26 — And finally you reach the actual Willow Hole.

Willow Hole Trail 27 — If you climb to the back of Willow Hole, there are some nice views to the East.

And that's the hike! From here, just return 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.