Sunset hikes near Joshua Tree, ca

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Desert Trail Drive & Pipeline Road via Two Mile Road 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 30 min of walking

2. Desert Trail Drive–La Ferney Avenue, 3 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 31 min of walking

3. Outer Mongolia Climbing Area–Big Pine Trail, 4 sights 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 3:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car10:27 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 10:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.1 mi to the viewpoint · 600 ft climb · 374 min of walking

4. North View Loop 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 81 min of walking

5. Maze Loop Trail 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 73 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Big Pine Trail–Boy Scout Trail, 3 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car10:01 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 10:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1550 ft climb · 359 min of walking

7. Cascade Road–Pipeline Road, 3 sights 5 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 33 min of walking

8. Quail Mountain & x-country route via California Riding and Hiking Trail 9.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car9:59 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 980 ft climb · 319 min of walking

9. Covington Crest Viewpoint & Covington Crest Trail via California Riding and Hiking Trail 7.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car9:40 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 256 min of walking

10. California Riding and Hiking Trail 9.8 mi away

    Leave by 4:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car9:57 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 9:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1020 ft climb · 316 min of walking

11. Hunk Rock - East Face–Chongo Boulder, 4 cliffs 8 mi away

    Leave by 4:56 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:56 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car9:20 PM
    5. Dark7:33 PM

    Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 229 min of walking

12. David Knopp via Sunnyslope Drive 9.3 mi away

    Be there by 6:48 PM

    1. Be there6:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Dark7:34 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:34 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead