Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. Keys View looks out over the Coachella Valley. Hiking trails weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley.
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself.
Named for the prolific yucca plant that’s found within its borders, Joshua Tree National Park doesn’t initially appear to be wheelchair-accessible. After all, the harsh desert environment can be very unforgiving. That said, upon closer examination visitors soon discover that this 800,000-acre desert ecosystem boasts a number of accessible trails and attractions. Add in a nice collection of scenic drives that offer some some jaw-dropping windshield views, and you have the perfect Southern California nature getaway for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. And although you can certainly spend several days enjoying the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park, it’s also possible to do a one-day loop through the park to hit some of the accessible highlights.
Desert and Valley Views
The best place to begin the drive is at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, located south of Highway 62 near the west entrance to the park. There’s accessible parking in front, with level access to the building. Inside there’s good wheelchair access to the interpretive exhibits, ranger information desk, bookstore and accessible restrooms.
From the visitor center, follow Park Boulevard about 15 miles south to Cap Rock. Along the way you’ll be treated to windshield views of a vast forest of Joshua Trees — named by Mormon settlers because they thought the branches resembled Joshua raising his arms in prayer.
There’s accessible parking at Cap Rock, with curb-cut access out to the hard-packed dirt trail that winds around massive boulders scattered throughout the desert. The .3-mile loop is mostly level, although there is a washout near the end, and at one point the trail narrows to 30 inches. Still, you can always double back if it’s impassable, and the views of the desert and the Joshua Trees are excellent from any vantage point. There are also some accessible picnic tables in a level dirt area near Cap Rock, and an accessible vault toilet near the parking lot.
For an impressive view of the Coachella Valley, continue along Keys View Road from Cap Rock for another five miles, until it dead ends at Keys View. There’s accessible parking in the main parking lot, however the trail up to the overlook is too steep for wheelchairs. Alternatively there’s an accessible parking spot with level access out to another viewpoint on the left, just as you enter the parking lot. The view is just as spectacular, and it’s only a short walk out to the overlook. There’s also an accessible parking spot next to the accessible vault toilet in the main parking lot.
