Joshua Tree Wilderness Permit: Route and Dates
Joshua Tree Wilderness permits are booked by advance reservation in Joshua Tree National Park. The route covers 8 miles.
This guide covers the Joshua Tree Wilderness Backpacking permit.
$6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
Permit Cost
1-2 nights
Duration
8 miles
Distance
moderate
Difficulty
About Joshua Tree Wilderness
Required for every overnight backpacking trip in Joshua Tree. Pick the trailhead you park at, then camp at large in a zone or in one of the 14 designated Boy Scout Trail sites.
The Joshua Tree Wilderness route
- Distance
- 8 miles
- Route type
- point-to-point
- High point
- 4,180 ft
- Low point
- 2,855 ft
- Trip length
- 1-2 nights
- Difficulty
- moderate
Entry points: Indian Cove Backcountry Board, Boy Scout (Keys West) Backcountry Board, Pine City Backcountry Trailhead
Mojave and Colorado deserts. Nearest town: Twentynine Palms
Points along the route
- Indian Cove Backcountry BoardMile 0, 2,855 ft
- Boy Scout Trail designated sitesMile 3.5, 3,945 ft
- Willow Hole junctionMile 4.5, 4,139 ft
- Wonderland of RocksMile 5, 4,175 ft
- Keys West Backcountry BoardMile 8, 4,038 ft
- Pine City Backcountry Trailhead4,441 ft
Joshua Tree Wilderness permit detailsandAll Joshua Tree National Park permits
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Pro Tips
Book a Boy Scout site that matches your group. Site caps run 4, 7 and 12 people and rangers ask you not to take a large site for a small party.
Put your planned itinerary in the comments box. Rangers use it if you are reported overdue.
Pine City is the only at-large zone with an advance cap, at two permits a night, so treat it like a designated site.
Download the NPS app maps before you drive in. Cell service inside the park is close to nothing.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Joshua Tree Wilderness permit?
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Joshua Tree Wilderness permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Joshua Tree Wilderness?
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October through May. Summer daytime heat in the Colorado Desert side of the park makes carrying two days of water genuinely dangerous.
How long is the Joshua Tree Wilderness route?
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The route is 8 miles, as a point-to-point. Plan on 1-2 nights.
How difficult is the Joshua Tree Wilderness route?
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Backpackers willing to carry all their water and comfortable picking a campsite without a numbered post.
Where does the Joshua Tree Wilderness route start?
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The permit covers 3 entry points: Indian Cove Backcountry Board, Boy Scout (Keys West) Backcountry Board, Pine City Backcountry Trailhead.
What gear do I need for the Joshua Tree Wilderness route?
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Essential gear includes: At least a gallon of water per person per day, carried in, A real winter sleeping bag. High desert nights run far colder than the days, Headlamp with spare batteries, Navigation you can use off trail, because many zones have no maintained trails, Park entrance pass, physical or digital, to access any backcountry trailhead.
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Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Joshua Tree Wilderness availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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