Fortynine Palms Oasis

Super cool hike. Perfect distance, considering the desert is usually hot. It was around 90 degrees when we went. Total roundtrip is 3 miles. We did it in about an hour and a half total, including a stop at the oasis. It is pretty steep in both directions, so be prepared for that. We saw lots of wild flowers but the view is mostly rock until you get to the oasis.
Bring plenty of water… I’m 5’4″ and went through a 70 oz camelback.
Pets aren’t allowed on the trail.
There is a pretty large parking lot.

Beautiful and extremely well paved making the actual hike itself relatively easy! I made the mistake of going at 11am and without water so the lack of shade and elevation made the hike rather difficult. I still completed it in about 1.5 hours even with taking multiple breaks on the way back due to the lack of water!

Although technically located inside of Joshua Tree National Park, Fortynine Palms Oasis is accessible without entering the «paid» portions of the park. Located off of Canyon Road, an offshoot of 29 Palms Highway, the trail is a relatively short 3 miles round trip. But, as the National Park Service (NPS) makes explicit, this hike is «moderately strenuous» thanks to the «300 foot elevation gain» in both directions. The NPS estimates that the hike takes 2 – 3 hours, but can completed in less amount of time depending on your level of fitness. We finished in 1 hour 20 minutes with a short stop at the oasis. If it’s hot, you probably don’t want to do this hike, as the trail has only a few pockets of shade offered by several large boulders. That’s to be expected I suppose; this is the desert after all.
Along the route, you’ll encounter varied landscapes — ones that are different than what you’ll find inside the park. Most of the terrain surrounding the trail is rocky with several types of vegetation, such as cacti. The trail itself is demarcated fairly well, but when I was last here 15+ years ago, I managed to veer off the trail without realizing it. While I wouldn’t call this the most scenic hike, you are treated to lovely views of the surrounding area once you reach the top of the ridge. The oasis itself is tranquil, but you can’t actually get too close to the palm trees unless you disregard NPS signs.
On a Tuesday afternoon, the trail was pretty empty with only 2 – 3 other groups. We had the oasis entirely to ourselves, and it would have made a peaceful spot to enjoy lunch had we come earlier in the day. Vault toilet available at the trailhead with plenty of toilet paper. Just make sure to bring your own hand sanitizer or wipes. There was plenty of parking on a weekday, but I could imagine this trail could get busier on the weekend in cooler weather.
If you’re looking for a glimpse of an oasis without having to walk too far, just go to the Oasis Visitor Center which is adjacent to the Oasis of Mara. But, if you’d like to do something more invigorating, definitely check out the Fortynine Palms Oasis trail.

OMG!!! I absolutely lovedddd this trail!!! It’s a total of almost 4 miles with about a 400 feet incline which is pretty awesome because it can get pretty interesting while you’re hiking up and down with the amazing scenery.
My husband and I took both our professional camera and gopro and we couldn’t help but stop so many times to take some pictures. We went early in the morning but I have to admit it got hot real quick but what was nice about it is that there’s a nice breeze because of the elevation.
The oasis looked amazing! I really enjoyed this hike and can’t wait to do it again when I’m back in JT!

This is a great hike! It’s easy to find, there’s a parking lot, and the trail is maintained and well marked. According to the National Park Service website, this is a moderately strenuous hike which I agree with. There is an elevation where you get a view of the Twentynine Palms valley, you walk through interesting rock formations, then descend to get to the oasis. It’s impressive to see the group of palm trees in the middle of the desert.
At the beginning of May, this hike was already warm. There is no shade until you get to the oasis. I recommend you start early. We started at 6:30 am and by the second half of the hike the sun was already beating down on us. I wish there were more cacti and shrubbery. And even though the site says it is a 3 mi hike, Nike + calculated 4.5 mi.
Have fun!

This is my favorite hike at Joshua Tree National Park. I’m glad this place gets its own page and not under the main parks listing.
This is an easy-​moderate 3.0 mile round trip. The 1.5 miles to the oasis takes you up a hill about 300 feet elevation gain. Then it takes you down to the palm trees. I love when hikes have a goal at the end and this is one of them. I also like hikes that give you sneak peaks of the goal throughout the trail. Out in the distance as you walk you can see the palm trees nestled smack in the middle of the mountains
I thoroughly enjoyed this hike. It’s great to do with the family and Friends. Make sure to bring plenty of Sunscreen and water, as this place gets hot.
The Palm trees offer a great place to rest and catch a break from the heat. The shade is awesome.
Parking is easy to find and the place is located just off the 62 highway
Highly recommend!

STATS:
Distance: about 6 miles
Elevation Gain: less than 500 ft
Rating: 4−5÷10
ESSENTIALS
Minimum two liters of water
Snacks & lunch
Handy wipes for any BOT (Blood on Trail from the rocks)
Gloves (gardening or work gloves-​rocks are jagged)
Knee pads (totally optional, thickish pants should be fine)
Protect your «asset» extra layer on the bum (rocks are known to shred pants/​climbing known to rip pants)-Ladies, please no G’s or thongs and gents no commando, please.
BACKGROUND
The 49 Palms Oasis Trail offers a three-​mile round-​trip hike to a fan palm oasis. It requires two to three hours and is rated moderately-​strenuous, ascending about 300 feet each way.
This well-​maintained trail climbs to a ridge where large numbers of barrel cacti dot the landscape. After winding around the ridge top, the trail descends steeply to the oasis located in a rocky canyon. Towering palms create a canopy over clear pools of water. Large boulders provide a place to rest and enjoy the sights and sounds of this small ecosystem.
From the trailhead (2,680′) at the end of the Forty-​nine Palms Canyon Road a well-​marked, rocky trail leads up Pioneer Canyon to a high point on the ridge. After that point the trail curves to the right and you have a first glimpse at the oasis, that lies less than mile ahead down in a rocky gorge. The sight of the green fan palm grove in that harsh, arid, and rocky environment is simply amazing. On the way to the oasis barrel cacti dot the slopes. The lush oasis itself (2,760′) is a habitat for numerous birds and one can rest next to puddles and small ponds under a canopy of shade. From the oasis one can explore the Forty-​nine Palms Canyon further to the south, where sometimes bighorn sheep can be seen. The hike to the oasis is 1.5 miles each way with an elevation gain of about 250 feet. Hikers should stay on the trail to protect the extremely fragile vegetation in the desert. The area is open only for day-​hikes to further protect fauna and flora.
Our Route
A one-​way shuttle; leave some vehicles at the parking lot for the 49 Palms Oasis trailhead. Head back over to Indian Cove and hike Cross Country to the Oasis. Once at the Oasis it will be a simple hike back to the cars we left at the trailhead on the regular trail. It was questionable if this was even possible, but we’ve been known to do the impossible before, so this was just another day on route.
Disclaimer: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-​threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepare. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up.

Fun little hike. Perfect for little ones only about 1.5 miles and the fact that they can see the palm trees makes them want to keep going. Bring lots of water and in April try to go by 8 AM when it’s cooler. Don’t forget the sunscreen. I suggest protein bars or granola bars if you bring children.

Brittany C is totally correct with her accurate directions on how to get to this awesome hike! And of course, if I paid more attention to her directions maybe Minh and I would not have been driving up and down the highways like total dorks! But hey, we got to see a lot of Joshua Tree/​29 palms area. And believe me there isn’t much to see or do out that way!
Once we found the hike, there is plenty of parking (on a later afternoon on a Sunday there were about six other cars parked in the lot).
Everything is kept up, even the gross porta hole potty (which I am totally scared of) the trail is nice and maintained, I would recommend to definitely wear closed toe shoes (sneakers or hiking shoes) there were a couple of girls who did this hike in flip flops (ouch). Make sure you bring a hydo pack too (it is hotter than sin out there). Before you start your hike it says what you could see while out on your adventure (long horned sheep, desert tortoises, rattlesnakes, quails ect). Which at the end we only saw quails and lizards!
The hike was pretty easy the only challenge was the rock stairs (if you have knee/​ankle issues like I do then you would probably want to take this part slower). Plenty of photo ops as well along the way, other hikers are not as friendly so do not expect a friendly hello as you pass by (maybe because it is too damn hot out).
One way took us about 50 minutes to get to the oasis of palm trees, there you can take a break, have a cliff bar, take some photos and watch all the quails chatter to each other and running around! There were some Japanese beetles that like to hang out around the palm trees they decided to be noisy and came around me a couple of times which I hate!
On the way back we saw some beautiful cactus flowers, plenty of lizards, and a couple of baby Joshua trees!
This hike was definitely worth the long drive and hot weather!

This is a great hike outside of Joshua Tree National Park! From highway 62 going into town, turn at the animal hospital on the way into 29 and then drive straight until you see the trail sign! Go early and you might even see big horn sheep!

One of my favorite hikes from the park. It’s a great workout since you are walking up hill both going to the oasis and coming back. It’s not too steep that the average person can’t hike it but it’s not a flat walk either. My only complaint and it has nothing to do with the park itself is all of the people who disregard the sign that says NO DOGS and continue to walk their dogs on the walk like it’s no big deal. I don’t think they realize that walking their dogs in the area disturbs the wildlife and ultimately keeps them away from one of the few water sources that they have.

This is a beautiful hike! It’s funny because as you’re hiking, it has that true oasis feel, as if you aren’t going to make it to those beautiful palm trees in the distance. You just keep walking & keep walking and it feels like it doesn’t get closer. Of course, you finally do make it and it truly is worth it!
You are suddenly covered from the sun with these gorgeous palm trees. You can hear the water trickling to the ponds and the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. It’s utterly serene!

Breathtaking hike with gorgeous views of the desert towns, mountains, cactus, Joshua trees, etc. This is a gorgeous hike and at the end you find yourself surrounded by lush, green palm trees and still water ponds. It is wild to find this in the center of the desert. It is one of just 45 US oasis’

This is a beautiful destination hike. It is rated moderately strenuous and I believe that is mostly for the elevation changes and the fact that it is in the sun the entire way. I think for strong kids this hike would be doable. Go early in the day, and bring lots of water and sunscreen.