Last Updated: January 3, 2024
I remember the first time I saw pictures on Pinterest and Instagram from the cholla cactus garden and I was mesmerized. I ended up saving any post that would offer information about this beautiful spot. As we were planning our trip to the USA I was over the moon excited and I felt that I was prepared 100% for our visit to the cholla cactus garden.
I had been dreaming of visiting Joshua Tree National Park for many years and although we’ve visited the town once before, we didn’t manage to see the cholla cactus garden.
This time around, we spent hours at the park, and by the time we were done exploring, my heart was content. The cholla cactus garden is undeniably one of the best spots to explore at Joshua Tree National Park!
The cholla cactus garden really is a one-of-a-kind experience but be sure to also check out the town. I find it utterly fascinating how many things one can do in Joshua Tree. The town is incredible, offering an abundance of cool things to do. It has excellent restaurants, interesting artsy joints, and unique vintage shops to name a few.
Here is the ultimate guide to the cholla cactus garden Joshua Tree.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN JOSHUA TREE
WHERE IS CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN?
Cholla Cactus Garden is located in Joshua Tree National Park, near Twentynine Palms, California. Access is very easy as the cholla cactus garden is located right by the street. There is no way you will miss this spot. The fascinating landscape set idyllically against the mountain views makes for a unique experience.
HOW TO GET TO CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN
The distance to the cholla cactus garden depends on which entrance you’ll enter at Joshua Tree National Park. If you enter from the South Entrance where Cottonwood Visitor Area is located, then the drive is about 40 minutes long. It depends, of course, on how many stops you’ll make along the way. Speaking from experience, allow some time in between to properly enjoy the ride. It is part of the experience after all. If you enter Joshua Tree National Park from the North Entrance where Twentynine Palms is, then it’ll take you roughly 20 minutes to reach the cholla cactus garden.
You will find a mid-sized parking lot at the entrance where you can park your car. From there, it is literally a 1-minute walk to the trail.
HOW LONG IS THE CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN TRAIL?
Truthfully, the cholla cactus garden trail is not really a hike but more of a short walk amongst the cacti, albeit a spectacular one. The cholla cactus garden trail starts right off the parking lot and splits into two parts. Since the trail is a loop, it’s not important where you start from.
So, to answer your question “how long is the cholla cactus garden trail?” – it is a short 10-minute walk. However, it all depends on how much time you’ll spend admiring the views and these unique cacti.
The trail branches out on several parts giving you the opportunity to get quite close to the cacti.
Word of advice: don’t get too close to the cacti as their spines can easily stick to your clothes and skin and they are quite painful to remove (they’re called jumping cholla for a reason!). That is why pets are not allowed in the cholla cactus garden.
Also, beware of the bees! The cholla cactus garden tends to get swarmed by bees. In fact, there is a warning sign placed in order to warn the visitors. Try to keep your food and drinks in your car and avoid waving them off as this will only agitate them. If you hear the buzz, just walk away and retreat back to your vehicle if you get uneasy around them.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN?
While many people suggest that the best time to visit the cholla cactus garden is during the sunrise, I found the landscape to be absolutely breathtaking during the sunset. We had a tight schedule and we weren’t quite sure if we were going to make it for sunrise. So, we made our way to the cholla cactus garden late in the afternoon, just 30 minutes before the sun hid behind the mountains. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments we had during our road trip. I felt truly blessed to be able to witness this magical landscape all lit up!
READ ALSO: WHAT TO DO IN PIONEERTOWN: UNIQUE EXPERIENCES TO NOT MISS
With that said, depending on which time of the day you visit, I have highlighted a few things that are good to know in advance, in order to enhance your experience.
CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN SUNRISE
- Depending on how early you visit, it would be wise to bring a flashlight so you can watch where you’re stepping
- We all know how difficult it is to wake up at the crack of dawn but there’s nothing a steaming cup of coffee can’t fix. Bring your coffee travel mug with you and enjoy sipping it slowly as you watch the sunrise behind the mountains
- Waking up before sunrise means it is easy to forget about breakfast. Be sure to pack a healthy snack such as a protein bar. This should give you some energy until you eat a proper breakfast.
CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN SUNSET
- The desert climate is harsh and can change within a matter of a few minutes. If you’re visiting during the winter or early spring/late autumn, make sure to wear enough layers. The moment the sun goes down, those temperatures will drop significantly. We visited in April and despite the fact that during the day it was scorching hot, after sunset I had to wear long trousers and a warm jumper.
- If you visit long before sunset then don’t forget to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Again, this is the desert and you’ll need all the protection from the sun you can get.
- Wear proper shoes. I was naive enough to wear sandals (no judgments please) and I struggled big time to remove the spines that were stuck on them although I was super careful. This one applies if you visit the cholla cactus garden either during the sunset or sunrise.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN JOSHUA TREE – CONCLUSION
Joshua Tree National Park promises an unforgettable experience, especially if you find the desert fascinating. There are many remarkable places to explore and endless trails that suit any type of hiker. You’ll need a good few hours to explore most points of interest dotted throughout the park. Having said that, the cholla cactus garden is one of the easiest ones to explore due to its size and easy access. It is also one of the most breathtaking parts of Joshua Tree and one that you don’t want to miss out on!
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The sign to the trailhead can be seen in the background of an ITZY video.