Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park

Skull Rock is a favorite among Joshua Tree National Park visitors, and being my first time at Joshua Tree, I was certainly excited to check it out. It’s located on the main east-west park road.

Visiting Skull Rock is a breeze. You have two convenient options: park in a small lot directly across from it or enjoy a leisurely 1.7-mile hike from Jumbo Rocks Campground.

When I pulled up to the Skull Rock parking lot, I was surprised by how small it was. But even though it is small, there were only a handful of cars. It was a cool late spring Friday afternoon. Sunset was fast approaching, and my wife and I were tired from hiking other trails, so we decided to skip the trail and just check out the rock formation.

The late afternoon light beautifully highlighted the unique features of Skull Rock. Its size was astonishing, resembling a skull with clearly visible eye sockets and nose. This formation is a testament to the power of water, erosion, and time.

A trip to Joshua Tree would not be complete without stopping at Skull Rock. We spent about 20 minutes there relaxing, and most of the time, we had the entire place to ourselves. By no means do you need 20 minutes. You can spend as few as 2 or 3 minutes if you want to see it, snap a photo or two, and move on.

Skull Rock is one of several amazing rock formations in the park. Make sure to budget time to check our Arch Rock, Heart Rock, Split Rock, and Jumbo Rocks, which is also an amazing place to pitch a tent for the night.

Where is Joshua Tree National Park located?

Joshua Tree National Park is in southern California, about 130 miles or two and half hours from Los Angeles. It’s about 160 miles and three hours from San Diego and a little less than a 4 hour drive from Las Vegas.

Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park?

There are campgrounds in the park, but no lodging. If you plan on camping, reservations can be booked at Recreation.gov. There are also plenty of hotel options in Joshua Tree the town, and Twentynine Palms.