Lost Horse Valley

At a glance

• Place: Lost Horse Valley
• Type: Picnic area
• Location: Joshua Tree National Park
• Setting: A broad picnic area along Park Boulevard in the park’s central area
• Facilities: 24 picnic tables, 11 grills, vault toilets, parking, recycling, and trash receptacles
• Water: No drinking water is available here or elsewhere inside the park
• Accessibility: Paved parking and sidewalks reach the toilets, but the tables and grills are not accessible
• Nearby trail: Hidden Valley Nature Trail begins here and is about 0.9 miles as mapped by the National Park Service

Why visit

Lost Horse Valley provides a large, dispersed place to picnic among Joshua trees and substantial rock formations. Its 24 tables and 11 grills offer several options for groups stopping along Park Boulevard.

The picnic area also works well as a starting point for nearby walks. Hidden Valley Trailhead is a short walk away, and Hidden Valley Nature Trail begins at this location.

Getting there

The picnic area lies along Park Boulevard in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park. Parking is available for cars, buses, and RVs.

Accessible parking near Hidden Valley Trailhead includes 2 standard spaces. Another 26 spaces serve the picnic area, while 52 more spaces are closer to the trailhead.

Joshua Tree Visitor Center is about 12 miles away. The nearest listed gateway communities are Twentynine Palms, about 11 miles away, and Joshua Tree, about 12 miles away. Yucca Valley is about 16 miles away. These are straight-line distances, not driving distances.

The listed airports are Palm Springs International Airport, identified as PSP, and Ontario International Airport, identified as ONT.

What to see and do

Choose among 24 picnic tables spread through flat dirt areas. The setting includes many Joshua trees and large rock formations. Visitors may also use 11 grills.

Hidden Valley Nature Trail starts here. The route is about 0.9 miles as mapped by the National Park Service. The picnic area is also only a short walk from Hidden Valley Trailhead.

Facilities include recycling, a trash dumpster, and other trash or litter receptacles. Visitors can park cars, buses, or RVs. Vault or composting toilets are available, including accessible restroom facilities.

History and nature

The supplied information identifies this picnic area with the Lost Horse Valley area. It is also described as Hidden Valley Picnic Area in National Park Service visitor information.

Joshua trees grow throughout the surrounding area. Large rock formations define the setting around the spread-out picnic sites.

When to go

Joshua Tree National Park remains open 24 hours daily throughout the year. Some locations are restricted to day use, and visitor centers follow separate schedules.

Visitor numbers rise when fall temperatures become milder. Attendance reaches its highest point during the spring wildflower season, then drops during summer heat.

Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable temperatures. Average highs are around 85°F, or 29°C, and average lows are around 50°F, or 10°C.

Winter days are around 60°F, or 15°C, while nights can freeze. Snow sometimes falls at higher elevations.

Summer daytime temperatures exceed 100°F, or 38°C. Nights often remain above 75°F, or 24°C. Days are usually clear, and humidity is typically below 25%.

Accessibility

The site is listed as wheelchair accessible. The parking area is paved, and paved sidewalks provide access to the toilets. All restrooms have grab bars, and accessible restroom facilities are available.

Areas surrounding the picnic tables have flat dirt surfaces. None of the 24 picnic tables or 11 grills is accessible.

Accessible parking near Hidden Valley Trailhead includes 2 standard spaces. Visitors can also use 26 spaces near the picnic area and 52 spaces nearer the trailhead.

Fees and rules

Joshua Tree National Park charges a $30 entrance fee for a private vehicle. Motorcycle admission costs $25. Per-person admission costs $15.

Drinking water is unavailable at this picnic area and throughout the park. The nearest drinking fountain is at Joshua Tree Visitor Center, approximately 14 miles away.

Use the provided recycling, dumpster, and litter receptacles. Follow posted restrictions, including any day-use designations.

Nearby trails and places

Hidden Valley Nature Trail begins at this location. It is about 0.9 miles as mapped by the National Park Service.

Hidden Valley to Barker Dam Connector is about 0.6 miles away. That route is also about 0.9 miles as mapped by the National Park Service.

Intersection Rock is a point of interest about 0.3 miles away. An emergency phone is about 0.4 miles away, and Hidden Valley Campground is about 0.4 miles away. Echo T Trailhead is about 1 mile away.

Before you go

Bring all the drinking water needed for the visit. Water is unavailable at the picnic area and anywhere else inside the park. The closest listed fountain is at Joshua Tree Visitor Center.

Check current conditions and alerts on the park’s National Park Service website. Pack layers for changing temperatures, especially during freezing winter nights. Prepare for extreme heat during summer days and warm summer nights.

Follow posted rules and any day-use limits. Dispose of waste in the supplied receptacles, use recycling where appropriate, and leave no trace.

Questions