The Barker Dam Nature Trail offers a mix of historical, cultural, and natural sights, making it a must-do hike in Joshua Tree National Park.
Barker Dam Trail Basics
Under 1 Hour
1.1 Miles Roundtrip
Loop
50 Feet
Duration: Under 1 Hour
The hike to Barker Dam is a pretty easy trail, so it can be done in under one hour for most people.
Distance: 1.1 Miles Roundtrip
This short trail is just over a one-mile hike with the dam being at about the halfway point.
Type: Loop Trail
Barker Dam is a loop hike that takes visitors from the parking area back to the dam overlook and then back to the parking lot.
Elevation Change: 50 Feet
Most of the elevation gain along this hike is gradual until you get close to the dam. At that point, there are some natural stairs and large boulders to work your way around.
Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
The best time of year to visit the historic Barker Dam is in the Spring, Fall, or Winter. During the summer months, the temperatures in the desert rise to dangerous levels for even a short hike. Make sure to bring plenty of water no matter when you go.
Time of Day: Any
Barker Dam Trail can be traversed any time of day, but the trail heads parking area sometimes fills up during the middle of the day. It’s best to walk this trail in the early morning or late afternoon.
Amount of Shade: Minimal
The iconic Joshua trees don’t offer much shade on this one-mile loop trail. You will be in the sun for the majority of the trip, so make sure you have water, sunscreen, and protective clothing.
Difficulty: Easy
Barker Dam Loop is an easy trail for most hikers. It is known as a family-friendly hike for wildlife enthusiasts and those who enjoy the human history of the California desert.
What Makes Barker Dam a Great Hike?
Overall, Barker Dam is a pretty easy hike that doesn’t take too long. You walk through Joshua Tree’s iconic monzogranite boulders, through fields of the park’s namesake Joshua Trees and lush vegetation, and get to do just a little bit of rock scrambling.
Once you get to the far end of the loop, you will get a few of the original Barker Dam that was built in the early 1900s by early cattlemen. They used the dam to help collect water for their livestock. At the dam, you can see the top of the dam, the high water mark along it, the plant life of the Mojave desert thriving in the wet soil, and some desert animals that call the area home.
History enthusiasts will enjoy the ancient petroglyphs found on the giant rocks near the southwestern part of the trail.
Scenery on the Barker Dam Trail
Start of the Trail
The trail starts off walking through the desert scrub bushes along a smooth rock trail. You can look ahead at the giant piles of boulders and rock formations that the park is known for.
Trail through the desert
Large boulders along the trail
On the Trail
Make sure you take the trail to the rock art site along the western side of the loop. You can visit this on the way to the dam if you take the trail clockwise or on the way back if you go counterclockwise.
End of the Trail
The furthest reaches of the trail bring you to the top of Barker Dam, a small reservoir that was used to hold a little water for the livestock of the cattlemen in the early 1900’s. Depending on the season and how much rain the area has had, the natural water tank may be dry. For the best chance at seeing water, go in the Spring after a significant rainfall.
Notable Places on the Hike
Don’t miss the petroglyphs on the rock walls. Take time to read the informational signs about the history of the dam.
Iconic Joshua Tree
At Barker Dam
Barker Dam Trailhead Information
Park Name: Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California, about halfway between Los Angeles and the Arizona border. The closest airports are Palm Springs International Airport and Twentynine Palms Airport. Both of those are small airports, though, so the closest major airport is Los Angeles. From there, you'll need to rent a car to drive about 4 hours east into the desert to get to the Joshua Tree Area.
Finding the Trailhead
The trailhead is near the center of the northern side of the parking area just to the left of the pit toilet facilities.
Markers Along the Trail
Interpretive signs along the trail tell the history of Barker Dam and provide insight into the plants, animals, and people that call the desert home.
Nearest Restrooms
There are vault toilets available in the parking area at the Barker Dam Trailhead.
Parking Area
The parking area for the trail can be found on Barker Dam Road, also called Queen Valley Road. The road is about 12 miles from the West Entrance in the town of Joshua Tree. Look for the sign that directs you to "Hidden Valley Campground, Key's Ranch, Barker Dam, Ranch Tours." If you are coming from the North Entrance, take Park Boulevard past where it intersects with Pinto Basin Road until you see the sign on the right for the Barker Dam area near Hidden Valley. Barker Dam Road will end at the parking lot before it turns into a dirt road.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
- Old Queen Valley Historic Road Trail
- Wall Street Mill Trail
Tips for Barker Dam Trail
- Barker Dam is also known as the Big Horn Dam.
- After periods of heavy rainfall, the Barker Dam reservoir will occasionally fill with water. Otherwise, the reservoir is typically dry most of the year.
- The park prohibits strollers on this trail to protect the fragile desert ecosystem and prevent trail degradation.
Accessibility Information for Barker Dam Trail
Dirt, Boulders, Sandy Wash
Paved
Trail Type: Dirt, Boulders, Sandy Wash
Barker Dam Trail begins on flat, compact dirt, but slowly begins to incline and transitions into granite boulders to step on or over. Some boulders have steps, other small boulders do not. The trail continues to a viewpoint of Barker Dam on top of a flat, granite boulder. From there, it transitions into a tight squeeze between or around boulders, down more granite steps, and into sandy desert washes. This trail is not accessible for people using wheelchairs.
Parking: Paved
The parking lot for Barker Dam is a paved parking lot with four handicap-accessible parking spots.