Heart Rock Trail in Joshua Tree National Park isn’t an official, marked trail, but rather a hidden gem known for its unique heart-shaped rock formation.
Heart Rock Trail Basics
1-2 Hours
1.6 Miles Roundtrip
Out-and-Back Trail
108 Feet
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Even though the distance isn’t very long, plan to spend about 1-2 hours in this area. There are a few places that you’ll need to do some rock scrambling on this short hike which can add to the amount of time it takes. Also, if you plan to add on the Arch Rock Trail (highly suggested) then that will add about 20 minutes to your time here.
Distance: 1.6 Miles Roundtrip
If you go straight to Heart Rock and back, the trail is about 1.6 miles in total. It’s a great easy hike when you are in the area.
Type: Out-and-Back Trail
For this trail, you walk out to Heart Rock from the Twin Tanks Parking Area then back to the parking spot. You can add on the loop that takes you around Arch Rock.
Elevation Change: 108 Feet
The elevation change on this trail is mostly in the second half as you get close to Heart Rock. You will be scrambling a little bit over some rocks to get to the iconic rock in the shape of a heart.
Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round, but due to the extreme temperatures in the desert, the summer months get very hot and can be dangerous.
Time of Day: Any
The trail heads for Heart Rock and Arch Rock can be accessed at any time of the day. Again, if you are there in the summer months, the best time to go is in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day.
Amount of Shade: None
There’s no shade on the trail to Heart Rock, so plan accordingly with appropriate sun protection and plenty of water.
Difficulty: Moderate
The first half of the trail is pretty easy and follows the established trail for Arch Rock for about a half mile. Then, when you see the sign towards the left for Heart Rock, the trail takes you through a large boulder field and a dry river bed.
What Makes Heart Rock a Great Hike?
You won’t find Heart Rock on the park map, but it’s a great unique rock formation to visit as a detour on the popular trail to Arch Rock. Heart Rock is a standing heart in a naturally formed granite boulder. There’s no official trail, but you’ll see a few small trail markers if you walk on the established trail for Arch Rock.
When we got back to the rock, there was one other couple there taking photos. It was perfect because they were able to take photos of our whole group and we took a photo of them together.
Scenery on the Heart Rock Trail
Start of the Trail
The trail starts in a flat desert area through the Joshua trees, California fan palms, and small desert brush.
Ryan at Heart Rock
Stephanie and Justin share a kiss at Heart Rock
On the Trail
As you get closer to the loop trail that leads back to Arch Rock, you will start to see some of the awesome rock formations in the area. As you take the left turn toward Heart Rock you’ll be walking along the dry river wash in a field of large and small boulders.
End of the Trail
The trail ends at one of the many natural wonders in Joshua Tree National Park, Heart Rock. The rock is balanced on the top of a large flat slab of rock. You can walk right up next to the 10-foot-tall heart.
Notable Places on the Hike
Along the way, you’ll encounter iconic Joshua Trees, boulders, and other desert vegetation. There are no other notable places on the hike except the split in the trail to Arch Rock.
Stephanie’s parents at Heart Rock
Our group in front of an iconic Joshua Tree
Heart Rock 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. The park is situated at the convergence of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert.
Finding the Trailhead
The trailhead is located at the southern end of the parking lot. There are informative signs that indicate the trailheads. The sign points ahead on a dirt road for the California Riding and Hiking Trail and Arch Rock Nature Trail. Follow this past the sign about backcountry camping until you get to a crosswalk. Carefully cross the street then follow the next sign that directs you to the Arch Rock Nature Trail that leads to the Heart Rock Trail.
Markers Along the Trail
The trail to Heart Rock used to have no marking and was considered a "hidden gem" in the park and the exact location was difficult to find. Now, look for the small metal posts with a sign for Heart Rock.
Nearest Restrooms
There are no restrooms in the parking lot by the Twin Tanks Trailhead. The closest restrooms that are available to the public are at the Live Oak Picnic Area on the main road through the park. There are restrooms at the campground available for those with camping reservations.
Parking Area
There are two parking areas you can use to get to Heart Rock. The closest is in the White Tank Campground. This makes the hike much shorter, but the parking area is not open to the public. You must have a campsite reservation to park in the campground.
The best parking lot is the Twin Tanks parking lot located on Pinto Basin Road just south of the Belle Campground. From the North Entrance, head south on Park Boulevard until you come to the intersection with Pinto Basin Road. Turn left, then look for the parking area on your right. You will have to cross the street at the crosswalk to get to Arch Rock Trailhead which leads to Heart Rock Trail.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
- California Riding and Hiking Trail
- Split Rock Connector
- Arch Rock Nature Trail
Tips for Heart Rock Trail
- If you search for Heart Rock on Google Maps, it will help you find it, but there's no marked trail.
- Heart Rock is a great short detour when you are going to the very popular Arch Rock.
Accessibility Information for Heart Rock Trail
Sand, Rocks
Paved
Trail Type: Sand, Rocks
The Heart Rock Trail contains various terrain types, including deep sand, hard-pack dirt, and uneven rocky surfaces. The trail is relatively flat until you reach the Heart Rock spur. The trail widens to 4 feet across in some areas but is as narrow as 1-2 feet in certain areas. The trail is not accessible for people using wheelchairs.
Parking: Paved
The parking area at Twin Tanks is a paved parking area but there are no designated handicap-accessible spots in the lot.