{"id":4638,"date":"2016-06-06T00:06:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-06T00:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?p=4638"},"modified":"2024-04-26T04:34:06","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T04:34:06","slug":"black-rock-joshua-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/black-rock-joshua-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Rock Area in Joshua Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n
\n

Often overlooked by tourists visiting Joshua Tree National Park, the Black Rock area doesn\u2019t see the same volume of people as other parts of the Park.<\/strong>\u00a0 This makes it a nice place to enjoy some of the famous Joshua Tree landscape without all the crowds. \u00a0A variety of hiking trails through desert vegetation and with great views will be found at Black Rock.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n
\n
\n \"BlackRock\" \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n

<\/h3>\n
\n Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n \"BlackRockYouTube\" <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

About Black Rock<\/h3>\n

The Black Rock area is located in the northwest corner of Joshua Tree National Park. \u00a0For that reason, it is not visited as much as the main part of the park, with its main roads and entrances near\u00a0the towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.<\/p>\n

Although Black Rock is inside the National Park, it is only connected to the rest of the Park by hiking trails so you can\u2019t get there by using any of the main Park entrances.\u00a0 It\u2019s actually very close to the town of Yucca Valley.\u00a0 A great day trip itinerary can include a morning hike on one of the trails here and then a stop in Yucca Valley to enjoy one of several eateries and browse the antique shops or maybe a visit to nearby Pioneertown.<\/p>\n

For those that like to camp, the Black Rock Campground offers about 100 individual camping sites.\u00a0 It is convenient for tent campers, has easy access for RVs and there are showers and flushing toilets available.\u00a0 Yucca Valley is close by so it\u2019s easy to get supplies in case you forgot something but, because the campground is nestled in a shallow canyon, shielding it from the town\u2019s lights, it\u2019s also a great place to enjoy those dark night skies.<\/p>\n

Black Rock Campground is also the starting point for numerous hiking trails and, if you are just there for the day (not camping), there is no Park entrance fee.<\/p>\n

The landscape around Black Rock lacks the well-known, large granite rock formations found in other parts of Joshua Tree National Park but it makes up for it with a lush array of desert plants.\u00a0 And, at an altitude of around 4,000 feet, there are plants here that you might not expect to see in a desert.\u00a0 Some of the plants you\u2019ll find are the Joshua Tree (of course), Mojave yucca, Parry\u2019s nolina, juniper trees, pinyon pines, oaks, and cholla cacti. \u00a0There are also the typical desert-dwelling animals here so keep your eyes open.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

Hiking<\/h3>\n

Black Rock offers several plenty of hiking opportunities and at different skill levels. \u00a0It also offers trails for folks that ride horses. \u00a0The longest trail in the park, the 37 mile (59 km) California Riding and Hiking Trail, is particularly popular with equestrians.<\/p>\n

Hiking trails meander all over the area and most begin at the Black Rock entrance. \u00a0A kiosk sign is located a short distance off the first parking area on the left (east) that maps some of the trails.\u00a0 \u00a0A small visitor center and ranger station is located mid-way through the campground where more hiking information can be obtained.<\/p>\n

More…<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Pictures<\/h3>

Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"BlackRockSldr1\"