California Riding and Hiking Trail

California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) is a 36.6-mile, point-to-point backpacking route through the Mojave Desert portion of Joshua Tree National Park, typically hiked west to east from Black Rock Canyon to the North Entrance over about 2–3 days.

Route logistics are built around dry-camping and water caching: there’s no reliable water along the trail, so plan to carry or cache enough for the full crossing and expect to stage supplies at road-accessible points.

The trail traverses a west-side cross-section of the park, moving through dense Joshua tree stands and remote desert country, with sections that can reach near-5,000-foot terrain as you work your way toward higher country.

Trail legs are often done as short, repeatable chunks using multiple named trailheads. Common reference sections include Black Rock Canyon to Upper Covington Flats (7.5 miles), Upper Covington Flats to Keys View (10.8 miles), Keys View to Geology Tour Road (6.5 miles), Geology Tour Road to Pinto Basin Road (4.4 miles), and Pinto Basin Road to North Entrance (7.3 miles).

Season matters for exposure and heat. It’s not recommended in summer due to high temperatures and sun exposure; the commonly targeted window is fall through spring (roughly October–May), with spring being especially good for wildflowers.

Backcountry camping is dispersed rather than within established campsites on the route itself: you’ll need the skills to select a low-impact campsite and follow bathroom/Leave No Trace practices at least 1 mile from a trailhead and 200 feet from the trail.

Because navigation and route visibility can change after rain (and desert washes may obscure the tread), come prepared with a map and offline navigation and be ready to confirm you’re on CRHT mile signs and junctions before committing to a line.

More information: Visitor information, California Riding and Hiking Trail Guide, Hiking and Backpacking the California Riding Hiking Trail in Joshua ...