Lost Palms Canyon to Victory Palm Oasis

Lost Palms Canyon to Victory Palms is a 16.4 mile route that enters the Lost Palms Canyon from the south side and leads to the Victory Palms Oasis. This trek features mountain views, solitude, and historical landmarks amidst a quintessential Colorado Desert landscape. Overall, the route has little elevation change and is fairly easy to follow. The main challenges of this journey include a lack of shade, lack of water, and the possibility of extreme temperatures. Visitors should plan to carry sufficient water, dress in sun protective clothing, and avoid hiking on days with extreme heat. This is a great winter hike that can be done in one day or as part of an overnight backpacking trip. Lost Palms Canyon is a popular destination that is most commonly approached from the north, within the national park, via the Lost Palms Oasis Trail. This route begins outside of the national park, enters the canyon from the south, and leads to Victory Palms, a lesser explored oasis within the canyon. It offers stunning views and a scenic backcountry experience without all the crowds.Experienced hikers may attempt to traverse the entire canyon, but this would require navigating over loose rocks, giant boulders, and potentially dangerous terrain.From Cottonwood Canyon Road, this route runs east along a flat dirt road that skirts the southeastern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park. The area falls within the boundaries of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which allows dispersed camping in designated areas for those who are interested in camping overnight before or after their trek.The dirt road trail meanders through the Colorado Desert and offers spectacular views of the Eagle Mountains and nearby wilderness areas. After approximately 4.8 miles, the trail turns north and ascends Lost Palms Canyon. This route leads to Victory Palms, an isolated and scenic palm oasis that receives few visitors due to its remote location. To reurn to the start simply retrace your steps from Victory Palms.DISPERSED CAMPINGThis route crosses over an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is a popular spot for dispersed camping. You can find specific information and regulations regarding dispersed camping by visiting https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/camping-outside-the-park.htm. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONCamp Young Historical AreaLost Palms Oasis