Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road
Beginning at Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southern section of the park, this challenging 20-mile road travels west along Smoke Tree Wash before cutting down into Pinkham Canyon.
Plan Around Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road Details
Beginning at Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southern section of the park, this challenging 20-mile road travels west along Smoke Tree Wash before cutting down into Pinkham Canyon, exiting on a service road that connects to I-10. Sections of the road run through soft sand and rocky flood plains, so a high-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicle is a must. As the road begins, drivers will see the Cottonwood Mountains to the left and the Hexie Mountains to the right. The area also features lots of barrel cactus and ocotillo, which can grow up to 33 feet tall. Smoke Tree Wash leads drivers into Pinkham Canyon, where they can either exit the park on the service road or continue onto Thermal Canyon Road, which loops back north to Pinkham Canyon Road. Drivers should be sure to stay on established roads. If you experience a breakdown, it may be some time before another car passes, so carry extra water, oil, and radiator hoses for your car. Bikes are welcome in Joshua Tree on any road open to vehicles, including backcountry roads.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Nearby Parks Around Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road
Compare nearby parks around Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Pinkham Canyon/Thermal Canyon Road while the map context is still fresh.
1.3 mi away
I-10 Freeway/Interstate 10
The I-10 freeway connects Los Angeles, Calif., and Phoenix, Ariz., passing through the Coachella Valley and the famous desert resort towns of the Palm Springs area along the way.
3.6 mi away
Cottonwood Mountains
The Cottonwood Mountains are closest to the park's southern entrance.
5.1 mi away
Painted Canyon
Famous for its jagged peaks and colored layered walls, this canyon is the crown gem of the Mecca Hills Recreation Area.
7.0 mi away
Moorten's Mill
A short hike from Cottonwood Spring leads through palo verde and desert willow trees to the remains of Moorten's Mill.
8.0 mi away
Sheephole Valley Wilderness
The 186,673-acre Sheephole Valley Wilderness is a unit of the Bureau of Land Management on the northeast border of Joshua Tree National Park.
