Cholla Cactus Garden Photos
You might also consider
More like Cholla Cactus Garden
Recommended Reviews - Cholla Cactus Garden
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
The Cholla (choy-ah) Cactus Garden is located off Pinto Basin Road (we almost missed it - signage not very visible) but you will notice you are getting closer when the Joshua Trees give way to these strange cacti (teddybear cholla). There's nothing cute about these teddybear, they are also called "jumping cholla" so if these barbs attach to you they are painful to remove. This is a quarter- mile loop, some parts on a wooden walkway, but interesting and eerie, just give the cholla a wide berth.
This is a pretty garden to check out in Joshua tree. I've been here multiple times but unfortunately it was closed this visit. We were still able to park nearby and look at the surrounding cholla cactus. Definitely be careful at this spot because there is fallen cactus on the ground that you may accidentally step on. Dogs aren't allowed which is good since there are needle on the ground. Make sure to wear good shoes, my friends had cactus stuck on their shoes. Ouch!
I once was fell into a cholla cactus and spent a couple hours pulling needles out of my shoulder and back. Even after that experience, I still see the beauty of these amazing plants. On my first visit to Joshua Tree National Park, this was my first stop after entering the park through Cottonwood Visitor Center. This garden is so vast and amazing! The area itself can support a high number of cacti because of the amount of water it gets from being in between two deserts - the Mohave and the Colorado. The Cholla Cactus Garden trail is a short loop that allows you to admire these teddybear cholla. Just be careful because cholla segments can "jump" or break off and attach to people.
The Cholla Garden could be worth a visit if you are going to Joshua Tree National Park and if you like cacti and want to see something besides Joshua Trees. But it is very far from the North West 29 palms entrance and about an hour from there depending on traffic and how crowded the road are. This spot is closer to the east entrance and about 30 miles from the main spots like Hall of Horrors. If you come in the SE entrance this is 1 of the main attractions you will hit as you drive towards the NW entrance. The ocotillos are also close by. There is a short walking path which you can get through in less than 10 minutes. There are signs to warn you about the bees and the cacti sticking to you, your clothes, and your shoes. The cacti seem to jump because break off easy and the barbs will get entangled in anything. Don't use your fingers to try to separate the cacti pieces from you or your clothes or shoes, use a rock or a piece of wood or some tools from your car if you have some. The Cholla Cactus garden is a unique landscape in Joshua Tree and definitely a different look than the other side of the park where all the Joshua Trees and large boulders are. You may also see dead animals that the birds have dropped into the Cholla. I saw a mouse that was petrified in the Cholla. The small parking lot can be a pain when it is very busy and crowded.
Cholla at Your Boy Amazing patch of Ocotillo cactus that's located in the heart of the massive 800k-acre Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP). This location, due to a natural alluvial fan, gets more water than other surrounding areas and that's what helps create this beautiful natural garden. The garden itself is fairly small and is one of many short pulloffs while driving around JTNP--but was def one of my favorites! There's a well-maintained gavel trail that takes visitors thru and around the garden. There aren't many roads to get here, but the time it takes one to arrive will vary heavily depending on which of the park's three entrances you take: *±1hr drive from the West entrance (Joshua Tree) *±21 minutes from the North entrance (Twentynine Palms); *±32min from the South entrance (Palm Springs) These times are all assuming you're doing the speed limit inside the park, of course. :)
A nice spot in Joshua Tree National park for anyone doing a day trip and are looking for quick spots to check out. The loop trail is only about a quarter mile, but there's a lot of free space to explore and check out the cholla cactus in the area. Of course be careful around the cactus, the pins are know to fly off when it's windy, and also just be careful with how close you get to them. Later in the day after I visited the garden I touch my leg and got stabbed by a pin that I didn't realize got stuck to my shorts. The pins may look harmless but it hurt like hell for a couple minutes.
Nature trail in Joshua Tree National Park Located inside the Joshua Tree National Park we drove through Pinto Basin Road to find this cactus garden. It is an easy 0.25 mi hike around with an elevation of 10 feet. This is a lightly trafficked loop trail with a view of naturally growing Cholla cactus plants. Although the hike is not treacherous it is advisable to stay on the trail and be aware of the prickly cactus plants. Don't be fooled by the fuzzy appearance, they are sharp! We took time to read the interpretive and warning signs along the way. The cactus spines are not poisonous but in case you hurt yourself there is a first aid kit located at the entrance of the trail. The path here is wide and easily accessible. We spent about 15-30 mins in the cactus garden. The short easy hike through Cholla Cactus Garden is well worth the stop even though it is a little far from the other attractions. It was interesting seeing acres of cholla cactus in this section of the park. Wear closed-toe shoes. The cactus garden is closer coming from the Cottonwood Visitor Center. This is our second visit to the park. The first time we were here on July 2014 the road towards I-10 experienced heavy flash floods and this section of the park was closed and so we didn't make it here. Glad we were able to check it out this second time around. Review #1534
An unexpected and cool spot within Joshua Tree National Park. It kind of appears out of nowhere as you are driving southeast through the park. Definitely worth a stop! The trail itself is short and an easy walk, the path isn't paved but it's not strenuous. There are a ton of cacti, pictures definitely don't do it justice! There were a couple of other people on the trail taking photographs. I'd recommend staying on the trail since you should definitely not touch the cactus. Be aware as parts of them will break off and can roll onto the trail. There is a first aid kit chained to the fence by the entrance if you have an incident.
Unlike any other garden that I've ever seen! The Cholla Cactus Garden is truly a one of a kind. It's peaceful and the views are just stunning. The trail itself is short: maybe about a mile to a half mile long, but you can veer off the trail and explore at your own pace. The garden is located pretty far from the park entrance, but I would totally recommend it as it's different from any other stop within the park. If you're going during the warmer months, make sure you wear sunscreen as the entire garden is exposed to the sun. It's so incredible that these plants are able to grow in such dry conditions. The cacti are really beautiful. They're all the same species but you'll see cacti of all different shapes and sizes here. The colors are also really unique. They look fuzzy from afar and you may be tempted to touch, but please don't do it. Not only does it harm the environment, but the thorns end up everywhere and they're not easy to get off. And just so you know, I did NOT touch them! Yes, I'm a law abiding citizen.... well, for the most part at least (wink wink). The trail starts off with a sanded path that leads to a wooden path throughout the desert. You'll be surrounded by the most gorgeous views of the cacti. There's a small parking lot right near the entrance that didn't get too crowded during my visit in late September. Most people don't stay here for too long since the trail is short. If you're visiting Joshua Tree NP, I would highly recommend that you give yourself enough time to stop at this garden.
Joshua Tree National Park has a unique ecosystem: the park itself is an example of two deserts converging with each other. A famous example of this are the growing locations of two of the park's most iconic flora - the eponymous Joshua trees and the cholla cactus. If you see Joshua trees you know that you are in the Mojave Desert - the higher elevation, cooler temps and higher rainfall allow the trees to survive there. Conversely the Colorado Desert has no Joshua Trees in sight; the predominant flora is the cholla cactus, also affectionally known as the teddy bear cholla for its distinctive "stuffed toy-like" features. The Cholla Cactus Garden is located on Pinto Basin Road, halfway between the north and south entrances to the park and also on the border in which the two deserts meet. There is dedicated parking for the garden but unfortunately no restrooms. One of the easiest trails in the park is the 0.25 mile loop that leads hikers through nearly 10 acres of the teddy bear cholla. Time your visit towards sunset to get your FOMO shot. Goes without saying "don't touch the cactus". The reason for the teddy-like features is due to the concentration of spines on the cactus themselves. Even my travel buddy (a stuffed bear herself) refused to sit herself on a cactus for a photo-op. What's worse is that another nickname for the cactus is the "jumping cactus" for its propensity to just break off and attach itself to different things including the unlucky or stupid person that manages to get too close to one...
Beauty is better left untouched right? Well for these babies, you better keep a safe distance! They well literally stab you. They have little things called the jumping cholla that will get you. 2 seconds into walking around the garden, my bf yelps for help. Of course, the chollas have attacked! It's best to wear boots when you can, because these chollas can pierce through a lot if you're not careful. The garden is located basically in the middle of the park. 30 km if you are coming from the north side. It's basically the only things from the entrance to the south of the park. All the other pit stops are on the west side and central area of the park. This is far from other scenic points in the park, but I did enjoy this area very much.
The cholla (teddy bear) cactus is the definition of cute, but deadly. We drove for miles coming from the Cottonwood visitor center and all of a sudden, these adorable cactus showed up on our left hand side. We came here close to sunset which is a beautiful time to show up. There was a warning sign about bees, but we didn't see any. The trail is very short and we saw a lot of people went off trail. Would highly recommend stopping by here to check out these cactus. Just be careful not to touch them! (If curious, YouTube what happens when you touch them)
A fun walk through a cacti patch where you're liable to get a few cactus spines on your legs and feet. Located on the southern cottonwood area of the Joshua Tree National Park, it's a bit of a drive from the other scenic points but it's well worth it. A truly unique experience. TIPS Go off trail - It's allowed and most people do it anyway. Just watch out for cactus spine balls that somehow end up on your socks. Go during sunset - It's cooler, better light, and no bees..
In the Pinto Basin of Joshua Tree, where the Colorado desert morphs into the Mojave, you'll find thousands of "teddy bear" cholla cacti thriving! They may look soft and cuddly but they're quite hazardous - designed to spike into skin and fur to hitch a ride in order to propagate! This reproductive tendency to easily snap off pieces at the stem and travel has earned these cacti another nickname - "jumping cholla" lol. Luckily, the NPS works hard to keep the trails through the garden well maintained - allowing us to explore and meander the 10 acres without getting poked and spiked! Some of the teddy bear cholla towered over me by at least a foot! And the surrounding area is all mountains in the distance so it's definitely worth a visit. The sunsets here are often dramatic with lots of interesting photo angles and opportunities. The cacti themselves are beautiful with their rich brown stems gradually blending into the pastel green of their crowns. And in the spring they have great big greenish blooms. There's plenty of paved parking at the trailhead and it's easy to find - right off one of the main roads so you really can't miss it. I'd say it's definitely a must see in the park. Entry to the national park has a fee but there's lots to see and do. They have plenty of visitors centers, other nearby bathrooms, and picnic spots. Cell and WiFi signal is very lacking in the park - plan ahead and download and offline maps you may need. read more
My mother in law insisted we come here so we obliged. The parking lot is larger than other trailheads and it's a popular destination with cholla cactus dotting the landscape. It's a very short 0.5 mile loop and you can start on either side, you'll see the same things. It's popular for sunset or sunrise photography. The worst thing is you are on a twisting trail that's clearly bounded by rocks and ropes. Though you can get close to cactus I didn't feel immersed, more like I was doing a drive-by. Because the way the path is set up it's also very hard to take pictures without ropes, the path, and other people being in your picture. There is an area right across the street where you'll be more immersed but Cholla caxtus us a protected species so we didn't want to accidentally damage one or get stabbed. read more
3 years ago
Being one of the most popular sites in Joshua Tree National Park, a visit to the Cholla Cactus Garden is a must. Located about 30 minutes (driving) from the north entrance, you'll enjoy a nice scenic drive through the desert. Just keep an eye out for a brown national park sign that will point you in the right direction and lead you straight to the cacti. The parking lot is on the smaller side, so try to get there earlier in the day if possible. Luckily, there was still an ample amount of space when we arrived around 9:00AM on a December weekday. I couldn't help but wonder how all this Cholla became centralized in a single area. Acres of these cacti spanned different stages of life... some small, some older taller ones and some poor shriveled ones. The walk through the trail is only a quarter of a mile, but the path is not defined very well, so we just kind of meandered around. As mentioned on a warning sign in the parking area, just don't get super close or touch the Cholla as they will gladly prick and cling to you. Despite how cool they look, these plants should be appreciated from a safe distance. read more
The Cholla (choy-ah) Cactus Garden is located off Pinto Basin Road (we almost missed it - signage not very visible) but you will notice you are getting closer when the Joshua Trees give way to these strange cacti (teddybear cholla). There's nothing cute about these teddybear, they are also called "jumping cholla" so if these barbs attach to you they are painful to remove. This is a quarter- mile loop, some parts on a wooden walkway, but interesting and eerie, just give the cholla a wide berth. read more
This is a pretty garden to check out in Joshua tree. I've been here multiple times but unfortunately it was closed this visit. We were still able to park nearby and look at the surrounding cholla cactus. Definitely be careful at this spot because there is fallen cactus on the ground that you may accidentally step on. Dogs aren't allowed which is good since there are needle on the ground. Make sure to wear good shoes, my friends had cactus stuck on their shoes. Ouch! read more
I once was fell into a cholla cactus and spent a couple hours pulling needles out of my shoulder and back. Even after that experience, I still see the beauty of these amazing plants. On my first visit to Joshua Tree National Park, this was my first stop after entering the park through Cottonwood Visitor Center. This garden is so vast and amazing! The area itself can support a high number of cacti because of the amount of water it gets from being in between two deserts - the Mohave and the Colorado. The Cholla Cactus Garden trail is a short loop that allows you to admire these teddybear cholla. Just be careful because cholla segments can "jump" or break off and attach to people. read more
The Cholla Garden could be worth a visit if you are going to Joshua Tree National Park and if you like cacti and want to see something besides Joshua Trees. But it is very far from the North West 29 palms entrance and about an hour from there depending on traffic and how crowded the road are. This spot is closer to the east entrance and about 30 miles from the main spots like Hall of Horrors. If you come in the SE entrance this is 1 of the main attractions you will hit as you drive towards the NW entrance. The ocotillos are also close by. There is a short walking path which you can get through in less than 10 minutes. There are signs to warn you about the bees and the cacti sticking to you, your clothes, and your shoes. The cacti seem to jump because break off easy and the barbs will get entangled in anything. Don't use your fingers to try to separate the cacti pieces from you or your clothes or shoes, use a rock or a piece of wood or some tools from your car if you have some. The Cholla Cactus garden is a unique landscape in Joshua Tree and definitely a different look than the other side of the park where all the Joshua Trees and large boulders are. You may also see dead animals that the birds have dropped into the Cholla. I saw a mouse that was petrified in the Cholla. The small parking lot can be a pain when it is very busy and crowded. read more
Cholla at Your Boy Amazing patch of Ocotillo cactus that's located in the heart of the massive 800k-acre Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP). This location, due to a natural alluvial fan, gets more water than other surrounding areas and that's what helps create this beautiful natural garden. The garden itself is fairly small and is one of many short pulloffs while driving around JTNP--but was def one of my favorites! There's a well-maintained gavel trail that takes visitors thru and around the garden. There aren't many roads to get here, but the time it takes one to arrive will vary heavily depending on which of the park's three entrances you take: *±1hr drive from the West entrance (Joshua Tree) *±21 minutes from the North entrance (Twentynine Palms); *±32min from the South entrance (Palm Springs) These times are all assuming you're doing the speed limit inside the park, of course. :) read more
A nice spot in Joshua Tree National park for anyone doing a day trip and are looking for quick spots to check out. The loop trail is only about a quarter mile, but there's a lot of free space to explore and check out the cholla cactus in the area. Of course be careful around the cactus, the pins are know to fly off when it's windy, and also just be careful with how close you get to them. Later in the day after I visited the garden I touch my leg and got stabbed by a pin that I didn't realize got stuck to my shorts. The pins may look harmless but it hurt like hell for a couple minutes. read more
Nature trail in Joshua Tree National Park Located inside the Joshua Tree National Park we drove through Pinto Basin Road to find this cactus garden. It is an easy 0.25 mi hike around with an elevation of 10 feet. This is a lightly trafficked loop trail with a view of naturally growing Cholla cactus plants. Although the hike is not treacherous it is advisable to stay on the trail and be aware of the prickly cactus plants. Don't be fooled by the fuzzy appearance, they are sharp! We took time to read the interpretive and warning signs along the way. The cactus spines are not poisonous but in case you hurt yourself there is a first aid kit located at the entrance of the trail. The path here is wide and easily accessible. We spent about 15-30 mins in the cactus garden. The short easy hike through Cholla Cactus Garden is well worth the stop even though it is a little far from the other attractions. It was interesting seeing acres of cholla cactus in this section of the park. Wear closed-toe shoes. The cactus garden is closer coming from the Cottonwood Visitor Center. This is our second visit to the park. The first time we were here on July 2014 the road towards I-10 experienced heavy flash floods and this section of the park was closed and so we didn't make it here. Glad we were able to check it out this second time around. Review #1534 read more
An unexpected and cool spot within Joshua Tree National Park. It kind of appears out of nowhere as you are driving southeast through the park. Definitely worth a stop! The trail itself is short and an easy walk, the path isn't paved but it's not strenuous. There are a ton of cacti, pictures definitely don't do it justice! There were a couple of other people on the trail taking photographs. I'd recommend staying on the trail since you should definitely not touch the cactus. Be aware as parts of them will break off and can roll onto the trail. There is a first aid kit chained to the fence by the entrance if you have an incident. read more
Unlike any other garden that I've ever seen! The Cholla Cactus Garden is truly a one of a kind. It's peaceful and the views are just stunning. The trail itself is short: maybe about a mile to a half mile long, but you can veer off the trail and explore at your own pace. The garden is located pretty far from the park entrance, but I would totally recommend it as it's different from any other stop within the park. If you're going during the warmer months, make sure you wear sunscreen as the entire garden is exposed to the sun. It's so incredible that these plants are able to grow in such dry conditions. The cacti are really beautiful. They're all the same species but you'll see cacti of all different shapes and sizes here. The colors are also really unique. They look fuzzy from afar and you may be tempted to touch, but please don't do it. Not only does it harm the environment, but the thorns end up everywhere and they're not easy to get off. And just so you know, I did NOT touch them! Yes, I'm a law abiding citizen.... well, for the most part at least (wink wink). The trail starts off with a sanded path that leads to a wooden path throughout the desert. You'll be surrounded by the most gorgeous views of the cacti. There's a small parking lot right near the entrance that didn't get too crowded during my visit in late September. Most people don't stay here for too long since the trail is short. If you're visiting Joshua Tree NP, I would highly recommend that you give yourself enough time to stop at this garden. read more
6 years ago
Joshua Tree National Park has a unique ecosystem: the park itself is an example of two deserts converging with each other. A famous example of this are the growing locations of two of the park's most iconic flora - the eponymous Joshua trees and the cholla cactus. If you see Joshua trees you know that you are in the Mojave Desert - the higher elevation, cooler temps and higher rainfall allow the trees to survive there. Conversely the Colorado Desert has no Joshua Trees in sight; the predominant flora is the cholla cactus, also affectionally known as the teddy bear cholla for its distinctive "stuffed toy-like" features. The Cholla Cactus Garden is located on Pinto Basin Road, halfway between the north and south entrances to the park and also on the border in which the two deserts meet. There is dedicated parking for the garden but unfortunately no restrooms. One of the easiest trails in the park is the 0.25 mile loop that leads hikers through nearly 10 acres of the teddy bear cholla. Time your visit towards sunset to get your FOMO shot. Goes without saying "don't touch the cactus". The reason for the teddy-like features is due to the concentration of spines on the cactus themselves. Even my travel buddy (a stuffed bear herself) refused to sit herself on a cactus for a photo-op. What's worse is that another nickname for the cactus is the "jumping cactus" for its propensity to just break off and attach itself to different things including the unlucky or stupid person that manages to get too close to one... read more
Beauty is better left untouched right? Well for these babies, you better keep a safe distance! They well literally stab you. They have little things called the jumping cholla that will get you. 2 seconds into walking around the garden, my bf yelps for help. Of course, the chollas have attacked! It's best to wear boots when you can, because these chollas can pierce through a lot if you're not careful. The garden is located basically in the middle of the park. 30 km if you are coming from the north side. It's basically the only things from the entrance to the south of the park. All the other pit stops are on the west side and central area of the park. This is far from other scenic points in the park, but I did enjoy this area very much. read more
6 years ago
The cholla (teddy bear) cactus is the definition of cute, but deadly. We drove for miles coming from the Cottonwood visitor center and all of a sudden, these adorable cactus showed up on our left hand side. We came here close to sunset which is a beautiful time to show up. There was a warning sign about bees, but we didn't see any. The trail is very short and we saw a lot of people went off trail. Would highly recommend stopping by here to check out these cactus. Just be careful not to touch them! (If curious, YouTube what happens when you touch them) read more
2 years ago
A fun walk through a cacti patch where you're liable to get a few cactus spines on your legs and feet. Located on the southern cottonwood area of the Joshua Tree National Park, it's a bit of a drive from the other scenic points but it's well worth it. A truly unique experience. TIPS Go off trail - It's allowed and most people do it anyway. Just watch out for cactus spine balls that somehow end up on your socks. Go during sunset - It's cooler, better light, and no bees.. read more
8 years ago
Be prepared to drive pretty far into the park to see this place. You'll think you drove too far. You'll wonder why you haven't seen the cacti. But then, out of nowhere, there it is. If you're lucky to get there before the sun sets behind the mountains, I'm sure you'll get a view (and insta photo) to die for. However, if you make it a little after that, like I did, you'll still see a gorgeous sight. DO NOT touch the cacti. There is even a first aid kit in case you make that mistake. There is a little path you can walk around to get closer, better views. But don't forget to look around. The views don't stop at the cacti. The mountains and the valley opposite the garden are gorgeous too. read more
9 years ago
10 years ago
The cactus "garden" here within Joshua Tree National Park isn't really a garden, but a grove of cacti on the southern part of the park. There is only the one type of cactus, and they aren't the tall dessert green ones you might think of, but they are pretty, especially during the spring bloom. A small boardwalk and path loops around about .25 miles throughout the plants, but arrive early as it gets crowded in the afternoon. No restroom facilities here, but the ranger station is about 15 miles south on the road. read more
