Cancel

Open app

Search

Lost Horse Mine

4.6 (15 reviews)

Lost Horse Mine Hiking Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Lost Horse Mine

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Rocks on trial
Nirali P.

This trail is a little hidden between the camp grounds. If the campgrounds are open then drive to the campground and you should see the trial If the campgrounds are closed you will park at the bathrooms and walk to the campgrounds and you will find the trial. The trail is called Ryan's Ranch Trail but, it leads to the Lost Horse Trail. I would recommend bringing snacks and enjoying the sunset on the rocks. This trial also leads to the Ryan's Mountain. This hike is easy. Make sure to know where the road is and always look around for people.

Mine
Paul Y.

Did this on my second day in Joshua Tree since I didn't have enough time on the first day. Got to the trailhead around 8:00 am and hiked to the mine. There were some decently challenge hills on the way, and some weird structures. There was one structure where there were a bunch of flat rocks piled together to make a fort with no roof, but there was no cement to hold the rocks together. I wonder how long that structure had been there without cement to hold it together. At the mine, there were other similar structures but those had cement. The first half of hike to the mine itself is fairly boring, and as you get close to the mine you get more scenery. The mine itself is decently cool. I turned around and went back the way I came, and did not do the 6 mile loop. I finished the hike by 10:30 am, so about 2.5 hours. The reason it's called the lost horse mine trail is because a guy named Johnny Lang lost his horse, and found gold in the spot where the mine was, as he was looking for his horse. Horses must have cost a lot in those days for him to wander into the mountain looking for it, but he found something much more valuable. The story made me think of how bad circumstances can turn into good, so it's good to stay optimistic. When I got close to the mine, there was a bunny at the start of the fork for the mine. I tried to toss it some carrots but it didn't want them. I guess it really is a wild bunny.

Aileen R.

The horse mine trail offers you a work out, a nature walk and at the same time a hike filled with American history. That is a win win situation in my books because I love to be in nature and learning new things at the same time. The trail is called the horse mine trail because this historic place was a place were prospectors we're looking for California gold before the historic gold rush and guess what? they found gold! The hike is kid friendly and well maintained. Some reviews say it i difficult but I found it to be beginer trail. If I could describe it for you to get a better understanding of it you will notice that on this trail you go up and than you go down and than you up and than you go down again until the last stretch when you are about to arrive to the mine you will hike up. But the up and down hiking is not super strenuous at all. It is more like a nice walk up and down on a path. The roundtrip hike is 4 miles and the loop is a little over 6 miles.

Debris is along the walk up to the mine
Lee F.

This is a great hike in Joshua Tree National Park. It's a 4 mile out and back or 6 mile loop. We did the 4 mile one, it's steep in some places on the way out, but all easy to walk. Very cool to see the mine and debris in such good shape. The mine is behind a fence. Parking can be challenging. Very small lot, but people park anywhere leading into the lot as long as your vehicle can handle it.

View on loop trail
Rich H.

Summary for the longer 6+ mile loop trail: --get to the parking lot at the trailhead early. By the time we got back to the lot it was full and there's no overflow parking --requires actual hiking boots, though trail running shoes might be ok. --loop trail goes through a lot of sand, which slows things down somewhat --many wildflowers on our visit in April Fun, I'd do it again.

Old mine

See all

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Dave C.
139
857
1140

3 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0
Photo of David G.
226
1045
6717

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Lee F.
129
14
9

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rich H.
2
1031
764

10 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Debra T.
69
72
38

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Bill M.
85
309
77

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Aide A.
16
49
76

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jae S.
97
65
17

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Lost Horse Mine

Review Highlights - Lost Horse Mine

We chose the "out &back" which was as long as stated on the map, 4 miles, compared to the six mile loop.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Hiking 353 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Joshua Tree National Park - Joshua tree

Joshua Tree National Park

4.7(1.2k reviews)
14.1 mi

We've been to this National Park before, but it was our first chance to try some of the hikes, and…read morethey were really beautiful. If you just do the drive, you might not really see everything this park has to offer, so it's worth doing the hikes, even if only the easier ones. We did the Hidden Valley hike, which is only around a 1 mile loop. It can get pretty crowded though and the parking gets filled fast, so it's better to go early. We also went on the Barker Dam hike, which is also just a bit over a mile. This one was my favorite of the two and you get to climb some nice rocks on this hike. We did the other typical stuff like see skull rock, but didn't do this hike, and saw keys view, which is also really nice, but if you do go, it's definitely worth to do some hiking since it makes the experience of this park so much better.

Honestly, the park itself is a 5 star experience. The views are unreal -- the kind of place that…read moremakes you stop and just take it in. I went on a Monday thinking it would be calm, but it was still pretty busy. Parking was tough in a lot of spots, which definitely slowed things down. I did the Arch Rock Trail and checked out Heart Rock on the same route -- both were gorgeous and totally worth it. Then I tried heading to Skull Rock, but parking was basically impossible unless I parked far and walked close to 50 minutes. On top of that, there was a line of like 30 people just to take a picture. I skipped it, but even driving by, it was still impactful. Hidden Valley Trail ended up being another highlight -- super scenic and probably my favorite overall. Weather was "okay" -- around 90°, but going early in the morning made it manageable. Both trails are kid-friendly, probably 4 and up, but there are some slippery areas so you still have to be careful. I went with my wife and 4 yr old kid and did very well. I held his hand for some parts. We did everything in about 3.5 hours -- driving, hiking, finding parking, bathroom stops, and walking farther than expected because spots were full. The park itself is a 5 but the surrounding areas like Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree just don't offer much in terms of food options or social life. After an amazing nature experience, it kind of falls flat when you're looking for something to do or somewhere great to eat. If I could, I would give the surrounding area a 2 out of 5. So yeah -- the park is 5 stars, but the overall experience I would give it a 3.

Photos
Joshua Tree National Park - Joshua tree shadows

Joshua tree shadows

Joshua Tree National Park - Snow, March 13, 2025

Snow, March 13, 2025

Joshua Tree National Park - Keys View vista

See all

Keys View vista

Addicted2Wonder Stargazing Tours - arrival

Addicted2Wonder Stargazing Tours

5.0(7 reviews)
14.9 mi

This was hands down one of the best tours I have ever experienced. It is a bit daunting to think…read moreabout finding the tour group off a Joshua Tree parking lot at night, but the logistics and communication by Molly and Tony were exceptional, with Cuz onsite. They are also quick responders to any questions. Every aspect of the experience has been perfected. I don't know much about astronomy and figured this tour would help point out some constellations for us. It was SO much more, full of Tony's impassioned stories from different cultures about the stars . His enthusiasm is contagious and knowledge is impressive. The tour is totally unscripted yet packed with great stories and just the right amount of interaction. It is a great and inspiring story how the business was developed. They offer drinks and snacks as well as blankets and gravity chairs, with flameless candles lighting where to step. The two other highlights for us were the UFO military grade goggles that make the stars and planets pop as they did for our ancestors, prior to light pollution. The equipment is clearly state of the art. The slow exposure portrait Tony takes at the end is absolutely beautiful and frameable. I left wanting to do further research on the stars, and would repeat these tours again for sure.

If you're into seeing the night sky the way God intended for us to see, then these are the guys to…read morehookup with. You will see things that will not only educate you, but will blow your mind. Tony is a great storyteller and his sidekick Kevin is hoot as well. It made our whole stay worth it. When we come back we'll be hooking up A2WS again.

Photos
Addicted2Wonder Stargazing Tours - Light Painting under the MilkyWay

Light Painting under the MilkyWay

Addicted2Wonder Stargazing Tours - Waiting for you

Waiting for you

Addicted2Wonder Stargazing Tours - The magical photo that is included with your experience!

See all

The magical photo that is included with your experience!

Indian Cove Campground

Indian Cove Campground

4.4(82 reviews)
11.5 mi

Indian Cove Campground is hands down one of the most unique and peaceful places to stay in Joshua…read moreTree National Park. Surrounded by massive rock formations, it feels secluded, quiet, and incredibly raw -- like you're camping inside a natural stone cathedral. The campsites are well spaced, giving you privacy and that true desert solitude. No RV hookups, no noise, no distractions -- just rocks, sky, wind, and silence. This is real camping, not a parking lot with tents. Sunsets here are unreal, and at night the stars are absolutely breathtaking. If you're into hiking, climbing, photography, or just disconnecting from everything, this place is perfect. You can step out of your tent and immediately feel like you're deep in the wilderness. Facilities are basic but clean and well maintained, which is exactly what you want in a place like this. Indian Cove isn't for everyone -- and that's why it's special. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an authentic Joshua Tree experience

This is a very nice Campground places to book up and weekends to fully book up so try to plan early…read morelike really early different spots have different benefits some are shady and some are not some are more roomy and some are not some have parking for more than one person While others the parking is extremely tight also need to look at the proximity to the pit toilets pit toilets meaning that it's just a hole in the ground but it isn't closed with the door overall the Ambiance and the environment is amazing and well maintained frequently I see that there are Ranger Patrol vehicles that drive by to check and the many times that we have visited we have always been very impressed with the cleanliness and the order and how well the park is maintained many people come here over and over again because of the amazing Ambience and the environment it is so quiet here and unclear nights you can definitely see all the stars and you are one with them this is far enough to be away from the daily hustle and bustle but close enough to be able to do a weekend trip

Photos
Indian Cove Campground
Indian Cove Campground
Indian Cove Campground

See all

Sacred Sands - General outdoor area

Sacred Sands

4.9(55 reviews)
11.8 mi

What a gem! Sacred sands is a beautiful and relaxing boutique hotel near Joshua Tree National Park…read more My boyfriend and I came here for a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago. We only stayed for one night but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Check-in instructions were sent via email and there's a code to unlock the room. The grounds are very pretty, perfect for a desert wedding or party. There are great views all around and there aren't any neighbors nearby. It looks like they own a lot of acreage nearby. The room we stayed in was the Onyx room. It was beautifully and thoughtfully decorated. There are lots of nice additions in the room to ensure you enjoy staying in from wine glasses, a wine fridge, record player with a record collection, bath salts, star gazing area outside with a mattress, and comfy robes and slippers to use during your stay. If it were warmer, I definitely would've tried out the outdoor tub and shower but it was too cold at night to even think about it. There's also a large community pool in the works. As mentioned earlier, this hotel is about a mile from the NP so it's an excellent choice for anyone going there. It's also not too far from town so you're not too far from stores and cafes. I am definitely planning on staying here again!

We loved it here! Incredibly relaxing, peaceful. Gorgeous decor and a very handy location…read more Well-appointed rooms, with a nice mini-fridge and pod-based coffee maker. Comfortable and beautiful outdoor sitting areas. It was so quiet here in the middle of the week. We could just lie outside on the patio bed and look at the stars. We will definitely be back! The sooner the better!

Photos
Sacred Sands - Outdoor tub and tanning area

Outdoor tub and tanning area

Sacred Sands - Outdoor shower in the Onyx Room.

Outdoor shower in the Onyx Room.

Sacred Sands

See all

Lost Horse Mine - hiking - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...