How to Hike Desert Queen Mine and Eagle Cliff Boulder House
The Desert Queen Mine and Eagle Cliff Boulder House hike is our single favorite trail in Joshua Tree National Park. That’s not a ranking we give lightly after visiting many national parks over the years. However, this one is totally different from anything else in the park, and the fact that most visitors may have never heard of it is exactly what makes it so special.
Here’s the honest framing before we get into the details: this is not one clean trail with a single destination. It’s two connecting wilderness trails that you piece together into one outstanding morning hike.
Starting at the Pine City Trailhead, passing the historic Desert Queen Mine, and continuing through open desert to the Eagle Cliff Boulder House- a remote miner’s cabin built directly into a granite boulder that has sat largely unchanged for over a century, is a one of a kind reward on this hike.
At about 3.5-4 miles out and back with 400 feet of elevation gain, it’s a relatively gentle trail, and the payoff at the end is epic!
Nobody really talks about the Eagle Cliff Boulder House. No shuttle drops you off there. The road to the trailhead is unpaved, and parking is limited to a handful of spots.
All of this means that on a trail in one of the most visited national parks in the country, you may find yourself completely alone in the desert with a century-old cabin, a rusted cooking stove, and a view that stretches for miles.
We completed this hike as part of our Joshua Tree National Park itinerary and came away knowing this is the hike we’d recommend to anyone who wants to see the real Joshua Tree, not just the famous parts. Here’s everything you need to know before you make the drive to the Pine City Trailhead.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
Joshua Tree National Park – Need To Know Before You Go
Entrance & Fees
Joshua Tree National Park charges an entrance fee. If you’re visiting multiple national parks in the same year, the America the Beautiful Pass covers all of them. Pick one up on our gear page at REI before you leave home and save yourself some time at the entrance.
Joshua Tree National Park has three main entrances, each offering a different starting point. The West Entrance, near Joshua Tree, is the most popular and provides quick access to iconic areas like Hidden Valley and Keys View.
The North Entrance, near Twentynine Palms, is a convenient gateway to the park’s northern attractions and is often less busy.
The South Entrance, along Interstate 10 near Cottonwood, is the best choice for travelers approaching from Palm Springs or Phoenix and offers access to the park’s desert landscapes and Cottonwood Visitor Center.
Food & Gas
There is no food or gas available inside Joshua Tree National Park, so plan ahead! If you’re coming through the West Entrance, you’ll find plenty of options for gas, food, drinks, and last-minute supplies near the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. Stock up before entering the park so you can enjoy your day without having to worry about running out of things you need.
🚗 Check prices and options for rental cars at Expedia or Booking.com. Book now!
Cell Service
Coverage is very spotty to non-existent, so plan ahead here as well. You might get some signal on Ryan Mountain, but mostly everywhere else is a dead zone, so plan on downloading offline maps or using a map that you receive at the entrance station.
🏡 Get ready for your stay near Joshua Tree. Find a place to stay on VRBO now.
Desert Queen Mine and Eagle Cliff Boulder House
Let’s go hiking! As we mentioned above, the hike to the Eagle Cliff Boulder House uses a few different trails. The round trip hike is about 3.5-4 miles out and back with 400 feet of elevation gain.
As you hike along the trails, you are rewarded with some great views of the park as well as some old mining entrances that have now been blocked off. This trail is not marked on the official national park website map, so we recommend downloading AllTrails or HikingProject before heading out.
We recommend HikingProject for this one! If you don’t download an offline map, it’s pretty easy to get lost out here, and we don’t want that to happen.
🌵 Looking for more things to do at Joshua Tree National Park? Check out our full itinerary here!
Pine City Trailhead & Parking
The Desert Queen Mine trail starts at the Pine City Trailhead. To get here, you will be driving “off-road” on Desert Queen Mine Road. That being said, the unpaved road is in pretty good condition, and most vehicles will be fine.
Note that when you leave the trailhead, you must take the one-way section back, starting on Queen Valley Road, which is also not paved. The end of this road got a bit washboardy, but just take it slow as needed.
There are only a few spots for cars here, so we recommend going as early as you can. As usual, you’ll beat the heat and the crowds. When you reach the parking area, you’ll find a pit toilet here as well.
Starting the Hike On The Eagle Cliff Boulder House Trail
To begin the hike, take the trail east, toward the Desert Queen Mine. Do not take the Lucky Boy Trail; this is the wrong one! After hiking for about a tenth of a mile, you’ll reach a trail junction on the right. This is the trail you’ll take. However, if you want a quick view of the Desert Queen Mine, go straight. It’s a quick detour!
🥾 Another hike you can’t miss is the Ryan Mountain Trail. Get the details now!
Desert Queen Mine Trail
At the trail junction we mentioned above, hike through the dry wash. Follow the trail, and you’ll reach an overlook where you’ll see the Desert Queen Mine below.
The Desert Queen Mine is one of Joshua Tree’s best-known historic gold mines, dating back to the 1890s. It later became closely connected to miner and rancher William F. Keys, who worked the area for decades and made the nearby Desert Queen Ranch his home. Today, the mine is a reminder of the rugged gold-mining era that shaped much of the park’s early history.
At this point, follow the trail as it goes down into another dry wash. Follow the trail back up the hill, and you’ll pass right by the sealed-off entrances to the mine. Make your way up the hill and follow the trail to the right, passing some old mining equipment along the way.
After about 1 mile from the trailhead, you’ll reach another trail junction. At this point, turn left onto the Eagle Cliff Mine Trail.
🛌🏽 Ready to book your stay? Check out the places in Joshua Tree, CA on Expedia now.
Eagle Cliff Mine Trail
Continue hiking on the Eagle Cliff Mine Trail. You will lose some steady elevation for about a half mile, and then the trail will begin to steepen before leveling off a bit. Follow the trail for another 2-3 tenths of a mile.
It’s a bit hard to stay on the trail in this section, but try following the footprints in the sand if you start to feel like you are getting lost. It’s really not too bad! This is why we recommend an offline map, especially for this hike.
Finally, you’ll reach a very steep section of switchbacks. As you reach the top, you’ll see what appears to be a perfect entrance to a mine. At this point, you’ll want to walk left past the mine entrance. The actual mine entrance will be on your right as you walk past it.
Finally, continue along the trail for another 2 tenths of a mile, and you’ll reach the Eagle Cliff Boulder House! It won’t be totally obvious, but you’ll pass by another mine that goes down a steep hole. Look for a break in the boulders on the right with what looks like 2 steps made out of rock.
That is the entrance to the Eagle Cliff Boulder House! You’ll see a sign ahead here as well, but if you have reached that, you’ve gone a bit too far.
🏜️ Don’t miss our full Joshua Tree Itinerary for more fun things to do in the park!
Eagle Cliff Boulder House
The Eagle Cliff Boulder House is a fascinating remnant of Joshua Tree’s early mining days. Built into a cluster of massive boulders near the Eagle Cliff Mine, the small shelter likely gave miners a place to live while they worked in this remote part of the desert.
Today, the little stone-and-boulder structure, along with a few remnants from its past, offers a unique glimpse into the tough and resourceful lives of the people who once searched these hills for valuable ore.
You can head inside and explore here, but please don’t touch or move any of the objects! Keep everything in place for others to enjoy as well.
You can also head around the back of the boulder house for another cool view of the desert valley along with the outside of the Eagle Cliff Boulder House. Such a cool little place!
After you have enjoyed your time here, take the trail backwards, following the exact way you came in to reach the Pine City Trailhead. We hope you enjoy this trail as much as we did!
Where To Stay While Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
When visiting Joshua Tree National Park, we recommend staying near the west entrance. This is located right near one of the visitor centers, and there are plenty of options and amenities. It’s a quick drive into the park.
- VRBO – our top pick for a stay near Joshua Tree National Park. Find a place to stay now.
- The Bungalows by Homestead Modern at The Joshua Tree Retreat Center – complete with a restaurant on site, a pool, and games. Book your stay on Expedia.
- Sacred Sands – a quiet desert hideaway known for its intimate setting and thoughtfully designed spaces. Slow down and enjoy the rugged beauty of Joshua Tree. Reserve a room now.
- Field Station Joshua Tree – experience the desert while staying close to Joshua Tree National Park with comfortable, modern accommodations. Check out the options on Expedia.
Is The Desert Queen Mine and Eagle Cliff Boulder House Hike Worth It?
Yes, yes, yes! This hike was so much fun and really not too hard for the interesting payoff at the end. As we hiked through the Joshua Tree wilderness, we really enjoyed the scenery, quietness, and the flowering desert plants.
The end of the trail at the Eagle Cliff Boulder House was a great reward. Think about it: could you imagine living there as a miner back in the day, out in the middle of nowhere?! This is such a cool piece of history that you can’t miss.
Add this hike to your Joshua Tree National Park bucket list now and save this guide for your hike!
🛌🏽 Don’t forget to check out Expedia and book your hotels, and if you like this itinerary, check out some of our other national park itineraries here!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning! Just click the save button located on any image.
