Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail

The Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail is within an area packed with historical significance. Near the start of the trail, the hiker will pass a beautiful natural spring that was used by the Cahuilla Indiginious peoples as a freshwater source for thousands of years. In later times, it was also an important water stopover for prospectors traveling north through what is now Joshua Tree National Park.

While the hike’s length and elevation gain would not be considered significant by the average person, the second half of the trail is poorly marked, and therefore care should be taken when attempting it. Likewise, the desert landscape ensures that not much shade exists throughout the route, so it is suggested to bring lots of water and sunscreen.

After leaving the parking lot, the Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail heads south along an established and well marked trail. After passing the natural spring, the trail continues south before veering east for a short period. The Cottonwood Spring Hike then heads in a northerly direction while gaining some elevation, where it meets up with another trail called the Mastodon Mine Loop Trail for a short period. Once on the Mastodon Mine Loop trail, the route heads northwest for a short period, before diverging north away from the other trail. This section of the Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail is poorly marked and takes the hiker through what feels like more open desert. Continuing on their northerly heading, the hiker will then arrive at a more established trail. This trail is the end of the Mastodon Mine Loop, and will take the hiker back to the parking lot if they follow it in a westernly direction.