Joshua Tree National Park · California

Contact Mine

1.9 mi of trail, end to end · Hike Contact Mine: 4 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · 650 ft of descent · 2,923 ft–3,600 ft · earth surface · trail class Moderately Developed · hiking, horse

3,342 ft 2,923 ft · 1.3 mi high 3,342 ft

Hike Contact Mine 4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

2-3 Hours · no dogs · Winter, Spring, Fall

Start Contact Mine Trailhead

A valley filled with Mojave yuccas and desert vegetation with mountains in the backbround.
The contact mine trail offers great views of distant mountains and the valley below. Photo: NPS / Brad Sutton

The Contact Mine Trail is an out-and-back hike to a historic mining site. It is 4-miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins in a sandy wash then ascends a rocky mountainside to the mine. The hike features expansive views of the surrounding mountains and a chance to view mining artifacts used a century ago. Do not handle or remove any historic artifacts from the site.

This trail is a great option if you are looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy more solitude. After abundant winter rains, this trail offers a vibrant springtime display of wildflowers.

Pets Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed on this trail, but service animals are welcome. Service animals must remain on a 6-foot (1.8 meter) leash at all times.

Accessibility This trail begins in a sandy wash then ascends a rocky mountainside on a hard-packed dirt trail with occasional built-in rock steps. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed on this trail, but service animals are welcome. Service animals must remain on a 6-foot (1.8 meter) leash at all times.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 94 trails in Joshua Tree National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.