Outdoors Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree
Barker Dam
An outdoor spot in Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
Short loop to a small reservoir and petroglyphs.
It is one of 10 curated places we feature in Joshua Tree, alongside 2 activities, 2 places to eat and 2 outdoor spots. The closest of our other picks is Hidden Valley Nature Trail, 1.8 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Hidden Valley
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in Joshua Tree, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Hidden Valley Nature Trail
1-mile loop through a boulder-ringed valley once used by cattle rustlers.
Activity · 1.8 mi straight-line - 2Ryan Mountain Trail
3-mile round trip climb to 360° views over the park.
Activity · 1.8 mi straight-line - 3Keys View
Lookout over the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault.
Sight · 7.4 mi straight-line - 4Joshua Tree Saloon
Roadside saloon with burgers, karaoke and live music.
Drinks · 12 mi straight-line - 5Crossroads Cafe
Joshua Tree's go-to diner for breakfast before hiking.
Food · 12 mi straight-line - 6Cholla Cactus Garden
Dense stand of teddy-bear cholla on a short boardwalk.
Outdoors · 14 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Barker Dam is a stop on our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More outdoor spots in Joshua Tree
Another curated outdoor spot in Joshua Tree. See the full Joshua Tree guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in Joshua Tree run from 57°F in December to 102°F in July; January is usually the wettest month. For Barker Dam itself, we suggest: Morning.
Modelled monthly averages for Joshua Tree from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Joshua Tree weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Barker Dam, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- Barker Dam Nature Trail, California 92277, USA
- Coordinates
- 34.02809, -116.14366
- Destination
- Joshua Tree, California
Barker Dam: quick answers
How much time do you need at Barker Dam?
Plan on about an hour at Barker Dam. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Barker Dam?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Look for bighorn sheep near water.
Is Barker Dam free?
Yes, we list Barker Dam as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is Barker Dam?
Barker Dam is at Barker Dam Nature Trail, California 92277, USA, in Hidden Valley. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Barker Dam?
Barker Dam appears on Palm Springs & Joshua Tree, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Barker Dam to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Joshua Tree.
Plan Joshua Tree
- Joshua Tree travel guide 10 places
- Best time to visit Joshua Tree weather by month
- Palm Springs to Joshua Tree 37 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Joshua Tree
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.