The Hidden Valley area of Joshua is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible areas of the park, and it's perfect if you are looking to do a short hike or simply wander among the trees and rock formations. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an enjoyable one-mile loop trail that enters through an opening into what is otherwise a large bowl surrounded by rock walls. It's thought that due to the geography, Hidden Valley was once used by cattle rustlers, who would herd the cattle into this area to conceal them. This is a relatively easy and scenic trail but it is somewhat barren and does not have many Joshua trees.

Cholla Cactus Garden is arguably one of the most awesome sites in the park, with more than a thousand densely packed chollas stretching out across the desert floor. While chollas are often sprinkled among other vegetation in the desert, here they are the only cactuses in this natural garden. In the early morning light or late afternoon sun, the backlit needles almost glow, and the mountains in the distance provide the perfect backdrop. An easy, level walking trail leads lets you immerse yourself in this magical place.

The Cholla Cactus Garden is on the road to Cottonwood Spring, beyond Belle and White Tank campgrounds. Further along this road, heading towards Cottonwood, is the Ocotillo Patch, but there are only a small number of these plants at this pullout location. If you plan on leaving the park on this road, there is no need to stop here because there are plenty more Ocotillos further on, beyond Cottonwood, on the way to Interstate 10.

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