About
Skull Rock is a large boulder formation in Joshua Tree National Park, in California, United States. Its shape resembles a human skull, and it is one of the park's most photographed landmarks. It is also known as the Skull Rock Formation.
Reaching Skull Rock
The rock sits along the Skull Rock Loop Trail, which begins at Jumbo Rocks Campground. The trail address is Skull Rock Loop Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. Because the formation is reached on foot from the campground area, it suits visitors who are already exploring the park's rock-strewn landscape.
What to expect
- A striking natural sculpture of weathered granite boulders, with the skull-like outline best seen from the trail.
- A loop route that makes it easy to combine the rock with a walk through the surrounding desert terrain.
- A popular stop for photographs, so the viewpoints can be busy at times of day when many visitors arrive.
Around the rock
Skull Rock is part of Joshua Tree National Park, a desert park known for its unusual rock piles and the namesake Joshua trees. Visitors who come to see the formation can also explore other rock features and trails in the park, and spend time among the wide, open landscape that surrounds the trail.
