Bicycling

Mountain biking is a great way to see Joshua Tree. Bikers are restricted to roads that are used by motorized vehicles, including the main park roads and a few four-wheel-drive trails. Bicycling on dirt roads is not recommended during the summer. Most scenic stops and picnic areas have bike racks.

Covington Flats. This 4-mile route takes you past impressive Joshua trees as well as pinyon pines, junipers, and areas of lush desert vegetation. It's tough going toward the end, but once you reach 5,518-foot Eureka Peak you'll have great views of Palm Springs, the Morongo Basin, and the surrounding mountains. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277.

Old Dale Road. The first 11 miles of this unpaved 23-mile route run across Pinto Basin to the Old Dale Mining District, where several side roads head off toward dusty old shafts. Here you find Mission Well, dug to provide water for the area's mines and mills. On this road less traveled, the remarkably varied vegetation includes tiny yellow chinchweed and desert willows. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277.

Pinkham Canyon and Thermal Canyon Roads. This challenging 20-mile route begins at the Cottonwood Visitor Center and loops through the Cottonwood Mountains. The unpaved trail follows Smoke Tree Wash through Pinkham Canyon, rounds Thermal Canyon, and loops back to the beginning. Rough and narrow in places, the road travels through soft sand and rocky floodplains. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277.

Queen Valley. This 13.4-mile network of mostly level roads winds through one of the park's most impressive groves of Joshua trees. You can also leave your bike at one of the racks placed in the area and explore on foot. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277.