There are plenty of easy walks in Joshua Tree, but if your family is ready for a bit more of a challenge, the Ryan Mountain Trail with kids is well worth considering. This short but steady uphill hike climbs to one of the best viewpoints in Joshua Tree National Park, with wide-open desert views, rocky landscapes and a sense of accomplishment at the summit.
The Ryan Mountain hike is one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids if your family enjoys hiking and your kids can handle a steady climb. It isn’t stroller-friendly, and there is very little shade along the trail, but the distance is manageable for active families who come prepared with water, snacks and sun protection.
We hiked Ryan Mountain with our kids when they were 4 and 6, and while it took some effort, it was one of our favourite family hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. In this post, we’ll share what the trail is really like, how long it took us with kids, what to expect on the climb and our best tips for making the Ryan Mountain Trail a great family hike.
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Ryan Mountain Trail Overview
Starting the Ryan Mountain Hike
As you begin the Ryan Mountain hike, you are immediately greeted by two massive rock monoliths, one on either side of the trail. These striking rock formations make one of the most memorable trail entrances we’ve seen anywhere!
You start the Ryan Mountain hike heading south towards the north end of the mountain. If you arrive early in the day (which we recommend to get a parking spot), the Ryan Mountain trail will be in the shade. Bring an extra layer of clothing as it can get quite cold hiking in the shade.
The morning we enjoyed the Ryan Mountain hike with our kids in February, it was 49°F (9°C) in the sunlight at 8 am. Once we entered the shade it easily felt 25°F cooler, if not more.
Climbing Ryan Mountain
The Ryan Mountain trail winds its way up and around some valleys along the side of the mountain. The trail surface is mostly gravel, but there are some rock steps along the way.
The terrain and flora along the Ryan Mountain hike are mostly rocks, Joshua trees and small desert scrub plants, so there is virtually nothing blocking the amazing views of Joshua Tree National Park down below.
As you make your first major turn of the hike, you re-enter the sunlight and see yet another massive rock formation on the side of Ryan Mountain. The rock formations within Joshua Tree National Park were a wonderful surprise, I had no idea we were in for this kind of scenery within the national park.
The Ryan Mountain trail keeps going up, slowly but surely. Take your mind off the effort by looking for Joshua Tree wildlife. We saw lots of little lizards along the way, but we hit the jackpot near the summit when we saw a flock of desert bighorn sheep! There were even a few babies in the group – what luck!
Ryan Mountain Summit Views
The 360-degree views at the Ryan Mountain summit make all your hard work worthwhile. The rocky landscape of Joshua Tree National Park is on full display here, complemented by tall, snow-capped mountains looming in the distance.
There’s plenty of space at the Ryan Mountain summit to stake out your spot to sit and appreciate the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park down below.
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Want another great Joshua Tree hike to add to your trip? Don’t miss the Panorama Loop Trail, one of our favourite family-friendly hikes in the park.
Ryan Mountain Hike Stats
Ryan Mountain Trail Distance
The Ryan Mountain hike is an out-and-back trail. The full round-trip distance of the Ryan Mountain Trail is 3.0 miles / 4.8 km.
Ryan Mountain Elevation Gain
This Joshua Tree hike is a slow, steady climb up the north face of Ryan Mountain to the summit. The total elevation gain on this hike is 1,050 feet / 320 m. There is only 700 feet of elevation gain per mile of hiking to the Ryan Mountain summit. That’s a steady climb, but manageable for active families who are used to hiking uphill.
At the summit, you’ll be standing atop the second tallest mountain in Joshua Tree National Park. The elevation of Ryan Mountain is 5,461 feet (1,663 m) above sea level, just shy of Quail Mountain (the highest point in Joshua Tree) which stands at 5,814 feet (1,773 m)
Ryan Mountain Hike Difficulty
The National Park Service rates the Ryan Mountain Trail as ‘strenuous.’ For our active family, it felt more moderate, but it is still a steady climb with plenty of sun exposure.
The elevation gain on Ryan Mountain may be an issue for some who are not used to climbing hills, but people of all ages and abilities were out enjoying this breathtaking Joshua Tree hike.
If you’d prefer something a little less challenging than the Ryan Mountain Trail, check out our favorite kid-friendly hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
How Long Does Ryan Mountain Take?
It took us 3 hours to complete the Ryan Mountain hike in Joshua Tree National Park with kids (aged 4 & 6), and 3.75 hours including breaks. This is pretty much bang-on to our normal hiking pace with the kids.
Hikers without kids can expect to complete the Ryan Mountain trail in about 90-120 minutes.
Ryan Mountain Trail Map
You likely won’t need to check a map often on the Ryan Mountain Trail, but it’s still worth having one downloaded before you go. The trail begins in the parking lot and it’s easy to follow all the way to the Ryan Mountain summit.
The Ryan Mountain hike is shown on the official Joshua Tree map. You can get a map in the park or view/download the Joshua Tree map online before you arrive
We always use the AllTrails hiking app when we go hiking with our kids. The downloaded map and your phone’s GPS help you find the trailhead and stay on the trail once hiking. You can view the Ryan Mountain Trail map on AllTrails anytime.
AllTrails is a recent App of the Year winner. Enjoy map downloads and many more premium features with a 7-day free trial of AllTrails Peak!
Ryan Mountain Trailhead, Parking and Location
How to Get There
The Ryan Mountain hike is conveniently located along Park Boulevard, the main road through Joshua Tree National Park. It’s roughly at the halfway point between the two main entrances to the park.
It was a 30 minute drive to the Ryan Mountain parking lot from our Twentynine Palms vacation home rental. We arrived at 8:10 am on the Friday of the Presidents Day long weekend in February and the large parking lot was about 25% full.
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After a long day of exploring Joshua Trees’ incredible trails, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest. Check out our guide to the best family-friendly hotels in Joshua Tree National Park to find the perfect stay for your adventure!
Ryan Mountain Hike Highlights
The Ryan Mountain hike was enjoyable the whole way to the summit, but there are three parts of the hike that stood out as highlights:
The two massive rock formations standing guard over the entrance of the Ryan Mountain hike were so striking and impressive. They left a lasting impression on me.
Except for some skinny Joshua Trees, there is no tall or dense vegetation along the hiking trail. The ever-changing views along the Ryan Mountain trail to the summit are what makes this hike really fun.
Seeing a herd of desert bighorn sheep was a real treat!
Tips for Hiking Ryan Mountain with Kids
Ryan Mountain is a challenging hike, but if your family is reasonably active, you will certainly enjoy a great family hike to the top.
Here are a few considerations for hiking the Ryan Mountain Trail with kids:
There is a washroom in the parking lot near the Ryan Mountain trailhead. Make sure everyone uses it before you start. The trail is busy, exposed and there is nowhere private to duck behind a tree.
The NPS recommends each hiker bring 1 gallon (4L) of water to replace fluids lost in the hot California sun. Water bladders are an easy and effective way to bring lots of water for your family on the Ryan Mountain hike.
There is no potable water at the Ryan Mountain trailhead, but you can find drinking water at several locations throughout Joshua Tree National Park. Drinking water is available at only a few locations: Oasis of Mara Trailhead, West Entrance Station, Black Rock Campground, Cottonwood Campground and Indian Cove Ranger Station.
One of the biggest risks on Ryan Mountain is sun exposure, especially in warm or hot weather. Be sure your kids wear a hiking hat, have full sunscreen on and stop for frequent water breaks. If your kids are not asking to stop and pee, they haven’t had enough water. It’s better to deal with over-hydrated kids needing to pee, than having the risk of under-hydrated kids.
The Ryan Mountain Trail is not stroller accessible, but it is very common to see parents hiking in Joshua Tree with their baby or toddler in a carrier.
Dogs are not permitted on any trails within Joshua Tree National Park.
Before you head out, read our best tips for hiking with kids and see what we actually pack in our guide to hiking gear for kids.
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If Ryan Mountain has you dreaming about more family-friendly national park adventures, check out our list of the best national parks in the US for families.
Where to Stop for Lunch or a Break
There are very few places to stop for a snack or to have lunch along the Ryan Mountain Trail. There is a large flat area at the Ryan Mountain summit where you can stop and enjoy the 360-degree view of Joshua Tree National Park.
What to Bring for the Ryan Mountain Hike
We do a ton of hiking with our kids and know that bringing the right gear along is important. Equally important is not bringing too much unnecessary gear.
For Ryan Mountain specifically, we’d bring hydration packs, hiking hats, sunscreen and lots of water.
Our Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Family Trip
Our experience on the Ryan Mountain Trail was part of a two-week family trip to the Southern California desert. We stated our vacation by visiting Palm Springs with kids, before heading out of town to enjoy the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids.
Our Travel Journal for Kids
Based on our family travels, our kids helped us design this Travel Journal for Active Kids! This engaging travel journal encourages kids to document their adventures, spark creativity, and stay entertained on the go – grab yours now on Amazon!
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