Dense stand of teddybear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) on Pinto Basin Road in Joshua Tree National Park, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. A short paved 0.25-mile nature trail loops through nearly 10 acres of golden-spined cholla with interpretive signs—one of the park’s most distinctive botanical stops and a classic sunset photography location.
Field facts
| Region | Riverside County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33.9253, -115.9289 |
| Access | Pinto Basin Rd ~12 mi S of North Entrance / ~20 mi N of Cottonwood; park entrance fee |
| Elevation | ~2,200 ft |
| Trail | 0.25 mi paved loop nature trail from pullout parking |
| Ecology | Teddybear cholla dominant; transitional Mojave–Colorado Desert zone |
Nearby locations
Nearby amenities
- Rec areaJoshua Tree National Park8.3 km away
- Rec areaPinto Mountains Wilderness12.1 km away
- CampgroundJUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND14.4 km away
- CampgroundSHEEP PASS GROUP19.3 km away
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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