The Cholla Cactus Garden sits inside Joshua Tree National Park in southern California, reached from Pinto Basin Road near Twentynine Palms. It is also known as the Teddy Bear Cholla Garden, a name that suits the soft, fuzzy look of the plants at a distance.
Here a dense stand of cholla cacti forms a landscape that feels almost like a garden, with the spiny stems spread across the desert floor. The setting is a natural one, and the cacti grow as they have for many years in this dry terrain.
What the visit is like
A quarter-mile nature trail takes you through the cacti, so the walk is short and suits most visitors. It makes a good stop within a wider trip through the park, which is known for its desert scenery and its rock formations.
- The trail is about a quarter of a mile long.
- It is a nature-reserve setting, so the focus is on the plants and the open desert around them.
- Many visitors choose late afternoon, when the light is said to make the cacti appear to glow.
Planning your trip
Because the garden lies within the national park, it pairs naturally with other stops in Joshua Tree. Twentynine Palms, the nearest town on the address given, is a useful base for food and lodging while you explore. Wear sturdy footwear and keep to the marked path, since the cholla's spines are sharp and easily caught on clothing.
