Indian Cove

Rainbow in Indian Cove right after the rain.

Description 

Indian Cove is a stand-alone section of the park, located to the north of the main park and around 1000 feet lower in elevation. This, plus the fact that it is relatively sheltered, make it a good destination on cold winter days. Additionally, unlike the main park, the campsites in Indian Cove can be reserved and cost $$ (currently $10/night) -- on the other hand, though, there's no park entrance fee.

The rock tends to be slightly grainier than some of the other popular areas (Lost Horse, Real Hidden Valley), and many of the routes are a bit shorter. Nonetheless, there's some great climbing here, probably close to a thousand routes from 5.2 all the way up, and as a bonus most of it is within a hundred yards or so of the road, so the approaches are practically non-existent. A few less populated crags lie up on the slope of the Wonderland of Rocks (the south side of IC) or up Rattlesnake Canyon in the Wonderland.

Certain formations at Indian Cove can be overrun with gang-ropers (Feudal Wall, Short Wall, Billboard Buttress, Pixie Rock), so plan accordingly. Other great areas to check out include Moosedog Tower, Dos Equis Wall, Corral Wall, Wonder Bluffs, and more that I don't have time to list here. One general word of warning: the further north you get, the grainier and more crumbly the rocks tend to get. Grain Central Station has that name for a reason, and although Morbid Mound is relatively popular, I can't figure out why.

Getting There 

Follow the 29 Palms Highway past the entrance to the main park in the town of Joshua Tree. The entrance to Indian Cove is between the towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. Keep a look out for Indian Cove Road, on the south side of the highway. If you're approaching from the west, look for a Del Taco billboard to mark the spot.

Turn south on Indian Cove Road and head straight into the park. After a couple of miles, you'll pass a small ranger station, and after another mile or so, you're there.

The Classics

Featured Route For Indian Cove

Firewater Chimney 5.10b  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : The Arrowhead

This remarkable route chimneys and stems between the inside of the Arrowhead flake and the main face. Varies from 2+ to maybe 5 feet wide. Great position and continuous climbing make this a classic. Rappel 90+ feet from bolts down the outside face of the flake. A little runnout between the bolts, but you are always in a secure position, even if moving up can be strenuous at times....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Indian Cove Slideshow

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Clouds and Rays at Indian Cove. Photo by Blitzo.	Desert Iguana. Photo by Blitzo.	Mojave Yucca-Indian Cove. Photo by Blitzo.
Watch where you put your hands. Photo by Blitzo.	Thunderhead-Indian Cove. Photo by Blitzo.	Desert floor in bloom-Indian Cove. Photo by Blitzo...
Rock and yucca. Photo by Blitzo.	Some new route in Indian Cove. Photo by Blitzo.	Indian Cove-snow. Photo by Blitzo.
Indian Cove Panorama.	Billboard outside Indian Cove. Be sure to look you...	The new market at Indian Cove. Photo by Blitzo.
Desert Tortoise. Photo by Blitzo.	Hedgehog cactus in bloom. Photo by Blitzo.	Rainbow in Indian Cove right after the rain.
A nice fat chuckwalla pumping in the sun.	Indian Cove-Spring Storm. Photo by Blitzo.	Rattlesnakes are well camouflaged. Photo by Blitzo...
Walking Stick, photographed in Group Campsite 1, I...	Desert Tortoise, found crossing the main road into...