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Discovery Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Running trail in Twentynine Palms, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 1.7 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Discovery Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular 0.7-mi loop connected to the Skull Rock Nature Trail, with brief rocky & steep sections.
What runners say about Discovery Trail
“But please note that the trail (at least as I did it) was not well-marked!”
Wir sind vom Jumbo Rocks Campingplatz zum Skull Rock gelaufen, anschließend den Discovery Trail zum Face Rock, auf den Split Rock Trail und wieder zurück zum Campingplatz. Diese längere Wanderung ist im Winter (März) gut machbar.
Amazing rock formations. But please note that the trail (at least as I did it) was not well-marked! I took a turn where some other footsteps had clearly gone before and ended up accidentally doing the Split Rock trail instead.
Trail conditions & character
“But please note that the trail (at least as I did it) was not well-marked!”
Plan your run at Discovery Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Loop distance1.7 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitenps.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Twentynine Palms
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Skull Rock Trail
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Skull-shaped desert granite rock formation with 2 depressions like eye sockets created by erosion.
Split Rock Loop Trail
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Arch Rock Nature Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 619 reviews
Gentle hike through a boulder-strewn desert landscape to the Arch Rock granite formation.
Contact Mine Trail
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Hiking area with a well-maintained trail leading up a mountain for scenic views.