01
Best easy escape from the desert heat
Mojave Narrows Regional Park Trails
Along The Mojave River In Victorville • Green River Corridor With Easy Dirt Paths • Best Family-Friendly Stroll
Tree-lined paths and ponds along the Mojave River deliver a rare splash of green and easy walking close to Silver Lakes.
If you want a mellow stretch of the legs without baking on open sand, Mojave Narrows is the go-to choice. Short loops wind past ponds, cottonwoods, and the river, with plenty of benches and picnic spots for breaks. It is ideal for kids, visiting relatives, or anyone easing into desert hiking while still getting a feel for local wildlife and big-sky views.
02
Most adventurous day out
Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail
Backcountry East Of Hesperia • Strenuous Canyon Route To Riverside Pools • Big Adventure For Experienced Hikers
A demanding out-and-back hike drops to a remote canyon on Deep Creek, where hot springs steam beside cold, clear water.
This route feels worlds away from tract homes and golf courses, with a sandy descent into a rugged canyon and a serious climb back out. The payoff is a dramatic stretch of Deep Creek with boulders, shade pockets, and the famous soaking pools that draw hikers from across Southern California. Go early, pack extra water, and treat it as a full-day outing with steep grades, heat, and no services once you leave the trailhead.
03
Top pick for desert scenery
Rainbow Basin Natural Area Loop
Badlands North Of Barstow • Colorful Desert Washes And Rock Formations • Most Photogenic Desert Hike
Short to moderate loops explore tilted rock layers and multi-colored hills that look more like a movie set than the edge of Barstow.
Rainbow Basin is where you take visiting friends when you want to prove the high desert can be genuinely dramatic. Unpaved roads lead to informal trails and wash walks that weave through sculpted gullies, striped cliffs, and quiet side canyons. Go in cooler months or early and late in the day for softer light, easier temperatures, and a better chance of having the labyrinth of rock largely to yourself.
04
Best quick summit workout
Bell Mountain Trail
Foothills Above Apple Valley • Steep Ridge Climb To A Summit Panorama • Sunrise And Sunset View Spot
A straightforward but steep trail climbs from the desert floor to a rocky summit with sweeping views over Apple Valley and the Mojave.
Bell Mountain is a local favorite when you want a solid workout and a big payoff without spending the whole day driving. The route heads straight uphill on a mix of use trails and rough, rocky tread, rewarding you with 360-degree views that stretch toward Silver Lakes, Victorville, and distant ranges. Aim for dawn or dusk to beat the heat and catch the light washing over the valley below.
05
Best mix of water and mileage
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area Trails
Mountain Lake South Of Silver Lakes • Lakeside And Hillside Singletrack • Best Mix Of Shade, Water, And Distance
Rolling trails above Silverwood Lake offer shoreline views, pockets of pine and oak, and access to sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.
When the low desert feels oven-hot, heading up to Silverwood Lake buys you cooler air and more varied terrain. You can keep things easy with short shoreline walks or link hillsides and PCT segments into a longer training hike with big views over the water. It is a smart pick for hikers who want a more classic mountain-lake feel while still staying within a reasonable drive of Silver Lakes.