Five minutes past Pappy & Harriet's, the road turns to dirt and the crowds disappear. Welcome to the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. Here you'll find 25,500 acres of volcanic mesas, riparian canyons and high desert solitude. It's free, it's open dawn to dusk, and unlike Joshua Tree National Park, your leashed dog is welcome on every trail.

In Pioneertown we often speak about 'not breaking the spell.' The idea is that the magic if Pioneertown compounds the longer you spend here. When you head down the hill, the spell is broken. Pioneertown Mountains Preserve allows you to do the opposite, it invites you to go a level deeper. Pioneertown was always about the land. While the saloon were made famous, the films were largely set in the landscape.

These are our absolute favorite trails for locals and visitors alike. Sunrise to sunset, the magic is always present. Please enjoy!

Chaparrosa Peak Trail

Distance: 3.3 miles out-and-back | Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet | Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

This is the signature hike of the preserve, and hikers consistently call it their favorite in the entire Morongo Basin. The trail climbs steadily through boulder fields and volcanic rock formations to a 5,000-foot-plus overlook where the San Bernardino peaks spread out before you. On clear days, you can see Mount San Jacinto to the south and the dramatic Sawtooth Mountains cutting across the northern horizon.

Start from the upper parking lot, just above the first lot—look for the trailhead through the fence and sign the register before heading out. The climb is what one hiking guide aptly calls sneakily strenuous: the grade feels manageable until you realize you've been ascending the entire time. Bring at least two liters of water and start early in warmer months.

Olsen Ruins Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles out-and-back | Elevation Gain: Minimal | Difficulty: Easy

If Chaparrosa Peak is the workout, Olsen Ruins is the morning stroll with a side of history. The trail follows Pipes Canyon to the remnants of an early homestead—a reminder that this land drew settlers long before it drew hikers. The route is mostly flat with only a few gentle inclines, shaded in sections by the riparian corridor that makes this canyon so ecologically significant.

This is the preserve's most family-friendly option. Kids will enjoy spotting lizards and birds along the creek, and the ruins themselves offer a tangible connection to the High Desert's ranching past. The Wildlands Conservancy occasionally runs ranger-led hikes to the ruins—call ahead at (760) 369-7105 if you'd like a guided experience.

Sawtooth Trail

Distance: Up to 9.5 miles (loop) | Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet | Difficulty: Strenuous

For experienced hikers looking to earn their post-hike meal at Pappy's, the Sawtooth Trail delivers. The full loop takes about four hours and winds through terrain that feels genuinely remote—alien-like boulder formations, stands of yucca and California buckwheat, and views into the jagged peaks that give the trail its name. Horses share this route, so don't be surprised if you hear hoofbeats coming around a bend.

Access the Sawtooth Trail from the newer trailhead off Kees Road—don't park at the old Chaparrosa Wash access. The Conservancy asks that you download an offline map before setting out, as the trail can be faint in spots and cell service is unreliable. If you're lucky enough to visit after a rare snowfall, locals say this is when the Sawtooths are at their most magical.

Before You Go

The Pioneertown Mountains Preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. The Pipes Canyon Trailhead at 51010 Pipes Canyon Road has parking, restrooms, drinking water, a shaded picnic area, and paper trail maps available at the ranger station. From Pioneertown, take Pioneertown Road past Red Dog Saloon, veer right, and follow Pipes Canyon Road about a mile to the parking area.

Trail conditions change frequently, especially after storms. Check the Wildlands Conservancy's website at wildlandsconservancy.org or call the ranger station at (760) 369-7105 before your visit. And remember: pack it in, pack it out. This preserve runs on donations and volunteer labor, not park fees—consider dropping a few dollars in the donation box on your way out.

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The Pioneertown Mountains Preserve is the largest nonprofit-owned wilderness in California and the birthplace of The Wildlands Conservancy, which now manages nearly two dozen preserves across the state. It's also one of the best-kept secrets in the High Desert—a place where you can find solitude on a Saturday morning while Joshua Tree National Park fills its parking lots. Consider it your quieter, dog-friendlier, completely-free alternative.