Fortynine Palms Oasis, spring and trail in Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino County, California, United States

Fortynine Palms Oasis is a spring and a three-mile out-and-back trail in Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino County, California. The path climbs over a ridge dotted with barrel cacti and descends into a rocky canyon where fan palms grow around a natural spring. The oasis sits at 858 meters and is frequently used as a watering hole by bighorn sheep.

In the early 1900s miners planted the palms here so the natural spring would be easy to find, and the grove still marks the water in the rocky canyon. The spring is regularly used as a watering hole by bighorn sheep. In July 2018 hiker Paul Miller went missing on the trail; his remains were found off the trail in January 2020.

Miners in the early 1900s planted the palms to make the natural spring easy to find, and the grove still marks water in the canyon. Bighorn sheep come here to drink, so visitors should watch for them and give them room rather than approach the pools.

The trail is free and requires no permit, but check conditions beforehand as it may close seasonally for repairs or wildlife protection. Bring at least one liter of water per person, wear sturdy boots for rocky terrain, and start early in the morning to avoid heat and crowds.

The palms were planted by miners and stand between giant boulders, but this detail often goes unnoticed as most visitors focus on the hike itself. Many overlook that the tiny pools at the oasis floor hold small ecosystems supporting insects, birds, and desert wildlife.