Lost Horse Mine
Lost Horse Mine
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Lost Horse Mine and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
14 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
78 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
33
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Juanita W
110 contributions
Feb 2022
We did this hike first thing before it got too hot and the parking lot filled up. The footing was good, there was lots to see in addition to the mine, and it was the right distance for us. The history of the mine was explained clearly.
Written 25 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve B
Joshua Tree, CA197 contributions
The 6.5 mile Lost Horse loop trail is one of our favorite hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. Many hikers go to the mine itself (which is fascinating), then return the way they came, but if you have the time, continue on the loop trail for excellent views of Malpais Hill and beyond, and a visit to another old mine site (be careful - as of our last hike, there was a vertical shaft that was not covered).
Written 5 April 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John46H
Solihull, UK159 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
It was a really nice walk to the Lost Horse mine in this fantastic national park, and beyond the mine to continue with the Lost Horse Loop trail.
You take the two mile hike to the mine through stunning peaceful scenery and just try to imagine how tough life must have been for the miners who worked this mine. Do not expect any excitement at the mine, it is more about its location on the hill sides. The option then is to continue the Loop trail or walk back to the car park. I did the full trail, taking just over 2 hours in total time. If I went again I would walk to the mine and continue the Loop trail until getting to an isolated stone chimney (the only remnant of an old cottage) then turn back and retrace my steps. The reason for this being is that the views are great until about reaching the chimney, but the last part of the trail is flat and not so interesting. Regardless I did still very much enjoy the walk.
Whilst I was doing the full loop (bit over 6 miles) my wife went to the mine and came back. She has serious knee challenges with one already replaced, so if she can do it, many other people can. It is not what I would call steep. We would both recommend. Just need to be aware that the car park at the trail head is quite small.
We went at 9am on a warm February morning so wore just hat, shorts and a T-shirt.
Do of course remember to take plenty of water.
You take the two mile hike to the mine through stunning peaceful scenery and just try to imagine how tough life must have been for the miners who worked this mine. Do not expect any excitement at the mine, it is more about its location on the hill sides. The option then is to continue the Loop trail or walk back to the car park. I did the full trail, taking just over 2 hours in total time. If I went again I would walk to the mine and continue the Loop trail until getting to an isolated stone chimney (the only remnant of an old cottage) then turn back and retrace my steps. The reason for this being is that the views are great until about reaching the chimney, but the last part of the trail is flat and not so interesting. Regardless I did still very much enjoy the walk.
Whilst I was doing the full loop (bit over 6 miles) my wife went to the mine and came back. She has serious knee challenges with one already replaced, so if she can do it, many other people can. It is not what I would call steep. We would both recommend. Just need to be aware that the car park at the trail head is quite small.
We went at 9am on a warm February morning so wore just hat, shorts and a T-shirt.
Do of course remember to take plenty of water.
Written 28 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy T
Northampton, MA533 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
On a recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park, we chose to do the "Lost Horse Trail". We have been to this park before and love its varied trails.
The hike started in a parking lot and it was a loop so you could start either way - there were two trailheads in the parking lot. We randomly chose the trailhead that was furthest from The Mines (4 miles away). You could also tell because it was the trail with a narrower opening and a smaller sign.
We started out and my husband was disappointed because the trail was so flat. "I wish there were elevation gains" he said. Well, he got his wish. After about 45 minutes of hiking, the trail picked up and we were going up and down (but mostly up) over ravines and cliffs. It was steep and strenuous terrain but not impossibly so. The views were breath-taking. After hiking about 2 hours, we stopped at a large boulder mass and had a picnic lunch. Then we continued on. About 1/2 hour later, we spotted The Mines but did not detour over to the steep spur. Onward we went.
Total hiking time: about 3 1/2 hours, including stop for lunch. We hiked 6+ miles according to the signs and the guidebook. We saw small birds, lizards, a rabbit and many ravens.
Tip: If you want a hike with less hikers, start out the way we started out. It appears that most of the visitors walk to The Mines. We saw very few hikers in our first four miles and then many more once we got to The Mines and completed the last two miles of the hike.
Bring lots of drinking water and a hiking pole or a walking stick comes in handy for the steep portions of the trail.
The hike started in a parking lot and it was a loop so you could start either way - there were two trailheads in the parking lot. We randomly chose the trailhead that was furthest from The Mines (4 miles away). You could also tell because it was the trail with a narrower opening and a smaller sign.
We started out and my husband was disappointed because the trail was so flat. "I wish there were elevation gains" he said. Well, he got his wish. After about 45 minutes of hiking, the trail picked up and we were going up and down (but mostly up) over ravines and cliffs. It was steep and strenuous terrain but not impossibly so. The views were breath-taking. After hiking about 2 hours, we stopped at a large boulder mass and had a picnic lunch. Then we continued on. About 1/2 hour later, we spotted The Mines but did not detour over to the steep spur. Onward we went.
Total hiking time: about 3 1/2 hours, including stop for lunch. We hiked 6+ miles according to the signs and the guidebook. We saw small birds, lizards, a rabbit and many ravens.
Tip: If you want a hike with less hikers, start out the way we started out. It appears that most of the visitors walk to The Mines. We saw very few hikers in our first four miles and then many more once we got to The Mines and completed the last two miles of the hike.
Bring lots of drinking water and a hiking pole or a walking stick comes in handy for the steep portions of the trail.
Written 14 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeonVanSteen
San Francisco, CA35 contributions
Hiked the short 4-mile out-and-back in the heat of early Sept but also hiked another 1/2 mile past the mine and got some great views to the east and south. Not the most thrilling of hikes although there is always something interesting when hiking thru (less then picture perfect) wildfire burned areas. Natural scenery isn't always picture-perfect.
This time in the cooler temps of January went for the longer 6-mile loop starting with the trailhead at the west side of the parking area which leads to a nice 2 mile flat hike thru Joshua Tree habitat, followed by a easy ascent over some low ridges before getting to the climb to the "back side" of the mine at about 3 miles. That makes the final 2 miles back to the car basically all descent. I can easily recommend this route in moderate temperatures for a good variety of scenery in a short hike.
This time in the cooler temps of January went for the longer 6-mile loop starting with the trailhead at the west side of the parking area which leads to a nice 2 mile flat hike thru Joshua Tree habitat, followed by a easy ascent over some low ridges before getting to the climb to the "back side" of the mine at about 3 miles. That makes the final 2 miles back to the car basically all descent. I can easily recommend this route in moderate temperatures for a good variety of scenery in a short hike.
Written 22 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle G
Lake Forest, CA442 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
This is a great place to take a hike out to the old mine. It is fenced off, but it's pretty cool to see the old mine site.
Written 7 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foodie4Life1982
Seattle, WA410 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This is worth the hike!! About 2.2 miles from the trailhead. Quite a bit of elevation. How did they even build this here?
Written 26 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovetotravel92630
Orange County336 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
A little planning will made this a great hike. From the parking area the mine works are about 2 miles of slight elevation change trail. Most people go to the mine ruins, then return the same way.The Lost Mine Loop Trail can be hiked as a 6.2 mile STRENUOUS hike. There is one long stretch east of mine that is rather steep. If you take the loop trail clockwise the steep trail is down hill after the mine riuns. If you hike the loop trail counter clockwise, like I foolishly did you have a rather easy 4.0 mill hike then hit the steep climb to the mine. You are already a bit tired so this leg is more strenuous. Either way you choose its an excellent, very scenic hike.
Written 21 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike A
Reading, PA39 contributions
July 2016 • Family
I'll be the first to say I'm out of shape. Could stand to lose about 100 lbs and have a BMI of 4000 or so but I can still run 1/4 mile carrying 25lbs of gear for work so I'm not totally dead yet.
I had hiked this trail about 15 years ago, when I was much younger, lighter, yada yada. Only hiked up to the mine and back, supposedly about 4 miles. That was in December and it was fairly easy.
The morning of July 4th we hiked the Lost Horse Mine trail on the full loop, our final tally was 7.1 miles which included the spur up to and back from the mine. Took about 3.5 hours including stopping for pictures at the mine. I'm not sure what people are expecting (i.e. they're going to find a working mine and go dig for gold), its an abandoned mine that hasn't been used in nearly 100 years, its fenced off and boarded up because people are stupid, duh.
Starting from the parking lot going straight towards the mine its an uphill/downhill jaunt through the canyon. Not a bad walk, a little 1/4 mile spur to the mine, which was cool, lots of old parts and what not that have washed away down the hills. You can turn around and go back if that is what suits you.
We continued on for the full loop, from the mine its pretty much uphill and around the mountain, great views of the full valley (we were there in July everything is brown lol). Another little site with an old fireplace/cooking area and an old cot frame/spring (not sure why that is there, or how long, seems out of place, some old cans of something too). The good news is about 1/4 mile later you start going down hill and the rest of the hike from mile 5 to the end is fairly flat but sandy through the washout areas, but nice to have a easy ending to cool down and pick up some speed at the end.
Joshua Tree is $20 entry but good for a week.
I had hiked this trail about 15 years ago, when I was much younger, lighter, yada yada. Only hiked up to the mine and back, supposedly about 4 miles. That was in December and it was fairly easy.
The morning of July 4th we hiked the Lost Horse Mine trail on the full loop, our final tally was 7.1 miles which included the spur up to and back from the mine. Took about 3.5 hours including stopping for pictures at the mine. I'm not sure what people are expecting (i.e. they're going to find a working mine and go dig for gold), its an abandoned mine that hasn't been used in nearly 100 years, its fenced off and boarded up because people are stupid, duh.
Starting from the parking lot going straight towards the mine its an uphill/downhill jaunt through the canyon. Not a bad walk, a little 1/4 mile spur to the mine, which was cool, lots of old parts and what not that have washed away down the hills. You can turn around and go back if that is what suits you.
We continued on for the full loop, from the mine its pretty much uphill and around the mountain, great views of the full valley (we were there in July everything is brown lol). Another little site with an old fireplace/cooking area and an old cot frame/spring (not sure why that is there, or how long, seems out of place, some old cans of something too). The good news is about 1/4 mile later you start going down hill and the rest of the hike from mile 5 to the end is fairly flat but sandy through the washout areas, but nice to have a easy ending to cool down and pick up some speed at the end.
Joshua Tree is $20 entry but good for a week.
Written 4 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christiansenrud
San Clemente, CA11 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
I've been to Joshua Tree a handful of times mainly for the rock scrambling/climbing and various hikes. Have done the hike to the dam a few times and we were on our way out of the park that day with some time to kill so we figured we'd try something new. The mine sounded different and interesting so we opted for that.
The hike itself is not bad. It's not grueling by any means and the trails are clear, passing some of your standard desert sites, namely cactus and rocks. We came across a what looked like an old building foundation or maybe storage place built of stacked rocks and poked around for a while before heading further up the trail. There were some good views of the surrounding valleys once you made the gradual ascent. The final payoff of the mine was somewhat lackluster. It's fenced off with an unsightly chain link fence surrounding it, which when I first saw it was a bit of a letdown. It's understandable considering that the exterior of the mine has been defaced with paint pens and undoubtedly people sneak in and around the mine if and when the fence is low enough to hop.
All in all the hike was some nice exercise and wasn't all that crowded considering the zoo that had amassed for the ideal weather conditions for the time of year and that was populating the Hidden Valley and Skull Rock areas. However the mine wasn't all that much to behold and until the park adds something to it, I'm not in a big rush to make it back there when the park has so much else to offer. The story of the mine is more interesting than the mine itself, so maybe pick up a pamphlet and read about it on a hike or to beneath atop a more picturesque vantage point.
The hike itself is not bad. It's not grueling by any means and the trails are clear, passing some of your standard desert sites, namely cactus and rocks. We came across a what looked like an old building foundation or maybe storage place built of stacked rocks and poked around for a while before heading further up the trail. There were some good views of the surrounding valleys once you made the gradual ascent. The final payoff of the mine was somewhat lackluster. It's fenced off with an unsightly chain link fence surrounding it, which when I first saw it was a bit of a letdown. It's understandable considering that the exterior of the mine has been defaced with paint pens and undoubtedly people sneak in and around the mine if and when the fence is low enough to hop.
All in all the hike was some nice exercise and wasn't all that crowded considering the zoo that had amassed for the ideal weather conditions for the time of year and that was populating the Hidden Valley and Skull Rock areas. However the mine wasn't all that much to behold and until the park adds something to it, I'm not in a big rush to make it back there when the park has so much else to offer. The story of the mine is more interesting than the mine itself, so maybe pick up a pamphlet and read about it on a hike or to beneath atop a more picturesque vantage point.
Written 15 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Any idea how many flights of stairs to the mine and back from the parking lot? My fitbit died...
Written 21 December 2016
Between 6 and 7 miles. Officially listed as around 6, but my GPS clocked closer to 7. We stayed on the trail.
Written 17 May 2016
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing