The Little San Bernardino Mountains run along the southern and western edge of Joshua Tree National Park, dividing the higher Mojave Desert from the lower Coachella Valley. Keys View, the park's best-known overlook, sits on their crest.
Details
- Type
- Point of Interest
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
The range marks the meeting of two deserts: the higher, cooler Mojave on the park side and the lower, hotter Colorado Desert dropping toward the Coachella Valley. The San Andreas Fault runs along the base of the mountains, and the difference in elevation and rainfall shows in the plants across the range.
What to See
Keys View, at the end of a paved road off Park Boulevard, is the main viewpoint, looking over the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, and the line of the San Andreas Fault, with Mount San Jacinto and San Gorgonio Mountain on the horizon. The range also holds backcountry routes for experienced desert hikers.