Barker Dam
Barker Dam is a small reservoir tucked into the boulder-strewn landscape of Joshua Tree, where still water reflects the surrounding jumbles of rounded granite and scattered desert vegetation. The reflections are the main draw here, and calm mornings give you the cleanest mirror images of the boulders and sky on the water's surface. Work the near shoreline to layer the reflective pool in the foreground against the massive rock formations behind, or find higher ground on the boulders flanking the dam to shoot down across the full scene. Golden hour light, both at sunrise and in the hour before sunset, wraps the warm-toned granite in rich color that pairs well with the muted greens of the desert. A wide-angle lens suits the expansive boulder scenery, though a short telephoto helps compress the stacked rocks in the background. The trailhead parking area is well-marked and the 1.5-mile loop is an easy walk. (Joshua Tree National Park, California, United States)
