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Tucked at the foot of Mehrangarh Fort, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park reveals a wilder, lesser-seen side of Jodhpur. Spread over 70 hectares of rugged cliffs, volcanic rocks, and hardy desert plants, this restored landscape offers a quiet escape from Jodhpur’s busy streets.
Established in 2006 to revive a once-barren wasteland, the park is now one of the best places in Jodhpur for scenic walks, birdwatching, and learning about the desert’s unique ecosystem.
If you’re planning to visit, this Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park guide covers everything you need to know, including the best walking trails, entry fees, guided walks, and what to expect during your visit.
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Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park Overview
Here’s everything you need to know to visit Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park today.
Visitors Center: Mehrangarh Fort Rd, Kabir Nagar, Jodhpur
Opening Hours: March to September: 7am-7pm
October to February: 8am-6pm
(Morning walks start 1 hour earlier)
Entrance Fee: ₹100 ($1.10)
Guided Walks: ₹200 ($2.25) per group
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise & Sunset
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Restoring Jodhpur’s Desert Landscape
Before 2006, the land surrounding Mehrangarh Fort was overrun with prosopis juliflora, a thorny mesquite shrub that had spread like wildfire across Rajasthan, leaving little room for native plants to survive. Clearing them wasn’t easy. Locals tried cutting, burning, and even studding the roots with cow dung, but nothing seemed to work.
Then came Jodhpur’s khandawalias, the traditional stonemasons whose ancestors once helped build Mehrangarh Fort. Using their deep knowledge of rock and soil, they painstakingly dug out the stubborn roots, bit by bit. After seven years of restoration, the land finally came back to life.
Today, the land flourishes with more than 200 species of birds and 250 kinds of native plants, transforming what was once wasteland into one of the most peaceful escapes in Jodhpur.
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Walking Trails
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park has four main walking trails, each offering a different experience.
Start at the Visitors Center to buy your entrance ticket and meet a naturalist who can either join you on a guided walk or point you in the right direction for a self-guided walk.
Note: The only exception is the Blue–Devkund Trail, where tickets are available at Jaswant Thada, as the trail begins right beside it.
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Yellow - Gully Trail
Distance: 1000 meters | Duration: ~1.5 hours
Starting behind the Visitors Centre, this path follows an old stormwater canal that narrows into a rocky gorge before gradually opening up to reveal stunning views of Mehrangarh Fort. Toward the end, you’ll walk through a lush stretch where native desert plants thrive among the rocks.
Note: The Yellow Trail is the easiest and best-marked path, and probably the best option if you’re exploring on your own.
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Green - City Wall Trail
Distance: 1115 meters | Duration: ~1.7 hours
This trail starts at the same point as the Yellow Trail, just behind the Visitors Center, climbing upward toward Jodhpur’s western city wall. Along the way, you’ll find several viewpoints where you can step onto the old fortifications for sweeping views of Mehrangarh Fort and Jodhpur, especially beautiful at sunset.
Red - Sandy Plot Trail
Distance: 880 meters | Duration: ~1 hour
Starting from Gate 2, the trail crosses sandy terrain where desert plants such as Leptadenia and Aerva grow. After the rains, flowering shrubs like Pavonia and Crotalaria spring up, adding splashes of pink and bright yellow to the landscape. It then winds through open rocky terrain before looping back to the starting point.
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Blue - Devkund Trail
Distance: 1080 meters | Duration: ~1.7 hours
This rocky trail circles Devkund Lake near the marble cenotaph of Jaswant Thada. It’s a favorite among birdwatchers, especially in winter when migratory species visit, though local birds can be seen year-round.
Heading to Delhi next? Visit Yamuna Ghat at sunrise to watch migratory birds swirl above the river as you glide along in a boat
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How to Book a Guided Walk
Guided walks at Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park costs ₹200 ($2.25) per group. To book, simply call +91 9572 71000 at least a day in advance or head to the Visitors Center.
If you prefer quieter hours, early morning walks are also available, which start at 7am from October to March and 6am from April to September.
During peak season, up to fifteen guides may be available, but at other times only two or three, so it’s best to reserve early.
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Guided Walk at Devkund Trail
During our visit, we arranged a guided walk around Devkund Lake by calling the number (+91 9572 71000). The response was quick, and we were soon connected to a local naturalist who was available for an early morning walk.
We set out before sunrise and managed to find a rickshaw despite the early hour. The driver dropped us at the first gate of Jaswant Thada, which was still closed, but a guard kindly directed us to the main entrance.
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After meeting our guide, we paid the entrance and guide fees at the ticket counter and were given a brochure with information about the park and a list of local bird species to look out for.
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Starting from the gate beside Jaswant Thada, the trail followed the lake’s edge. Our guide explained that the lake used to be smaller but had since expanded naturally as the land recovered.
Along the way, he shared stories about the area and pointed out various desert plants and flowers including Thor (Euphorbia caducifolia): a tall, cactus-like succulent bursting with tiny red blossoms. We were lucky, thanks to unusually heavy rains, it bloomed later this year.
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The path itself was easy, not too long or steep, though lined with thorny plants (Which ended up snagging our down jacket, so watch your step!).
The highlight came near the end, when we climbed a volcanic rock hill to the photography point, offering the best view of Jaswant Thada with the Mehrangarh Fort towering behind it. It’s an incredible spot for photos and the main reason we chose this trail.
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After reaching the top, the path continues around the lake for another twenty minutes. We decided to turn back the same way, but if time allows, completing the full loop offers more lake views and a peaceful finish to the walk.
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Meet Denzel: Rao Jodha’s Naturalist
Our guide, Denzel, is one of the main naturalists at the park. Friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the outdoors, he could talk for hours about plants, rocks, and birds without ever losing his enthusiasm, which made the walk even more enjoyable.
For us, Denzel's insights on dog dung and wild hog tracks alone made it worth the extra few rupees to do the guided walk. Add to that his deep knowledge of the area, and the comfort of not having to worry about straying off the path, and you’ve got every reason to book the tour.
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What to Prepare
- Comfortable walking clothes and sturdy shoes.
- A hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water if you’re visiting during the day.
- For winter mornings, pack a light jacket, as it can be surprisingly chilly.
For more information, visit the official Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park website at www.raojodhapark.in.
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Getting There
Rickshaw: The easiest way from the old city is by rickshaw. They’re easy to find during the day, but before sunrise it might take a little longer, so plan extra time.
On Foot: It’s about a 30-minute walk from the stepwell, up the ramp toward Mehrangarh Fort, then along the road to Jaswant Thada. Avoid walking this route in the dark, as it’s steep and poorly lit.
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Where to Stay in Jodhpur
Best Time to Visit
The best time to explore Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is from October to March, when the weather is cooler and perfect for walking.
Try to avoid April to June, as Jodhpur’s summer temperatures can climb to 39–41°C (102–105°F). From July to September, the monsoon brings humidity and occasional heavy showers, which can make the trails slippery.
For the best experience, join an early morning walk. These start at 8am from October to February, and 7am from March to September.
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And that’s the guide to visiting Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park.
If you’re looking for more things to do in the Blue City, read our guide to the best places to visit in Jodhpur in two days! From the Mehrangar Fort to quieter attractions you shouldn’t miss.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section.
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