Nestled at the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, Joshua Tree National Park is a striking, otherworldly landscape that offers visitors an unforgettable escape into nature. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres in Southern California, this park is named after the iconic Joshua trees that dot its high desert terrain. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a rock climber, or someone seeking peace in nature’s beauty, Joshua Tree has something to offer everyone. Joshua Tree officially became a national park on October 31, 1994. In 2023, 3.3 million people visited the park, making it the 9th most visited park in the United States.

What is a Joshua Tree? The Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia, is a member of the agave family. These spiky trees may have served as inspiration for Dr. Seuss’ Truffula trees, mentioned in The Lorax. Joshua trees are an important part of the Mojave Desert system, giving food and shelter to reptiles, birds, mammals, and insects.

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Unique Desert Ecosystem

One of the park’s most fascinating features is its dual desert ecosystem. The Mojave Desert, in the higher elevations, is where you’ll find the park’s namesake Joshua trees. This is the northern end of the park. The Colorado Desert, on the other hand, sits at lower elevations and has a more typical desert landscape, with sparse vegetation and vast expanses of creosote bushes and ocotillo. If you go in the southern entrance to the park, this is where you will find this ecosystem.

This diversity of environments makes Joshua Tree a haven for a wide variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and desert tortoises. Birds are abundant here too, especially in the springtime when migrating species fill the park with their songs. Please remember to keep your distance from the animals and enjoy them in their natural environment.

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Adventures Await

Hiking in Joshua Tree is a must, with trails ranging from short, accessible walks to challenging treks that lead to sweeping vistas. The Hidden Valley trail, a favorite among visitors, is a gentle 1-mile loop through an enclosed valley surrounded by massive rock formations. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Ryan Mountain trail offers a 3-mile round-trip adventure that rewards hikers with panoramic views of the park from the 5,461-foot summit.

For rock climbers, Joshua Tree is a world-renowned destination. The park boasts over 8,000 climbing routes, with craggy rock formations that cater to all skill levels. Climbers flock to iconic spots like Intersection Rock and Cap Rock, where they can challenge themselves on the same boulders that have attracted adventurers for decades.

Beyond hiking and climbing, Joshua Tree offers opportunities for stargazing like few other places in the world. Its remote location, far from city lights, makes it an ideal place to witness the night sky in all its glory. The Milky Way stretches across the horizon, and shooting stars dart through the darkness on clear nights. The park even hosts an annual Night Sky Festival, where visitors can join astronomers to observe the cosmos through telescopes. Joshua Tree was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Click here to learn more about what constitutes a Dark Sky Park.

Conservation and Respect

When visiting, it’s important to remember that Joshua Tree is a fragile ecosystem. Visitors are encouraged to follow the Leave No Trace principles, ensuring that the park remains pristine for future generations. The Joshua trees themselves are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, and it’s essential to avoid damaging these ancient symbols of the desert.

These are the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park

Below is a big list of things to do in Joshua Tree National Park. This is an extensive list and covers most of the sights, viewpoints, scenic drives, and hiking trails in the park. It is a LOT to do, and for most people, this list is too big to tackle on a typical visit here. However, I am listing all of these sights, just so you know what there is to do in this park. If you have limited time to enjoy the park, read the descriptions below to help you decide what interests you the most and plan you itinerary to see those sites. It you have 3 or 4 days you can view most of the park.

Hikes in the park

Here is a list of 4 of the easier hikes in the park. If you go on the NPS website, it gives you really good descriptions of the hikes and ratings from easy to hard. Please check this before you go to make sure your ability matches the hike.

Arch Rock Trail 1.8 miles, easy, 1 hour. On this trail, you get to see two of the most iconic rock formations in the park: Arch Rock and Heart Rock. The scenery is some of the best in Joshua Tree and great photo opportunities along the way.

Cap Rock Nature Trail 0.4-mile loop, easy, 30 minutes. This hike may be short, but it offers some wonderful views and photo opportunities of Joshua trees. It is a good hike for all ages.

Skull Rock Trail 1.7-mile loop, easy to moderate, 1 hour. For most of the hike, you will be walking past enormous boulders and unique rock formations, such as Skull Rock. This hike is great for all ages and ability levels.

Hidden Valley 1.0 miles loop, easy, 30 -60 minutes. This rock enclosed valley is rumored to be where the cattle rustlers would hide. It is one of the most photogenic hikes in the park. This is a great walk for all ages. It also has a picnic area nearby with barbeque grills. The parking area can get crowded around mid-day so keep that in mind for your itinerary.

More places to explore

Tour Keys Ranch

For 60 years, Bill and Frances Keys lived on this ranch. They raised five children in this harsh environment, cattle farming and mining. This ranch is now on the National Historic Register Site.

On a ranger-guided tour, you can visit their house, the school, and see the mining equipment. Tours are typically held from October to May and have a fee in addition to the park entrance fee. It’s best to make reservations in advance.

Enjoy the View from Keys View

Keys View is one of the best viewpoints in Joshua Tree National Park. From this overlook, you have a panoramic view of the Santa Rosa Mountains, San Jacinto Mountain, Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault and Palm Springs. The views can be hazy at times, but it’s worth visiting. Keys View is located at the end of Keys View Road. From the parking lot, it is a 0.2-mile loop to walk to the viewpoints.

Hike to Forty-nine Palms Oasis

This is one of quite a few oases in the park and can be a bit of a challenge for some. It is 3.2 miles with a 775 ft. ascent. It is rated moderate and takes 2-3 hours. You will have to hike up and over a rocky mountain to here, but the beautiful oasis is worth it if you are able.

Drive Geology Tour Road

Geology Tour Road is the most popular 4WD road in Joshua Tree National Park. It is well maintained by the National Park Service, but since some sections of the road are really bumpy and/or have deep sand, a 4×4 vehicle is recommended if you want to drive the full loop.

Standard vehicles can handle the first few miles of the road (until Squaw Tank at marker number 9). Beyond this point, 4×4 vehicles are recommended by the National Park Service. Along this 18-mile loop are 16 stops. If you get the guide at the entrance, you will see these listed. If you stop at all of the stops, it can take 2 hours to drive the full loop.

Cholla Cactus Garden

The Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the most unique sights in Joshua Tree National Park. This large cluster of cacti are fun to visit and photograph. One of the more popular is the teddy bear cholla because of the way the thorns look so soft, but beware! These are one of the most difficult thorns to get out, so don’t touch. Another popular cactus is the Prickly Pear with its colorful fruit.

Camping Gear

Go Horseback Riding

253 miles of equestrian trails weave through the desert landscapes and canyons of Joshua Tree National Park. These trails are located throughout the park but many of them are clustered around Black Rock Campground, Eureka Peak, Covington Road, and the west entrance. Check the National Park Service website for more information on trails and rule.

Cottonwood Spring Oasis

If you want to see a beautiful oasis without having to hike to it, the Cottonwood Spring Oasis is the one! From the parking area, it is a 2-minute walk to get to this oasis. This Oasis is one of the best kept secrets in Joshua Tree National Park. It’s just seven miles from the southern entrance to the park. The spring, the result of earthquake activity, was used for centuries by the Cahuilla Indians, who left bedrock mortars and clay pots, or ollas, in the area. This area leads to quite a few hiking trails. Be sure to check website or park guide to plan your hikes near here.

Oasis of Mara

The Oasis of Mara is located behind the Joshua Tree National Park visitor center in Twentynine Palms. A paved trail loops around this oasis, so it’s easy to visit. It’s a nice option if you want to see an oasis without hiking or driving out to Cottonwood Springs.

Go Stargazing

This is one of the best national parks to view the night sky and photograph the Milky Way. As mentioned previously, this park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park so if you like star gazing this is one park you shouldn’t miss. The best places in the park to view the stars is the Cholla Cactus Garden or Pinto Basin Road between south entrance and White Tank Road. The pull offs can get crowded so keep that in mind. Every year, a Dark Sky Festival is held at Sky’s the Limit Center and Observatory, which is located just outside of the park entrance, near Twentynine Palms. Tickets go on sale in advance and typically sell out. For more information, go to the NPS website.

Planning Your Visit

Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the fall and spring, when temperatures are more moderate. Summer can be sweltering, with daytime temperatures reaching over 100°F, so it’s important to plan accordingly if visiting during the hotter months. Hiking is not recommended in the summer months. The park is open year-round, 24/7. It is $30 per vehicle to enter, or you can use your American the Beautiful pass. Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails and must be on 6 ft. or shorter leash in other parts of the park. Be sure to stop at one of the visitors centers for information about your visit. For more information about the park check out the NPS website. If you are flying in Los Angles or Las Vegas will be your closest airports. If you use Southwest be sure to check your points.

The park is easily accessible from cities like Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, making it a popular day-trip destination. However, to fully immerse yourself in the experience, consider spending a night camping under the stars. The park has several campgrounds, with sites that offer amazing sunrise and sunset views. For those not interested in camping, nearby towns like Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree provide more traditional lodging options, along with quirky art galleries, cafes, and shops.

Conclusion

Joshua Tree National Park is a place where nature’s raw beauty and tranquility reign supreme. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure or simply a moment of peace in the desert, Joshua Tree offers an unparalleled experience. The combination of stunning landscapes, unique flora and fauna, and an endless sense of wonder makes this park a true desert gem. A visit to Joshua Tree is not just a trip—it’s an adventure! Be sure to check out the National Park website to learn more about ranger programs available and more information about the park.

If you’re planning an escape to the desert, Joshua Tree National Park should be at the top of your list, it’s a place you’ll never forget. We love to tell you about great places to visit and tips we have learned about those places so that you can make informed decisions about your trip. Even if you don’t go to Joshua Tree, find your adventure, even if it’s close to home, and have fun! Don’t forget your suntan lotion, plenty of water and of course your camera to capture what will be wonderful memories!

By Greg and Peggy

We are two people who love to travel, thrift and play slot machines. We love going to new places, especially if there is a casino! We just want to share our adventures with people and hope to inspire them to explore and have fun!

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