Joshua Tree National Park was established in the desert of Southern California in 1994, but it has long been a place of wild, beautiful nature. It is an incredible desert getaway with unique plant life and some of the best rock climbing.
I was shocked how close it was to LA and San Diego making it a great weekend getaway from either city. We spent some time here right before the COVID pandemic started shutting down California and we are excited to return again soon.
If you are planning future travel when things are safe and looking at national parks – this would be a great one to consider. We wanted to cover some of the basic info to help you plan your trip.
What is so special about Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree National Park is an absolute gem. The desert landscapes with the funky, twisting Dr. Seuss-like trees and giant boulders make it different than so many of the national parks in the US. I love the colors of the desert, but more than anything – I love the plants that thrive in the arid climate.
There are three different entrances to the park. With paved roads connecting each side, it’s easy to get around and explore even if you just have a few hours. Plus, the quirky towns near each entrance are worth exploring as well. In the park, you can explore 500 different archeological sites, do some rock climbing and enjoy some incredible stargazing at night in the clear desert skies.
There is just something about the desert landscape that feels spiritual in a different way than other parks we’ve visited.
What to know before you go?
To visit any national parks in the United States, you need an entrance pass. You can purchase it when you arrive (last we checked, it was $30) or you can purchase an annual pass here in advance – it’s good for all national parks, monuments and other land. If you plan on visiting three parks in a calendar year, this pass is for you because it will save you money overall.
It’s also smart to have supplies in the car with you. You are in the desert and it doesn’t matter what month – you need more water than usual to stay hydrated. Aside from lots of water, I recommend extra layers and snacks. Those are my recommendations anytime you’re exploring the great outdoors.
What is an actual Joshua Tree?
Made famous by a U2 album, most people have never seen a Joshua Tree in person. Let’s cover the basics. To start, they aren’t even trees – they belong to the yucca family. These crazy looking plants are found all over the park and throughout the Mojave Desert, but you won’t find them anywhere else in the world. The average lifespan of these trees is 500 years and they grow very slowly.
As an essential part of the ecosystem in the Mojave, Joshua trees are protected. Climate change is having a negative impact, so it’s great that the national park system is helping to study and preserve these plants.
When is the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park?
Each season has pros and cons. The winter seasons are popular because the temps are perfect for hiking and being outside all day long. However, nights get quite a bit cooler, so you’ll need warm clothes if camping.
If you choose the spring, you may be lucky enough to see the Joshua Trees bloom. The weather is also better for camping, but not too hot during the day. Fall is similar weather, but without the blooms.
The summer is less busy because the temps are pretty high. Just plan your hikes for early in the morning and then find a way to cool off in the afternoons.
Are there snakes or other dangers in Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree National Park is the home of a few different kinds of snakes as well as some spiders and other desert creatures. Yes, they can be dangerous, but they are also easy to avoid. Make sure to look before you step anywhere or do any rock climbing. Keep your distance from any wildlife.
Heat is another danger in Joshua Tree that you will want to plan for. Water is key. Make sure you have more than you think you need. Pack your sunscreen (this is our favorite) and reapply often. Hats and sunglasses help too.
What are the best hikes in Joshua Tree?
We stuck to a few shorter hikes on our trip. The Hidden Valley loop has a lot of opportunities to play on the rocks. Skull Rock is another popular option leading you to its namesake. For a longer adventure, Lost Horse Mine explores an old gold mining area – just make sure to obey the posted rules when near the mine.
Here is a full list of the options so you can plan for the time and level of difficulty.
How long should you plan for your Joshua Tree trip?
This all depends on what you want to accomplish. Joshua Tree National Park is so close to some other great California gems, so it’s perfect to include with a longer trip to the desert.
We spent one full day in the park while we were in the area with a campsite just outside the park entrance. Once it is safe to travel again, we hope to return and camp inside the park and take advantage of those beautiful desert sunrises and stargazing.
What are the most popular spots in Joshua Tree National Park?
A stop at the visitor’s center should always be first on your list. We love chatting with the rangers and getting their advice on things we should do in the park. They always have the best tips on wildlife spotting or any special blooms happening. You can also find displays with historical information and cool exhibits like these hikers notes shown below.
Keys View is one of the best views in the park. It’s at the end of a paved road and requires a quick walk uphill. It would be an incredible sunset spot with views across the Coachella Valley and the San Bernardino mountains all around.
The Cholla Cactus garden is my other favorite spot in the park. There is a short loop to walk through the garden. These fuzzy little plants are so cool. If you are driving the main road through the park, you can’t miss this easy stop. Just make sure to stay on the trail.
Boulders are located everywhere in the park and rock climbing is a super popular activity here. We spent time just watching some of the amazing athletes enjoying the rocks. Even if climbing with ropes isn’t for you, it’s still fun to find some rocks that are smaller and play on those.
Can you camp in Joshua Tree National Park?
There are multiple campgrounds within Joshua Tree National Park (see the full list here). The ones that take reservations fill up quickly in the busy months, but they have a few first come, first served. We were making plans while on the road, so we didn’t get a site at one of the campgrounds within the park. The good news is that there are tons of places to camp near the entrances and the surrounding area is beautiful.
We used Hipcamp (get $10 off when you sign up here). It’s like AirBnB but for campsites so you can filter to see different amenities and locations. This incredible campsite was listed and it was close to the park entrance. Plus, they had a toilet, cool art installations and spread out campsites.
Camping not your thing? Click here to browse different hotels/motels nearby.
What else is near Joshua Tree?
A trip to Joshua Tree National Park could easily be tacked on to a trip to Palm Springs since it’s located just outside the park. Pioneertown is another great tourist spot near the park. You could also make it part of bigger Southern California road trip with San Diego, Los Angeles and more beautiful desert locations.
Check out our full California bucket list if you need more inspiration.
Is Joshua Tree National Park on your list to visit?
We put together this collection of things that you can enjoy right now while waiting for your future trip to Joshua Tree. Who doesn’t love cactus margarita glasses?
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