Joshua Tree National Park has inspired adventurous travellers for generations. This is a unique location in California where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. Less than 3 hours from San Diego and Los Angeles, the national park is famous for its distinct Joshua trees. It’s believed the twisted, prickly trees got their name from Mormon settlers who thought the outstretched limbs resembled the biblical figure. While Joshua Trees are the park's beloved symbol, the treasured ecosystem contains many other natural wonders.
Wander the trails inside Joshua Tree and discover a rich world of desert vegetation, gigantic rock walls, and rugged mountains. It’s a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, rock climbers, nature photographers, and stargazers. Since it’s the closest national park to San Diego and Los Angeles, Joshua Tree provides a convenient spot to experience the serenity of the desert.
Joshua Tree National Park - one of the highlights of 9 Best Things to Do in Palm Springs and 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Palm Springs (Read all about San Diego here)
What are the highlights of Joshua Tree National Park?
While most of the 800,000-acre park is inaccessible, the Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a scenic section where you can easily appreciate Joshua Tree's beauty. The 1-mile loop enchants visitors with diverse flora, massive boulders, and a rock-climbing utopia inside a former cattle rustler’s refuge. For a longer hike, the 7.2-mile Lost Palms Oasis Trail is a surreal location capped with palm trees and immense rock formations.
Keys View delivers awe-inspiring panoramas of the desert landscape, while Skull Rock bewilders geology fans. While the trek to Ryan Mountain requires a steep 1,000 ft ascent, the stunning vistas are worth the struggle. For a glimpse into Joshua Tree National Park’s past, visit the old homestead at the Keys Ranch. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in nearby Desert Hot Springs features Native American artwork and historical exhibits. For bird watchers, the Oasis of Mara and Cottonwood Spring are fantastic spots to search for colourful species.
Campsites at Joshua Tree National Park
Camping at Joshua Tree National Park can be a rewarding experience for nature lovers. The lush vegetation, interesting rock formations, desert wildlife, and starry nights make Joshua Tree a popular camping location. Whether you’re travelling in an RV or backcountry camping, Joshua Tree National Park has the facilities for an unforgettable vacation. There are 9 official campgrounds inside the park, and you must pay a nightly fee for a spot.
With Joshua trees and enormous boulders surrounding the campground, Hidden Valley is among the most desired spots. However, the first-come, first-serve campsite doesn’t include water and isn’t for everyone. For a comfier camping trip, the Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds have water and flush toilets. Those campgrounds also accept reservations to guarantee your campsite upon arrival. Avoid camping during summer or winter due to the extreme temperatures of the desert environment.
Good to know about Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park ranks among the best stargazing locations in the world. Its high desert geography and distance from cities provide the perfect setting for a sensational night show. If stargazing is high on your bucket list, visit the park when the moon isn’t visible. That gives you the best chance of spotting the Milky Way and billions of stars. Most travellers avoid the national park during winter, but this is a popular period for seasoned rock climbers. The uniquely shaped rock formations make it a popular practice spot when snow blankets the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Joshua Tree National Park does receive some snowfall in winter, so it can be too chilly for some visitors. For the best weather, schedule your trip in the fall or spring. March, April, October, and November are the best months to visit due to warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Spring is especially beautiful as native flora begin to bloom and carpet the desert landscape with an array of bright colours.
Joshua Tree National Park
Location: 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
Phone: +1 760-367-5500
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