What To Do in Joshua Tree National Park



This put up is a collaboration written by way of Kristin Addis and Monica Chapon:

I am a sucker for the barren region. The dry warmth, the infinite solar, and the prickly flora are all positives, in my e book. For every person who’s skeptical that a barren region can genuinely be a laugh, I have the appropriate region to exchange your mind: Joshua Tree National Park.

No rely how generally I go to, I continually find a new nook or cranny to discover.  This park is so particular that I think each tourist will find something to realize!

The wild and confused-looking yuccas — called Joshua Trees — have such character, and the geology of the park is so in contrast to the surrounding regions.  This untamed stretch of land become special a National Park in 1994, and it’s clean to peer why.

From hiking, to climbing, to photography, to stargazing, Joshua Tree has some thing for you!  Here is the entirety you need to know in order to plan your go to to Joshua Tree National Park in California:

Joshua Tree is located kind of 2.5 hours east from each Los Angeles and San Diego, and is a famous nature getaway from each cities.

What To Do in Joshua Tree National Park

The specific appearance and feel of this park is exactly why hiking and wandering right here is so special. If you go to within the springtime, you’re possibly to peer colorful wildflower blooms on most of the trails, or even blooming cacti inside the Colorado Desert.

1. Admire the Joshua Trees!

My favorite manner to go into Joshua Tree National Park is thru the Park Blvd entrance in Twentynine Palms. This is wherein you’ll see some of the most important, maximum wonderful Joshua Trees, that is in reality a sort of succulent, that handiest grows in very particular regions of the American Southwest. There are many roadside pull-offs and mini trails all alongside this pressure. Please persist with hooked up trails while enjoying, as the wilderness is a exceedingly fragile ecosystem.

2. Sunset at Keys View

This is effortlessly the most well-known and famous location to catch the sundown within the park. With perspectives all of the way out to Palm Springs and Mount San Jacinto. Be sure to get there a piece early if visiting on a weekend or at some stage in a busy time like Spring or Christmas spoil, as parking fills up speedy.

three. Sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden

The Cholla Cactus Garden is a flat and Easy .5 mile loop.  This trail is placed inside the Colorado Desert vicinity, so human beings regularly skip this stop and opt to stay within the north.  Though it’s a very short loop, I promise you it’s far worth the power!  Photogenic chollas crop up out of nowhere and enhance the panorama.  Be wary although – these cacti will stubbornly stick into garments and shoes (and skin!) in case you get too near.

four. Arch Rock Nature Trail

This is an Easy 1.2 mile out and again hike main to the iconic Arch Rock.  To hike to Arch Rock, traffic have to park throughout the street inside the targeted parking lot and move over at the trail, towards piles of massive rock groupings.  The trail is nicely marked and flat.  This is a totally famous trail so count on crowds!

five. 49 Palms Oasis Trail

This is a Moderate 3.1 mile trail traversing the rugged mountains.  This out and back hike features barrel cacti laying low on the mountains, sweeping views of the valley under, and a actual lifestyles oasis in the middle of the barren region.  This is the best patch of colour on the complete hike so be sure to prevent and relaxation here before turning again.

6. Barker Dam Nature Trail

A barren region oasis, this rare sighting of water inside the wasteland makes for the right quick, distinctly flat hike inside the park. You’ll see plenty of Joshua timber, cacti that simply might be in bloom depending on time of yr, and the lovable mirrored image of the rocks on the water. Sunrise is a exceptional time to experience without crowds.

7. Skull Rock

An easy roadside pull-off, the skull rock without a doubt does seem like a cranium! There’s now not a whole lot to it other than a set of rocks for an easy photo-op, but if it’s hot out otherwise you’re seeking to avoid lengthy hikes, that is an smooth stop and a fun picture, too.

eight. Lost Horse Mine Loop

This is a difficult, 6.Eight mile loop hike named after an old mine in the park.  Though you will skip the real mine, there isn’t all that much to see here as it’s far fenced off for safety.  However, for me the spotlight of this path are the abundant Joshua Trees hikers get to look close-up.  If a 6.Eight mile loop sounds too long inside the hot barren region solar, sense unfastened to hike this as a shorter out and lower back.

nine. Boy Scout Trail To Willow Hole Extended Route

This is a mild 17.6 mile out and returned backpacking path.  Note that I do now not propose this path during the summer season months!  Tackle this one in wintry weather months best.  It’s within the north section of the park and features a few mini rock scrambles close to Willow Hole.  It’s a terrific path if you’re searching out a longer exercising.  Allow round eight or 9 hours to finish this path.

10. Rock Climbing

Joshua Tree National Park has gained quite the recognition for rock climbing.  The park offers over eight,000 documented mountain climbing spots, with most people being bouldering and trad mountaineering places.  Though no longer as not unusual, there are a few sport mountaineering routes as well. 

I actually have climbed in Joshua Tree earlier than, and my first-rate advice is to begin early!  The midday sun can be brutal.

For mountain climbing data in addition to present day mountaineering closures, click here.

Where to Stay

Staying out near Joshua tree is nearly an revel in in quit of itself! There are so many precise Airbnbs as well as camping below the celebrities. I’ve stayed in lots of locations over time that I’ve visited, even though I actually have a few favorites:

The Birdhouse Joshua Tree

A design dream, this retro Airbnb in Twentynine Palms is flawlessly located among each of the park entrances, making it an easy loop. I cherished the seclusion of it, and the way up near we felt to the wasteland. It became perfectly quiet, the stars were excellent, and I cherished the heated pool! This is massive sufficient for 6-eight people, although when I visited with my companion for our babymoon, it was perfect as just the 2 people, as properly. Book it here.

Camping

Many people visit the park for a quick 24 hour time span.  If this is the case for you, I promise that you could have a fun-stuffed and jam-packed at some point itinerary in Joshua Tree.  However, in case you are able to stay for a few nights, try camping out within the desolate tract!

The peace and solitude of dozing in the barren region is some thing that we don’t get enough of in recent times!  And Joshua Tree mainly is a unique wilderness to spend a night time in. 

Designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, the stargazing right here is unreal.  Since the park is located hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, the mild pollutants is stored to a minimal.  On clear nights, this is one of the excellent locations for stargazing on the earth!

Mornings within the desolate tract are just as non violent.  You’ll awake to the growing sun, the sounds of small birds and critters in the distance, and with an unbeatable view when you unzip your tent.

With colourful wasteland sunsets, epic stargazing, and surreal landscapes reputedly from outer space, it’s in reality a no-brainer.  You’ve got to attempt camping right here.

There are over 500 campsites in the park. While which could sound like loads, they may be unfold out across 9 campgrounds inside the 1235 rectangular miles of park.

The campsites are a mixture of Reservation Only and First Come First Served.  Note that many campsites are closed in summer season months because of the warmth. Check your options carefully before you cross.

Also, plan as early as viable! The Reservation Only sites generally promote out well earlier, particularly in Spring and Fall.  Reservations may be made up to six months in advance.

Campsites that be given Reservations: Black Rock; Cottonwood; Indian Cove; Jumbo Rocks; Ryan; Sheep Pass.

First Come, First Serve Campsites: Belle; Hidden Valley; White Tank.

Pro Tip: For an epic sunrise, camp at White Tank. The campsites are separated with the aid of the long-lasting large boulders of Joshua Tree, making it a semi-non-public and placing location to camp.  Before dawn, you may catch the very last .5 miles of the path main to Arch Rock (White Tank is at once on the trekking route) and enjoy the sunrise at Arch Rock.

Campsite expenses variety from $15-$25 in keeping with night time and offer varying facilities. You can locate all relevant booking statistics here.

When To Visit

While I can absolutely say that I’ve braved (and loved) park visits here 12 months-spherical, arms-down the satisfactory seasons to visit Joshua Tree are the spring and fall.

Spring (February – April): The milder temperatures are a lot greater satisfactory for trekking and hiking in the springtime. Colorful wildflowers dot the panorama, making this the maximum popular season to visit Joshua Tree. Cacti and Joshua Trees display off their white and purple blossoms. Fiery crimson ocotillo flowers can be noticed in the direction of the southern quit of the park. With temperatures hovering between a relaxed 50 and eighty five tiers, visitors flock here.

Summer (May to September): The splendor of a summer go to is that many humans will keep away from the desert because of triple digit temperatures. Crowds might be skinny and there are greater daylight. The drawback is that summer time heat in Joshua Tree can be dangerous. Hikes and strenuous activities need to all take place as early as viable, and site visitors ought to come prepared with adequate water deliver and sunscreen!

Fall (October – November): Fall is a popular time to go to. Once once more temperatures fall within the comfortable 50 to eighty five degree range. Campgrounds tend to sell out, mainly over the weekends, and parking at the trailheads will become sparse. Remember that the sunlight hours turn out to be shorter inside the Fall, so plan your hikes accurately.

Winter (December – January): The wintry weather months can vary pretty a piece, starting from 32 to 60 levels. Though uncommon, it does snow in Joshua Tree when the conditions are right. It’s a stunning sight! On the other cease of the spectrum, some wintry weather days may be sunny and warm. Winter is still a remarkable time for the longer hikes – dress in layers to cover all bases.

Entry Into Joshua Tree National Park

If you don’t already have the America The Beautiful Annual National Park Pass, which I noticeably endorse, you have several fee alternatives for the park.

• A 7-Day Pass: $30
• An annual Pass for Joshua Tree National Park: $55
• The America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass (for ALL National Parks in the USA): $80

Each of those passes may be bought at any entrance into Joshua Tree.

As you power deeper into the park, you’ll start to observe the changing landscapes.  Joshua Tree clearly holds deserts in the park boundaries; the Mojave Desert to the north and the Colorado Desert to the south.  

The northern phase of the park is home to a number of the iconic perspectives related to Joshua Tree National Park – the giant bulbous rock piles, most people of the hiking trails, and of route the Joshua Tree itself.

The southern panorama is a bit greater sparse, proposing hotter temperatures, hundreds of cacti, and rugged red mountains.  There are only a few Joshua Trees within the Colorado Desert section because it isn’t an appropriate elevation for the species.

Though the northern half is greater famous, I noticeably endorse driving and hiking in each regions, as they provide traffic something absolutely distinct from one another! 

Joshua Tree National Park Safety

Bring double the amount of water you believe you studied you’ll need.  Park rangers advocate one gallon per person, according to day (at the least).  Wear proper trekking footwear and dress in layers; the desert temperatures can range as much as 40 ranges inside a 24 hour time span! 

There is nowhere to shop for food in the park boundaries. Pack snacks, sandwiches, fruit, and so on. Earlier than you task into the park.

You are likely to trap sight of small wilderness critters like lizards and bees here.  You may additionally very well see a scorpion or a rattlesnake even as you’re out and approximately, so preserve your eyes at the trails.  They aren’t aggressive until provoked, so supply them masses of space and also you’ll be satisfactory.

There are even herds of massive horn sheep inside the park who, at the same time as I haven’t visible them these days, want to climb some of the rocky crags along the roadway.

Park your car only in certain areas.  Many hikes have small masses and there are paved areas to drag over for right photograph spots.  Driving off-avenue is forbidden within the park.

Watch out for flash floods!  Always take a look at the climate earlier than avoiding at the longer hikes.  And, be conscious that mobile phone reception is susceptible and in a few regions non-existent.  Download offline maps before you enter or pick out up a paper reproduction at the Visitors Center.

As long as you prepare for the experience, I promise that the wilderness is an high-quality escape.

Have I convinced you but?!

With all of this facts accessible, I’d say it’s time you go to the park and spot for your self!  Take within the views, meet the Joshua Trees, snap some notable pics, and hike or climb the day away.  Camp overnight if time permits, after which do all of it again the next day.

I don’t have any doubt that Joshua Tree will show simply how remarkable the wasteland weather and landscape can be!

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About the writer: Monica Chapon has traveled to 6 continents solo and chronicles her adventures on her blog, This Rare Earth. She can commonly be observed exploring the deserts of the world, taking impromptu avenue journeys, or performing as an aerialist on silks. Follow at the side of Monica’s adventures on Instagram.