Joshua Tree, California
Joshua Tree is a magical desert in California, known for its jumbo rock formations and oddly shaped trees. Usually deserts aren't really our thing-- we're all about beach life and mountain views-- but we knew we couldn't miss Joshua Tree.
We stopped by Joshua Tree for two days on our road trip through New Mexico, Arizona, and California. And it did not disappoint! You don't see these views anywhere else in the world.
About Joshua Tree
Two different deserts-- the Mojave and the Colorado-- meet in Joshua Tree, bringing their different ecosystems and life forms with them. It became a National Park in 1936 and contains 429,690 acres of designated wilderness. It is famous for the Joshua trees, which are native only to the Mojave desert, and are part of the Yucca genus and the Agave family.
How to Get There
Joshua tree is in southeastern California, east of Los Angeles and San Bernardino and near Palm Springs. Situated between I-10 to the south and highway 62 to the north, Joshua Tree is easily accessible from the southwest region of the United States. From Los Angeles, it is just over two hours away by car and can be explored in a day trip.
What To Do
The easiest way to see Joshua Tree is to drive. The park is vast, and driving can give you an overall survey of the different sites. Enter through the West Entrance at Joshua Tree Visitor Center and drive South from there. Most of the sites are on the road going South from the West Entrance, and not too far down. But it's worth driving all the way down to the South end of the park if you have the time. If your time is limited, you can see most of the sites in the main area near the Visitor Center. Definitely drive to:
The roads around Quail Springs, Barker Dam, Hidden Valley
Jumbo Rocks
Cholla Cactus Garden (great for sunrise!)
Key Views (great for sunset!)
Cottonwood Spring (at the very south end of the park near Cottonwood Visitor Center)
Bajada Nature Trail (near Cottonwood Visitor Center)
If you are interested in hiking, there are many hikes that range from easy to hard available to you. Visit the park's website to see all of the different hikes. The desert is hot AF, so be sure to bring a lot of water and sunscreen. Avoid doing strenuous hikes in the summer or between 10am- 2pm.
Where to Camp
If you want to camp inside Joshua Tree, you definitely can! There are several different campgrounds within the park. Many are first come first serve, so be sure to arrive early. Peak season is September through May, so be prepared for the crowds. Visiting during the off season (May through September) is a great way to avoid the crowds, but it is incredibly hot and sections of the campgrounds close during those month. Visit the website to see what's open, and to make a reservation if necessary. Just know there is no WiFi within the park, so it may be a better idea to camp outside of the park if that is an issue for you.
We stayed at Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground about 10 minutes away from the West Entrance of the park. The campground has a lake, a small store on site, an attentive front desk, and full showers and bathrooms. They are also dog friendly! We were there in July 2020 and they were taking COVID-19 very seriously and required the use of masks when not at your specific site. We also heard that during the high season they host different events and festivals, which sounded worth checking out. You can also shower here, even if you aren't camping here (for a $7 fee). Reservations are definitely recommended.
Costs and Fees
Entrance fees: The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle (read: not per person). If you plan on visiting multiple parks, we recommend buying the America the Beautiful annual park pass for just $80. If you visit just 3 parks in the year it pays for itself, and you're able to visit unlimited parks and re-enter as many times as you want.
Camping fees: The campgrounds within the park range from $20- 50 per night, depending on the campground and whether you are tent camping or RV camping. At the time we camped at Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground, tent camping was $15 per person, per night, plus an additional $5 per pet.
Tips and Tricks
Utilize the National Park website to get the latest updates and help plan your visit.
Dogs are allowed on leash at Joshua Tree, but only on paved roads. The general rule is that a dog can go anywhere a car can, but nowhere else. Think "paws on pavement!" There are a lot of insects, bees, prickly plants, and intense heat that make Joshua Tree inhospitable for dogs, so it makes sense. We brought our dog with us so were somewhat limited, but still had a great time. If you want to hike, be sure to leave your dog at home or at a boarders for the day. Don't even think about leaving your dog in the car!
As mentioned, the heat can be unbearable. Between June to September, the temperature can easily exceed 100°F during the day. It hit about 120°F when we were there in July, greatly limiting the activities we could do when the sun was at its highest. At one point, we just had to lay under a tree in the shade, drink hot beer, and try not to move too much. It's no joke. Nighttime temperatures can drop to around 75°F, so there is some respite. That being said, the best time to visit the park is March to May and October to November when the average high is about 85°F during the day and 60°F at night. During the winter, daytime temperatures hover around 60°F and can dip to 30°F at night. It can occasionally snow at higher elevations. The park is worth exploring year round-- just come prepared!
Bring in your own food and drinks, and lots and lots of water. There is nothing inside of the park.
Leave everything better than you found it. Clean up after yourself your pets, and follow the Leave No Trace principle.
Joshua Tree is often considered a magical, spiritual experience-- and for good reason! There is nowhere else like it in the world.
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