Everything you need to know about visiting Joshua Tree National Park

6 Views

Somewhat greater than two hours east of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is an otherworldly expanse overlaying practically 800,000 acres within the excessive Mojave Desert of California.

Right here, majestic boulders combine with putting Joshua timber, identified for his or her spiky, spiny, twisty profiles. These vegetation — which, enjoyable truth, usually are not truly timber however succulents — are discovered solely in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. This nationwide park is arguably the most effective place to look at massive, undisturbed clusters of them.

With greater than 3 million annual guests, it is throughout the prime 10 most-visited national parks within the U.S., in response to the Nationwide Park Service — and for good motive. Along with admiring the park’s namesake vegetation up shut, you possibly can see the place two completely different desert ecosystems meet alongside all kinds of vegetation and wildlife. Plus, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park provides darkish night time skies and geologic wonders that draw hikers, campers and vacationers from around the globe.

The park is a must-see, with an abundance of mountaineering and nature trails for all ability ranges and a number of campgrounds. You’ll be able to go to on a day journey, keep in a single day in a tent or merely go by means of the park for a scenic drive between LA and Las Vegas.

Here is every thing it’s essential to know.

Earlier than you go

Joshua Tree Nationwide Park customer heart. IRFAN KHAN/LOS ANGELES TIMES/GETTY IMAGES

Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week for your complete yr, even on holidays akin to Christmas. Nonetheless, some areas are for day use solely; for instance, customer facilities function on a set schedule.

Like at different nationwide parks, you may pay an entrance price. A non-public automobile prices $30, a bike prices $25, and a person strolling in or being dropped off is $15. You might additionally buy an annual go to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park for $55. In the event you plan to go to greater than a few nationwide parks a yr, your finest guess is to purchase the annual national parks pass for $80 (which covers one automobile or 4 per-person charges).

You should buy passes on-site at a customer heart or whereas driving by means of an entrance sales space. Or, it can save you time by shopping for one forward of time online.

Reservations are solely required for campground stays or sure excursions, and you should acquire permits for bouldering, in a single day backpacking and conducting scientific analysis.

Each day Publication

Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day e-newsletter

Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists

As soon as contained in the park, there aren’t any gasoline stations, inns, eating places or grocery shops, however public restrooms can be found. It is crucial that you just deliver any water, meals or provides chances are you’ll want.

There are three customer facilities and one nature heart which can be all open to the general public for extra info to assist plan your go to when you arrive.

Getting there and round

Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is 130 miles from LA, 40 miles from Palm Springs, California, and 218 miles from Las Vegas. Provided that it is located inside precise desert wilderness, it is not smart to depend on public transportation to get right here. You may probably be driving from one of many aforementioned cities, so you may want a automotive to go to and navigate the park.

When you may be capable of arrive by way of a ride-hailing service akin to Uber or Lyft, relying on one to go away may very well be dangerous. Cell service will be spotty contained in the park, and drivers usually are not usually sticking round to search for clients. Even if you happen to did discover one who was, by probability, dropping another person off, it might be a dear trip given the park’s distant nature. A drive again to the closest main metropolis may price a whole lot of {dollars}.

The most suitable choice is to drive your individual automotive or hire one from wherever you begin your journey. It will make sure you arrive as deliberate, persist with your finances and do not get stranded.

Finest time to go to

It ought to come as no shock to study that it is best to keep away from visiting the desert in the summertime.

Although the park is open year-round, temperatures commonly common round 100 levels Fahrenheit through the summer season months. Being exterior in such intense climate can depart you in danger for warmth stroke, dehydration and even loss of life.

In the event you do plan to go to in the summertime, attempt to keep away from being exterior for prolonged durations of time through the afternoon or through the hottest components of the day. Remember to deliver an abundance of ingesting water to remain hydrated.

Associated: Best national parks to visit in the spring

Though the desert location is related to heat, the realm can expertise below-freezing temperatures in winter, too. Snow occurs, and hypothermia is an actual hazard to contemplate this time of yr.

As such, the most effective time to go to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is in late fall to early winter — after the summer season warmth breaks however earlier than chilly temperatures and potential snow transfer in. Alternatively, you might go to from late winter to early spring earlier than the warmth arrives.

What to see and do

Barker Dam in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. JEFFGOULDEN/GETTY IMAGES

In style driving routes and sights

There’s a lot to see and do in Joshua Tree that you might simply spend a number of days right here. In the event you solely have sooner or later, stopping on the customer heart may help you map out the highlights.

Even only a drive alongside Park Boulevard, the primary street that goes by means of the park, will can help you see massive fields of Joshua timber at each flip. There are a number of pull-off areas alongside the street, in addition to massive parking heaps related to well-liked trails and sights.

For the latter, Skull Rock is a prime sight. Rain erosion has prompted a big boulder to seem as if it has hollowed-out eye sockets. With an adjoining 1.7-mile nature path, it is a great spot to snap a photograph after which take a brief hike.

Moreover, novice hikers ought to head to Hidden Valley, a comparatively simple 1-mile loop. Surrounded by magnificent boulders, the trail goes by means of a small valley full of desert vegetation. It may be rocky in locations, nevertheless it’s principally flat; the toughest components are much like climbing brief units of stairs.

There may be additionally Barker Dam, a principally flat, 1.1-mile loop by means of Joshua timber, monzogranite rock formations and a rock artwork website. The identify refers to an precise dam and reservoir, which might fill with water after heavy rains (although it’s usually dry).

For a simple nature stroll, cease on the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail. At only a quarter of a mile, this flat loop has {a partially} raised walkway by means of a panorama of spiky cholla cacti, affectionately often called teddybear cholla. Whereas the identify may sound lovely, be cautious: The spikes are extremely sharp. In the event you go to in spring, you possibly can spot hedgehog cacti that pop with vibrant, lovely magenta blooms. (Be aware: This path is closed every day from December 2024 to March 2025 to enhance the path’s situations.)

For an unbelievable vista over the desert, drive as much as Keys View. The absolutely paved 500-foot loop sits atop the Little San Bernardino Mountains; it overlooks canyons and your complete Coachella Valley, in addition to the Salton Sea and Mount San Jacinto within the distance. It is a good looking spot to observe the dawn or sundown.

Climbing trails

Joshua Tree is a hiker’s dream, and along with the aforementioned trails, a number of longer and extra strenuous hikes can simply fill one or a number of days.

Ryan Mountain is a well-liked hike that results in one of many tallest factors within the park with panoramic views. The three-mile out-and-back path beneficial properties 1,050 toes in elevation and passes by means of beautiful rock formations, together with pinto gneiss — the oldest sort of rock within the park, estimated to be 1.8 billion years previous.

For an extended hike, contemplate Lost Horse Loop, a 6.2-mile path to a historic mining website in an space the place bighorn sheep roam. With little shade and unrelenting warmth, this path will be fairly tough in hotter months. Lost Horse Mine Loop is the same however shorter possibility.

When you could affiliate the desert with a harsh, barren panorama, the park can be dwelling to oases with verdant vegetation. Fortynine Palms Oasis is one such path. The three-mile out-and-back trek beneficial properties 300 toes in elevation up and over a mountain ridge, resulting in a lush oasis full of leafy fan palms fed by a water spring. Simply remember that the path closes in summer season to permit herds of bighorn sheep unique entry to the water, which they depend on to outlive. (Be aware: This path is closed Monday by means of Thursday from December 2024 to March 2025 for structural repairs.)

Lost Palms Oasis is the same possibility, accessible by a 7.5-mile out-and-back route that features a difficult climb gaining 500 toes in elevation.

Lastly, for a set of reasonable to tough backcountry hikes, go to the Black Rock area of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. This remoted part just isn’t linked by roads to different areas of the park. To entry it, you should depart the primary space and re-enter south of Yucca Valley.

Biking

Cyclists must know that bike using contained in the park is restricted to roads shared with motor automobiles, and bike using is forbidden on trails. There aren’t any bike lanes within the park, and most paved roads should not have a shoulder.

If you would like to cycle in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, the most effective place to take action is on backcountry roads. There, you may discover greater than 1,000 sq. miles of wilderness with filth roads for mountain bikes, in addition to four-wheel-drive automobiles.

Mountaineering

With such spectacular boulders on show, mountain climbing can be a significant draw.

The park has greater than 8,000 climbing routes to select from, however permits are required to position, exchange or take away fastened anchors. There are additionally a number of guidelines to know earlier than embarking on any bouldering. As an illustration, it is best to chorus from altering any rock or altering any established climbs; additionally, keep away from vegetation and use solely neutral- or rock-colored fastened anchors.

The place to remain

The Autocamp Joshua Tree can now be booked with Hilton Honors factors. AUTOCAMP/FACEBOOK

The easiest way to make the most of every thing there’s to see and do inside Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is to make your go to an in a single day one. Whereas there isn’t any official lodge throughout the park, there are lots of lodging choices starting from inns to on-site tenting, in addition to trip leases and glamping.

Lodges

The widest number of luxury, boutique and family-friendly resorts are in Palm Springs, although that is about 45 minutes away. Staying nearer to the park entrance is extra handy, although lodging might be extra restricted.

Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Finest Western loyalists can all earn or redeem factors at properties close to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.

Within the adjoining city of Twentynine Palms, Holiday Inn Express and SureStay Plus by Best Western supply customary however snug lodging with one or two beds and out of doors swimming pools. Each are a brief drive from the park’s entrance and embrace breakfast. Vacation Inn charges begin at $115 or 24,000 IHG One Rewards factors per night time, and SureStay begins at $98 or 20,000 Best Western Rewards factors per night time.

At Marriott’s Fairfield Inn & Suites, additionally in Twentynine Palms, rooms vary from studios to suites. Facilities embrace a complimentary breakfast buffet and an out of doors pool, and charges start at $145 or 21,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.

Moreover, Hilton now partners with AutoCamp, an out of doors lodging model identified for glamping-style lodging that vary from kitted-out Airstream trailers to luxurious cabins and tents. There’s an outpost in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.

Every AutoCamp location is distinct, however all characteristic signature facilities akin to a clubhouse for gathering and eating, in addition to grab-and-go objects to buy for a campfire or grill. The Joshua Tree location, particularly, has a pool, bicycle leases and morning yoga. Charges begin at $192 or 82,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time.

For a boutique possibility, Mojave Sands Motel in Joshua Tree is an intimate retreat with simply 5 rooms beginning at $195 per night time; every room has beamed ceilings, platform beds, non-public patios and file gamers with assorted vinyl. Some have out of doors showers or kitchens, too.

Pioneertown is a bit farther from the park entrance however not fairly so far as Palm Springs; it is a former working film set from the Nineteen Forties for previous Western flicks that is been preserved for vacationers. Right here, you may discover the Pioneertown Motel, which was initially inbuilt 1946 to deal with visiting film stars who had been on the town to movie. Famously, Gene Autry played poker until sunrise in Room 9. Charges start at $175 per night time. The motel is about 25 minutes from the park but it feels worlds and eras away.

Trip leases

Trip leases are maybe the most typical lodging choice to be discovered close to the park, and listings saturate the cities of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley. Right here, you may discover every thing from luxurious houses to geodesic domes and yurt-style tents. Airbnb and Vrbo are good locations to start out, however different choices exist, too.

For instance, Bungalows by Homestead Modern within the city of Joshua Tree is a set of 14 boutique midcentury-style suites. All of them include kitchens or kitchenettes, non-public patios, heating, air con, web, luxe Parachute linens, and Malin + Goetz toiletries. Whereas these are trip leases, staying right here contains entry to hotel-like facilities akin to a communal out of doors house, a pool, a sizzling tub, grills, a fireplace pit and wellness actions. Within the offseason, costs begin at $185 per night time.

Tenting

There are 500 campsites within Joshua Tree National Park, most of which function year-round. Most are reservable from six months earlier than your keep to the day of your keep. Whereas 500 websites may seem to be quite a bit, making a reservation forward of time is extremely advisable when potential; that is very true over holidays and weekends or throughout excessive season. Simply know that some areas are first-come, first-served.

New campground fees go into impact Jan. 1, 2025. As a substitute of beginning at $15 per night time, in a single day charges will begin at $25 per night time in 2025. Facilities rely on every particular location. Just some have water; most have pit or flushing bogs and hearth grates. It is vital to analysis areas forward of time and are available ready with what you may want for the whole lot of your keep.

There are additionally close by campsites and RV parks exterior the park in cities akin to Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley and Pioneertown.

The place to eat

Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown, California. JIM STEINFELDT/MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES/GETTY IMAGES

Since there is not any meals or drink obtainable for buy contained in the park, make sure that to reach with all of the provides you may want whereas exploring.

When you exit, the encircling cities have many locations to eat which can be effectively price a cease.

Conveniently close to one of many park’s customer facilities, Joshua Tree Saloon is a honky-tonk-style dive bar and restaurant serving staples like burgers, tacos and wings. It is open day-after-day of the yr, with dwell music on weekends.

One other well-known and beloved institution is the legendary Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown. This barbecue restaurant and full of life music venue is thought for drawing A-list expertise; Paul McCartney, Vampire Weekend and Phoebe Bridgers have all carried out right here.

About 25 minutes away within the neighborhood of Flamingo Heights, simply north of Yucca Valley, La Copine is a extremely lauded diner serving New American dishes that change with the season. It is your best option for foodies with extra of an upscale palate.

For a candy deal with or straight-from-the-oven baked items, do not miss Campbell Hill Bakery in Twentynine Palms. The homeowners labored in well-known New York Metropolis bakeries like Metropolis Bakery and Fowl Bathtub Bakery earlier than relocating to the desert to open this tiny store; the menu modifications every day. Locals wait in lengthy queues for unbelievable desserts and cookies, scrumptious sandwiches, and fresh-baked loaves. Arrive early at the start sells out.