Joshua Tree National Park: A First Time Visitor Guide

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. Located in Southern California, its a unique desert landscape that offers stunning vistas, intriguing rock formations, and a rare combination of two distinct desert ecosystems: The Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert.

Named for the iconic Joshua trees that dot the landscape, the park is a haven for hikers, climbers, photographers, and stargazers. In this post, you’ll learn about the best things to do here, what to expect during your first visit, how to do a one day trip here and more.

Basic info:

Name: Joshua Tree National Park
Location: California
Fee: $30 per car
Things to do: Bouldering, rock climbing, hiking, scenic drives and more
Hotels nearby? See best options.

Overview:

Joshua Tree National Park has a lot to offer for visitors. While it doesn’t have gigantic mountains or major elevation changes, what it does contain are a combination of flat desert areas with Joshua Trees (unique catcus like trees) and numerous areas where boulders are stacked together creating an opportunity for hikers, rock climbers and cavers to explore. You can spend 1 day in this park or several if you wish, and there’s tons to see and do in the process.

Getting there:

Las Vegas: It takes about 3 hours to reach the park from there
Los Angeles: 2 hour drive from the park. This is typically where most people fly into when they are visiting Joshua Tree.

Photos:

Best Times to Visit:

You can visit this national park year round. Me personally I always prefer going during the winter due to the more pleasent temperatures and smaller crowds, but here is a breakdown of each season when you visit:

Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the most popular times to visit, thanks to pleasant temperatures (60°F to 85°F) and blooming wildflowers. The desert comes alive with colorful flowers, making it a great time for hiking and photography.
Fall (October to November): Fall offers similar temperatures to spring, making it another great time for outdoor activities. The crowds tend to be smaller than in spring, providing a more peaceful experience.
Winter (December to February): Winter brings cooler temperatures, ranging from 40°F to 60°F during the day, and cold nights that can dip below freezing. It’s a good time for hiking, but bring warm layers for the chilly evenings.
Summer (June to September): Summer can be extremely hot, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Early morning or evening hikes are best during this time, and hydration is essential. Personally I would avoid going during this period due to the high temperatures.

Things to do:

Joshua Tree National Park offers a wide variety of activities for all types of visitors, from hiking and rock climbing to stargazing and photography.

Hiking: Joshua Tree has numerous trails that range from short nature walks to more challenging hikes including scrambles in certain areas. Here are some of the most popular hikes in the park to check out:

Hidden Valley Trail: A 1 mile loop with only 100 feet of elevation (easy). This is one of the most popular and accessible trails in the park. It’s a short, flat loop that takes you through a stunning valley surrounded by massive boulders, making it a perfect introduction to the park’s geology and plant life.
Barker Dam Trail: A 1.4 mile loop hike with 50 feet of elevation that leads to an old dam built by early cattle ranchers, with a small reservoir that attracts local wildlife. The trail is also known for its petroglyphs, offering a glimpse into the area’s history.
Ryan Mountain Trail: A 3 mile round trip hike with 1,000+ feet of elevation (moderate) that leads hikers to panoramic views of the park. The steep but rewarding trail takes you to the summit of Ryan Mountain, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding desert and rock formations.
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail: Another 3 mile round trip hike with 300 feet of elevation (moderate) that leads to a hidden oasis filled with fan palms and offers a serene escape from the desert heat. It’s a fantastic hike for those looking to explore one of the park’s natural water sources.
Cholla Cactus Garden: An easy 0.3 mile hike that is in the Colorado Desert section of the park. It’s a short walk through a dense garden of cholla cacti is particularly magical at sunrise or sunset, when the light creates a glow around the cacti.
More hikes and trails: Besides these choices, there are a lot of more hiking and trail options scattered throughout the park. Alltrails has a good list of those to check out. Be sure to check the difficulty and reviews before going as some places may be pretty remote or perhaps not ideal for beginner hikers.

Rock Climbing and Bouldering: Joshua Tree is a world-famous destination for rock climbing, with over 8,000 climbing routes and hundreds of bouldering problems. The park’s unique rock formations offer a variety of challenges for climbers of all skill levels. Popular climbing spots include Hidden Valley, Echo Cove, and Intersection Rock. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a beginner, there are climbing guides and rental shops in the nearby towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.

Stargazing: Joshua Tree National Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park, making it one of the best places for stargazing in Southern California. The clear desert skies offer incredible views of the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor showers. Ideal stargazing spots include Skull Rock, Cottonwood Campground, and the Cholla Cactus Garden. Bring a telescope or binoculars for an even better view.

Photography (sunsets especially): The surreal landscape of Joshua Tree provides endless photography opportunities. The best times for photography are during the golden hours (just after sunrise and before sunset), when the light casts dramatic shadows on the boulders and Joshua trees. Popular photo spots include Arch Rock, Keys View, and the Joshua Tree Forests near the West Entrance.

Scenic drives: The great news is that this is the easiest thing to do in the park. There’s 2 main entrances on the west/east end of it that have a main road follow through it which takes you through many of the above places listed. At the very least, a full drive through the entire road here is highly recommended for a fuller experience of Joshua tree!

One Day Trip Ideas:

If you only have one day to spend at Joshua Tree National Park, the great news is that you can still do a lot! Here is a full itinerary list of things to do (depending on which time of the day you visit):

Morning:

Sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden: Start your day with a magical sunrise amidst the glowing cacti.
Hidden Valley Trail: A short, scenic 1-mile loop showcasing iconic rock formations and desert flora.

Midday:

Skull Rock: Stop for photos and a short hike to this unique rock formation.
Ryan Mountain Trail: A moderate 3-mile round-trip hike for panoramic views of the park.
Picnic at Cap Rock: Enjoy lunch at one of the park’s scenic picnic areas.

Afternoon:

Barker Dam Trail: Explore a 1.3-mile loop with desert wildlife, historic petroglyphs, and a chance to see water in the desert.
Keys View: Drive up for sweeping views of the Coachella Valley, San Andreas Fault, and, on clear days, the Salton Sea.

Evening:

Sunset at Arch Rock: Capture stunning photos as the day ends.
Stargazing at Night: Joshua Tree is renowned for its dark skies, making it ideal for spotting constellations and the Milky Way.

Camping info:

Camping is a great way to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. The park has nine campgrounds, with some offering reservations and others operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jumbo Rocks Campground: One of the most popular campgrounds in the park, Jumbo Rocks offers 124 sites nestled among massive boulders. It’s centrally located and ideal for both tent and RV camping. Sites can be reserved in advance during peak season.
Black Rock Campground: Located near Yucca Valley, Black Rock is known for its Joshua tree forest and proximity to hiking trails. It offers 99 sites with amenities like restrooms and potable water.
Cottonwood Campground: Situated in the southern part of the park, Cottonwood Campground provides a quieter camping experience. It’s close to the Cottonwood Visitor Center and is a good base for exploring the Colorado Desert section of the park.
Ryan Campground: This smaller campground offers a more primitive experience, with 31 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s close to popular trails like Ryan Mountain and the Hidden Valley area.
Information and reservations: You can find a list of the top campgrounds here and recommendations on where to stay based on visitor reviews.

What to bring for hikes:

Best rated hiking shoes for day hikes (men/women sizes available)
Best rated hiking backpack for day hikes
Best rated hiking pole for day hikes

Lodging info:

Joshua Tree National Park has a number of hotel options located near it that you can stay at. Click here for a list of the top options.

Nearby Attractions:

If you have extra time, consider exploring nearby attractions:

Pioneertown: Just 20 minutes from the park, Pioneertown is an old western movie set turned tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into the area’s Hollywood history.
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum: Located in Joshua Tree, this outdoor museum features unique sculptures made from recycled materials, reflecting the artist’s interpretation of the desert landscape.
Integratron: This iconic dome-shaped structure in Landers offers sound baths and guided meditation sessions, providing a unique way to unwind after exploring the park.
Alabama Hills: This is about a 3 hour drive north of the park. Not exactly close but it features a “mini” kind of Joshua Tree experience as it has it’s own amazing hikes, arches and amazing mountain ranges (the Sierra Nevadas) in the background, a sight you don’t really get in Joshua Tree. It’s also much more remote, making Alabama Hills great for people who don’t enjoy huge crowds.
Death Valley National Park: 2 hour from Joshua Tree, this gigantic park features amazing landscapes that are completely different from Joshua Tree in every way.

Final Things to Know:

Joshua Tree National Park is a magical destination that offers an array of outdoor adventures and unforgettable desert scenery. Whether you’re hiking among boulders, climbing rock walls, or simply enjoying a peaceful night under the stars, the park has something for everyone. For families and first time visitors, I’d recommend sticking to the main attractions listed above to enjoy the park’s features.