Visiting Joshua Tree National Park - The Shadrian Chronicles

A Joshua tree with snow capped mountain in distance.

Located in eastern California, Joshua Tree National Park offers hikes, sights, and drives for everyone. From rock climbing to touring an old ranch, the park has something for everyone. Check out our guide to visiting Joshua Tree National Park.

When to go?

There is no bad season to visit the park, however be aware that the park is technically a desert, so it can get very hot in the summer. Winter can be freezing at night, so come prepared.

Spring and fall have the best daily temperatures with spring having occasional wildflower blooms. Holidays can get very crowded due to the easy drive from Los Angeles.

How do you get to the park?

The park is located in eastern California, roughly two and a half hours from the Los Angeles airport. There are towns along the drive to stock up on snacks, water, or gas.

The drive is short enough that you can easily visit the park as a day trip from Los Angeles, or from nearby Palm Springs. A rental car is necessary unless you hire a full service tour guide from Los Angeles or Palm Springs.

Dust storm caused by wind in the distance.

Where to stay in and around the park?

There are no lodges within the park, so camping is the only option to spend the night. For camp locations in the park and other details, check out the National Park site here. Plan ahead to camp in the park, as reservations may fill up in advance, especially during holiday weekends.

Nearby there are a number of hotels, motels, or Airbnb options. Palm Springs, which is just under an hour away has a number of desert resorts, some chain hotels, and a number of Airbnbs. Palm Springs is the closest city with a number of food and housing options. Los Angeles is around two hours away, so finding cheap lodging in LA is a good option as well.

Spending time in LA? Check out our guide to visiting Los Angeles here.

Things to Do and See in the Park

Below is a list of sights, trails, and features to check out in the park.

Taking a stroll through the Cholla Cactus garden.

Hidden Valley – After the drive to the park, this is a great first stop to stretch your legs. There are a number of large boulders for kids to play on and around and picnic tables to stop and have a snack. The views along the road to Hidden Valley and from the parking lot are beautiful. There is an easy one mile hike around the boulders as well.
Keys Ranch – If you have the time, take the 90 minute walking tour of the Keys Ranch. Most of the original ranch buildings have been restored to their original views.
Keys View – The view from Keys View is worth the long drive up. From the top you can see the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas fault, and the Santa Rosa mountains.
Ryan Mountain Trail – The trail is a moderate hike, around 3 miles round trip. The views from the top are stunning and worth the effort.
Skull Rock Trail – The trail is 1.7 miles round trip, however the main highlight is right at the beginning of the trail. The rock formation that looks similar to a skull sits just right off the road. It can be easily missed though if you are not paying attention.
Cholla Cactus Garden – The Cholla Cactus garden is full of interwinding trails so you can fully immerse yourself. In the afternoon the area makes for great photos.
Ocotillo Path – One of the most unique looking succulents, the Ocotillo are very tall spiny succulents that have bright red blooms. The blooms come out usually after a recent rain. There is a small parking lot to walk around and take some pictures with a the plants.
Lost Palms Oasis Trail – Just past the Cottonwood Visitors center is the access point for the trail. The trail is a difficult 7.5 mile hike and will take between four and six hours to complete. The highlight of the trail is an oasis surrounded by over 100 palms and wildflowers.

Skull rock, just a short walk from the road.

Other Activities

There are a number of other hiking trails, from quick strolls to all day treks. Check out the National Park site hiking options here. Remember you are in a desert, so bring plenty of water and be considerate of the heat.

Biking and rock climbing are very popular in the park and there are a number of outfitters that offer biking tours for those interested. Throughout the park you will see people climbing large boulders or rock formations. Other activities available include horse back riding, stargazing, some ranger led programs.

Hopefully our guide helps you plan and enjoy your trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Please feel free to comment below or contact us with any questions!