Joshua Tree National Park

Very beautiful sites, definitely could spend an entire day hiking here. Lots of miles to drive, and great pictures to take!

There are some truly magnificent sights at Joshua Tree, including Arch Rock, Keys View, and the most gorgeous starry night sky I have ever seen. It was also not nearly as hot as I expected it to be; I could actually climb and hike around without feeling like a sad, orange popsicle.
That being said, I must admit I did find myself a tad bit bored after a while. The rock formations were incredible, but I did lose some interest once I entered the double digits for «how many I’ve seen». I don’t know if I would go back, but I’m happy I went and would recommend at least one day to anyone I know.

I’m always hesitant to put a review in for nature because… it’s nature. Instead this review is for people looking to go camping.
Helpful tips:
–Arrive early because walk in campsites do fill up. I would say if you get there by 8−9am, you should be ok. We found a space after arriving at around 8:30am
–No need to make reservations ahead, they have plenty of campsites that are walk-​ins
–The ranger at the entrance will tell you all campsites are full. He’s lying. There’s no way they can track that.
–After you pick a spot, make sure to grab a yellow permit from the entrance of the campgrounds, and fill it out/​pin it on your site. Now you can explore Joshua tree without worrying about securing a spot.
–Each campsite has a picnic bench, bbq grill and campfire.
–No running water but there are bathrooms (not the flushing type but still kept pretty clean)

This national park is probably one of our states many treasures. It’s $ 20 to enter, $ 30 for an annual pass, and if you happen to be military personnel you get an annual pass for free if you show your ID.
To drive through the entire park without stopping takes 45 minutes. There are several places to stop and wander around, some marked and unmarked trails. The trails are fairly easy until you get to rocks and boulders. It’s perfect for families, groups, tourists, and all else in between.
Bring sun block, water, a hat, and good shoes that you don’t mind getting full of dirt. There are tons of bathrooms all over (some worse off than others… we stopped at one by Split Rock and there was a swarm of bees around the entrance).
I was with a friend and her two little ones and it was super easy to get around, we didn’t have the opportunity to really explore. I can’t wait to return and explore this park even more. So worth the 3 hour trip from Los Angeles!!!

Where do I begin? I was raised here (from 1 – 21 years old) and even though I moved away 8 years ago, I can NEVER go more than 4 months without coming back.
The sunsets are unparallelled. The desert in bloom is both genuinely beautiful and so nostalgic for me. How it can be 89° at 3pm and 50° at 3am is amazing and unusual. I always come back, I always see something I love. The stargazing capabilities on a new moon are breathtaking. You NEED more than a drive through. Camp in the dirt, get dirty and enjoy life from a different perspective. The desert is such a unique type of beauty, TAKE IT ALL IN!

Joshua Tree is a nice little unique park that has things you don’t see in other parks. I cam here in a day time in couple years ago, always wanted to come back at night to see the stars !
I finally return during this year memorial day weekend. I wish I come here little earlier to see the sunset but because getting everyone schedule work had to just barely miss the sunset. We were here about 5 hours.
I didn’t exploded as long as last time since is a shorter trip and is more focus in taking picture of the stars. I was very amaze to many very good stargazing photo of Joshua Tree. We were little bit skeptical at first, when we arrive didn’t see a lot of stars at first, but after 10pm. They sky was quite pitch black and see many thousands of stars. Some area you can even see the milkyway in naked eye !
To capture the photo, it still require big camera set up which can be a pain at first and require a lot of experience. Best bring someone who is familiar in this field, you don’t wanted to miss the moment. The photo we capture is well worth the drive and time. It does take a lot of hard works but is all payoff in the end.
I definite consider camping here in the future, perhaps in the jumbo rock area which is near center of the park with tons of rocks nearby. Weather can be hell in here if you come doing daytime, most day of the year is very hot. But at night is actually pretty comfortable here.
Tips:
* Bring a map of the park, you can get them from entrance.
* Night time is basically free to come here since the park ranger is not in the gate during 5pm and 8am. There’s still ranger in the park but just not in the visitor center.
* Obey speed limit and drive safety, ranger can issue ticket here if you not obey the law.
* Bring lots of water and some food, there’s non of this available in the park and you would had to drive 30 minutes to a hour to access this things.
* Sun screen and hats if you coming here in daytime. Sun ray are extreme strong in daytime.

I was staying with friends in Palm Springs about 90 minutes away and we decided it would be fun to get up at 3:30am on my birthday, drive to Joshua Tree National Park to watch the sunrise, and do some hiking. The park is huge and we drove for miles and miles without ever seeing anyone. Be aware there are lots of rabbits hopping across the road in front of your headlights when it’s dark. We dodged a dozen or so. We had decided in advance to watch the sunrise from Key View where we found a handful of photographers there with their cameras all pointed in the opposite direction over the valley. We walked up to the peak of Keys View overlooking the valley and it was really cold and windy. Expecting 90-​degree temps, we had not come prepared for this weather and didn’t spend much time up there, but we learned what they were all waiting for (see pic). After getting photos of the sun rising over the mountains, we headed down to Hidden Valley Trail for a short hike stopping on the way to pose with some of the Joshua Trees, distinctive rock formations, and wildlife. We had planned to climb Ryan Summit, but decided to shorten our stay since it was so cold when we got our start. It warmed up quickly, so it would be easy to adapt if you prepared better than we did. No matter, it was a fantastic start to my 35^th year at a beautiful place!

Joshua Tree is one of the most unique national parks that I have visited! Not to be missed! The landscape is alien, and there is plenty to look at, from boulder formations, to the spiky Joshua trees, to the scrub brush and birds.
It’s $ 20 to get in, and your entrance fee is good for 7 days. We arrived in the afternoon and it was quite hot, so we spent most of day 1 in the car, scouting out where we wanted to hike the following day.
On day 2, we arrived at 7AM and were rewarded with both cooler temps, and an empty park! It was so cool to hike amongst the rocks and trees. We encountered a rabbit and a rattlesnake (separately!) and got a great view of the park from the top of Ryan Mountain.
Note that while there are plenty of bathrooms, there is no where to buy food or drink inside the park, so if you are planning a full day, make sure to pack supplies.

Ahhhh Joshua Tree… This place is SO big. Even coming here a handful of times, you won’t be able to see the whole thing. The entrance fee is $ 20 for a car and $ 10 for a bicycle or motorcycle, so try to carpool if you’re coming with a group of people. They’re everywhere and there’s really only one road that goes through the whole park so it’s hard to get lost. You just have to remember if you go left or right on the road to get out of the park.
As you can tell by its name, it’s full of Joshua Trees, but it’s also full of boulders. If you’re a climber, you likely already know about this place or you have already been here. If you’re a new climber, this is a great place to go for your first time outdoors! There’s plenty of problems that are great for beginners and there’s also a ton of complicated problems. It’s even really fun to just watch other people climb the more complicated and larger boulders! There’s also plenty of places to go scramble up the rocks and get a great view of the park.
There’s not much in terms of hiking here. There’s plenty of places to walk around and this park is insanely huge and open, but not much hiking. There are camping spots if you want to stay for a few days. I’m not sure how much it costs or how to reserve a spot, but I know you can make a reservation and you probably should if you don’t want to risk not getting a spot.
The drive to get here isn’t bad. It’s a little over two hours from LA. It can get SUPER cold in the fall and winter. I’ve never been here in the summer but every time I’ve been in the fall and winter it’s been insanely cold and I’ve had to layer up, so be prepared for that. Check the weather, drive out to the desert and enjoy the nature!

Just over a 2 hour drive from LA county! Came at the end of March expecting it to be really hot BUT it was windy and sunny absolutely perfect weather. It made the hikes far less strenuous, not that the hikes are that crazy. Not a lot of crazy hills just very rocky paths. And it’s easy to get lost.
It costs about $ 20 to enter the park. But the pass is valid for an entire week!
Looking forward to come back and camping next time!

First time at Joshua tree. Took the cameras and set out to get some good shots.
We stopped at a ranger station and chatted with a ranger about good spots. Everyone was super helpful.
We set out and were not disappointed.
Awesome scenery.
TAKE LOTS OF WATER. I went through 3 liters in my camel back like nothing.
I will be back!

How does one write a review for this grand national park?
This month, I have been to Joshua Tree twice (my first time ever to this park was on April 2). The first time I came here with my husband and 1 of our little dogs, my husband wanted to see the desert flowers. So we left LA county and drove down to this park early in the morning with both our cameras in hand and went off for an adventure.
Sadly this was towards the end of the season, so we did not see nearly as many desert flowers, but the ones we did see were beautiful (mother nature’s handiwork). We will definitely have to plan to come by earlier next year to see them in full bloom.
Anyways, on our 2^nd trip, this past weekend, we came back because of their national park week ($ 20 car entrée was waived from April 16 – 24) and got a chance to do more hiking and exploring than from our first visit. So this review will just briefly mention my experience from both visits.
If possible, depending on where you enter into the park, make sure to stop by the visitor center. Here you can pick up a map (you can also get one at the entry booth if you decide not to stop at the visitor center) and use the restroom (believe me, you want to use the restrooms here because the ones in the park are pretty disgusting! They have no water or soap to wash your hands so bring yourself a bottle of sanitizer). You can also buy souvenirs, hats (to shade your face if you forgot to bring one), sun block, bottled water, some snacks and other mementos.
If you have a chance, I would highly recommend checking out the Keys Ranch Tour (
). You need to make reservations in advance (cost $ 10 per person, not including entrée fee into the park). You can learn a great amount of American history from this tour and just add that much more to your visit here.
If you are not in the hiking mood (there are plenty of easy trails, a lot of them are partially shaded too), be sure to stop by each of the stops once inside the park to get a better view of each area designated on the map, that includes Boulder Rocks, Skull Rock, Keys View. The Skull Rock area actually looks like a skull coming out of the ground (which is pretty cool).
If you are traveling with your dogs, please note that most of the park is not dog friendly. But I did take my little dog to a few places (most non hiking trails) when we got off the car to get some photos (we saw other people doing the same).
If you are interesting in camping here, there are some areas that you can reserve in advance. But most of the camping grounds are first come, first serve. However, there does not seem to be any showers in the national park (but we did see a sign at the Joshua National Park Souvenir store that advertised showers. This store is not inside the park but located a few miles away from the national park).
If you get a chance to come out to Joshua Tree, make sure to make the national park part of the MUST visits because it should not be missed.

Joshua Tree is a beautiful park that straddles both the Mojave and Colorado deserts about an hour from Palm Springs. The park is strewn with mountains, huge boulders, rock formations, and flora like the Joshua Trees and cacti. The Western half has the trees and larger flora while the Eastern half is more arid and looks like a typical desert or scrub land. There are many types of bird, lizard, and small animals throughout the park as well. It can get very warm under the intense sun, so bring plenty of water and try to find some shade. Camping is available and there are numerous places for rock climbing. It’s also perfect to explore via car with a few stops at the shorter scenic trails. Check out the dam and the abandoned mill and cars around Wall Street Mill.

Joshua Tree National Park is definitely something…
I came into the park not really having heavy expectations, mainly because I heard that this park is literally just trees and I decided to visit spontaneously with a friend. But boy, am I pretty glad I went!
First off, there are definitely a lot of trees. And by a lot, pretty much as far as the eye can see. But that’s okay because this is a park and parks have trees.
But in all honesty, I’ll be honest. First off, the entrance fee is 20 $ per car or 10 $ a person. And so if you want to save money, do the math and take at least 2 or more people with you. Come on, have them also bake in the sun!
You will definitely need a car to get around the national park. Try not to walk in because you’ll be stranded. At first, my friend and I really didn’t know where to go and how to navigate around the park, but it gets easy. If you want to know where you are, just trace your steps, measure distance based on the map, and look around you.
Overall, the landmarks and sights are definitely worth your time and money. It’s so amazing to see a rich history and culture here at the park. From the Barker Dam to Keys View, you get the whole shabang at Joshua Tree National Park!
However, I would say that it’d be nicer if there were more trailmarkers around the park and if there were more signs that say closed when you are not allowed to enter a certain park. But overall, I had a blast and I am sure you will too! Bring sunscreen, camping supplies, and your enthusiasm!
Have fun and prosper,

JT is not the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone but it’s beautiful and unique for what it is, especially within driving distance from LA.
We went to see the wildflowers and it’s really something you need to experience by getting out of the car and look closely at the earth beneath you. There’s a world of various teeny tiny desert flowers among the granite sands… so beautiful, but be careful during your explorations as you’re likely stepping on all of them while you’re wondering where all the flowers are.
Another good reason to be mindful is the cholla cactus, just a gentle brush and you’ll have a dozen extremely painful thorns in your skin (pants count for nothing here) — thorns that require a good pull as they have reverse hooks.
Must see’s: Skull Rock, Keys View, Cholla Gardens
Traveling North to South, you won’t see any more Joshua Trees after White Tank. Similarly, if you enter from Cottonwood Visitor Center, the first Joshua Tree won’t be until you reach White Tank. Truly an enchanting place and a nice short getaway.

Joshua Tree National Park is like transforming into Dr. Seuss’ book pages. A whimsical place to hike and camp. The dry desert landscape, rock formations and extrinsic looking trees provides an eye opening enchanting place to discover.
It was nice to visit here here mid February. The weather is warm but tolerable. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection. If you like to experience something unique, this is the place to hike. I gave it five stars because you have to appreciate nature at its best!

We love visiting National Parks & Monuments and have been to over 30. We also love the desert. So, Joshua Tree is a wonderful endless and arid geology to explore. March and April is the best time for wildflowers, which are spectacular in bloom.
We are visiting in winter (January) and camping at Cottonwood. Our trailer is parked in the middle of the desert, which is so peaceful with surround spectacular desert views! It is sunny during the day in the low 60’s and cold at night low 40’s. But it is good weather for a day hike. There are many designated trails throughout the wilderness 429,690 acres. Always a great vista when trekking around and climbing up and down hills upon hills of bare rock and large boulders – on hard pack sand and through desert sandy washes. Climbers dig in on the challenging rock faces and boulders. There are washes and dirt roads to take your 4×4 on. So, get on it!
The Joshua tree for which the park is named grows sparsely or in dense forests at the higher elevations in the Mojave part of the desert. You have to have these unique looking yucca in your photo gallery! The lower elevations at 3,000 feet and less comprise the Colorado desert. Each of these desert regions support communities of native plants and critters.
So pay attention! Get out there in the desert and exercise your body on a hike while exercising your eyes on the amazing wonders, little or big – that you will discover!

I love the desert. That is my bias, honestly, and as many of these reviews show, how you respond to Joshua Tree (or nearby Death Valley) really depends on how you feel about the desert. Joshua Tree is a harsh desert landscape, and you have to appreciate it for what it is. What it is is enchanting.
My favorite thing about Joshua Tree is that it feels like a playground. As soon as you enter the park, the rocks start calling. On a busy day, every turnout and rest area will be crowded with people who want to get their hands on rock – those who know what they’re doing, as well as those who don’t. The Joshua Trees are beautiful, yes, but you can see those for a hundred miles in any direction; what really makes Joshua Tree special are the huge, warm, round rocks.
The most impressive formations are near the northern entrance, and as you travel south through the park, moving from the Mojave Desert into the Colorado Desert, the landscape flattens out. This area of the park is still worth exploring, though, as this is where you will find the groves of cholla and ocatillo, which I find mesmerizing.
Joshua Tree is designed as a «drive through» park – there is one major road the takes you from one end to another with a Visitor Center on each side. This makes for a great day on a road trip, though you should really consider camping so that you can experience the dark night skies of the desert.
JUNIOR RANGERS: The book here is really nice… not just a workbook, but a full-​on guidebook for kids. You can pick it up on one end of the park and have it checked at the other, as a lot of what you need to see to fulfill the requirements lies along the drive. Badge is a basic pin.

Today was my 2^nd trip to JTNP! I did buy an annual pass, on my first visit.
It’s a slight pain to wait in line, as a pass holder for entry, as guests pay the daily rate.
Skull Rock, Intersection Rock, and the House of Horrors are always fun.
So much scenery and sheer beauty. We watched climbers navigate their steps and rappel down, afterwards.

Joshua Tree; Its weird shape made me think the desert was like a different world. They look proud in the blue sky, look lonely in the evening.
The western half of this park is Mojave Desert; a lot of Joshua trees. Wet and more plants. The Eastern half (below 3,000 feet) is Colorado Desert; no Joshua trees.
We did 3 dayhikes. Cottonwood springs, Quail mountain, and the maze. 9, 13, and 6.5 miles. Everything was so unique. I love both scenery in the Mojave desert and Colorado desert.

Ich kann mich meinen Vorrednern nur anschließen. Die knubbeligen Bäume, die sehr kuschelig aussehen, in der Tat aber äußerst wehrhaft und stachelig sind, haben es mir einfach angetan. Meine große Liebe in Amerika :-)

Ein sehr schöner Park, die fahrt war schon sehr anstrengend aber ein must see! Eben genug wasser mitnehmen, die trockenheit und hitze im sommer trocknet schnell aus

A voir absolument ainsi que les décors de cinéma autour Utilisés par denis hopper !

Super schöner Platz zum Abschalten und Runterkommen,
Ruhe, Stille und Weite… Wow
Unbedingt übernachten und die Sterne geniessen.

Simply WOW!
Einzigartig und definitiv eine Reise wert!
Ruhe, Stille ubd Frieden nur ein paar Stunden vom ‘Moloch’ LA entfernt…

Einzigartige Landschaft ! Sehr schöner
Nationalpark; ein Besuch lohnt sich immer;
besonders mit Übernachtung, der Sternenhimmel ist atemberaubend!

Ein wunderschöner NP, wir hatten einen tollen Platz für unser RV und hatten viel Platz für uns (Ende September)…

Ce parc dont je né connaissais le nom que par un album de U2 vaut décidément le détour.
Peu connu et grand, on n’y croise pas trop de monde.
Le spectacle est curieux; une seule sorte d’arbres (joshua tree) et des formations de grès gigantesques, dans un paysage quasi désertique.
Idéal pour se ressourcer dans le calme de la nature.

Ein weiterer toller Nationalpark, der neben Yosemite und Yellowstone leider etwas untergeht. Ich bin ein paar Stunden durch die traumhafte, wenn auch recht trockene Landschaft gefahren und habe die Natur genossen. Der Joshua Tree (siehe Foto) ist schon ein seltsam-​lustiges Gewächs.