United States California

Joshua Tree National Park

A serene desert oasis in California known for its twisted, spiky yuccas and rugged rock formations, offering stunning landscapes and starry nights.

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A Joshua Tree, the namesake of one of California’s most-visited national parks, isn’t a tree per say, but in fact a rather fragile but tough-looking yucca. These cacti cover the scrubby, sandy plains of the park and grow between massive granite outcrops. More than 2.8 million visitors flock to Joshua Tree each year—some from LA, just 140 miles to the west—to mountain bike or backpack through the desert wonderland, hike out to Skull Rock, or check out ruins left by 19th-century gold miners. Two distinct deserts—the Mojave and the Sonoran—converge in the park, creating landscape dynamic enough to pique the interest of even the most well-travelled wanderers. The western half of Joshua Tree National Park sits squarely in the Mojave where rock climbers of all ability levels make pilgrimages to more than 400 climbing formations and thousands upon thousands of climbing routes. In the east, the Sonoran region of the Colorado Desert offers wide-open spaces where visitors can stargaze in a brilliant night sky without any light pollution or humidity. Though the park is open year round, we recommend scheduling your trip during seasonal meteor events, if you can, to take advantage of vivid views of the Milky Way. 

savannah.whitmer 3 years ago

Joshua Tree National Park is an essential stop on any California National Parks road trip, renowned for its rugged rock formations, stark desert landscapes, and the iconic, twisty Joshua trees for which it's named. Situated at the intersection of two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, it offers a unique variety of plants and animals, as well as opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing. As you drive through the scenic park roads, the surreal beauty of Joshua Tree creates a captivating contrast with California's more forested or coastal national park destinations.

gocamp 2 months ago

Amidst a California National Park road trip, an unmissable stop is Joshua Tree National Park, a distinctive destination where two desert ecosystems, the Mojave and Colorado, converge. Known for its stark landscapes and the iconic, twisty Joshua trees, this park offers a unique blend of serene beauty and outdoor adventure with its surreal rock formations and star-filled night skies. It's a perfect interlude for hiking, rock climbing, or simply absorbing the otherworldly vistas along scenic drives before continuing to the state's other majestic natural wonders.

seeker 6 months ago

Beyond the manicured golf courses of Palm Springs and the hedonistic party grounds of Coachella, there lies a land of strange and wonderful features. They include bouldering spots with names like the Great Burrito. There are also anthropomorphic oddities cast in stone in the midst of the mysteriously monikered Hidden Valley. And you’ll find forests of bloated yuccas with twisted branches and spiney blooms. Welcome to the Joshua Tree National Park!

jrfrancis 4 years ago

Beyond the manicured golf courses of Palm Springs and the hedonistic party grounds of Coachella, there lies a land of strange and wonderful features. They include bouldering spots with names like the Great Burrito. There are also anthropomorphic oddities cast in stone in the midst of the mysteriously monikered Hidden Valley. And you’ll find forests of bloated yuccas with twisted branches and spiney blooms. Welcome to the Joshua Tree National Park!

seeker 3 years ago

Spring means one thing in the mind-blowing Joshua Tree National Park: wildflowers. Come to see seas of desert paintbrush and strange prickly pear cacti blooms bursting into life from around March onwards.

jrfrancis 3 years ago

Camp in untouched nature- pristine skylines, dynamic rock sculptures, and unique plant life, Joshua Tree National Park is easily one of the most breathtaking national parks to set up your tent. With plenty of incredible campsites to choose from, all with varying differences; Blackrock, Cottonwood, Ryan, and more- consider this destination for a weekend escape in nature.

seeker 2 years ago

This ethereal destination has one of the most magical skylines in the country, Joshua Tree National Park is an exciting California getaway. Made up of rugged rock formations, beautiful cacti, and the famed Joshua trees- this protected area is ripe for exploration with your honey. Stay for sunset for a truly memorable experience and incredible photo-ops.

seeker 2 years ago

Bring plenty of water and snacks for one of the most mesmerizing sights of your life, at Joshua Tree National Parks the gates are always open for a midnight adventure. Pitch a tent at one of the many sprawling campgrounds throughout this California destination and roast a marshmallow beneath an infinite array of glittering stars.

seeker 2 years ago

Joshua Tree National Park is located in the heart of the rugged California desert. This beautiful park is also famous for being completely protected from light pollution and having a high altitude that makes it a *prime* destination for stargazing.

seeker 3 years ago

Fave park in California. You can pick up an America the Beautiful pass right at the visitors center.

chiefseeker 2 years ago

Get the American the Beautiful pass for free entry into all national parks & monuments

pennypinchingglobetrotter 2 years ago

Joshua Tree makes this list the TREES. They are truly out of this world.

chiefseeker 3 years ago

Joshua Tree is the most photogenic national park I’ve ever been to!

stillontheroad 2 years ago

Skull Rock in Joshua Tree NP 🌵

stillontheroad 2 years ago

Love our parks passes!

chiefseeker 2 years ago

Hiking, birding, biking

lwithrow 3 years ago

love this!

leah 2 years ago

Awesome!

jasmineagbhow 2 years ago

Joshua Tree National Park Guides

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