Travel Guide of Joshua Tree in United States by Influencers and Travelers

Joshua Tree is a census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 7,414 at the 2010 census.

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20 pictures of Joshua Tree from Brent Cox, Clarisse Meyer, Sam Mgrdichian and other travelers

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How to visit Joshua Tree ?

Traveling to Joshua Tree National Park is a must for those who enjoy unique desert landscapes, outdoor adventure, and a serene escape from city life. The park is a haven for rock climbers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, as it offers an array of trails, climbing routes, and stunning rock formations. The park is named after its distinct Joshua trees, which give the area a surreal and otherworldly feel.

To reach Joshua Tree, the nearest airports are Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), which is about 45 miles away, and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), approximately 140 miles away. From either airport, renting a car is the most convenient way to reach the park. The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, which is valid for seven days.

It's advisable to book certain experiences in advance, especially if you plan on rock climbing or joining a guided tour. There are several climbing outfitters in the area that offer guided climbs, lessons, and equipment rentals. Reserving a campsite within the park is also recommended during peak season (October-May), as they tend to fill up quickly.

The costs associated with visiting Joshua Tree can vary depending on your preferences. Park entrance and camping fees are quite affordable, and you can save money by preparing your own meals and participating in free or low-cost activities. Guided tours, climbing lessons, and dining out will add to your overall expenses.

The best things to do in Joshua Tree include hiking, rock climbing, stargazing, and wildlife spotting. Some popular trails include the Hidden Valley Nature Trail, Barker Dam Trail, and the challenging Ryan Mountain Trail. The park's rock formations, such as Skull Rock and Arch Rock, are ideal for photography enthusiasts. At night, the lack of light pollution provides excellent stargazing opportunities.

For dining options, try the Crossroads Café in nearby Joshua Tree Village for a hearty breakfast or lunch, and Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace for a unique dining experience in a Western-themed setting. Natural Sisters Café is another great option for those seeking healthy and delicious vegetarian fare.

When it comes to lodging, there are several options both within the park and in the surrounding area. Inside the park, you can camp at one of the nine campgrounds, with Jumbo Rocks and Hidden Valley being two popular choices. Outside the park, the town of Joshua Tree offers several hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. A couple of notable options include the Joshua Tree Inn, known for its artistic and eclectic atmosphere, and the Pioneertown Motel, which offers a rustic and charming stay in a Western-themed setting.

Off the beaten path: For an unusual and memorable experience, visit the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, located just a short drive from the park. This outdoor art museum features an array of large-scale sculptures and installations created by artist Noah Purifoy, using found objects and materials from the desert landscape. The museum is free to visit and provides a fascinating glimpse into the creative mind of a visionary artist.

The Best Things to Do and Visit around Joshua Tree

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1 - Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center

Mojave National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California, USA, between Interstate 15 and Interstate 40.

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2 - North Joshua Tree BLM

   9 km away

The Mecca Hills are a low mountain range located in Riverside County, southern California, in the United States. The Mecca Hills are in the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert, adjacent to the Lower Colorado River Valley region.

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3 - Sky Harbor

   9 km away

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public airport 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

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4 - Joshua Tree National Park, Keys View

   26 km away
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5 - Arch Rock

   32 km away

Arch Rock is a geologic formation on Mackinac Island in Michigan. It is a natural limestone arch formed during the Nipissing post-glacial period, a period of high Lake Huron levels following the end of the Wisconsin glaciation.

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6 - Palm Springs

   39 km away

Palm Springs is a desert resort city in Riverside County, California, United States, within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley. The city covers approximately 94 square miles, making it the largest city in Riverside County by land area.

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7 - Joshua Tree National Park

   48 km away

Joshua Tree National Park is an American national park in southeastern California, east of Los Angeles and San Bernardino, near Palm Springs. It is named for the Joshua trees native to the Mojave Desert.

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Learn More about Joshua Tree

A recent national park, Joshua Tree is a site shaped by the region's winds, rains and extreme weather conditions. This unique desert landscape has understandably attracted crowds in search of isolation, inspiration and mysticism.

The region was occupied as early as 5,000 years ago by the Pinto Indians (traces of whom have been found). They were followed by the Serrano, Chemehuevi and Cahuilla Indians. 
In the 1800s, cowboys and miners moved in to graze cattle and search for precious metals. 

A few settlers also tried to tame the land, and one group after another left traces of their passage: small wooden cabins, wells, etc. The park is home to 88 archaeological sites. The area became a national monument in 1936 and only gained national park status in 1994.

Located more than 250 km east of Los Angeles, this park was named after the tree that symbolises it and that only grows in the region, the Joshua Tree (also called yucca). For the record, this name was given by the Mormons, who thought they saw a figure in this tree.

This area of nearly 3,199 km2 extends over high plateaus and desert lands. Little visited by tourists, it is best known for attracting a generation of hippies who came here to recharge their batteries and draw inspiration.

Moreover, due to its climate, the park is free of human presence while the fauna, although present, remains rare and small. You will however find a few goats, squirrels, kangaroo rats, pumas, but also a few coyotes that liven up the nights by howling at death. And if you're lucky, you might even spot a bighorn sheep or a desert tortoise.

It is indeed a fabulous place for hiking, climbing, but also for admiring the many species of birds and the splendid panoramas, because in addition to this desert, you will indeed find some unexpected landscapes.

On the one hand the Mojave Desert, in the north of the park. On the one hand, there is the Mojave Desert in the north of the park, where you will come across the famous Joshua trees, a species that can only be found here. To the northwest, the landscape is made up of rocky hills, devoid of vegetation. This has become a popular destination for rock climbing. There are some fabulous rock formations, such as the Giant Marbles.

The Colorado Desert, extends to the south and east of the park, below 910m. This part is populated by yuccas, cholla cactus and ocotillo. It also opens up to the south-east into the Coachella Valley, which is covered with sandy grasslands and contains some sand dunes.

To the west, a third ecosystem can be found, the Little San Bernardino Mountains, which rise to more than 1,200 m above sea level and are covered with juniper and pine trees.

Don't hesitate to explore Joshua Tree National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Joshua Tree

Is it advisable to go to Joshua Tree National Park in the summer?

It is not really advisable to go to Joshua Tree National Park in the middle of summer. Indeed, at this period, the desert is even more arid and temperatures are extremely high which makes hiking very difficult and even dangerous. 

Do we have to pay to enter Joshua Tree National Park?

There is an entrance fee for Joshua Tree National Park, which varies according to the vehicle used to enter the park (car, motorbike, foot) : about $25 for a car and $12 for a motorbike, a bicycle or if you do not have a vehicle. 

Where to stay at Joshua Tree National Park?

In Joshua Tree National Park, you can stay in campgrounds or hotels in the nearby town of Twentynine Palms.

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