Joshua Tree National Park should be on everyone's bucket list. So much beauty here. Obviously, you have the iconic Joshua trees. But there's so much more, from the rock formations, great trails, the cholla cactus garden, star gazing, etc... That said, there are certain spots that are so popular it can get crowded. Also remember this is the desert, so hike smart: sun protection and lots of water are a must. Stay on the trails and leave no trace. Have fun. Friendly staff at the Visitor Center. As always, don't forget to ask about the Junior Park Ranger badge if you visit with kids. read more

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Had a great time at Joshua Tree. My only complaint is the bathrooms- every single bathroom that I visited was filled with bees which made it difficult to use the bathroom so I had to wait until we were out of the park. Make sure to pack water and snacks, as there is no food for sale in the park. If you're going in the summer, please be prepared with lots of water and sunscreen! read more

My first time visiting this national park even though I've resided in So Ca my entire life. I purchased my car pass online the same morning in route from Palm Desert in Coachella Valley. We stopped in the city of Yucca Valley where we grabbed lunch to go at Vons and grabbed a few beverages at Starbucks which is in route before entering the park. I utilized the AI Grok in my Tesla which routed and mapped the highlights of the national park which was convenient. My favorite stop was Hidden Valley which was a short one mile hike through formations of massive boulders. Pics and video's don't do justice of the beauty and serenity of this Valley. The Cholla Cactus Garden is beautiful and located towards the west side of the national park. The number of cactus are in the thousands and the environment is totally unique from the rest of the national park. Overall, it was a great day trip to Joshua Tree national park and I'll definitely return. read more

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This is a gift of a Joshua Tree Playlist to everyone who is looking for a beautiful mood setting music to play in the car as they drive through the park or even after setting up camp, and sitting in chairs looking up into the sky and observing the stars ..,,this music will bring you there ..,,where is there ?? There is that mind opening moment. God Bless It took many months of work to put this playlist together and it's my Gift to the World. read more

Joshua Tree National Park - A playlist to help make the most of your drive through the park - June 2026 - gifted to everyone by Kimberley K - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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As an avid National Park experiencer - there is a lot to experience here. I always love a good tree and the Joshua tree looks so cool. Especially with the sun behind it. The rock formations feel like great secrets. The staff here are extra helpful. Tell em what you want and they can point you in the right direction. Get your national Park passport and get to more parks and take me with you. Try to eat more pizza if you want to be like me. read more

Joshua Tree National Park - Secret Concert - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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How could you not give 5 stars to this National Park?! The rock formations and trees are out of this world. Parking at the popular hikes can fill up, so we were at the visitors' center when it opened at 7:30 to buy our pass and in the park by 8AM. There is almost no cell service in the area, so make sure to download offline maps for the park before you go. The roads are easy to follow and there are signs to help you navigate. Bring a lot of water and prepare to be awed by this beautiful desert landscape! read more

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I love this beautiful grounding national park that's only about 2 hours from OC. It was $30 for a vehicle. I believe the pass is good for 7 days. It was about a 20 min. Drive the Hidden Valley Nature Trial. It was a 1 mile hike that had plenty of ups and downs and rocky in some areas so beware. Many rocks on the sides for the kids to explore. Many real rock climbers with their ropes and such. It took us 1 hr 15 min with lots of stopping to take pics and explore rocks. It was the best hike. Last year we enjoyed the skull rock hiking area. read more

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First time visiting this amazing national park. And it won't be my last. An absolutely beautiful place. The rock formations ares spectacular. The Joshua trees just 100 percent ethereal and beautiful. My friend and daughter have told me the park is huge! Both of my visits were through the West Entrance. A typical national park entrance. A big sign and a park ranger entrance. $30 entrance fee. Bathroom at the entrance and at trailheads. So absolutely spectacular! One rainy day and one sunny day. A magical national park. Nothing like I've ever experienced. The wide open views. The magnificent rock formations. I am so happy I've had the opportunity to visit. Live life! Go to beautiful places. SYOY! read more

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What a beautiful national park! I think people forget about the great destinations California offers. As a CA resident I often dream of traveling the world to see beautiful scenery. Joshua Tree National Park is only 3-ish hours from the greater LA area and has so much to do for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether you reserve a campsite in the park or stay locally, you have trails, rock formations, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and nothing can beat the night sky of the dessert in JT! It's also a cute little town with quaint shops, restaurants, and bars. There are convenient grocery and discount stores in the event you forgot or need anything. Definitely look into our own backyard for your next adventure! read more

We arrived at Joshua Tree National Park on a Friday around 12 PM. There was a line of about 20 cars at the entrance, but it moved quickly. We waited less than five minutes. They offer discounts for military members, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. You can also purchase an annual pass. If you're driving in, it's $30 per vehicle and the pass is valid for seven days. First stop, Hidden Valley Nature Trail: about a 10-minute drive from the entrance, and one of the most popular spots in the park. The loop is about one mile and takes you through incredible rock formations. There's a bit of climbing involved so definitely wear proper shoes. It took us around 30 minutes, but some people took closer to an hour, likely stopping for photos and to soak it all in. You'll also see rock climbers, which is fun to watch. * Cap Rock: an easy stop right off the road. You can drive by or pull over briefly to see this unique rock formation that looks like a hat perched on top of a boulder. * Skull Rock: another must-see right along the main road with no hiking required. It's exactly what it sounds like and a popular photo spot. * Keys View: a stunning panoramic viewpoint. From here you can see the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, even parts of Mexico. It's especially beautiful around sunset. You can either exit the park the way you came or continue through to one of the other exits depending on your next stop. read more

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Joshua Tree National Park is amazing. From the trees to the rock formations, I promise you will see something new every visit. TIP: Don't die. Be aware of the heat and bring plenty of water. read more

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It's a long drive from Palm Springs- and staying for Sunset- you gotta remember you will be driving in the DARK all the way back- past the field of wind mills, with tiny slow flashing lights after you are down out of the hills/mountains. But it is such a unique and beautiful setting & sunset. I am always torn about how deep in I am comfortable going for how quickly it will be desert darkness. If you are in the area, try to plan a dinner spot in town, so you can take your time heading home to the south Western part of the desert. read more

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Nice national park with great spots for hikes, climbing, and general sightseeing. I've been coming here since I was a teen and cannot find anywhere else in SoCal with such a beautiful view of the stars at night. Visit the Cholla cactus garden if you have a chance! The vegetation here look so alien compared to even the rest of Southern California. There is a wooden pathway along the garden to guide you, for anyone concerned about the cacti. read more

Joshua Tree National Park - Cholla Cactus Garden - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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We have been doing a trip of the national parks over the last 3 months and have made it almost completely full circle . My husband has always wanted to come to Joshua Tree and it's a shame we haven't been before because we live in California . We have always heard amazing things . Now having visited many of our national parks this year , I was surprised how underwhelmed I was with Joshua tree . It is not at all dog friendly, which seems very out of character, considering how welcoming California typically is and how dog friendly many of the other national parks are. I was also surprised by the lack of wildlife . I literally saw one single bird the entire visit. The landscape is beautiful but much the same and I dare say it got boring after a while . I think the biggest disappointment though was that there was not a lot of information posted and I don't feel that I learned very much on my visit. For example, there were many spots where the road would say there was an exhibit ahead and then it would just be a small pull out with no information and nothing unique. Again, the trees and the scenery are lovely, and the rock formations, like Skull Rock, were a neat experience and a nice escape from the monotonous landscape . Still, I feel like we could do a lot more with this park, especially in regards to making it a more educational experience. read more

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We live in Orange County and after many years of wanting to go, we finally made it out to Joshua Tree National Park (staying in Palm Desert). I honestly can't imagine visiting in the extreme desert heat of summer, but we went in late December and the weather was absolutely perfect. The hikes were great for families, the scenery was stunning, and we got so many beautiful photos. We had a wonderful time exploring and soaking it all in. One tip: definitely use the restroom before you enter the park, as the public porta potties aren't great, though better than nothing. Also, try to avoid holidays or very busy times, as we did have to wait to get into the park. That said, we loved it and are so glad we finally went. read more

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Joshua Tree National Park is unlike anywhere I've ever been to before. Being from the midwest, the desert/mountain landscapes were so unique. Only spent one action packed day here, but if you plan ahead, I think this is the perfect amount of time to enjoy everything. We came in through the Twenty Nine Palms entrance and hiked the Arch Rock loop, saw Skull Rock, hiked Hall of Horrors, and hiked the Hidden Valley trail all in one day. I am not a rock climber, but very much enjoyed climbing on the easier rocks! The only con was that the Arch Rock and Hall of Horrors trail were not really marked so it was difficult to know where exactly the loop was meant to be. Hidden Valley is very easy to navigate and stay on the main path. read more

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Night-time is one of the most spectacular times to visit the park. It's a dark sky area so stars practically pop out of the sky. To help you find the best spots, there are designated stargazing areas, where you can also hike a short trail between the boulders. We visited the Hidden Valley section about 4:30 PM Thanksgiving week. That gave us enough time to start the 1 mile loop before it got pitch dark. For stargazing hikes, best to go with an independent guide or come equipped with a headlamp and cell phone . Highly recommended. read more

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My husband and I came down for memorial weekend and honestly thought it was going to be wayyyyy busier. The heat definitely would be a factor to why they weren't huge crowds. We hiked 4 trails in 2 days. On Saturday we did Boy Scout Trail to Willow Hole which was a long hike and mainly sand so it really challenges your feet and legs. THe end of the trail was super awesome. On Sunday we started at Barker Dam, then went to, Ryan's Mountain and ended at Skull Rock. The rangers were at Ryan's Mountain giving out cold water due to the intense heat. There are so many trails. I recommend the all trails app to help plan out your drives because there is no service in the parks. read more

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Joshua tree surprised me for a couple reasons. For one, it's one of the closest national parks "to civilization," if you will - meaning it happens to run along a road that has grocery stores (eg a Vons like 10 mins down the road from the park entrance), and is like 45 mins away from desert hot springs/around an hour from Palm Springs. It's fairly flat, most of the "hikes" seem to be more like long trails, but there are some elevation hikes, eg ryan mountain. It strikes me as an overall smaller place compared to other California national parks eg Yosemite, but it's gorgeous nonetheless. I actually came twice, once late in the day to purposefully be out in the park @night for stargazing. It gets very dark so if you go to one of the stargazing sites (can find on the map), you get an incredible night view if it's clear. I did Ryan mountain hike @sundown and it was STUNNING, and went to hidden valley trail stargazing area in the dark and there were families and folks outside the cars in the dark with telescopes and just staring @the sky. It was absolutely beautiful. Came back the next morning just for a quick hike to 49 palms oasis - will review separately but this was a DONT MISS hike, that view of the oasis just over the horizon when you get to the end is absolutely fabulous. Overall - I'm a big fan of Joshua tree! I do feel in the combined day I did hikes there, I saw most of what I would want to see. I would prioritize going to other parks (eg Yosemite) over Joshua tree, but if ever I found myself in Palm Springs, I would absolutely make my way back over here. read more

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How can you go wrong with Joshua Tree National Park! This park is wonderful with its cactus, rock formations and more. The only way that your trip can be ruined is if you go during prime season and bumper to bumper with cars or during stargazing prime time. Who knew at 3am on a meteor shower night (morning), that everyone and their kids would be out. Even the ones who would never step forth into a national park- on the stargazing night that we attended, people were yelling, car lights left on, and people were drinking. Plus people were littering in our National Park- I had to pick up trash from visitors- how sad is that. With that said, I think better patrol of the park is needed during prime times. Despite these horrible visitors, this is still one of my favorite parks, thus I can't give it just one star for this experience- Note construction is going on at the entrance as building a new booth/money collector (August 2025)- which can slow down entrance to the park Tip: come with there is no moonlight to see the skies light up! read more

What a unique experience! Coming from the mountains, the Joshua Tree National Park desert filled w humongous boulders and millions of Joshua Trees was a completely different scenery than we are used to. Most national parks do not want you to go off trail but Joshua Tree encourages hikers to rock climb. Per the informational plaques, there are only about 250 bighorn sheep in the area and we were able to see a mama and her baby on Ryan Mountain in the earlier hours of the morning! What an amazing experience!!! Joshua Tree National Park is one of the stargazing national parks so I highly recommend packing a dinner and going at night to watch the sunset then stargaze. We hiked about half a mile into Hidden Valley and set up on a flat boulder to stargaze and the night sky was magical! read more

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Such a beautiful park! $30 per vehicle to enter the park which is absolutely worth it. There are plenty of attractions in this park and most trails have a small parking lot. Bathrooms seem well maintained as well. read more

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Joshua Tree is a must. Go to the Northern part which is the Mojave desert. That is where the trees are and it is one of the strangest places on the planet. The rock formations are unbelievable. The southern part is the Sonoran Andean and nice but average. The general store in Twenty Nine pines is a must. Don't miss this!! read more

When visiting national parks, I'm usually there for the hiking but the stargazing is the superstar of Joshua Tree. Obviously the namesake trees stand out but if I have any suggestion for JT, it is to go at night and look at the stars. I never knew so many were out there! Two deserts come together at JT and honestly, I was expecting more desert. Instead it reminded me of another planet, very Mars-like. The rock structures are just unbelievable and beautiful. We entered in each day through the Joshua Tree visitors center (north side) and the final day drove south through the park to the 10. It was a pretty drive but if stuck behind the wrong vehicle, is loooong. All in all, probably one of my least favorite national parks for hiking but those stars? Worth the for that that alone. read more

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CHOLA CACTUS GARDENS WERE CLOSED February 5th, 2026 - check before you go. If you enter in from the west wide of the park from Joshua Tree, you will pass a small parking area with a bathroom before reaching the place to pay. You'll pay at a booth $30 for a seven day pass. They have other options as well. You'll be met with a landscape of Joshua Trees almost immediately upon approach or the park. There are impressive and almost alien rock formations throughout the entire park. It will take at least almost two hours to drive from one end of the park to the other. If you do drive through the entire thing, it will take you to 29 Palms on the east end. One you hit the turnoff for the Chola Gardens, there will be NO outhouse/restrooms so go before. Hundreds of viewpoints along the road to stop at. They also have multiple campgrounds throughout the entire park. It is only a two land road in and out so you may find yourself behind a slower moving RV etc. plenty of great trails to hike or varying levels and so many great options for places to have picnics as well. read more

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This place is huge, and so incredible. Its like no place else on earth. Giant cactus everywhere. Ginormous rock formations. A good place for rock climbing . They have paved the roads goung through the whole park. Many cactus plants are 150 years old. Very well kept park. You can hike or just drive through it. You can even bring your tent or your RV and camp here. At only $30 for a five day unlimited pass is a bargain. Be sure to bring lots of water, and some snacks. There are no restaurants inside the park. read more

Joshua Tree National Park - Entry ticket - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

Ten out of ten, would recommend Joshua Tree for hiking and climbing. There are a ton of different trails depending on your skill level so you can keep it flat and chill, go big on a hike with serious elevation gain, you can rock scramble to your heart's content, and even get some awesome rock climbing in. The rock has a lot of texture so it's a dream! Do yourself a favor and get an Airbnb and do some Star gazing. It will take multiple days to get everything in so definitely plan to stay a few nights. Favorite hikes were Skull rock (with some rock scrambling), Ryan mountain for a sunset hike, and Lost Horse Mine trail. Those hikes were pretty long and strenuous, so if you need more chill hikes, definately do some research. Cell service was non-existent, so bring a map or take plenty of screen shots before you head into the park. Bring snacks and plenty of water because the park takes over an hour to drive through and there is no options to buy food or water once you're inside. Obviously this is desert area so it gets very hot but it was perfect for us in February. read more

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The first time I visited Joshua Tree I didn't think much of it - it seemed so barren and I hate heat lol. But that was long ago and I have a much greater appreciation for it after having lived in SoCal these years. I recently revisited to photograph the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet and it was such a fantastic experience! Two major desert ecosystems converge in this magnificent 795,156 acre park - the higher Mojave desert and the lower Colorado desert. The gnarly Joshua Trees are a native of the Mojave and are only found in abundance in certain parts of the park so they're not as widespread as you'd expect. There is a surprising abundance of wildlife and plant life however and it's heaven for photography! This is definitely the spot for dark skies and star gazing. I also had a surprisingly wonderful birding hike along the Cottonwood Springs trail and saw two lifers and tons of elusive quail. And be careful when you drive through bc the park's tiny antelope squirrels are always darting across the road unexpectedly. During the day I tried to hit all the major spots like Cap Rock, Skull Rock, Keys View, and the Cholla Cactus Garden - these are all very short trails and can definitely be done all in one day and totally worth it. Skull Rock and Keys View were always packed. Arch Rock is a very busy trail but the rest seem pretty quiet. Entry fees are required but reasonable. I've had a national parks pass over the past few years and it's been totally worth it. Almost all the roads are paved and well maintained but there are some dirt roads and they can be pretty rough. The roads that require AWD are well marked. The park is full of convenient bathroom stops too which is really nice. I even had internet signal in a few spots (much to my dismay LOL). I stopped at the Cottonwood Springs Visitor Center bc I like to collect the park pins and they had a lot of fun items and the rangers were knowledgeable and friendly. read more

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What a uniquely beautiful and wild park. The park is beautiful and the individuals who work there do an amazing job to be sure it's clean. I can't wait to go back. read more

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If you do not absolutely love nature, don't be allured by the beautiful photos. Going here for just a photo op is super silly. I love nature and always have and could live without phone service so this place was so heavenly to me. If you cannot detach from your phone, you have been warned- you will not have reception in many places. There is literally nothing else to do besides hike, kick and climb rocks and live and breathe beautiful nature. JT is absolutely beautiful! read more

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Simple 1/2 day drive or a whole day drive/hike. Be aware of extreme summer temps. Interesting park that shows the vastness of our American desert. read more

There is a reason why some parks are National. They really are special! We visited the end of January and went in the 29Palms entrance. It actually snowed in the park one of the three days we visited. When climbing Ryan Mountain there was snow at the top which you couldn't see from the parking lot. Good thing we had all our gear on! We passed some people in sweatshirts and tennis shoes on the way back down... They could have also been from MN. ;) They froze as it was crazy windy at the top! Epic views and so worth the hike! Strange to see snow on cacti! We also enjoyed seeing all the unique rock formations. We saw heart rock and skull rock. It was just so cool to explore the rock areas like a giant playground. Thought we were lost at one point as the area just goes on and on and each turn you pick a direction and sometimes it is a dead end! We were lucky that there weren't that many people there. Loved the Joshua trees. The one day we drove through the park instead of hiking, it was so foggy and eerie. Like a movie set! read more

This is an amazing place!!!! Definitely worthy of a national park status It feels like one is going back in time... no dinosaurs, but it feels like they once roamed the area. You will be amazed at the beauty. The desert is amazing The town of Joshua tree has great restaurants, art, and coffee shops. Truly world class!!! read more

Joshua Tree is where the Mojave Desert meets the soul--or, as my kids call it, "the land of giant rock piles and weird trees." Picture this: towering rock formations, surreal Joshua trees, and vast open skies that make you feel like you've stepped onto another planet--one where the aliens were really into rock climbing. We decided to take a family trip there, and as we headed to Hidden Valley for some hiking, my kids were convinced they were about to transform into superheroes--complete with capes made out of Dad's flannel. Let's just say. Of course, one of them decided to attempt bouldering (we have know idea how to boulder--is that a word?) and ended up dangling from a rock like a Wille Coyote (about a foot off the ground), shouting, "I'm stuck!" while the other one giggled uncontrollably, probably contemplating whether it was better to save her sibling or take a selfie. Stargazing at Skull Rock was the highlight of the trip--mainly because the kids insisted on making up their own constellations, like "The Big Rocket" and "The Contellation of Iron Man." Hiking the trails of Barker Dam turned into a scavenger hunt for all the bizarre shapes in the boulders, which quickly devolved into a debate about which rock looked the most like a dinosaur. With all this adventure, don't forget to bring water, sunscreen, and an endless supply of snacks--preferably not shaped like rocks. This place truly offers magic from sunrise to star-filled night, and my kids learned that even in the desert, you can't outrun your siblings... particularly when they're holding onto the last granola bar. A true California treasure, with a side of family chaos! read more

Joshua Tree National Park - A little bit of wild life - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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Came here for a drive through the park but I guess it was a bad day to do that as it was packed with cars! Oh well we have been here so many times before. Just wanted to do something! Also the chola garden was closed so walking around though the paths! The high rock formations are always a sight to see! The weather was a cool 66. read more

Joshua Tree National Park - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

This was my first national park experience and I was not disappointed! We drove up to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs on a Saturday afternoon. There was a little bit of a line to get into the park but nothing crazy. We went for a gentle hike and took some photos. My only regret was that we did not get to explore more of the park and all that it offered. Overall, I was very excited to check out Joshua Tree and it was everything I imagined and more. Simply breathtaking! read more

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Six days of hiking a total of 35 miles plus sleeping on the ground. I love the beautiful views, enchanting trails, and breathtaking sunsets. read more

Joshua Tree National Park - 411 - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

I would like to express my utmost appreciation for Joshua Tree National Park. During the challenging times of the pandemic, my family of three was experiencing a great deal of restlessness and confinement. I am certain many can relate to the feelings we were enduring. In search of open spaces and opportunities for outdoor exploration, I embarked on a quest to find suitable travel destinations. Upon our arrival at Joshua Tree National Park, we made the decision to purchase an annual pass, despite the uncertainty of future visits. We were in aww our eyes never seen anything like Joshua tree before. Each little turn out we stopped read all the history regarding that particular area. The park's landscape is beautiful and unique, and that it's a must-see at least once in your lifetime. Folks can enjoy a variety of activities, including driving, hiking, camping, climbing, horseback riding, birding, biking, and wildflower viewing. I recommend allowing yourself to view the park and plan certain visits as the park is huge. I recommend the Lost Horse Mine Trail, the Desert Queen Mine Trail, the Silver Belle Mine Trail, and the Ryan Mountain Trail. I came camping durning winter if you do plan for rain,snow and be prepared to leave camp. We stayed inside our tent one day as the weather was non stop rain. They also offer a tour through Keys Ranch. Tours are a half-mile in length and last 90 minutes. Group size is limited, bring plenty water I praised the Rangers they are so informative. I love the time capsule aspect of the ranch and highly recommend a visit. it is important to bring water and wear hats, as there is little to no shade. I did this tour around March Temps are cooler. We come to Joshua tree to go camping, hiking, or just drive thru to the opposite end. It's always different each time. So much to see. read more

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There's not much I can say that hasn't been said. So, I'll share that I had no idea just how breathtaking, serene, humbling, and inspiring this beautiful place was until my recent visit with my wonderful partner for my bday weekend trip. Could go here 10 times and see something new each time. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Like, So dang much. JTNP, you are the bees knees! read more

Joshua Tree National Park - Parks Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

Fabulous! Picturesque views of Joshua Trees and boulder rock formations. The weather was perfect mid-70s with a crystal blue sky as a perfect backdrop. Minimal crowd. Free entrance today for Veterans Day. 4 visitor centers that all offer maps and stamps for your memory books. Hidden Valley is a MUST SEE!! read more

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