Joshua Tree National Park in California: 5 Highlights and Many Tips

Overview of Joshua Tree National Park

Must-See Attractions

My Top 5 Highlights in Joshua Tree National Park

• Skull Rock: the distinctive rock shaped like a skull is a photography classic and a definite must-see.
• Arch Rock and Heart Rock: for me, these are the two most beautiful rocks in the national park!
• Cholla Cactus Garden: a wonderful collection of cacti, especially stunning at sunset.
• Keys View: breathtaking panoramas await you at this viewpoint!
• Hiking: you should definitely explore the unique landscape and fascinating Joshua trees from one of the hiking trails!

Want More Time? Check Out These Attractions Nearby

• Pioneertown: do you want to conclude your desert trip with a real Western experience? Then the historically restored Pioneertown in the northern part of the national park is the perfect place for you!
• Route 66: the world-famous road runs close to the national park, offering ideal opportunities for legendary photos.
• Los Angeles: the Hollywood metropolis is just 2.5 hours west of the national park and offers plenty to discover.

Road Trip Through Joshua Tree National Park

• From the West Entrance Station to Hidden Valley: along the first 14 kilometers in the park, you'll already find several viewpoints and stopping points. I stopped at Quail Springs parking lot and hiked into the landscape along the Quail Springs Historic Trail. This is a good way to see the distinctive yucca plants up close for the first time.
• From Hidden Valley to Cap Rock: from Hidden Valley, you can drive 3 kilometers to the parking area at Barker Dam. Here, hiking trails lead to Barker Dam Reservoir and Wall Street Mill. If you stay on Park Boulevard, which runs through the national park, you will reach Cap Rock in 3 kilometers.
• Detour: Keys View: from Cap Rock, I recommend taking the southern turn to the most famous viewpoint of Joshua Tree National Park. After 9 kilometers, you'll arrive at Keys View. You'll return the same way.
• From Cap Rock to Jumbo Rocks: further along the park road, the landscape becomes rockier and more rugged - after 12 kilometers, you will reach Jumbo Rocks, where Skull Rock is also located.
• From Jumbo Rocks to Cholla Cactus Garden: after another 5 kilometers along Park Boulevard, you will come to an intersection: if you go left, you'll reach the northern exit at Twentynine Palms. If you go right, you will reach the beautiful Cholla Cactus Garden after 10 miles.
• From Cholla Cactus Garden to Cottonwood: you will need to cover another 30 kilometers to reach the Cottonwood Visitor Center. Along the way, you'll pass the Ocotillo Patch, where you can admire large desert shrubs. There are, however, no major hiking opportunities or additional stops along this route. From the Visitor Center, it's another 10 kilometers until you reach Route 10, which will take you back toward 'civilization.'

Interesting Facts

Most Famous Attractions

'Keys View' - Viewpoint

• The popular viewpoint in Joshua Tree National Park is at an elevation of 1,581 meters and offers stunning panoramas. From here, you can see the infamous San Andreas Fault and on clear days, catch a glimpse of Palm Springs and even Signal Mountain in Mexico.
• From the parking area, a short circular walking trail begins. Don't forget your camera!

'The Rocks' - Stones and Boulders

• 'The Skull': the perhaps most famous rock in the national park gets its name because it looks like a giant skull. You can easily spot it from the road. However, it's definitely worth stopping and walking over, even if you might have to wait a while to get your photo amid the crowds.
• 'The Arch and The Heart': my personal favorites can be reached via a short hike (see further below in the text), which you should plan about half an hour for.

'Cholla Cactus Garden' - A Sea of Cacti

• Hardly have you left the rock formations behind, when the landscape dramatically changes: you are now in the Colorado Desert, which, instead of Joshua Trees, is home to a variety of cacti.
• The most beautiful collection of cacti can be found in the Cholla Cactus Garden. A short 400-meter circular trail leads you through the habitat of these fuzzy-looking cacti. They are also called Teddy Bear Chollas, as their appearance resembles cute teddy bears. But be careful: the impression is deceiving and these plants are extremely prickly!

My Expert Tip

Hiking and Climbing

1. Arch Rock Nature Trail (plus Secret Tip: The Heart)

• From the parking area, you walk about 1.5 kilometers to this rock arch. The trail is partially poorly marked, so you need to be a bit careful - generally, though, you won't be the only one, as the short hike is quite popular.
• Before my visit to Joshua Tree National Park, I was advised to keep an eye out for another rock formation on the hike to the Arch: and indeed, if you turn left just before reaching the Arch, you will find a rock called 'The Heart.' Here, you can beautifully capture a large stone heart against the blue desert sky.
• Length: approx. 3 kilometers (round trip). Time required: approx. 45 minutes.

2. Hidden Valley

• This short hike is one of the most popular tours in the national park - it takes you uphill and along narrow paths through Hidden Valley, where cattle was once kept.
• You can often watch climbers practicing their sport on the rocks in Hidden Valley.
• Length: 1.5 kilometers. Time required: approx. 30 minutes.

3. Barker Dam Trail

• This hiking trail dates back to when people still lived in the park and cattle was raised. You can clearly see this at the small water reservoir, which is often filled with water today and therefore often attracts animal residents of the park, such as 'Big Horn Sheep.'
• If you keep your eyes open, you might also spot some petroglyphs (rock paintings) along the short hike.
• Length: 2 kilometers. Time required: approx. 45 minutes.

4. Wall Street Mill

• You can make another historical detour on this hike: it takes you to the remains of an old mine dating back to the time when gold and silver were still sought after.
• For me, it was a bit surreal to suddenly come across ruins of human structures in the midst of this dry and lonely landscape - even an old car is still located here.
• Length: approx. 3.5 kilometers. Time required: approx. 1 hour.

My Expert Tip

Recommended Excursions from Joshua Tree National Park

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More Must-See Places Along the Route

Pioneertown

• 20 kilometers west of Joshua Tree Village lies this small town, built entirely in Western style.
• Pioneertown was established in 1946 as a project - the goal was to create an authentic backdrop for Western films. The buildings were constructed in an old style, but inside, they featured amenities like bowling alleys and hotels. In total, more than 50 films and series have been shot here.
• Even though Pioneertown is just an 'artificial' Western town, it gives a good insight into what life looked like back then and can be ideally combined with a visit to Joshua Tree National Park.

Route 66

• If you head northeast, after about 100 kilometers you will encounter the historic Route 66 - the mother road of all roads. The tiny town of Amboy consists of little more than Roy's Motel & Cafe and has become a symbol of Route 66 due to its huge advertising sign.
• Despite (or perhaps because of) its remote location in the Mojave Desert, Amboy is internationally known: both the music video for Enrique Iglesias' song 'Hero' and a commercial for the SLK class from Mercedes-Benz were filmed here.
• From Amboy, you can either continue east on Route 66 towards Arizona, reaching iconic places like Kingman and Oatman - here, the spirit of Route 66 is truly palpable. Alternatively, head west and follow Route 66 to its endpoint at Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles

• About 2.5 hours from Joshua Tree National Park, you will reach Hollywood - the stars and starlets here provide quite a contrast to the seclusion and tranquility of the desert in the national park.
• To be honest, I'm not a fan of Los Angeles - you're constantly stuck in traffic and people here seem incredibly self-important. However, it's definitely worth taking a stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
• Find all tips and articles for Los Angeles here

Useful Tips for Joshua Tree

Entrances to the National Park

• The main entrance is at Twentynine Palms in the north of the national park. There are additional entrances in the west at Joshua Tree Village and in the south at Cottonwood Springs.

Entrance Fees

• There is a fee of $30 per vehicle for the national park. The ticket is valid for one week. If you plan to visit several national parks during your stay in the USA, the America the Beautiful Pass might be worthwhile for you.

Gas Stations

• There are no gas stations within the national park, so make sure you have enough fuel.

Internet, Cell Service, and Wi-Fi

• Cell service in the national park is very limited, and you should not rely on it. It's best to download an offline map ahead of time and inform yourself about what to see in the national park or which hikes to undertake.
• Wi-Fi is available at the Black Rock Visitor Center and the Joshua Tree Visitor Center.

Climate and Weather

• Joshua Tree National Park is situated at elevations ranging from 1,000 feet (Pinto Basin) to 5,800 feet (Quail Mountain). The climate is dry, with summer daytime temperatures often exceeding 95°F. In winter, temperatures drop to 50 - 60°F during the day, with nighttime lows reaching around freezing. The ideal time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is from November to May - then it's not too hot, and you can enjoy the hikes in the park.

Staying in the National Park

• There are eight campgrounds in the park; wild camping is prohibited throughout the national park. All campgrounds are open year-round, and reservations are especially recommended during the peak season.
• Black Rock and Cottonwood Campground are the only campgrounds with toilets, running water, and a sewage station. They are located near the Joshua Tree Village and Cottonwood exits and cost $25 per night.
• The other campgrounds are more basic, with pit toilets and no water connection. However, they are more centrally located within the national park. Some sites can be reserved in advance; others operate on a 'first come, first served' basis.
• For more information and reservation options, visit https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Supplies

• There are no dining options throughout the park. So make sure you bring enough food and especially water for your trip.
• You could refill water at Black Rock or Cottonwood Campground if needed - it's also possible at the west entrance and at the ranger station.

General Travel Information USA

Visa for the USA (ESTA)

Entrance Fees vs. National Park Pass

• Costs: $80, valid for 12 months
• This grants you access to over 2,000 national parks and recreational areas in the USA.
• You can buy the pass on-site in any national park. It's also available online, but you will need an American address. More information can be found at https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes