Too often when people think National Parks on the West Coast, they think Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Sequoia. They forget about Joshua Tree, which is an amazing treasure, made a National Monument by President Roosevelt. Only a few hours away from San Diego and Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park offers possibilities for a great adventures and escaping the noise of the city.
Where to go in Joshua Tree National Park?
The entrance fee is $15 per car and is valid for 7 days. Unlike most National Parks, Joshua Tree do not require a special backcountry hiking and camping permit, as long as you register your car when parking. Joshua Tree is a large park, so here are the points of interests and sights you should consider:
- Keys View is a great part of the park to discover. You can discover panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and learn all about the San Andreas Fault.
- If you want something far from everything and a little different, go to the Indian Cove. The campground is amazing. Huge rocks surround you. You can find a lot of diverse activities to do from there. Don’t forget to register your car before camping though!
- The Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park is a popular stop. The rain erosion transformed the rock in a skull like shape. There are a few nice hiking trails close to Skull Rock it.
- Cottonwood Springs Oasis is a pure treasure of Joshua Tree. It is beautiful and bird watching is very popular there. You can see gold mills used in the late 19th century.
- Black Rock Canyon is a great family campground, with easy access to Yucca Valley. It is a great area to observe wildlife and enjoy the early blooms in the park.
What to do in Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park offers a lot of outdoor activities and a great environment to enjoy them.
- Rock Climbing is a very popular sport practiced here. The granite boulders give rock climbers some nice challenges.
- Hiking, of course is another popular activities. Joshua Park might not have specific worldfamous landmarks, but it still had great view points and offers a beautiful setting. Many people enjoy hiking the California Hiking & Riding Trail, and the Boy Scout Trail. Ryan Mountain offers the best panoramic view in Joshua Tree. A fun hike is the hike to Carey’s Castle. This special desert castle is a house built in and around the rocks and actually was inhabited at some point. Quite interesting to check out!
- Camping of course, is always a great experience in Joshua Tree National Park. It is the best place to look at stars, away from the city lights. Kids love learning about all the constellations! Don’t forget to register when you enter the park and get all the information you need at the visitors center. You have quite a few campground choices.
- Backpacking is also a fun way to explore Joshua Tree National Park. The best time to go backpacking in Joshua Tree is in Winter and Spring, as you can find running water in the Lost Palms Oasis. But nevertheless, remember to carry at least two gallons of water per person per day. Remember that you are in the desert and staying hydrated is the fist step to staying safe while backpacking in Joshua Tree National Park. If you want to read more about backpacking in this beautiful surrounding and look at some amazing pictures, check out this cool trip report about backpacking in Joshua Tree National Park
- Ranger Programs are also offered in the park. So if you are not sure what to do and where to go, plan hikes with the rangers and learn more about nature and the park.
Remember, just like in any national park, be respectful of the nature and leave the place as you found it. Joshua Tree National Park is another of so many wonders in California that is really worth the visit.
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