Joshua Tree National Park Itinerary
Introduction
Vast desert landscapes. Bizarre plant life. And rock gardens perfect for climbing. That about sums up Joshua Tree National Park, quickly becoming one of the most popular national parks in the United States. There’s something for everyone here, with trails ranging from simple to strenuous, easily accessible rock formations, an epic scenic overlook, and old pioneer history dotted across the open desert. And did we mention the Joshua Trees? These giant, bendy succulents are just one of the many unusual species of plant that call this park home. These ‘trees,’ found nearly everywhere in the park’s western half, truly leave their mark on this unusual desert terrain. We here at Shaka Guide have prepared an itinerary that covers the whole park. Our tour’s 20 stops include the highlights, and an inclusive variety of sites that caters to all ages and abilities.
This tour begins at the south entrance of the park. You’ll stop to see unique desert plants, and hike to scenic vistas and sights along beautiful walking trails. Midway through the tour, you’ll leave the park and enter the town of Twentynine Palms, an ideal spot for lunch, gas, or supplies. Continuing, you’ll re-enter the park by the town of Joshua Tree, which has some good eats of its own, through the west fee station. The route continues through more beautiful rock gardens, where the Joshua Trees grow to their fullest. Though you don’t have to choose to visit one or the other–the itinerary visits both–we provide the option of ending the day in two different places: Ryan Mountain and Keys View. We feel these are the two most spectacular spots in the park to catch the sunset. Then, you can exit the park where you entered–the southern entrance–or exit the park another way.
Itinerary
If your plan is to pick a couple small hikes and stop at most, if not all our recommended stops, then this tour is meant to be completed within a day. But, if you have the time, and you want a more comprehensive Joshua Tree experience, this itinerary could fill out two days. We recommend starting early, getting to the park by 9 a.m. This timing will help you beat the heat, and arrive in Twentynine Palms midway through the tour, around lunchtime.
1. Joshua Tree National Park Entrance Sign
No machine-readable author provided. Degreen~commonswiki assumed, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 2 minutes
Snap a selfie at the southern entrance’s Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park sign.
2. Bajada Nature Trail
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 20 minutes
A short trail introduces you to the desert’s plant and animal life.
3. Lost Palms Oasis Trailhead
Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 4 hours
This is a long hike through Joshua Tree’s southern Colorado Desert. It’s very scenic, but there’s little to no shade and can be brutally hot from spring to fall. Bring water and sun protection, but prepare to be wowed by the landscape and the palm oasis at the trail’s end. You can also just take a brief look at the oasis by the trailhead, and move on to the next stop.
4. Cottonwood Visitor Center
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Pay the park fee here, use the restrooms, or ask the rangers questions.
5. Ocotillo Patch
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Learn more about the quirky ocotillo plant in this little pull off.
6. Cholla Cactus Garden Trailhead
Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 15 minutes
Teddy Bear chollas look furry and cute but nothing could be further from the truth: walk carefully among thousands of mature chollas along a short nature trail. Just don’t get poked, and wear good close-toed shoes.
7. Arch Rock
Robb Hannawacker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 30 minutes
This beautiful natural arch is one of the largest in the area and is a popular spot for photographers. Have fun climbing around the rocks!
8. Skull Rock
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 15 minutes
This popular boulder looks a bit like a skull that’s melted in the desert heat. Please park carefully, as the roadside plants are fragile.
9. Split Rock Loop Trail
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 1-2 hours
Hike through iconic rock formations on this easy trail.
10. Oasis of Mara
Robb Hannawacker, while working for Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 15-30 minutes
Use the restroom, browse the gift shop, and enjoy a brief trail around an oasis.
11. Joshua Tree Cultural Center
Approximate time: 20 minutes
Ask questions, view exhibits, and maybe buy a souvenir or two at Joshua Tree’s newest visitor center.
12. Joshua Tree Visitor Center
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 5 minutes
This is the last chance to stop before re-entering the park for information. Stop to use the restroom or grab a quick bite to eat.
13. Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 30-45 minutes
This fun little nature trail is one of the park’s most popular hikes, with rock formations to climb on and plenty of cool desert flora to take pictures of.
14. Intersection Rock
Jarek Tuszyński / CC-BY-SA-3.0 & GDFL, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
This iconic rock is a great stop for selfies, with many of the same sorts of cool rocks and desert plants as Hidden Valley, but with no hike required.
15. Barker Dam Nature Trail
Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 30-60 minutes
The short, easy walk out to the Barker Dam is beautiful, but during the monsoon season it affords something rarely found in Joshua Tree: water. And with it, the chance to see birds and animals one might miss otherwise.
16. Wall Street Mill Trail
Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 45-60 minutes
Wall Street Mill was one of many stamp mills in the area, a part of Joshua Tree history. You can explore its ruins, as well as the remnants of a homestead.
17. Ryan Mountain Trailhead
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 1-2 hours
Ryan Mountain is one of the park’s best hikes, and affords adventurers a 360-degree view of the valley and surrounding area.
18. Hall of Horrors
Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Yet another cool rock formation of rounded gneiss boulders in the middle of the desert.
19. Cap Rock
Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 10 minutes
The site of an attempted (and ill-fated) 1970s funeral, Cap Rock is one of many iconic gneiss formations in the park.
20. Lost Horse Mine
Ciar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 1-2 hours
This moderate-level hike will bring you out to Lost Horse Mine, where gold ore was famously mined and stolen by one of Joshua Tree’s ne'er-do-wells, Johnny Lang.
21. Keys View
King of Hearts / CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Approximate time: 15-30 minutes
This lovely overlook offers gorgeous sunset views over Palm Springs, and you can also see the San Andreas Fault.
Conclusion
We bring you back to Park Boulevard, where you choose to return to the south entrance where you started, or back toward the town of Joshua Tree and the northern entrance, which also leads back to Palm Springs.
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