When exploring wide-open spaces, do you tend to lean into thrilling adventure, or soul-soothing beauty? At Joshua Tree National Park, you will find both. Spanning 800,000 acres, this one-of-a-kind attraction offers otherworldly scenery but also easy ways to play. Here are five approaches to get you started.
Get up close to the fascinating flora
Fun fact: the park’s namesake Joshua tree is not actually a tree, but a yucca plant. Study them yourself while hiking along trails such as Indian Cove, an easy 0.6-mile path surrounded by boulders. Then check out the cacti and other plants in the Cholla Cactus Garden, a flat, loop trail where you can see desert lavender, pink pencil cholla, and the look-but-seriously-don’t-touch “teddybear” cholla cactus.
Tap into your inner dirtbag
Joshua Tree is a rock-climber’s paradise, with about 8,000 known climbs and 400 unique formations. A great place to start: Echo Cove, which has plenty of routes for both first timers and advanced climbers. Or take on the giant boulders on Arch Rock Trail, including the 30-foot-tall Arch Rock, which is just a half-mile from the Twin Tanks parking area and the White Tank Campground. Pick up your climbing shoes, chalk, and other gear at Nomad Ventures.
Let a local lead the way
Joshua Tree offers a wide range of guided tours and activities led by local experts, including those from the Desert Institute and Red Jeep Tours. Sign up for an excursion and then go off-roading, learn about local Native American cultures, and hike to hidden gems.
Look up and be amazed
Joshua Tree’s remote location and minimal light pollution has earned it an International Dark Sky Park designation. While autumn’s Night Sky Festival attracts serious stargazers, you can enjoy the skies any time of year. To make a full night of it, reserve your spot at numerous campgrounds (Cottonwood Campground has excellent views), or head to the highest point in the park, Keys View, which is known for its epic sunset views.
Party in nearby Pioneertown
About 15 miles from the park entrance is another desert delight: Pioneertown, which provided the sets for many a Western movie back in the days of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Today there’s a throwback-style motel, outfitted with cowhide rugs and Native-style blankets, and Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, a kitschy-but-cool bar and music venue that has hosted Paul McCartney, Lizzo, Lucinda Williams, and many others.
