Introduction
Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler.
Recommendation
Arch Rock Trail: Arch Rock Nature Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Twentynine Palms, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November.
Ancient Desert: The whole park is a massive desert. It's over 790,000 sq. acres. It fact, it's bigger than the state of Rhode Island. But it's still a desert. And like most deserts, it can be hostile and unforgiving.
Stargazing: Joshua Tree is one of the best places for stargazing in the country (and the planet!) The reason is that the Park is located in the High Desert (3000-5000 ft above sea level) and it is located far from major cities (which create light pollution).
Tips
1. In the desert there is no water (bring more than enough), no electricity, no street lignts, no food service (bring it), no lodging/hotels (only campingand), no cellphone reception. There are toilets, but not the flushing kind, so come prepared!
2. Visit on a Free Day! As an additional incentive to visit the park - If you plan ahead, you can come on a day when there is no admission fee.
- January 21: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 20: First day of National Park Week
- August 25: National Park Service Birthday
- September 28: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day