Best Things To Do at Joshua Tree National Park
Robert Decker10 Best Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is where two very different deserts come together—and the result is one of the most distinctive landscapes in America's National Parks.
The higher, cooler Mojave Desert is home to the park's namesake Joshua trees, while the lower and warmer Colorado Desert unfolds across cactus gardens, sandy washes, and broad desert basins.
Between them are enormous monzogranite boulders, rugged mountain ranges, historic mines, desert oases, spectacular hiking trails, world-class climbing, and some of the darkest night skies in Southern California.
First protected as Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936 and redesignated a National Park in 1994, Joshua Tree now protects nearly 800,000 acres of Southern California desert.
My name is Rob Decker, and I'm a photographer and graphic artist who has spent more than 50 years exploring and photographing America's National Parks. I've visited 55 of our 63 National Parks, and Joshua Tree is one of those places where geology, light, landscape, and history come together in a way that's especially rewarding for photographers and explorers.
If you're planning your first visit—or returning to explore a little deeper—here are some of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree at a Glance
- Established: National Monument in 1936; National Park in 1994
- Size: About 795,000 acres
- Deserts: Mojave and Colorado
- Highest point: Quail Mountain, 5,814 feet
- Known for: Joshua trees, rock formations, climbing, hiking, photography, and dark skies
- Best overall season: Fall through spring
The park protects a transition between two major desert ecosystems. That change in elevation, temperature, geology, and plant life means the scenery can look dramatically different from one end of the park to the other.
1. Go Rock Climbing Among the Giant Boulders
Joshua Tree is internationally known for rock climbing and bouldering.
The park's massive monzogranite formations create an extraordinary collection of cracks, slabs, faces, chimneys, and boulders that attract climbers from around the world.
Hidden Valley is one of the classic climbing areas, but climbing opportunities are scattered throughout the park.
If you're new to climbing, consider going with an experienced, permitted climbing guide rather than heading out on your own. Joshua Tree's rock formations can be deceptively complicated, and many climbs require specific knowledge about routes, anchors, and descents.
Joshua Tree National Park does not maintain climbing routes or anchors. Climbers are responsible for evaluating conditions, equipment, routes, and safe descents.
2. Hike the Barker Dam Loop
The Barker Dam Nature Trail is one of the best short hikes in Joshua Tree and a great introduction to the Mojave Desert portion of the park.
This relatively easy 1.1-mile loop winds among Joshua trees, sandy washes, pinyon pines, huge monzogranite boulders, historic Barker Dam, and a rock art site.
After periods of significant rain, water may collect behind the historic dam and attract wildlife. For much of the year, however, the reservoir may be completely dry.
3. Explore Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley feels like a natural amphitheater surrounded by enormous piles of rounded granite boulders.
The easy 1-mile Hidden Valley Nature Trail loops through the enclosed valley, with Joshua trees, desert vegetation, rock formations, and interpretive signs along the way.
Legend has long associated Hidden Valley with cattle rustlers who supposedly used the natural enclosure to conceal stolen livestock.
Whether or not you're interested in the old stories, it's one of the best places in Joshua Tree to simply wander among the park's iconic rocks and vegetation.
Hidden Valley is short enough to fit into almost any itinerary, but it's easy to spend extra time exploring the rock formations and watching climbers.
4. Walk Through the Cholla Cactus Garden
The Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the most unusual landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park.
A flat quarter-mile loop winds through nearly 10 acres filled with thousands of teddy bear cholla. The garden lies in the Pinto Basin near the transition between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.
Early morning and late afternoon light can make the pale spines appear almost luminous, making this a particularly beautiful location for photography.
Teddy bear cholla are anything but cuddly. Their barbed segments detach easily and can become painfully embedded in skin or clothing. Stay on the trail, give the plants plenty of room, and wear closed-toed shoes.
5. Discover the Lost Horse Mine
The desert may seem empty today, but Joshua Tree has a fascinating mining history.
Lost Horse Mine was one of the most successful mines in what is now Joshua Tree National Park. Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, miners extracted thousands of ounces of gold and silver from the site.
The Lost Horse Mine Trail can be explored as a 4-mile round-trip out-and-back hike to the historic mine and stamp mill. Hikers looking for a longer adventure can continue on the full Lost Horse Loop.
Along the way, you'll find broad desert views, Joshua trees, rugged hills, historic mining remnants, and a tangible connection to the park's past.
Stay outside fenced mining areas and never enter old mine shafts or climb on historic structures. Abandoned mining features can be extremely unstable.
6. Hike Into the Wonderland of Rocks on the Boy Scout Trail
For a bigger adventure, the Boy Scout Trail travels deep into one of Joshua Tree's most spectacular areas: the Wonderland of Rocks.
The complete trail is approximately 8 miles one way, traveling between the park interior and Indian Cove. A vehicle shuttle is strongly recommended if you're hiking the entire route.
You don't have to hike the full trail, however. Shorter out-and-back hikes from the trailhead still provide excellent views of Joshua trees, open desert, rocky canyons, cliffs, domes, and enormous boulder formations.
The Boy Scout Trail has little shade and unreliable cell service. Carry plenty of water, know your route, and avoid long desert hikes during extreme heat.
7. Look for Desert Wildlife and Birds
Joshua Tree may look stark at first glance, but the desert supports an impressive variety of wildlife.
Birders can look for greater roadrunners, cactus wrens, Gambel's quail, phainopeplas, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, prairie falcons, and a variety of seasonal migrants.
Productive birding locations include Barker Dam, the Oasis of Mara, Cottonwood Spring, and other places where vegetation and water concentrate wildlife.
Early morning is often the best time to look for both birds and other desert animals, before temperatures rise and daytime activity slows.
8. Stay After Sunset for the Stars
One of the biggest mistakes you can make at Joshua Tree is leaving as soon as the sun goes down.
The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park and offers some of the darkest skies in Southern California.
On a clear, moonless night, the desert can reveal thousands of stars and spectacular views of the Milky Way.
Good Stargazing Locations
- Quail Springs
- Hidden Valley
- Cap Rock
- Ryan Mountain area
- Pinto Basin Road
- Cottonwood Campground
The farther east and south you travel in the park, the farther you generally get from the light pollution of nearby Southern California communities.
Plan your visit around a new moon. Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness and use a red flashlight instead of bright white light whenever possible.
9. Spend the Night in the Park
Camping in Joshua Tree gives you something a day trip simply can't: the chance to experience the desert after the crowds leave and before they return.
The park has nine campgrounds and roughly 500 campsites, ranging from sites tucked among giant boulders to more open desert settings.
Popular campgrounds include Jumbo Rocks, Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, Ryan, Cottonwood, and Black Rock.
Many campsites can be reserved in advance, while some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. During the busy fall-through-spring season, campsites can fill quickly—especially on weekends and holidays.
Walk outside your tent after dark, look up, and experience Joshua Tree's night sky without having to drive back to town.
10. Photograph Joshua Tree's Iconic Landscapes
Joshua Tree is one of those parks where the landscape seems designed for photography.
The twisted silhouettes of Joshua trees, enormous rounded boulders, open desert, rugged mountains, and dramatic light create completely different compositions throughout the day.
Arch Rock
Arch Rock is one of the park's most recognizable natural rock formations. The granite arch is surrounded by boulders and desert vegetation, making the entire area rewarding to explore with a camera.
It's especially photogenic when low-angle light brings out the texture and shape of the surrounding granite.
Keys View
For a completely different perspective, drive to Keys View in the Little San Bernardino Mountains.
The viewpoint looks across the Coachella Valley, with broad views toward Palm Springs, the Salton Sea region, surrounding mountain ranges, and—on exceptionally clear days—far into the distance toward Mexico.
A short paved nature trail provides additional viewpoints and interpretive information.
Late afternoon and sunset can be beautiful at Keys View, although haze and air quality in the Coachella Valley can dramatically change visibility from one day to the next.
Skull Rock
Skull Rock sits right along Park Boulevard near Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Over thousands of years, water erosion enlarged two depressions in the granite, creating what now looks remarkably like the eye sockets of a giant skull.
It's easy to reach, which also makes it one of the park's most popular roadside stops.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree?
Season by Season
- Winter: Comfortable daytime temperatures and excellent hiking conditions, although nights can be cold
- Spring: Pleasant temperatures, occasional wildflowers, and one of the park's busiest seasons
- Summer: Extreme heat can make hiking dangerous; early morning, evening, driving tours, and stargazing are better options
- Fall: Cooling temperatures and increasingly comfortable conditions for hiking and climbing
For most visitors, October through May offers the most comfortable conditions.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. There is very little shade on many trails, water is limited inside the park, and cell service can be unreliable. Carry more water than you think you'll need and adjust your plans to the weather.
How Much Time Do You Need in Joshua Tree?
If You Have...
- Half a day: Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Keys View, and a scenic drive through the park
- One full day: Add Barker Dam, Cholla Cactus Garden, and sunset or stargazing
- Two days: Add Lost Horse Mine, longer hikes, climbing, or more time for photography
- Three days or more: Explore the park at a slower pace, hike deeper into the backcountry, and experience both the Mojave and Colorado Desert regions
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua Tree National Park
Why is Joshua Tree National Park famous?
Joshua Tree is best known for its namesake Joshua trees, enormous granite boulder formations, world-class climbing, desert hiking, photography, and exceptionally dark night skies.
Why is it called Joshua Tree?
The park is named for the Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia, a distinctive branching yucca native to the Mojave Desert.
Do two deserts really meet at Joshua Tree?
Yes. Joshua Tree protects portions of both the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert. Elevation and climate differences help create distinct plant communities within the park.
How big is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park protects approximately 795,000 acres of desert landscape in Southern California.
Can you visit Joshua Tree at night?
Yes. The park is open 24 hours a day, and nighttime is one of the best times to experience Joshua Tree. The park is internationally recognized for its dark skies and excellent stargazing.
Can you see the Milky Way at Joshua Tree?
Yes. On clear, moonless nights, the Milky Way can be spectacular. The Pinto Basin and the southern and eastern portions of the park generally offer some of the darkest skies.
Is Joshua Tree worth visiting if you don't hike?
Absolutely. Many highlights can be reached by scenic drives and short walks, including Keys View, Skull Rock, the Cholla Cactus Garden, roadside Joshua tree forests, and numerous viewpoints and rock formations.
Bring Joshua Tree Home
Joshua Tree is a landscape made for art.
The crooked silhouettes of Joshua trees against enormous granite formations give the park an unmistakable visual identity—especially at sunrise and sunset when long desert shadows bring the landscape to life.
That combination of dramatic geology, desert vegetation, and vintage Western character inspired my Joshua Tree National Park Poster.
Inspired by the bold graphic language of classic WPA-era park artwork, the design celebrates the shapes, colors, geology, and unforgettable character of Joshua Tree.
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