California Desert Marvels Road Trip: Joshua Tree → Death Valley

Explore Ancient Trees, Salt Flats, and Extreme Beauty

There’s a mystical allure to California’s deserts, where ancient landscapes tell tales of geological drama and improbable life. This road trip invites you to trade the bustling coast for the quiet grandeur of two of America’s most striking national parks: Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Prepare for surreal vistas, dazzling night skies, and an appreciation for the tenacious spirit of desert life.

Quick Overview

Route: Joshua Tree National Park → Death Valley National Park
Best for: Unique desert flora + stark landscapes + star gazing + challenging terrain
Ideal length: 4–7 days (allowing time for exploration and scenic drives)
Best seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring (avoid summer due to extreme heat)

Joshua Tree National Park

Our journey begins in the whimsical landscape of Joshua Tree National Park, where two distinct desert ecosystems—the Mojave and the Colorado—converge. The park is named for its peculiar, spiky-limbed trees, which dot the arid terrain, creating an otherworldly forest. Beyond the iconic trees, Joshua Tree is a mecca for rock climbers, with massive monzogranite boulders and rock formations like Skull Rock and Barker Dam drawing adventurers from around the globe. Hikers can explore trails like Hidden Valley, a secluded oasis, or the Cholla Cactus Garden, a dense, shimmering field of "jumping" cholla. The park's dark night skies offer some of the best stargazing opportunities in Southern California, making an overnight stay an absolute must.

Click here to see the Joshua Tree National Park posters.

Death Valley National Park

From the enchanting groves of Joshua Tree, we head east into the vast, extreme beauty of Death Valley National Park, a land of superlatives. As the hottest, driest, and lowest national park, Death Valley defies expectations with its incredible diversity. Here, you'll stand at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, marvel at the otherworldly undulations of Zabriskie Point at sunrise, and explore the colorful, eroded badlands of Artists Palette.

Don’t miss the mesmerizing patterns of the Racetrack Playa, where rocks mysteriously move across the desert floor, leaving long trails behind them. While its name suggests desolation, Death Valley bursts with life, especially after rare winter rains, when wildflowers blanket the valley floor in vibrant hues. The expansive, clear night skies here are also unparalleled, offering truly breathtaking astronomical displays.

Click here to see the Death Valley National Park Poster

Planning Your Return

From Death Valley, you can continue your adventure north towards the Eastern Sierra Nevada, head west to link up with the route to Yosemite, or drive back towards Las Vegas or Southern California to catch a flight. The desert's call often leads to unexpected detours!

About the Artist

Photographer and graphic artist Rob Decker studied photography with Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park during the summer of 1979. The experience solidified his love of photography and our National Parks. Now he is on a journey to photograph and create iconic WPA-style posters of all our national parks as we celebrate the next 100 years of the National Park Service.

"I feel that it’s important to protect America’s special places, and to connect people with nature. And it’s up to all of us to pitch in. Perhaps more importantly, we need to inspire the next generation of park stewards. I’m trying to make a difference by giving back to the amazing organizations that support our National Parks. I donate 10% of annual profits, so when you buy one of these original works, you're helping these trusts, conservancies and associations, too."

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