Joshua Tree: Recs

 
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ABOUT

Joshua tree is a highly visited park, but incredibly beautiful and worth the hype. I went backpacking there in 2011, on a girls trip in June 2018, camping in March 2019, then on a large friend trip in May of 2019 after a night in Vegas.

Best times to visit Joshua Tree are March- May and October- November. December - February can be cold and snowy.

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PARK INFO

Park Map

  • North Entrance: Twentynine Palms, California

    - Joshua Tree Visitor Center: 6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree, CA 92256

    - Oasis Visitor Center: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

    - Black Rock Nature Center: 9800 Black Rock Canyon Road, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

    South Entrance: East of Indio, California

    - Cottonwood Visitor Center: Pinto Basin Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

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Stops On the Way from LA

  • Indio (aka Coachella Valley)

    - The Vintage Coffee House

    - Sip Coffee House & Juice Bar

    - Indio Cafe

    - Mimi’s Cafe

  • Coachella Valley Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve: 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA 92276

  • East Indio Hills Badlands:Golf Center Pkwy, Indio, CA 92203

  • Can also go to Palm Springs for a night and do bougie spa/pool/golf stuff, it’s about an hour away from J-tree southern entrance.

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Hikes

  • Hidden Valley Loop trail: One-mile loop. Trailhead just off Park Boulevard, 12 miles southeast of the west entrance to the park, super touristy.

  • Arch Rock Hike: Half-mile climb to dope arch rock, touristy.

  • Barker Dam Loop:  1.5mile loop. Starts at Barker Dam parking area

  • Split Rock Loop: 1.9-mile loop trail

  • Cholla Cactus Garden: Quarter-mile loop, touristy but diff kind of cacti.

  • Boy Scout Trail: 7.8 mile point to point, could go out as far as you want to then turn back, less crowded.

  • Hidden Valley Camp Trail to Barker Dam: 4.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail.

  • Ryan Mountain: 1.5 miles all uphill for view of the park, touristy.

  • Cap Rock: 1 mile Loop.

  • Quail Mountain Trail: 8 miles each way, for overnight backpacking trips.

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Camping IN THE PARK

First Come First Serve Sites

Reservation Only Sites- Book Here

  • Black Rock ($20 per night)

  • Cottonwood ($20 per night)

  • Indian Cove ($20 per night)

  • Jumbo Rocks ($15 per night)

Backcountry Camping

  • Must register for a permit (no-fee) at one of the “backcountry boards”

  • Backcountry Board Options: Black Rock Canyon (north edge), Cottonwood Spring (south end), Covington, Geology Tour (middle, south of jumbo/cap rock), Indian Cove (north edge), Juniper Flats (middle/west of jumbo rocks), Keys West (north), North Entrance (north), Pine City (north), Pleasant Valley (south of geology tour), Porcupine Wash (south near cottonwood), Turkey Flats, Twin Tanks

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ACCOMMODATION OutSIDE THE PARK

If you’re not camping, Joshua Tree town and Twenty-Nine Palms is an airbnb haven:

  • Joshua Tree Casita: Well-known Airbnb by designers Sarah and Rich Combs has hammock and hot tub/cold tub (I stayed in this one).

  • Joshua Tree House: Original Airbnb by designers Sarah and Rich Combs. Two bed two bath 1949 hacienda with indoor swing chairs.

  • Dome in the Desert: Modern-bohemian dome with personally designed and handcrafted decor.

  • Cabin Cabin Cabin: Modern bohemian cabin in the village of Joshua Tree.

  • The Shack Attack: Reimagined 1957 cabin in North Joshua Tree has outdoor shower.

  • Desert Wild: Super fancy whole house with pool.

  • 29 Palms Inn: This ones actually a hotel. Cool retro pool and cute colorful cabins nestled among palm tree oasis.

  • Motion Recalibration Station: This is a campsite outside the park. Cute communal grounds with outdoor lighting and shared tables/sofas etc.

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FOOD Outside The Park

  • Kitchen in the Desert: Cute restaurant downtown, American food with Caribbean influence.

  • Mojave Moon Café: Café/dessert lounge with breakfast, lunch and dinner and outdoor patio.

  • Natural Sisters Cafe: Healthy cafe all vegan with incredible smoothies.

  • Pie for the People: Really delicious pizza, you can also do custom orders.

  • Joshua Tree Coffee Company: Cute coffee shop next to pizza spot with outdoor seating.

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SHOPPING Outside The Park

  • HABITAT: Home décor and furnishings shop.

  • Mojave Sol: Colorful store sells books, crystals, desert-themed art and gifts.

  • Shop on the Mesa: Clothes, apothecary, beautiful furniture, chairs and coffee tables.

  • Moon Wind Trading Company: Boutique with clothing, natural cosmetics etc.

  • BKB Ceramics: Beautiful hand-made ceramics.

  • Ricochet Vintage Wears: Western Vintage shop if you’re in the market for a cowboy hat, boots, vest, belt etc.

  • Hoof & The Horn: Trendy desert brands.

  • Vintage stores and thrift shops are all over Joshua Tree town, walk around and you’ll find em!

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Other ACTIVITIES

  • Skull Rock (just a large rock shaped like a skull).

  • Jumbo Rocks Campground (cool spot to run around/picnic in the rocks).

  • Ranger lead Park tours here

    - I Speak for the Trees Walk- Take a walk with a ranger and discover the park's namesake. Meet at Cap Rock parking area

    - Joshua Tree Rocks- Hike with a ranger and examine the geology of this remarkable area, 1.8 miles. Meet at Skull Rock parking area (north park right next to jumbo rock area).

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