Whether or not you’re a California native needing a breath of recent air, an out-of-towner trying to discover the unimaginable nationwide parks of this nation, or anybody in between, a day journey to Joshua Tree is all you’ll have to see the highlights of this distinctive otherworldly desert.
In fact, extra time is at all times higher, however we perceive not everybody has that luxurious. Accordingly, we designed this One Day Joshua Tree itinerary to ensure you see as a lot as attainable, but additionally to make sure you are in the very best places at every time of day.
On this information, you will see that an in depth schedule with strategies on the place to be from dawn by sundown, in addition to all info pertinent to planning your first go to to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
If there may be something you are feeling we missed or in want of an replace, tell us within the feedback on the backside!
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THE ULTIMATE PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE TO JOSHUA TREE NP
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☀️ Day Journey to Joshua Tree Fast Overview
One Day Itinerary
At a look, right here is the best itinerary for a day journey to Joshua Tree:
- Dawn at Arch Rock
- Breakfast at White Tank Campground
- Brief walks at Cholla Cactus Backyard, Cranium Rock, Jumbo Rocks
- Lunch at Dwell Oak Picnic Space
- Brief walks at Corridor of Horrors, Cap Rock
- Drive to Key’s Viewpoint overlook
- Sundown at Hidden Valley
- Stargaze – time allowing
The Cottonwood Springs space on the finish of Pinto Basin Highway is the one vacation spot not included on this someday itinerary on account of time constraints.
Getting Round
You’ll need a car to get round Joshua Tree NP. There’s restricted bus service to get to the nationwide park with Morongo Basin Transit Authority, however it will solely drop you off.
The entire main roads by Joshua Tree are paved, so a typical 2WD car will suffice. Should you don’t have your personal car you’ll be able to both lease a automobile or campervan to discover or ebook a tour.
We’ll cowl tour choices in additional element afterward on this put up or you need to use the button beneath to discover completely different tour choices.
Meals in Joshua Tree
There is no such thing as a meals out there inside Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. Accordingly, it would be best to pack loads of it and be ready for 3 picnic-style meals.
There are picnic areas and restrooms out there in a number of places all through the park. My favorites are advisable within the itinerary.
Entry Charges
As there are not any one-day passes to Joshua Tree, the entry price is $30 for a 7-day move.
Should you plan on visiting a minimum of 3 NPS-run websites inside the 12 months (or plan on returning to Joshua Tree 3 separate instances), you must as an alternative buy the America the Stunning Annual Parks Cross. For simply $80, you may get into EVERY NPS website within the nation for a full 12 months.
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🌄 Joshua Tree Day Journey Itinerary
🌅 Start: Dawn at Arch Rock
Getting an early begin will not be for everybody, but it surely does assure you maximize your someday in Joshua Tree. Past that, Arch Rock is a spectacular scene for dawn because the solar will come up completely framed by the arch!
Start your day with a magical morning view and set your self up for a fun-filled day within the park. Start the day on Arch Rock path early and pack a breakfast to get pleasure from throughout, or following the second.
The hike to the arch through Arch Rock Path is just about half a mile and is well-signed.
⭐️ Professional Tip: The solar is not going to enter the scene for about half-hour after the technical dawn time.
🧺 Breakfast: Picnic at White Tank Campground
Straight adjoining to Arch Rock is a captivating little campground with picnic tables and (very) fundamental services, do you have to require them. As you should have gotten an early begin, you’ll possible be famished and prepared for a pleasant picnic breakfast, and White Tank couldn’t be nearer.
The Joshua Timber will not be as plentiful on this part of the park as they’re within the Hidden Valley area. Nonetheless, you should have no hassle discovering loads of lovely scenes to level your cellphone or digicam at because the day begins to heat within the California desert.
Take your time and when you find yourself prepared, proceed only a quick means down the highway to one of many neatest and most original areas of the park.
🌵 After Breakfast: Cholla Cactus Backyard
It’s price noting that the Cholla Cactus Backyard would even be an incredible choice for dawn or sundown, however I like to recommend saving this one for after breakfast when the solar has risen sufficient to shine by the yellow “fur” of the colloquially “Teddy Bear Cactus”.
Joshua Tree NP straddles the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. In a panorama stuffed with cacti, cholla is among the many rarest and most photogenic species. Nowhere else will you encounter a backyard of them as you do within the park!
No hike is required to get to the Cholla Cactus Backyard. Due to this, you’ll be able to anticipate to share it with loads of others, however making it amongst your first stops will restrict the crowds and make parking simpler.
💀 Subsequent: Cranium Rock
Your subsequent cease might be a fast take a look at the aptly-named Cranium Rock, It isn’t troublesome to see the place it will get its identify!
As neat as it’s, this characteristic is among the hottest for Instagrammers and appears to be one thing of a “Joshua Tree Bingo” merchandise the place everybody has to get a photograph of them with it. In different phrases, anticipate it to be crowded!
On a private notice, I discovered Cranium Rock neat sufficient however in a land filled with intriguing shapes and textures, this one felt barely overrated (although nonetheless well worth the cease)!
🪨 Subsequent: Jumbo Rocks Campground
Jumbo Rocks is the most well-liked campground within the park. Should you determine on an in a single day go to quite than a day journey to Joshua Tree, this might be considered one of your finest choices for tenting.
Even on a someday go to, it’s price popping by to take a fast stroll by the jungle of big rocks.
Whereas a lot of Joshua Tree is roofed in these uncommon stone formations, Jumbo Rocks is residence to the most important, most bulbous of them.
As a result of there are picnic tables and restrooms, you might want to have lunch right here quite than at Dwell Oak (subsequent).
⭐️ Professional tip: You’ll want to use the restrooms right here as this is among the few locations within the park that has them!
🧺 Lunch: Dwell Oak Picnic Space
After a (hopefully) straightforward morning of leisurely strolls and loads of picture-taking, you’ll possible be able to chill out and revel in one other picnic.
Whereas shade is troublesome to come back by in Joshua Tree, Dwell Oak Picnic space a minimum of supplies some tables to take a seat at with good views. There are additionally BBQ pits out there, however no bathrooms, sadly.
Should you want, you’ll be able to take your lunch early at Jumbo Rocks or re-arrange the order of issues a bit so that you’ve got entry to restrooms and tables.
🧟♀️ After Lunch: Corridor of Horrors Loop
The Corridor of Horrors is a simple loop path that leads you out and in of extra juxtaposed Joshua bushes and boulders.
Personally, I believe I loved the view from the beginning of the path most, but it surely’s a simple sufficient stroll and, in spite of everything, you’re right here for the character!
In case you are beginning to suppose all of those trails look alike, you’re proper! There are some areas in probably the most distant areas of the park that provide distinctive biodiversity, such because the Oasis of Mara, however these are too remoted to be a part of a someday Joshua Tree itinerary.
🧢 Subsequent: Cap Rock
See that one balanced rock on the prime of the pile? That’s Cap Rock, and regardless of the complete park being filled with haphazardly stacked rocks, this one has turn into a vacationer favourite.
It’s considerably humorous that every one it takes to show a pile of rocks right into a noteworthy vacation spot is to place an indication in entrance of it, however that seems to be the case.
Be happy to skip this one in case you are burned out on rock piles and Joshua bushes, however it’s only a fast cease anyway!
🗝 Subsequent: Keys View
And now for one thing very completely different!
Key’s View supplies an incredible panoramic view of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. It’s situated about 6 miles up a comparatively steep highway from Cap Rock.
What’s nice about this viewpoint is that it modifications your total perspective on the panorama. The identical earth that appears considerably devoid of shade from the bottom seems nearly rainbow-like from larger up!
A few of you might want to spend sundown right here as it is going to present the very best view of the particular descent of the solar. Nonetheless, I like to recommend heading to Hidden Valley for that to seize a number of the iconic silhouetted Joshua tree pictures.
In case you are a type of those who prefers the upper vista for sundown, you should definitely a minimum of stroll round Hidden Valley FIRST. That’s by far the very best a part of Joshua Tree NP and is a vital cease in your itinerary.
☀️ Sundown: Hidden Valley
The perfect time to take photos in Joshua Tree is at sundown, and the very best place for sundown is Hidden Valley. That is why your someday in Joshua Tree itinerary ends with a ravishing sundown photoshoot on this magical place.
Hidden Valley is the place you will see that the densest assortment of the long-lasting bushes and cacti for which the park is understood. Additionally it is residence to some most weird, otherworldly rock formations you will see that.
Because the solar sinks decrease towards the horizon, sit again and watch the valley rework because it absorbs and displays the golden tones.
If you take a look at the map of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, you will see that Hidden Valley Campground, Hidden Valley Nature Path, and Hidden Valley Picnic Space. To be trustworthy, it doesn’t matter which you select to park at as the complete area is equally photogenic.
California is understood for having spectacular sunsets on the whole, and offering the unmistakable form and visible curiosity of a silhouetted Joshua Tree within the foreground makes for an thrilling body you’ll be thrilled to look again on for years to come back.
🌌 Night time Choice: Joshua Tree NP After Darkish
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park has turn into well-known for its darkish evening skies, and deservedly so! It is among the few locations in Southern California the place you’ll be able to see the Milky Approach with the bare eye, in addition to infinite stars.
In case your day journey to Joshua Tree itinerary lets you drive again late, think about staying an hour or two after sundown to benefit from the spectacular starry skies!
As for the place to go in your stargazing journey, wherever away from parking heaps and synthetic mild sources might be high quality!
With that stated, Arch Rock is the very best place for stargazing and Milky Approach images in Joshua Tree.
🚻 Providers in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Bear in mind that companies are extraordinarily restricted in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park! It would be best to put together very rigorously to make sure you carry sufficient meals, water, fuel, and provides to spend the complete day within the park or you’ll find yourself having to chop your itinerary quick.
Learn every part rigorously and plan accordingly.
Bogs in Joshua Tree
There are technically three Joshua Tree customer facilities that are the one locations with flushing bathrooms in the complete park, and they’re all on the outskirts! These embody Oasis Customer Middle, Black Rock Customer Middle, and Cottonwood Customer Middle.
Vault bathrooms can be found solely on the campgrounds.
This itinerary has included loads of stops at campgrounds the place you can also make use of the services.
Meals & Water in Joshua Tree
There is no such thing as a meals wherever to be present in Joshua Tree nationwide park. Subsequently, you will have to carry your personal meals for picnic-style meals.
Water can also be fairly scarce inside the park. Deliver far more than you suppose you’ll want and spotlight your itinerary with the next places the place you’ll be able to refill if want be.
The one water filling stations in Joshua Tree NP are:
- Oasis Customer Middle in Twentynine Palms
- West Entrance Station
- Black Rock Campground
- Cottonwood Campground
- Indian Cove Ranger Station
🎟 Joshua Tree Day Journey Excursions
Whereas this information is designed for a self-drive itinerary, we admire that this isn’t the best choice for everybody. For these of you that want to take a day tour to Joshua Tree, beneath you’ll discover a number of the top-rated excursions.
If you need a extra in-depth expertise however nonetheless want a self-guided day journey, then you might get pleasure from this Self-Driving Audio Tour.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Driving Tour: 5/5 ⭐️
Beginning in Palm Desert, your knowledgeable information will train you extra in regards to the space’s flora, fauna, geology, and settlement historical past on this 4.5-hour driving tour of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Offroad Tour: 5/5 ⭐️
Discover extra distant areas of the park on this 5-hour family-friendly 4×4 offroad tour. The exhilarating journey will take you alongside rugged mountainside roads into the Coachella Valley and Mojave Desert.
Full Day Tour to Joshua Tree and Richard Nixon Presidential Library from LA: 5/5 ⭐️
This full-day tour will take you from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park and the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. You should have roughly 3 hours to discover Joshua Tree and an hour to browse the museum earlier than returning to LA.
Joshua Tree Non-public, Customized Journey w/ Professional Images from Las Vegas: 5/5 ⭐️
See Joshua Tree Nationwide Park precisely the way you need on this non-public, customizable tour. Select between hikes together with your information’s assist, go bouldering, and revel in a complimentary lunch at your chosen spot. What’s extra, you’ll be able to put down your cellphone as skilled images is offered, too.
🛏 The place to Keep Close to Joshua Tree NP
🏕 Tenting
The one choice for staying inside Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is tenting. Should you’d wish to camp inside the park then I’d advocate both Hidden Valley Campground or Jumbo Rocks.
Each of those websites are centrally situated and provide spectacular surroundings. If tent tenting isn’t your factor, think about renting a campervan or RV and nonetheless staying inside one of many park’s campsites.
Reservations are required for Jumbo Rockts, making it ideally suited for many who wish to plan upfront.
Conversely, Hidden Valley Campground is just out there on a first-come, first-serve foundation. It is a higher choice for last-minute planners however you’ll need to arrive early to safe your spot.
🏠 Lodging
Should you want a resort or cabin, then you will see that loads of lodging choices simply exterior of the park. I’d advocate on the lookout for lodging close to Joshua Tree city for the closest proximity to the park, permitting you to maximise your time there.
Beneath are a number of the top-rated choices:
The Full Moon, Joshua Tree: 9.7/10 ⭐️
This 2 bed room self-catered villa has a personal pool, a backyard, grill services, free WiFi, and free non-public parking, making it ideally suited for a household or small-group keep in Joshua Tree. Spa and wellness services together with a sauna and a sizzling tub are additionally out there throughout your keep.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree: 8.9/10 ⭐️
This boutique resort keep supplies a variety of Airstreams and suites to select from for a singular keep. They’ve an onsite restaurant and bar, in addition to a seasonal out of doors pool, fireplace pits, and free bikes to discover.
Fort Home Property: 8.5/10 ⭐️
Select from a glamping tent, container, or tower for a unusual keep in Joshua Tree. Facilities embody a solar terrace, a seasonal out of doors pool, free WiFi, and free non-public parking.
Vacation Inn Specific Lodge & Suites Twentynine Palms: 8.1/10 ⭐️
The Vacation Inn Specific is good for these on the lookout for a extra conventional, fundamental resort keep conveniently situated near the park.
🎒 Packing Checklist for A Joshua Tree Day Journey
Crucial factor to pack for a day journey to Joshua Tree is loads of meals and water, as each are scarce inside the park!
Past that, these things are additionally essential to think about in your go to.
America the Stunning Annual Cross
The annual nationwide park move prices $80 and supplies entry to all 63 nationwide parks within the US. Moreover, it grants admission to over 2000 federal recreation websites!
Discounted passes are provided to some teams, together with seniors, army personnel, and 4th graders. Verify the NPS web site for up-to-date info and to buy your move.
Solar safety
A lot of the nationwide park is uncovered and might be highly regarded in the summertime so guarantee you may have good safety from the solar. Deliver a sunhat, sun shades, and sunscreen at the least.
We use Stream 2 Sea sunscreen because it’s eco-friendly and most of their bottles are produced from sugarcane resin quite than plastic.
Mountaineering footwear
Whereas a lot of the finest locations on this Joshua Tree itinerary require solely a brief stroll, the desert setting might be unforgiving.
You’ll due to this fact need to make sure you pack some snug footwear. Closed-toe, sturdy climbing footwear are higher than climbing sandals. It will assist to cut back the chance of damage to your toes within the desert.
Reusable Water Bottle
We don’t journey wherever and not using a reusable water bottle. Remaining hydrated is much more essential within the desert.
Deliver your personal bottle to forestall losing single-use plastic bottles! You’ll want to carry loads of water with you as potable water is accessible at just a few places close to the sides of the park.
Transportable Powerpack
It’s possible you’ll be utilizing your cellphone to navigate, take photographs, and extra! Deliver a energy pack with you to maintain your cellphone charged on the go.
Backpack
You’ll need a backpack that’s snug and durable to hold round throughout the day. We use the GoGroove digicam backpack or Lowepro Fastpack as in addition they present straightforward aspect entry to our cameras whereas out and about.
Mini First Assist Package
When out climbing, we at all times have a mini first assist package in our bag simply in case. You by no means know when it might turn out to be useful, significantly in a desert setting.
🙋♀️ FAQs A couple of Day journey to Joshua Tree Itinerary
Beneath are solutions to probably the most generally requested questions for someday visits to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
Are you able to do Joshua Tree in a day?
The drive from Joshua Tree NP west entrance to south entrance is just one hour (45 miles) and is well carried out in a day. One of the best ways to see the park on a day journey is to skip the distant Cottonwood Springs part and observe this itinerary as an alternative:
- Dawn at Arch Rock
- Breakfast at White Tank Campground
- Brief walks at Cholla Cactus Backyard, Cranium Rock, Jumbo Rocks
- Lunch at Dwell Oak Picnic Space
- Brief walks at Corridor of Horrors, Cap Rock
- Drive to Key’s Viewpoint overlook
- Sundown at Hidden Valley
- Stargaze – time allowing
How a lot time do you want for Joshua Tree NP?
In the future is all you will have to see all the main sights in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, together with time for brief walks. Just one hour is required to drive by the complete park with out stops from the Oasis Customer Middle to the south entrance close to Cottonwood Springs.
The primary highway in Joshua Tree is Pinto Basin Highway.
What are you able to do in Joshua Tree with solely someday?
In the future in Joshua Tree is sufficient to see nearly the complete park, together with just a few quick hikes! Most guests ought to skip the distant Cottonwood Springs (southern) part and observe this itinerary to see all the things else:
- Dawn at Arch Rock
- Breakfast at White Tank Campground
- Brief walks at Cholla Cactus Backyard, Cranium Rock, Jumbo Rocks
- Lunch at Dwell Oak Picnic Space
- Brief walks at Corridor of Horrors, Cap Rock
- Drive to Key’s Viewpoint overlook
- Sundown at Hidden Valley
- Stargaze – time allowing
Are you able to do a day journey to Joshua Tree from LA?
Day journeys from LA to Joshua Tree NP are very talked-about for an escape from the town into nature. An early begin is required to keep away from visitors and permit ample time, and the drive sometimes takes about 2 – 2.5 hours from the town to the Oasis entrance of Joshua Tree.
A number of tour firms additionally present full-day excursions to Joshua Tree from LA. You’ll be able to browse Joshua tree excursions right here.
Are you able to drive by Joshua Tree at no cost?
You can not drive by Joshua Tree Nationwide Park with out paying the entry price or having an NPS parks move, even in the event you solely plan on commuting. As of 2023, the entry price for a 7 day car move (the most cost effective out there) is $30.
You probably have an annual nationwide park move then entry to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park might be included.
What’s there to do in Joshua Tree moreover climbing?
You’ll be able to really discover a lot of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park with out climbing. Lots of the finest vistas might be seen proper from the parking zone, together with the favored spots of Hidden Valley, Key’s View, and Jumbo Rocks, to call just a few.
Joshua Tree NP is among the finest parks to discover even for individuals with restricted mobility.
🏞 Extra Guides for California & Close by Locations
The 2 of us work very laborious to create these free journey guides that can assist you plan your dream trip. Should you suppose we’ve carried out job and want to say thanks, please think about clicking the donate button beneath 🙂
Did you discover this information helpful in planning your day journey itinerary to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park?
If that’s the case, you may additionally get pleasure from a few of our different journey guides to close by locations!
For these all in favour of images, you might discover our Studying Images guides useful too. We cowl a number of completely different matters, from fundamentals to superior.
Lastly, be happy to browse our Joshua Tree images gallery for prints and inspiration!
💬 One Day Joshua Tree Itinerary Closing Ideas
The 2 of us work very laborious to create these free journey guides that can assist you plan your dream trip. Should you suppose we’ve carried out job and want to say thanks, please think about clicking the donate button beneath 🙂
We really hope you may have discovered this information useful in planning your day journey to Joshua Tree. Past that, we might genuinely love to listen to from you earlier than and/or after your go to!
Was there something we would have liked to replace in our information? Data you felt was inaccurate or lacking? Conversely, did we achieve inspiring and bettering your first go to to the park?!
Assist us assist future readers by sharing your ideas within the feedback beneath!
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