Joshua Tree National Park Guide: Best Hikes, Where to Stay & Essential Tips

If you’re looking for an accessible California national park with incredible hiking, unique desert landscapes, and endless opportunities for adventure, Joshua Tree National Park should be at the top of your list. Located just two hours from Los Angeles, this desert wonderland is perfect for everyone from casual hikers to serious rock climbers.

We spent several days exploring Joshua Tree in December, and honestly, it exceeded our expectations. The park is surprisingly well-developed with clear signage, maintained trails, and facilities that make visiting easy even for first-timers. Plus, the surrounding towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree have everything you need from comfortable accommodations to great restaurants and well-stocked grocery stores.

Whether you’re planning a quick day trip from LA or a multi-day adventure, this guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Joshua Tree National Park, including the best hikes, where to stay, what to bring, and insider tips we learned along the way.

Before You Go: Book Your Accommodations

Joshua Tree gets busy, especially during the cooler months (October-April) when hiking conditions are ideal. Browse hotels and vacation rentals near Joshua Tree National Park on Booking.com to secure your spot, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or holiday.

We highly recommend staying somewhere between Yucca Valley and the town of Joshua Tree. This puts you close to the park entrance, restaurants, and shops while still being far enough out to see incredible stars at night.

What Makes Joshua Tree National Park Special

For hikers, rock climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts, Joshua Tree holds special appeal. The park is filled with the unique Joshua Trees (actually a type of yucca plant) that grow only in this specific area where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. These distinctive, Dr. Seuss-looking trees create a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world.

The hiking trails range from quick 0.25-mile nature walks to multi-day backpacking adventures. With 9 campgrounds, 523 campsites, 10 picnic areas, 32 trailheads, and 191 miles of hiking trails, Joshua Tree is incredibly well-developed for visitors of all experience levels.

Rock Climbing Paradise

Beyond hiking, Joshua Tree is a mecca for rock climbers, especially those into bouldering and traditional (trad) climbing. The area is known for rock climbing purists who prefer leaving no trace, so if you see bolts in the rock, they might not be safety-checked, and some may even be cut. If you’re a climber, stick to bouldering or bring your trad gear.

If you’re new to climbing or want a guided experience, book a rock climbing tour through GetYourGuide. The local guides know the best routes and can provide all the gear you need.

Park Entrances and Visitor Information

Joshua Tree has three entrance stations and one main visitor center. 

Joshua Tree Visitor Center: Located in the town of Joshua Tree, open 7:30am-5pm daily. This is a great stop before entering the park for maps, clean bathrooms, adorable merchandise, and to purchase your entrance pass. The rangers here are super helpful with trail recommendations based on your fitness level and interests.

Entrance Pass: $30 for a 7-day pass, or get the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80 if you’re planning to visit multiple national parks within a year. You can buy passes at the visitor center or any entrance station.

Which Entrance Should You Use?

West Entrance Station: We recommend entering here, especially for first-time visitors. It’s just down the road from the visitor center, open 24 hours, and puts you closest to the iconic Joshua Trees and most of the popular, easy hikes. This is the most convenient entrance for a day trip.

North Entrance Station: This side of the park is more deserted with fewer Joshua Trees, but it’s less crowded if you want more solitude. We actually exited through this gate after driving through the park, and the different terrain was interesting to see.

Cottonwood Entrance Station: Located on the south side, this entrance is very quiet. It’s worth driving down here if you have time. There are some excellent hikes in this area, and the terrain is completely different from the northern sections of the park.

Weather and What to Bring

Weather is a huge consideration when visiting Joshua Tree. We came in mid-December and it was still scorching hot during the day for hiking. However, the nights were absolutely freezing (we’re talking 30s-40s Fahrenheit), so layers are essential. But during the day in direct sunlight we were roasting as there is minimal to no shade around. 

Summer is even more intense. The park has signs everywhere warning against hiking from 11am-4pm during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are real dangers here.

Essential Items to Bring:

• Lots of water (way more than you think – at least 1 liter per hour of hiking)
• Sunscreen and reapply frequently
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Layered clothing (you’ll strip layers during the day, pile them back on at sunset)
• Sturdy hiking shoes (the terrain is rocky)
• Hand sanitizer (bathrooms don’t have hand washing)
• Snacks and lunch (no food services inside the park)
• Offline maps (cell service is spotty – download maps.me or Google Maps offline)
• Headlamp or flashlight (if you’re hiking near sunrise/sunset)

Where to Stay Near Joshua Tree National Park

You have several great accommodation options depending on your style and budget:

Camping in the Park

Joshua Tree has 9 campgrounds with over 500 campsites. You can pitch a tent, bring a pop-up trailer, or pull up in an RV. Some campgrounds are first-come, first-served, while others require reservations through Recreation.gov. Book camping spots well in advance, especially for weekends and holidays.

Hotels and Vacation Rentals

We opted for a house between Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree town, and it was perfect. We loved having the comforts of a house (real beds, a kitchen to cook breakfast, warm showers after dusty hikes) while still being close enough to the park and far enough from light pollution to see incredible stars at night.

Browse vacation rentals and hotels on Booking.com and filter by location to find places between Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree. This sweet spot gives you easy access to the park, restaurants, and grocery stores without being too isolated.

Pro tip: We looked at hotels in Twentynine Palms and we’re glad we didn’t stay there. The drive to the park entrance took way longer than expected and added unnecessary time to each day.

The Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

These hikes are organized in order as you’d encounter them driving from the West Entrance Station through the park. All distances are round-trip unless noted.

Hidden Valley Nature Trail – 1 Mile Loop

Start with this trail. It’s the perfect introduction to Joshua Tree. The 1-mile loop takes you through a valley surrounded by massive round boulders with incredible plant diversity. The path is well-marked with informational signs explaining the desert ecosystem, plants, and animals.

This trail is super scenic, so budget extra time for photos. It’s also relatively flat and accessible for most fitness levels, making it great for families or anyone just starting their Joshua Tree adventure.

Barker Dam Trail – 1.3 Miles Loop

Park at the Barker Dam Trailhead for a 1.3-mile loop or for more of a challenge, park at Echo T Trailhead and combine both trails for 1.7 miles total.

The Echo T section takes you through a flat valley with unique desert scenery, while Barker Dam is a historic cattleman’s dam that creates a small lake (when there’s water). The dam area is beautiful and has an interesting history as it was built by early ranchers to water their cattle.

There’s just a small, very accessible rock scramble section near the dam, so this hike works for most people. We loved seeing the contrast between the open valley and the water feature.

Cap Rock Nature Trail – 0.4 Miles

This super short loop is perfect for a quick stretch or if you’re hiking with young kids or less mobile family members. The trailhead has picnic tables and a bathroom (always a bonus).

The walk takes you around massive boulders on a mostly flat path of small pebbles. It’s gentle and beautiful, showcasing the unique rock formations Joshua Tree is famous for. Definitely worth the 15-minute stop.

Keys View – Drive to a viewpoint

Do not miss this viewpoint! Drive about 5 miles up the road past Cap Rock, and you’ll reach one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the park.

From Keys View, you can see the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs in the distance, and even the San Andreas Fault line. There’s a short, uphill path from the parking lot to the viewpoint, but it’s absolutely worth it.

This is especially stunning at sunset when the light hits the valley below. Pro tip: Bring a jacket as it gets windy and cold up here even when it’s hot elsewhere in the park.

Skull Rock Trail – 1.7 Miles Loop

Skull Rock itself is visible right from the road as the round, bubbly rock has eroded to vaguely resemble a huge skull. This spot gets busy because there’s no dedicated parking lot, just cars lining both sides of the road.

You can either stop for a quick photo from the road, or do the full 1.7-mile loop starting from Jumbo Rocks Campground. We enjoyed hiking the loop because it has more elevation changes and takes you through terrain that’s different from other parts of the park. It gives you a better sense of the landscape beyond just the roadside attraction.

Arch Rock Nature Trail – 0.5 Miles

Park in the parking lot on one side of the road, then follow the trail across to the other side. This gentle hike rewards you with two cool rock formations: Arch Rock and Heart Rock.

It’s relatively easy and family-friendly, making it another great option if you want to see interesting geology without a strenuous hike.

Cholla Cactus Garden – 0.25 Miles

This isn’t really about the hiking, it’s about the experience. The 0.25-mile loop takes you through a dense concentration of cholla cactus that seems to go on forever. It feels like you’re walking through a glowing sea of cactus, especially during golden hour when the backlit spines create an ethereal effect.

The path is newly updated and really nice to walk on. Just be warned: there is NOT a bathroom here, so plan accordingly. Also, watch out for loose cholla segments on the ground as they’re called “jumping cholla” because they seem to jump onto you if you get too close. Keep your distance!

Cottonwood Spring Area

Down on the southern end of the park, Cottonwood Spring offers some excellent hiking options. You can do the Mastodon Peak loop (3 miles) or continue on the out-and-back trail to Lost Palms Oasis (7.5 miles total).

We didn’t have time to complete the Lost Palms Oasis trail, but we heard it’s spectacular and a challenging hike that rewards you with a genuine desert oasis filled with large palms. If you have the time and energy, this is supposed to be one of the best hikes in the park.

Longer and More Challenging Hikes

If you’re looking for serious hiking adventures, Joshua Tree has plenty of longer trails. Just be prepared as many are one-way trails where you’ll either need to arrange a car shuttle or turn around and hike back the way you came, potentially doubling your mileage.

Check at the visitor center for current trail conditions and recommendations based on your experience level. Rangers can help you plan multi-day backpacking trips if that’s your goal.

Things to Do Outside the Park

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail – 3 Miles

This excellent hike is technically outside the park boundaries but equally stunning. Drive up Canyon Road to the trailhead (there’s a bathroom at the parking lot, always appreciated).

The trail takes you up, over, and down a mountain with legitimate elevation gain, so it feels like a real workout. Your reward is reaching a genuine desert oasis filled with massive palm trees. The contrast between harsh desert and lush oasis is really incredible to experience in person.

Hi-View Trail at Black Rock Canyon – 1.3 Miles

Located in Black Rock Canyon Campground (also outside the main park), this short hike packs in significant elevation with stunning panoramic views, especially beautiful at sunset.

It’s a good option if you want a challenging workout without committing to a super long hike. The views from the top make every uphill step worth it.

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum

If you’re done with hiking or need a rest day, check out this unique outdoor art installation about 10 minutes north of Joshua Tree town. This open-air museum is completely free to explore.

Artist Noah Purifoy created incredible sculptures and art pieces using everyday found objects and junk. The installations sprawl across a large desert plot, and you can wander through at your own pace. It’s weird, thought-provoking, and totally Instagram-worthy. Definitely a different kind of desert experience.

Hi-Desert Nature Museum

This small, free museum highlights the flora and fauna of the Joshua Tree region. It’s not open every day, so check their schedule before visiting. It’s a nice air-conditioned break from the heat and a good educational stop, especially if you’re visiting with kids who want to learn more about the desert ecosystem.

Planning Your Joshua Tree Visit

How Many Days Do You Need?

• For a solid introduction: 2 days is perfect for hitting the major highlights and popular hikes
• For comprehensive exploration: 3-4 days lets you tackle longer trails and really explore different areas
• For a day trip from LA: You can absolutely do Joshua Tree in one long day, though it’ll be rushed

Best Time to Visit

October through April offers the best hiking weather with cooler temperatures and occasional wildflower blooms in spring. We visited in December and while days were hot, nights were freezing, perfect stargazing weather though!

May through September is scorching hot. If you must visit in summer, hike very early in the morning or late evening, and avoid midday completely.

Getting There

• From Los Angeles: 2-3 hours depending on traffic (take I-10 East)
• From San Diego: 2.5-3 hours
• From Las Vegas: 3-4 hours
• From Phoenix: 4-5 hours

The drive from LA is straightforward and scenic once you leave the city traffic behind. Rent a car through Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deal.

What About Cell Service?

Cell service is extremely spotty throughout the park. Download offline maps before you arrive.  We use both maps.me and Google Maps offline mode. Don’t rely on cell service for navigation or emergencies.

Can You See Joshua Tree Without Hiking?

Yes! You can drive through the park and stop at all the viewpoints and short nature trails. The scenic drive itself is beautiful, and several major attractions (Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View) are accessible with minimal walking.

Final Thoughts

We absolutely cannot recommend Joshua Tree National Park enough. It’s one of the most accessible national parks we’ve visited, you get incredibly close to unique desert landscapes and wildlife, the scenery is stunning, and honestly, it’s just a phenomenal park.

The combination of well-maintained trails, clear signage, and proximity to civilization makes it perfect for both first-time national park visitors and experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re into casual nature walks, challenging day hikes, technical rock climbing, or just want to experience the surreal beauty of the desert, Joshua Tree delivers.

Don’t forget to look up at night as the dark skies here make for incredible stargazing. The Milky Way is visible on clear nights, and we’ve never seen so many stars. It’s the perfect way to end a day of desert adventures.

Ready to plan your Joshua Tree adventure? Start by booking your accommodation on Booking.com, then browse guided tours and activities on GetYourGuide to make the most of your visit. 

Have you been to Joshua Tree? What were your favorite hikes? Drop your recommendations in the comments below. We’re already planning our next visit and would love to hear what we missed!