Joshua Tree National Park tips: best hikes, scenic spots and practical advice

Joshua Tree National Park tips for your visit: discover the best hikes, desert scenery and all the practical info you need to plan your trip.

What is Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park is one of California’s most fascinating desert landscapes. It is named after the iconic Joshua trees, which are actually a species of yucca plant.

The park covers nearly 800,000 acres and lies at the intersection of two very different desert ecosystems: the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. This creates a distinctive mix of landscapes and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else.

It is a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, stargazing and photography. Visitors from all over the world come here to experience the wide open spaces, dramatic rock formations and incredible night skies.

Whether you want to hit the trails, scramble over rocks or simply enjoy the silence of the desert, Joshua Tree National Park has something special to offer. It is a highlight on any road trip through the American Southwest.

I have visited Joshua Tree several times, both in the heat of summer and during spring wildflower season, and each time the park felt completely different. In this article I will share my best Joshua Tree National Park tips, favorite hiking trails and some of the most beautiful places to see.

Joshua Tree National Park tips: practical information for your visit

Planning a visit to Joshua Tree? These practical tips will help you prepare, from how to get there to entrance fees and visitor centers.

How to get to Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park has three main entrances: to the west near the town of Joshua Tree, to the north near Twentynine Palms and to the south near Indio. The park is easily reached from Los Angeles (west entrance), Las Vegas (north entrance) and San Diego (south entrance).

Entrance fees

The entrance fee is $30 per car (2025) and the ticket is valid for seven days. You can also buy the America the Beautiful Pass for $80, which gives you access to all U.S. national parks for a full year. If you are planning to visit more than a couple of parks, this pass quickly pays for itself. I always make sure to have one when I am road tripping through the Southwest.

Opening hours

The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Visitor Centers

There are four visitor centers, all located near an entrance. Here you can get maps and information, use the restrooms and refill your water bottle. Especially the latter is important, as there is no drinking water available inside the park.

• Joshua Tree Visitor Center (west entrance) – open daily 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cottonwood Visitor Center (south entrance) – open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Black Rock Nature Center (at Black Rock Campground) – open daily from October to May, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed 11 a.m. to noon). In summer open Friday through Monday only.
• Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center (Twentynine Palms) – open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note that fees and opening hours may change. Always check the official website before your visit for the most up to date information.

Best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park depends on what you would like to do during your trip. Each season offers a very different experience in the desert.

In general, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most pleasant seasons to visit. Daytime temperatures are milder, making it ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities.

In summer it can be extremely hot, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C). This makes hiking more challenging. However, if your main goal is stargazing, summer evenings can actually be a great time to come.

In winter (December to February) daytime temperatures are cooler and on rare occasions it may even snow. This can lead to temporary trail or road closures, although it is not very common.

I have visited Joshua Tree in both July and April. In July the landscapes were beautiful but the heat was intense. In April the conditions were perfect, and because it had been a relatively wet winter, the park was covered in colorful wildflowers, an unforgettable sight.

Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park

If you want to spend the night inside the park, the only option is camping. Prefer a hotel? Then you will need to stay just outside the park.

Camping

Camping is the best way to experience Joshua Tree. At night you can enjoy the incredible starry sky, and you can choose from sites for tents as well as RVs. The camping season runs best from September to May. Between June and August it is generally too hot to camp comfortably.

Some campgrounds can be reserved in advance, others are first come, first served. Fees are usually between $20 and $25 per night.

These are the main campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park:

• Black Rock Campground – west side of the park near Yucca Valley. Sites for tents and RVs.
• Cottonwood Campground – south side of the park. Sites for tents and RVs.
• Indian Cove Campground – north side of the park. A more primitive campground: bring your own water. Pit toilets only. Sites for tents and RVs.
• Jumbo Rocks Campground – centrally located among huge rock formations. Primitive campground with pit toilets. Sites for tents and RVs.
• Ryan Campground – the smallest campground, also in the middle of the park. No water available. Sites for tents and RVs.

On this page you will find more information about campsites in Joshua Tree National Park.

I camped at Jumbo Rocks and absolutely loved it. Waking up surrounded by massive boulders was unforgettable, for me it is one of the most beautiful campgrounds in Southwest USA.

Hotel

If you prefer a hotel, look for accommodation just outside the park. Convenient towns are Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

• AutoCamp Joshua Tree (Joshua Tree) – Looking for a special accommodation? This is a kind of luxury trailer park where you can sleep in very special camper vans, equipped with all conveniences.
• The Castle House Estate (Joshua Tree) is another special place to spend the night! You sleep in a watchtower, a container or a luxury tent. Unique accommodation in the desert.
• Miracle Springs Hotel & Spa 4⭐ (Desert Hot Springs) – A fine hotel with pool and spa. A wonderful place to relax after a day of hiking and exploring.

Check out Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.

Tip! If you’re looking for a little bit of luxury, Palm Springs is probably your best option. There are many great hotels in Palm Springs, most of them have a gorgeous pool.

Highlights Joshua Tree National Park

If you like nature and stay away from the crowds, Joshua Tree National is one of the best USA National Parks. It is often overlooked by tourists, but absolutely worth a visit. The park is quite large, so if you do not have much time, I recommend focusing on these highlights:

Take a tour of Park Boulevard

Park Boulevard runs from the west entrance to the north entrance. Without stops you can drive it in about an hour, but with photo stops and short hikes you will easily spend three to four hours.

I have driven this road several times and it is rarely crowded. It really gives you that desert road trip feeling, with endless views of Joshua trees and impressive rock formations.

Skull Rock

Along Park Boulevard you will find the most famous rock formation in Joshua Tree National Park: Skull Rock. It looks just like a giant skull, and it is definitely worth stopping to see.

Cholla Cactus Garden

The Cholla cactus looks almost fluffy from a distance, but in reality it is covered in sharp spines. The Cholla Cactus Garden is an impressive spot with hundreds of these cacti, and a short path lets you walk through the garden safely. Be very careful not to touch them. If you do, there is a first aid kit available at the parking lot.

Beautiful hiking trails

The best way to explore the park is on foot. There are more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) of hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park. These are my favorites:

Hidden Valley Trail

The Hidden Valley Trail is located in the western part of the park and is a short loop that takes less than an hour. For me, this is one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. It is easy, with very little elevation gain (just a few steps here and there), and along the way you will see cacti, Joshua trees and fascinating rock formations. If you only have time for one hike, make it this one.

Read more: Hidden Valley Trail: a beautiful hike in Joshua Tree National Park

• Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km)
• Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Difficulty: easy

Skull Rock & Discovery Trail

Another great option is the combination of the Skull Rock and Discovery Trail. The easiest way is to park at Jumbo Rocks Campground (even better if you are camping there!).

This hike also takes about an hour with minimal elevation gain. You will see fewer Joshua trees than on Hidden Valley Trail, but more unusual rock formations, cacti and of course Skull Rock itself.

• Distance: 2.4 miles (3.8 km)
• Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: easy

Mastodon Peak

The hike to Mastodon Peak begins at Cottonwood Springs in the southern part of Joshua Tree. This trail is longer and a bit more challenging than the previous two.

You will climb some steps and scramble to the top at the end. Be careful: I nearly stumbled over a rattlesnake here once.

From the summit you get a wonderful view of the park, with San Jacinto Peak rising behind Palm Springs. On a clear day you can even spot San Gorgonio Mountain further north.

• Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
• Duration: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

For more trails and detailed information, check the official website.

These were my Joshua Tree National Park tips. Do you have any questions or would you like to share your own experience? Feel free to leave a comment below.