Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite California national parks, but unfortunately it is a little underappreciated (especially when viewed next to the California national park giants like Yosemite and Sequoia).But it’s time for this to change, because there are so many hidden gems and fun things to do in Joshua Tree…from hiking, to bouldering, to stargazing, and much more! It’s located right near the Jumbo Rocks campground. Barker Dam Trail. Top Things to Do in Joshua Tree Town (for Weirdos, Culture Vultures and Extraterrestrials) You can do all of these artistic endeavors in one full day or two lazy days. The most popular things to do in Joshua Tree with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Hotels near (PSP) Palm Springs Municipal Airport, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Joshua Tree, Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Joshua Tree, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree National Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Joshua Tree Visitor Center: Tickets & Tours‎, Things to do near Joshua Tree Visitor Center, Things to do near The Castle House Estate, See all attractions in Joshua Tree on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in Joshua Tree on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in Joshua Tree on Tripadvisor. Fun to stop and watch the rock climbers. World Class Climbing & Bouldering Rock Climbing. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Driving through, it’s easy to marvel at the trees that look as if they came straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. This is considered a more moderate hike compared to the others mentioned in this guide. Cholla Cactus Garden. Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park, California: See Tripadvisor's 6,557 traveller reviews and photos of Joshua Tree National Park attractions. The Natural Sisters Cafe, Joshua Tree (Vegetarian & Brunch, $$) Crossroads Cafe, Joshua Tree (American, $$) La Copine, Yucca Valley (New American, $$) Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace (New American, $$) – open late and has live music. We have reviews of the best places to see in Joshua Tree National Park. The park is a wintering ground for white-crowned … Another simple hike for kids in Joshua Tree is the walk to Cholla Cactus Garden (Pinto Basin Road, Joshua Tree, CA). In Joshua Tree, Pie for the People makes delicious pies in all sizes and flavors, and they also sell by the slice for a quick grab-and-go. Make your way over to Key’s View -the highest point in Joshua Tree National Park – to check out the panoramic view of the surrounding area. The best outdoor activities in Joshua Tree National Park according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids? Joshua Tree National Park - What to Do When You Only Have One Day. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Spring is pretty neat when the Ocotillo bloom. The most popular things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree National Park Vacation Rentals, Joshua Tree National Park Vacation Packages, Restaurants near Joshua Tree National Park, Popular Joshua Tree National Park Categories, 5-stars Hotels in Joshua Tree National Park, 4-stars Hotels in Joshua Tree National Park, 3-stars Hotels in Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree National Park Pet Friendly Campgrounds, Hotels near (PSP) Palm Springs Municipal Airport, All things to do in Joshua Tree National Park, Commonly Searched For in Joshua Tree National Park, Nature & Parks in Joshua Tree National Park, Outdoor Activities in Joshua Tree National Park, Sights & Landmarks in Joshua Tree National Park, Tours & Activities in Joshua Tree National Park, Classes & Workshops in Joshua Tree National Park, Traveller Resources in Joshua Tree National Park, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Joshua Tree National Park, Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park, Horseback Riding Tours in Joshua Tree National Park, Scenic Drives in Joshua Tree National Park, Climbing Tours in Joshua Tree National Park, Historic Sites in Joshua Tree National Park, Monuments & Statues in Joshua Tree National Park, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Joshua Tree National Park, Visitor Centres in Joshua Tree National Park, Cottonwood Spring Oasis: Tickets & Tours‎, Twentynine Palms Oasis (Oasis of Mara): Tickets & Tours‎, See all attractions in Joshua Tree National Park on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in Joshua Tree National Park on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in Joshua Tree National Park on Tripadvisor. Joshua Tree National Park offers a fantastic outdoorsy experience, but leave some time in your itinerary for the town itself. Joshua Tree day trip itinerary Sunrise – Cholla Cactus Garden . Another relatively short hike you must do in Joshua Tree is the Barker Dam Nature Trail. Make sure to go camping or glamping if you plan on spending the night there to get the full experience! I love Joshua Tree. With an estimated 8,000 established routes and 2,000 bouldering problems, Joshua Tree is a premier destination for climbers. This garden is easy to walk through, no hiking is required. You can park on the side of the road and walk right up to it! The Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum is an oft-overlooked desert marvel. Just do it. The 1.5 hour Keys Ranch tour is the best kept secret in the park. Or, head out on foot or horseback to set up camp nearly anywhere; there are only a … more, Things to Do in Joshua Tree, CA - Joshua Tree Attractions. Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Joshua Tree, California from The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum to Desert View Conservation Area. It’s worth getting up early, as sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the best ways to start a day in any national park in the USA. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Joshua Tree’s creative, free-spirited attitude might be why high-profile artists come here, too. Spring is pretty neat when the Ocotillo bloom. Slide down the rabbit hole and explore these eight cool things to do in Joshua Tree, which feature offbeat art, UFOs and remnants of the American West. Cholla Cactus Garden. 10 Fun Things to do in Joshua Tree: 1. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Joshua Tree National Park, California on Tripadvisor: See 6,557 traveller reviews and photos of Joshua Tree National Park tourist attractions. Built in 1900 by cattle ranchers in the area to store water, Barker Dam was modified by prominent cattle rancher William F. Keys in 1949-50. Below is my Joshua Tree guide that includes things to do in Joshua Tree National Park as well as things to do in town and in the surrounding High Desert cities. Types of Things to Do in Joshua Tree Outdoor Activities (15) Tours (14) Shopping (6) Sights & Landmarks (5) Nature & Parks (4) Museums (3) Spas & Wellness (2) Classes & Workshops (2) Traveler Resources (1) Commonly Searched For in Joshua Tree While you can easily take in a lot of the major attractions Things To Do In Joshua Tree National Park. You can discover abandoned gold mines in the backcountry. Cactus wren in Joshua Tree NP Joshua Tree National Park's location, at the junction of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, combined with a few permanent waterholes, draws birds from far and wide. There are lots of informational signs along the way, so you and your young ones can learn about the plants as you go. What You Need to Know The nature trail that leads to Arch Rock is an easy 0.5-mile loop. Joshua Tree, California: Unusual, Unique and U2, too! With its unique rock formations and distinctive Joshua Trees inside the park and the quirky and kitsch town nearby, we loved exploring Joshua Tree with kids. Following the advice of the Park Rangers, we managed to see many of the unique features and attractions. There are a ton of cool things to do with kids in Joshua Tree ! You are here to enjoy nature and stargaze before you fall asleep. What are the top attractions to visit in Joshua Tree? I spent two days and nights in the area and had time for both the Joshua Tree artsy attractions as well as hiking and sightseeing in the park. But where do you begin? What are the top attractions to visit in Joshua Tree National Park? Lots of trails. Joshua Tree National Park has nine campsites available. Part of the Noah Purifoy sculpture garden. Hiding within a large boulder field, Arch Rock perfectly frames some of the most spectacular scenery in Joshua Tree. more, Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park, CA - Joshua Tree National Park Attractions. This insanely thorough guide will help you figure out what to do in Joshua Tree, including itinerary suggestions and planning tips. Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park, California: See Tripadvisor's 6,557 traveller reviews and photos of Joshua Tree National Park attractions. A popular place in Joshua Tree National Park (my last park recommendation!) is the Cholla Garden. It’s a flat loop, about 1.2 miles long. Summers are sweltering in Joshua Tree, but you will see the least amount of crowds.I visited the park as a quick Joshua Tree day trip on a weekend in Palm Springs, and it almost felt like we had the entire park to myself!. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I ride my motorcycle through there about a half dozen times a year. Explore unusual rock formations in the Hall of Horrors JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK: WHERE TWO DESERT MEET. Joshua Tree National Park offers a fantastic outdoorsy experience, but leave some time in your itinerary for the town itself. Lots of trails. One of the best things to do in Joshua Tree is to hunt out the many architectural wonders surrounding. Here, you can hike trails or climb rock boulders. Case in point: Joshua Tree National Park in California's Mojave and Colorado deserts (it straddles the two ecosystems) has had a lot of attention in recent years. Joshua Tree is the place where you do not need wifi & your phone. Just do it. With a magical desert landscape dotted with the namesake Joshua trees, cholla cactuses, and interesting rock formations, Joshua Tree is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and explorers. What to Do in Joshua Tree, California (Aside from the National We have reviews of the best places to see in Joshua Tree National Park. Noah Purifoy spent the last 15 years of his life constructing enormous junk sculptures across ten acres of desert. Miles of dirt and paved roads to explore. Arrive early, ideally at 8 AM, just as the visitor center is opening, so you can spend as much time in the park as possible before the crowds and hotter temperatures arrive. Keep reading to learn about some of the best activities in the park: We are excited to share this guest post from Fummins Family Road Trip on things to do in Joshua Tree National Park. There are so many great things to do in Joshua Tree for each type of visitor. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Despite what one can imagine of a desert, in Joshua Tree 831 species of plants, 40 families of reptiles, 41 types of mammals, and 240 species of birds, coexist in a wonderful environment. The top attractions to visit in Joshua Tree are: What are the best outdoor activities in Joshua Tree? The Keys family were the only ones to make a sustainable living in this unforgiving landscape (or rather…resilient garden). Take the Key’s Ranch Tour. Fun to stop and watch the rock climbers. Visiting this 30-foot granite arch is a fun adventure — especially for kids who like to do a little rock scrambling! Follow this itinerary to see the very best of Joshua Tree in one day: Joshua Tree Visitors Center. Joshua Tree is packed with great things to do and places to go. The cactus are really neat. Joshua Tree Guide. Our personal favorite pie is the Go Westo Ma Pesto, which is pesto pie topped with thinly sliced potato, Guinness caramelized onions, and … The cholla can look really awesome depending on the lighting. The top attractions to visit in Joshua Tree National Park are: What are the best outdoor activities in Joshua Tree National Park? Slide down the rabbit hole and explore these eight cool things to do in Joshua Tree, which feature offbeat art, UFOs and remnants of the American West. We spent half a day at the park, and discovered it was truly a special place that has a lot to offer. The Keys Ranch tour is one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree…but plan ahead. Joshua Tree National Park is a relatively new national park, only established in 1994. Joshua Tree National Park is easily one of the most diverse national parks in the country. Joshua Tree National Park, located just 2 hours east of Los Angeles, is a treasure trove of out of this world scenery, hiking and rock scrambling, making it an ideal destination for a family day trip or weekend escape. OK, starting with the obvious first – Joshua Tree National Park.Famous for its unique Joshua Trees, big boulders that draw in lots of climbers, desert camping, cute but pointy Cholla cacti and in general the ultimate California desert flair. Desert riding Biking. Here, you can hike trails or climb rock boulders. It’s one part nature, one part outer space, and some third indefinable part that seems to come from the dry desert air or the general hippy vibe. The best outdoor activities in Joshua Tree according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Joshua Tree with kids? The cholla can look really awesome depending on the lighting. Situated on the top of a huge desert plain, the Cholla Cactus Garden … I love Joshua Tree. 7. With a stunningly stark, bewitching beauty, it’s easy to fall under Joshua Tree’s spell. Before visiting the park, check out your options for entering. The most popular things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Hidden Valley. Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Joshua Tree, California from The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum to Desert View Conservation Area. I ride my motorcycle through there about a half dozen times a year. If you’ve only got one day in Joshua Tree National park, you’ll want to plan carefully, because there are plenty of awesome things to do there. Keys View. Exploring his work is one of the most interesting and unusual things to do in Joshua Tree, if you ask me! One of the most famous of these was the rock group U2, who found inspiration here for their Joshua Tree album when they took a road trip out here in the 80s. Ranking of the top 13 things to do in Joshua Tree National Park. Yes, it is hot AF and you will be sweating balls…and no, you will not do any hiking (we just drove through and made a few quick stops and then bounced). There are so many great things to do in Joshua Tree for each type of visitor.. It’s extremely beautiful at sunset and golden hour when the light filters through the trees. The cactus are really neat. https://calledtowander.com/one-day-in-joshua-tree-itinerary Keys View. Other short and easy hikes along the route include Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock and Gram Parsons Nature Trail, Hidden Valley Nature Trail and Negropolis Trail. The Basics Before You Visit Joshua Tree (+ Tips) Location: The main park entrance is located about 140 miles east of Los Angeles, 175 miles northeast of San Diego, 40 miles east of Palm Springs, and 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas.It’s about an hour drive each way for a day trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs, about 2.5 hours from Los Angeles, and almost 3 hours from San Diego and … Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Visitor Centers are open typically from 8:00 – 5:00 although some open at 8:30 a.m. Joshua Tree camping tips. You’ll find information on when to visit, where to eat, where to stay, and more that will help you plan the perfect Joshua Tree … Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Joshua Tree offers outstanding stargazing. Joshua Tree offer much for thrill seekers such as stargazing, rock climbing or solitude. 3. Seeing Skull Rock is definitely one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree! Planning a Joshua Tree day trip and wondering what to do and see? The Joshua Tree National Park is located at the intersection of two large American deserts: the Mojave and the Colorado. Whether you’re looking for a sense of peace, a strenuous adventure, an Old West–inspired getaway, or the best music this side of the Sonoran, Joshua Tree National Park and its surrounding area deliver plenty of delights. You can discover abandoned gold mines in the backcountry. The Marmol Radziner Desert House, located in Desert Hot Springs, is about 30 miles out from Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree is a magical place. Top SIX Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree is packed with great things to do and places to go. Before you enter the park, stop at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center in the actual town of Joshua Tree. Driving through, it’s easy to marvel at the trees that look as if they came straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. But where do you begin? Contemporary, minimal, deconstructed—the architectural landscape of the area is unlike any other place in the U.S. If you’re looking to do some rock climbing, Joshua Tree has more than 8,000 established climbing routes, from easy beginner scrambles to extreme vertical cracks, and camping options are plentiful with nine campgrounds. Travelers favorites include #1 Rock Climbing, #2 Stargazing and more. In addition to all of the driving tours to check out the native Joshua Trees, this park is packed with outdoor adventures such as: Hiking, biking, rock climbing, spectacular overlook views or star gazing in the dark desert night sky. BEST THINGS TO DO IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Giant boulder at Joshua Tree National Park. You hear that, and you believe it, but then you go there and you really feel it. The main event in Joshua Tree is the national park itself ($30 for a week’s pass), which straddles the Colorado and Mojave deserts and seems to cast a spell on anyone who enters. The trail to the cactus garden, a natural concentrated growth of human-sized cacti, is short and easy. Joshua Tree is an amazing national park with so much to offer! Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day all year long. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Joshua Tree National Park, California on Tripadvisor: See 6,557 traveller reviews and photos of Joshua Tree National Park tourist attractions. It’s a small grove of Cholla Trees, which are mini cacti that are about 5-6 feet tall. During the summer, many are first-come, first-serve and don’t require a reservation. From the best hikes, views, and more, here are all the things you must add to your one day in Joshua Tree itinerary! 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