Joshua Tree National Park is one of the nine amazing national parks found in California. The best hiking in Joshua Tree can be found on the California Riding and Hiking Trail.
Some of the park's unusual trees and plants are found nowhere else, and the otherworldly rock formations can bring thrills just by looking at them. There are monzogranite formations to hike on, and it is home to world-class rock climbing on large and steep faces.
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Where is Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree National Park is found in the middle of the desert in Southern California, USA. It is a long way from the beaches and amusement parks that California is known for.
The distance from Los Angeles is approximately 130 miles (208 kilometers), and the drive to the main entrance will take between 2 and 3 hours.
From Las Vegas, Nevada, it is 187 miles (300 kilometers) and takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive. It's only an hour away if you use Palm Springs, California, as a starting point.
What is a Joshua Tree?
The tree that bears the park's namesake, the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), is a member of the Agave family. The local Native Americans referred to the tree as "hunuvat chiy'a" or "humwichawa."
However, by the 1860s, Mormon immigrants had made their way across the Colorado River, settled the area, and renamed the plant Joshua Tree.
Several legends are associated with the origin of the name. The biblical warrior figure Joshua, who is said to have led the Israelites into the Promised Land, is the most likely inspiration.
Typical Weather
Although located in the southwest and considered a desert, the park's average elevation is just under 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) high. This classifies the area as a high desert, and temperature variations can be vast from one season to the next.
By contrast, nearby Death Valley National Park, known as one of the hottest places on earth, sits at or below sea level and is much hotter.
The hot time of year lasts about three months (June, July, and August). In July, the average daily high temperature is approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
Spring and Fall can be rather pleasant, and December through February can have cold days. However, the daily average high temperature for those months remains a lovely 66 degrees (19 C).
Joshua Tree National Park is relatively dry. The area lacks humidity and receives very little rainfall for approximately eight months of the year. Just a few inches of rain fall annually, but wild thunderstorms and, even more rarely, snowstorms can happen.
I have only visited Joshua Tree during the winter months, and it has been perfect weather for hiking and exploring.
Park Hours
Joshua Tree National Park is open continuously day and night every day of the year, including all holidays. There are three entrances to the park, and each has a visitor center with variable hours, typically from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The two north side entrances off Highway 62 are close to the main attractions in the park. The south entrance is a long drive to the most popular areas, but this is the best entrance if you are coming west on Interstate 10 from Phoenix, Arizona.
Joshua Tree at Night
Joshua Tree National Park is known for some of the darkest nights in Southern California. DarkSky International has named Joshua Tree an International Dark Sky Park. Many visitors get the chance to see the Milky Way galaxy for the first time in their lives.
Joshua Tree National Park is also home to the Annual Night Sky Festival. The Night Sky Festival typically takes place over several days each September. For information on the next festival, go to Sky's The Limit.
Camping
Joshua Tree, for many visitors, is all about camping under the stars. There are nine campgrounds spread around the park. The National Park Service advises that most campsites in the park fill up for most of the year, and making reservations well in advance is recommended.
Some of the sites are located near rock climbing areas, while others are situated in convenient spots near main roads where utilities have been installed.
You will find a diverse range of visitors in the campgrounds, from families in tents to retirees in motorhomes to van life travelers.
In addition to the campground inside the park, there are outside options. Several well-managed and pleasant campgrounds are spread out in the nearby communities.
The Bureau of Land Management provides dozens of free yellow post campsites outside the park. Visit BLM.gov and look for the Barstow Field Office.
Hotels Near the Park
There are no lodging facilities in Joshua Tree National Park. However, if you are not into roughing it in the desert, there are plenty of hotels and motels in the surrounding communities on Highway 62, which are a very short drive to the park entrance.
While you can always use your favorite online travel site, Hotels.com. A search for "Joshua Tree National Park North Entrance" will provide an excellent starting point. I have used the Best Western in Twentynine Palms several times, and it has always been a pleasant stay.
Hiking in Joshua
When you enter the park and pay the entrance fee, you will receive an excellent map that includes all the roads, attractions, and simple, short day hikes. Or, you can download one from the website.
My favorite hikes with kids and teenagers have been random walks from our parked car, where we scramble around and explore the rock jumbles. Not only is it a great playground, but the views of the park from some of these rock formations are spectacular.
Backpacking in Joshua Tree is usually done on the 35-mile-long California Riding and Hiking Trail, which travels the park's entire length from east to west.
Related: 10 Highest Peaks in Joshua Tree National Park
No advanced permits are required if you plan to backpack into Joshua Tree National Park. However, you must park your vehicle and register at one of 13 back-country reservation boards. This system allows park rangers to know that your abandoned vehicle does not need to be towed.
Climbing in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is renowned for its rock climbing opportunities. All the climbs are a single pitch, and the type of rock is unique. Joshua Tree offers climbers the rare chance to climb a rock next to their campsite.
According to the National Park Service, "Joshua Tree welcomes climbers from around the world. This high desert, monzogranite-climbing mecca is famous for its traditional-style crack, slab, and steep face climbing."
Rock climbers will find more than 8,000 routes and over 2,000 bouldering problems to challenge all ability levels. Joshua Tree National Park is a world-class climbing destination.
If you are new to climbing or need equipment during your visit, an excellent place to start is Cliffhanger Guides.
Whether you're planning to climb or seeking out the best hiking in Joshua Tree National Park, we hope this guide has been helpful.
