Driving Park Boulevard can be a great way to see a lot of Joshua Tree National Park in a couple of hours. This drive can be combined with shorts side stops and hikes along the way for longer trips. Park Boulevard will take you by many highlights, rock formations, and Joshua tree groves.
Hypothermia can be a hazard even at temperatures above freezing. Always carry extra layers of clothing during the cooler months. The short days of winter lead some hikers to miscalculate how much time they need to complete a hike. Around the winter solstice, plan to be back at the trailhead by 4 pm.
With the increasing popularity of the area around Joshua Tree National Park — both for park visitors and for people who can choose where they'd like to work from home — the area has seen a spike in development and home prices.
If you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing, March, April and early May are some of the best months to visit Joshua Tree. The only downside: the crowds. If you visit mid-week the crowds aren't bad, but weekends can get busy, especially during school vacations and holidays like Easter weekend.
Avoid arriving at the park between 10 am and 2 pm and leave well before or after sunset to avoid crowds. Holidays and weekends are the busiest times to visit so consider adjusting your schedule for a more relaxed visit. Be mindful of where you stay and enter the park.
While touching a Joshua tree or posing leaning against it or hanging from it for that perfect Instagram photo may not technically be illegal, you don't want to risk damaging these unique and fragile plants. The best choice is to admire them without actually touching them.
Yes!Joshua Tree is one of the best national parks to see in only a day. In one day, you can see the highlights of Joshua Tree, including Cholla Cactus Garden, Ryan Mountain, and sunset at Keys View.
Joshua Tree actually has two main roads: Park Boulevard and Pinto Basin Road. Many tours, like the one Action Tour Guide offers, will bring you to both roads to make sure you see the diverse desert landscapes that the park offers. Driving these two roads without stopping will take you about 2 hours.
It costs $15 to enter Joshua Tree National Park on foot or by bicycle, or $30 per vehicle if you're driving into the national park. You can buy a pass on arrival at the park, but note that the West Entrance doesn't take cash payments.