Is it better to enter Joshua Tree from the north or south?
The Joshua Tree north entrance is a good option if you want to plan your day in Joshua Tree National Park as a loop. This is a great way to experience many of the park's main attractions without doing much back-tracking.
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Pro Tip:99% of visitors from Los Angeles use the Joshua Tree / West Entrance. I've seen lines over a mile long to get into the park on weekends (it's still a single lane road). Instead, travel about 15 miles East on Hwy 62 to the 29 Palms / North Entrance - There are typically no lines there.
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.
I think two full days is a good length to spend in Joshua Tree National Park. Any less and you won't be able to see the main attractions. With three days, you likely won't see much more, but you'll be able to be a bit more leisurely.
Experiencing Joshua Tree National Park in one day is definitely possible with the right itinerary. You may not get to cover all it has to offer, but you'll still be able to enjoy its beauty. If you have only one day in Joshua Tree, here's what I recommend: Sunrise in Cholla Cactus Garden.
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.
Hidden Valley: If you only visit one place in Joshua Tree National Park, make sure you make that place Hidden Valley. Hidden Valley is a gorgeous valley surrounded by rocks of all sizes and loads of Joshua Trees. It makes a great picnic spot or an area to wander, snap pics and climb on boulders.
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.
One of the most popular Joshua Tree day hikes, Barker Dam is a historic dam built by early cattle ranches and one of the only places you can see natural water in the park. BARKER DAM TRAIL, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA.
Joshua Tree is only about an hour outside of Palm Springs, and is more than worth the trip. We recommend starting at the West entrance into the park, and continuing through the South entrance, before heading back to Palm Springs.
Weekdays experience far fewer visitors in the park but more town stores may be closed. If viewing desert wildflowers and hiking in solitude are high on your list, then visiting Joshua Tree during the middle of the week is your best bet.
No advance reservations are needed to enter Joshua Tree National Park. Reservations are required for ranger-led tours of Keys Ranch. Reservations can be made on recreation.gov. Some campgrounds are first come, first served, whereas others require reservations during the peak season.