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.
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THREE DAYS. Length of stay really depends on how much exploring you want to do in the surrounding region. If Palm Springs, Salvation Mountain, Joshua Tree and Indian Canyon are all a part of the itinerary, I suggest a minimum four-night stay to give you three full days in the region.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Both Palm Springs and Palm Desert are 50 minutes away, so if you're looking for a longer weekend getaway, these would be good bases. However, you can easily visit Joshua Tree on a day trip from Los Angeles and San Diego as the drives are under 3 hours.
Joshua Tree truly exceeds all expectations. Not to mention, it's the perfect day trip from San Diego or Los Angeles at only 2-3 hours of driving time. One day is enough to see all the highlights of Joshua Tree National Park but it's very popular to camp here and stay a few days.
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.