Recently updated on April 25th, 2024 at 10:24 am
Named after the peculiar twisted Joshua Trees, this national park is one of America’s greatest natural playgrounds, where two desert ecosystems collide. From hiking some of the country’s most scenic trails and seeing the unique flora and fauna, to exploring unique desert museums and seeing the spectacular sunsets and starry night skies, here are 11 reasons why Joshua Tree National Park should go straight to the top of your bucket list.
What is special about Joshua Tree National Park?
1. The diverse landscapes
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Joshua Tree National Park is made up of two distinct desert ecosystems spanning across 3,000 kilometres. The lower Colorado Desert is set at 3,000-feet below sea level and is filled with creosote bushes, while the higher Mojave Desert is where you’ll find the iconic Joshua Trees. These gnarly trees are a type of Yucca and were named by Mormons in the 1850s who saw the twisted branches as the arms of Joshua pointing towards the promised lands.
You’ll find even more weird and wonderful plants in the national park, including the ocotillo cactus and the Cholla Cactus Garden, where a collection of cholla cactus spreads as far as the eye can see. There’s a short trail that lets you explore the stunning garden but don’t get too close as they’re nicknamed the ‘jumping cactus’ for a reason and you don’t want them sticking to you!
When you travel to Joshua Tree National Park with Trafalgar, you’ll meet with a local park ranger who will share the history and local insights into the park, before taking some time on your own to explore the trails
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2. The wonderful wildlife
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The spectacular landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park are also filled with all kinds of unique wildlife. During the day, you can spot lizards and birds like the roadrunner who uses his speed and wit to outmanoeuvre the Wile E. Coyote! In the evening, you can spot lynx, jackrabbits and bighorn sheep, and keep a lookout for scorpions, snakes, coyotes, tarantulas and kangaroo rats!
Joshua Tree is also renowned for its commitment to environmental conservation and preservation of its fragile ecosystems. Initiatives include restoration projects to rehabilitate areas damaged by human activity and invasive species management to protect native biodiversity. The park also offers educational programs to teach visitors about desert conservation and the importance of protecting such unique environments.
3. The glorious sunrise and sunset
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Exploring the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree is an incredible experience by day, but it gets even more spectacular in the morning and evening. The sunrises and sunsets here are unmatched, illuminating the desert in all shades of red, pink, blue and purple. It’s the perfect time to capture the spiky silhouettes of the Joshua Trees against the mesmerising skies.
One of the best spots to see the sunset is from Key’s View, a viewpoint on top of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Standing at over 1.5 kilometres above sea level, you’ll look out over the Coachella Valley, Salton Sea and down into Palm Springs, and watch as the sun sets right behind the mountain. Best of all, you can drive up to the viewpoint and the short trail is wheelchair-accessible, so everyone can take in the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park.
Another great sunset or sunrise viewing spot is Cholla Cactus Garden. Head there at golden hour to see the light passing through the rows of needles to create a breathtaking desert glow.
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4. The amazing rock formations
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This national park is famed for its incredible rock formations. One of the most famous is Arch Rock, which can be found at the end of a short 800-metre trail, located in the White Tank Campground. Other popular rock formations include Skull Rock, Penguin Rock, Heart Rock and Cap Rock, and you’re sure to get some great photos at all of these unique spots.
If you’re looking for something off the beaten track, ask your local guide for directions to Samuelson Rocks. There is no official trail here, but once you get there, you’ll find a small hill with seven rocks covered in quotes written in the 1920s by John Samuelson, a Swedish immigrant. Some of the quotes are pretty funny and you’ll have a great time exploring this area.
Joshua Tree National Park is also home to the famous San Andreas Fault, where the North American and Pacific tectonic plates meet. It’s a fascinating spot for geology enthusiasts, along with the numerous mines scattered through the area. Remnants of the gold rush area, these mines are no longer in operation but they provide a glimpse into the life and conditions of the early miners.
5. The wide open roads
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We just love hitting the remote desert roads of Joshua Tree National Park. As you head further into the park, it’s not unusual to go for hours without seeing anyone else. There are plenty of amazing views along the way so grab a map from the visitor centre to see all the best places to stop. Then put on your favourite road trip playlist and get out there on the drive of your life!
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What do you do in Joshua Tree National Park?
6. Scenic hiking
Joshua Tree has some of the best hikes in the USA, so be sure to bring your walking shoes! There are trails for all skill levels, from kid-friendly walks to more challenging trails for experienced hikers.
Ryan Mountain is one of the most popular hikes, set right in the park’s centre with a stunning 360-degree view from the peak. It’s a short, but incredibly steep hike, so take it slow. Once you reach the top, you’ll have incredible views over the rock formations and Joshua Trees dotting the park below.
A great shorter hike is Hidden Valley, a 1.5-mile loop trail through a valley surrounded almost entirely by massive boulders. Another short, popular trail is Barker Dam. It’s one of the only trails where you can see Joshua Trees, rock formations, and a water source, as it takes you to a historic dam from the early 1900s. If you go in the spring, the dam will be filled with water and you can see the gorgeous reflections of the rocks.
Here are some of our other favorite hikes in Joshua Tree:
Arch Rock Nature Trail: Located within the White Tank Campground, this short 0.5-mile loop leads to the famous Arch Rock, a natural granite arch that makes for some gorgeous photo ops.
Lost Horse Mine Loop: This moderate 4-mile trail not only takes you to one of the best-preserved stamp mills in the park but also offers the chance to explore the remains of a historic gold mine.
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail: This 3-mile round-trip trail is moderately strenuous and leads to a beautiful palm oasis. It’s a fantastic spot for bird watching and enjoying a shady rest by the water after a good hike.
Boy Scout Trail: For those looking for a longer hike, this 8-mile one-way trail offers a full spectrum of the park’s landscapes, from rugged canyons to desert plains. It’s also a good trail for spotting the diverse flora and fauna of the park.
Skull Rock Nature Trail: This 1.7-mile trail is accessible and easy, making it perfect for a quick hike. As the name suggests, it features the famous Skull Rock and other fascinating rock formations.
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7. Spectacular stargazing
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Located away from artificial lights and atmospheric pollutants, Joshua Tree National Park serves up some of the darkest night skies in the world. The east side of the park is best for stargazing since the closest major city is Phoenix, about 482 kilometres away. The night sky puts on a spectacular display almost any time of the year and you’ll have the rare opportunity to marvel at the Milky Way and even shooting stars!
Head to the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Centre, a secluded location near the park that offers uninhibited views of the starry night sky. It’s sure to be one of the best stargazing experiences of your life.
8. Explore the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
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This incredible desert sculpture park was created by artist Noah Purifoy between 1989 and 2004. When he came to Joshua Tree in 1989 to stay with artist Debbie Brewer, he began scouring the desert for materials to create his surreal assemblage sculptures.
Although Noah has since passed away, his art lives on at the 10-acre Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum. Visitors can take free, self-guided tours through the amazing sculptures.
9. Take a sound bath at Integratron
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This unique dome-shaped structure was built by UFOlogist George Van Tassel in 1959. George claimed he was invited aboard a Venusian spaceship and taught how to create a machine that could rejuvenate living human cell tissue. This led him to build the Integratron.
Many believe that the building has healing properties and visitors come from all over the world to enjoy a sound bath in the acoustic oasis. During the sound bath, you’ll lay down on a soft mat while therapists play soothing sounds on quartz crystal singing bowls. Whether or not you believe in UFOs, this is one amazing experience!
10. Walk to the The Wall Street Mill
Joshua Tree National Park is full of old mines from early settler days and the Wall Street Mill is one of the last remaining mills in the park. It was once a gold ore crushing mill using two-stamp mill machinery up until the mid-1900s.
The historic mill can be accessed from the same parking lot as the popular Barker Dam Trail. The hike to the mill is a 3.2 kilometre round-trip and you’ll pass by a few abandoned rusty old cars along the way. When you get to the well-preserved mill, you can walk around it and get some great photos.
11. Visit the Oasis of Murals
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The city of Twentynine Palms is located just outside Joshua Tree National Park and it’s full of wonderful treasures. You can’t miss the Oasis of Murals, with over 25 murals spread across the city. These beautiful works of art share the history and beauty of the desert community.
The project was created by Action 29 Palms, a nonprofit organisation operated by volunteers. All the murals are free to enjoy and visitors can go on a walking tour to discover the stunning murals.Â
As Joshua Tree has inspired countless artists, musicians, and writers with its otherworldly landscapes, the park hosts a rolling variety of art installations and performances. You can follow them on Instagram to keep up to date with the new and upcoming exhibitions.
To discover more about this beautiful national park take a look at our new Near Not Far Limited Series, our new domestic trips that are perfect for your next staycation. What’s on your Joshua Tree National Park bucket list? Let us know in the comments below!