Joshua Tree National Park

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Joshua Tree National Park - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center

    Many areas that fall under the auspices of the National Park Service are on what was Native American land and encompass spots of sacred, archaeological, historical, and cultural importance to indigenous tribes. This beautiful new 4,100-square-foot visitor center—which opened in 2022 in Freedom Plaza right in downtown Twentynine Palms—is indicative of a commitment by the park service in recent years to tell this side of park history. Displays and programs focus on the Maara’yam (Serrano), Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Kawiya (Cahuilla), and Aha Macave (Mojave) peoples whose traditional homelands or use areas fall within today's park borders. The four original cultures who lived, farmed, worshipped, or hunted in this region have descendants in 15 modern-day bands, tribes, and nations, which worked in partnership with the park service, City of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree National Park Association, and Bureau of Land Management to create the permanent exhibition. The center also has an information desk, a bookstore, a gift shop, and restrooms with flush toilets.

    6533 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms, California, 92277, USA
    760-367–5535
  • 2. Keys Ranch

    This 150-acre 1910 ranch, which once belonged to William and Frances Keys and is now on the National Historic Register, illustrates one of the area's most successful attempts at homesteading. The couple raised five children under extreme desert conditions. Most of the original buildings, including the house, school, store, and workshop, have been restored to the way they were when William died in 1969. It's only open via ranger-guided, 90-minute, half-mile walking tours offered from October to May. Reservations are required.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10
  • 3. Keys View

    At 5,185 feet, this point affords a sweeping view of the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, the peak of 11,500-foot Mt. San Gorgonio, the shimmering surface of the Salton Sea, and—on a very clear day—Signal Mountain in Mexico. Sunrise and sunset are magical times to head to the wheelchair-accessible crest lookout as the light throws rocks and trees into high relief before bathing the hills in fiery shades of red, orange, and gold.

    Keys View Rd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 4. Bajada

    Learn all about what plants do to survive in the Colorado Desert on this ¼-mile loop. Easy.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 5. Barker Dam

    Built around 1900 by ranchers and miners to hold water for cattle and mining operations, the dam now collects rainwater and is a good place to spot wildlife such as the elusive bighorn sheep.

    Barker Dam Rd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
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  • 6. Black Rock Canyon

    Set among Joshua trees, pinyon pines, and junipers, this popular picnic area has barbecue grills and drinking water. It's one of the few with flush toilets.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 7. Boy Scout Trail

    The one-way 8-mile trail, suitable for backpackers and experienced hikers, extends from Indian Cove to Park Boulevard and takes roughly six hours to complete. It goes deep into the Wonderland of Rocks area (where you're likely to see climbers on the outcroppings), passing through a forest of Joshua trees, past granite towers, and around willow-lined pools. Vehicle shuttle is strongly recommended. Difficult.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 8. California Riding and Hiking Trail

    You'll need a backcountry camping pass, two or three days, and tons of stamina to traverse this 36.6-mile route through a variety of Mojave Desert landscapes between Black Rock Canyon and the park's north entrance. You can access the trail for a short or long hike at several points. The visitor centers have trail maps. Also popular with equestrians. Difficult.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 9. Cap Rock

    This ½-mile, wheelchair-accessible loop—named after a boulder that sits atop a huge rock formation like a cap—winds through other fascinating rock formations and has signs that explain the geology of the Mojave Desert. Easy.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 10. Cholla Cactus Garden

    This stand of thousands of teddy-bear cholla (sometimes called jumping cholla because its hooked spines seem to jump at you) is best seen and photographed in the late afternoon, when the backlit spiky stalks stand out against a colorful sky, and in spring when they're most likely to bloom. Stay on the ¼-mile boardwalk, as the minuscule barbs easily detach and latch on, and they are very painful to remove.

    Pinto Basin Rd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 11. Cottonwood Spring

    This area was home to the indigenous Cahuilla people for centuries, and its spring provided them, as well as travelers and early prospectors, with water. It still supports a large stand of fan palms and cottonwood trees and is one of the best spots in the park for bird-watching. There are some remains, including concrete pillars, of several gold mines that were located here. Numerous hikes begin here as well.

    on Pinto Basin Rd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 12. Cottonwood Spring Picnic Area

    Shady trees make this a pleasant place to picnic. It has drinking water and restrooms with flush toilets.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 13. Cottonwood Visitor Center

    The south entrance is the closest to I–10, the east–west highway from Los Angeles to Phoenix. Exhibits in this small center, staffed by rangers and volunteers, illustrate the region's natural history. The center also has a small bookstore, a water-filling station, and restrooms with flush toilets.

    Pinto Basin Rd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
    760-367--5500
  • 14. Fortynine Palms Oasis

    A short drive off Highway 62, this site is a bit of a preview of what the park's interior has to offer: a fan palm oasis, barrel cacti, interesting petroglyphs, and evidence of fires built by early Native Americans. Because animals frequent this area, you may spot a coyote, bobcat, or roadrunner.

    End of Canyon Rd. off Hwy. 62, Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 15. Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail

    Allow three hours for this moderately strenuous, 3-mile trek. There's no shade, and the trail climbs 300 steep feet in both directions, eventually dropping down into a canyon where you'll find an oasis lined with fan palms, which can only be viewed from boulders above. Look closely to see evidence of Native Americans in this area, from traces of cooking fires to rocks carved with petroglyphs. Moderate.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 16. Geology Tour Road

    Some of the park's most fascinating landscapes can be observed from this 18-mile dirt road. Parts of the journey are rough; a 4X4 vehicle is required after mile marker 9. Sights to see include a 100-year-old stone dam called Squaw Tank, defunct mines, and a large plain with an abundance of Joshua trees. Allow about two hours to complete the round-trip drive and explore all 16 stops. There are a few hiking trails and climbing routes that can be accessed from here as well.

    South of Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 17. Hidden Valley

    Lore claims that this 1-mile trail loops through a big-boulder valley often used by cattle rustlers as a hideout. Kids love to scramble on and around the rocks before sitting down for sammies at shaded picnic tables.

    Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 18. Hidden Valley

    Set among huge rock formations, with picnic tables shaded by dense trees, this is one of the most pleasant places in the park to stop to eat.

    Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 19. Hidden Valley Trail

    Crawl through the rocks surrounding Hidden Valley to see where cattle rustlers supposedly hid out on a 1-mile loop. Easy.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA
  • 20. High View Nature Trail

    Nestled in between campsites 20 and 21 in the Black Rock Canyon Campground, this 1.4-mile loop climbs up a steep ridge to score views of nearby Mt. San Gorgonio (snowcapped in winter). You can pick up a pamphlet describing the vegetation you'll see along the way at any visitor center. It is 2.1 miles if you start at the Black Rock Nature Center. Moderate.

    Joshua Tree National Park, California, 92277, USA

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