joshua tree national park

apexbeat

Beautiful high desert landscape where the Mojave desert meets the Colorado desert. Suggest starting at the West end entrance, visiting Keys view point, Hidden Valley, Split rock, Jumbo rock, Cholla cactus garden. Plenty of Joshua trees on the way and at Hidden Valley. Hidden valley loop highly recommended.

Sq0

A must do if you are in the area. We spent the day driving through the park stopping at a number of sites. Don't miss the keys view. Bring a camera the views are amazing and change as you move through the park.

379craigv

We loved our day in Joshua Tree National Park. We visited Hidden Valley, Keys View, Barker Dam and Skull Rock. All provided their own unique experience. The one mile loop walks at Hidden Valley and Barker Dam are excellent, and not overly taxing for families with kids. Bring lots of water to stay hydrated and make sure you kids complete the junior ranger program. Our's was thrilled to take the junior ranger oath at the end and receive his badge.

KeenanWellar

A beautiful natural environment with easy access by car. You can enjoy this park without leaving your vehicle, but there are short walks, easy hikes, moderate hikes, and all sorts of climbing opportunities.The visitor centre staff will offer tips based on what sort of experience you are looking for. It takes about three days to visit all of the marked attractions, but even in just a full afternoon you could have a great time here (but you'll probably wish you had more time).You do need to bring your drinks and food in with you. You cannot bring too much water. You aren't going to find any vending machines! There are washroom facilities which are well maintained, but remember, this is a desert, not a luxury hotel.Hidden Valley is not overrated, it's a great easy hike that most people complete in about an hour. For an amazing view the top of Ryan Mountain at 5500 feet can't be beat, this is a moderate hike, not because of trail quality, but simply because it is steep. About 3 hours to get up and down, but of course you'll want to bring lots of water and have a lunch at the top. It's great up there.

GPBurdell67

Unlike any other National Park we have visited, Joshua Tree NP obviously features the Joshua Tree, which seems to be the only tree that can survive this harsh high desert environment. Virtually all other vegetation in the Park is scrubby bushes and wild flowers. Other notable features are the rock formations (eroded granite that draws rock climbers from afar), long views of the San Jacinto mountains and observation points, one of which offers a wide view of the Coachella Valley, from Mount Gorgonio on the north to the Salton Sea on the south. Breathtaking!If you find this review helpful, please the box below.

BarRod25

Great hotel, courteous staff. Housekeeping could have been a bit quicker off the mark replenishing tea etc.

Sandy2645

Get a map at the toll booth. There is basically one large loop road with just a couple of side roads. There were great pullouts to view the scenery and parking lots to access several hiking trails. The rock formations were interesting and the Joshua trees looked planted in the landscape. Beautiful scenery.

57gwenc

Hikes for all abilities through Joshua tree forest, rock formations, petroglyphs, mines and turn of the century homesteads. Springtime is perfect... 75 and clear blue skies, Joshua trees just beginning to bloom, cactus buds and desert wild flowers just beginning to blanket the desert floor. Evenings are still cool so bundle up for an evening of a zillion stars.

Kmad26

This place just looks like another planet. The formations and trees are phenomenal. We climbed around a bit but were not brave enough or skilled enough to do much. We had intended to do a ground hike but it was a little too cool and was late in the day when we got there. It was a lot of fun to take pics "pretending" we were way up on the rocks. Very cool park. Glad we were able to go.

tyamandascoutcharlie

Loved bouldering around and experiencing desert life! We plan to camp here in the future. We were day visitors this time. One car pass lasts a week. Sisters Cafe just outside the park is a great place to eat. Also some other cute looking shops. The shops don't seem to be open mid-week, maybe town is much busier on the weekends. Also outside of Joshua Tree but near by, a cool vintage/amazing art store called The End!

Carltasso

The Joshua Tree National park, even though not as famous as other NPs, is a very interesting place, near to Palm Springs. The environment is very wild and basically a desert, with hills and rocks, and the typical Joshoua trees. Other variuos kinds of vegetation and flowers as well. The climate (in July) is hot, but dry. Very silent, without big numbers of tourists. We have enjoyed such relaxed visit and we recommend it! On the way back to Palm Springs, we took an interesting detour to Pioneertown.

ronnyber

Joshua Tree NP has been on my bucket list ever since seeing those 1950's Giant Desert bug movies as a kid. What took me so long! What an amazing place, full of fascinating landscapes that can change by the minute. I was restricted to a half day of driving and stopping but next time I'll plan for a few days. The BIG Thumbs up for Joshua Tree!

rogard2002

started drive at Cottonwood Visitor, and paid our $15 entry fee-Good for 4 days, and had a leisurely drive to Twentynine Palms, stopped for many view area and had a few short hikes, could do long hikes but we chose short ones, many beautiful areas of different dessert area, cactus and unusual rock formation,water available at ends of park, no food or gas through the park,

TravellingKaren2014

This park is beautiful. I can't believe we hadn't visited it before on our previous trips to the Palm Springs area. I highly recommend this beautiful drive. We entered through the West Entrance Station. The entrance fee per car was $15. We drove through to the Cottonwoods Springs Entrance. We stopped along the way to visit many sites of interest and viewing areas. The Keys View vista had a stunning view of the valley. Along the Western part of the drive there were many, many Joshua Trees. Most were not blooming yet. In the Eastern part of the drive, the elevation decreases and the climate changes and the Joshua trees disappear. We saw blooming Ocotillo cacti and lots of windflowers. The Cholla Cactus Garden was stunning. We didn't hike because we had our elderly parents with us, but we would definitely return to do some hiking!

GeminiLifeSurfers

We are hooked on this park. Camping, climbing, the rocks what could a family ask for? Not much if you love the outdoors like we do. Beautiful sunsets, epic hikes, rocks with faces and shapes that make your mind race with imagination. Joshua tree is magical. Almost frozen in time. You will be forever changed if you find your way to this stunning National Park. We recommend staying at Jumbo Rocks; it’s one of our favorite camping areas in the park.