🥾 Ryan Mountain (2.9 miles, 1,062 feet elev. gain): As the park’s most popular hike, it is best to get to this trail early in the day. The trail guides visitors to the top of Ryan Mountain, which provides panoramic views of the park.
🥾 Keys View (0.3 miles, 13 feet elev. gain): This must-see panoramic vista provides views of distant landscapes near Joshua Tree National Park. From Keys View, visitors can see Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, the San Andreas Fault, and other landmarks.
🥾 Hidden Valley (1.0 miles, 118 feet elev. gain): This trail meanders through a maze of boulders and rocks in one of the park’s most popular climbing areas. Be prepared to encounter crazy climber folk (like me) working on their bouldering projects.
🥾 Barker Dam (1.1 miles, 59 feet elev. gain): This trail guides hikers to an historical water tank and provides a nice walk through the park’s namesake trees.
🥾 Cholla Cactus Garden (0.3 miles, 9 feet elev. gain): Lying just beyond the transition zone in the Colorado Desert, this short hike provides a close-up look at thousands of naturally-growing cholla cactus.
🥾 Lost Palms Oasis (7.5 miles, 1,046 feet elev. gain): This trail lies in the park’s lesser-visited southern terminus and guides hikers to an isolated fan palm oasis. If short on time, consider replacing with the Oasis of Mara or the Fortynine Palms Oasis.

🧗 Rock Climbing: Thanks to its large abundance of granite rock formations, Joshua Tree National Park is a world-famous destination for bouldering and trad climbing. World-class routes are easy to find in the park, which can keep climbers busy for months if they have the time. Check out this list of guidebooks or Mountain Project’s website for guidance on the park’s thousands of routes.
⛺ Camping: With plenty of developed campgrounds in its borders, you would be remiss if you didn’t camp at Joshua Tree National Park. If your objective is to view the night sky, stay at Cottonwood Campground, where light pollution is minimized. If you want close proximity to most of the park’s activities, stay at Ryan, Jumbo Rocks, Belle, White Tank, or Hidden Valley Campground.
🔭 Stargazing: As an International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree is famous for its night sky. The park offers ranger-guided night sky programs that can be found on the park calendar.
🚗 Drive Through the Park: Driving the length of Joshua Tree’s main roads will offer stunning views of the changing landscapes in the park.

🌲 San Bernardino National Forest: Sitting about an hour from Joshua Tree National Park, this forest provides hiking opportunities for those seeking evergreens and respite from the hot southern California sun.
🏙️ Los Angeles: As the closest major city to Joshua Tree, Los Angeles can easily be paired with the park for those visiting from afar. First-time visitors will find enjoyment in its many tourist attractions, food opportunities, outdoor recreation, and entertainment.
🏙️ Las Vegas: Sitting about 3 hours north of Joshua Tree, Las Vegas is another city that can easily be paired with a visit to the park. With plenty to do in the city and the presence of attractions like Red Rock Canyon and the Hoover Dam nearby, Sin City can keep visitors busy for a long time.

📅 When to Visit: Spring and fall are typically the best times to visit Joshua Tree, as these seasons see the most mild weather conditions. Be sure to plan in advance during these seasons, as this is also when the park gets its most visitors. If you want to avoid crowds, consider visiting in the winter, but not in the hot summer months.
⌚ How Long to Visit: The average national park enthusiast will be satisfied with 2-3 days in Joshua Tree, but rock climbers should budget at least a week if visiting for the first time.
🚗 How to Get There: By car, Joshua Tree is about 2 hours from Los Angeles and 3 hours from San Diego, making them the closest major cities to visit from. Those approaching from the east can use Las Vegas or Phoenix as jump-off points.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Joshua Tree offers a staggering nine campgrounds that visitors can stay at. Reservable campgrounds include: Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, and Ryan. First-come, first-serve campgrounds include: Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank. Since the park is relatively isolated, camping is the easiest lodging option in or near the park.
🧳 What to Bring: Bring your usual hiking and camping gear, but put extra emphasis on sun protection and water containers. I’d suggest bringing at least three liters of water capacity. If climbing, bring sufficient crash pads and/or trad gear. For stargazing purposes, bring a headlamp or flashlight with red light capability.

✅ DO wear sturdy shoes in the desert, and be careful not to step on prickly cactus.
✅ DO stargaze using red lights.
✅ DO bring plenty of water.
✅ DO remain alert for potentially dangerous desert wildlife, like rattlesnakes, black widows, and scorpions.
❌ DON’T embark on long hikes in hot temperatures, as you can easily put yourself in danger of dehydration or heat exhaustion.
❌ DON’T assume it will always be sunny in the park. While rain is typically uncommon in the park, it can present unexpected hazards when it arrives. Slippery conditions, lightning strikes, and flash floods are among the dangers created by rain.