Joshua Tree National Park
Where two deserts converge beneath twisted Joshua trees and giant boulder piles under vast starlit skies.
Quick Info
Highlights
- Rock climbing in the Wonderland of Rocks and Hidden Valley
- Sunset at Keys View overlooking the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea
- Hiking the 49 Palms Oasis trail to a desert fan palm oasis
- Cholla Cactus Garden glowing golden at sunset
- Stargazing as an International Dark Sky Park
- Exploring the historic Keys Ranch on a ranger-guided tour
Park Map
Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest
Top Trails
Featured trailheads in Joshua Tree National Park
Ryan Mountain Trail
Moderate49 Palms Oasis Trail
ModerateBarker Dam Trail
EasyLost Horse Mine Trail
ModerateSkull Rock Nature Trail
EasyAbout Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park lies at the ecological crossroads of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, creating a surreal landscape where spiky Joshua trees stand sentinel among enormous granite boulder formations. The park's 790,636 acres offer world-class rock climbing on over 8,000 routes, stark desert gardens, old mining ruins, and some of the clearest night skies in Southern California. The park's proximity to Palm Springs and Los Angeles makes it one of the most accessible desert wilderness areas in the West.
Joshua Tree Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay
Plan your trip to Joshua Tree. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for California.
12 min readWeather Overview
Average monthly temperatures
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Where to Stay
View all hotelsHigh Desert Motel
$$A clean, comfortable motel in Joshua Tree village, just minutes from the park's West Entrance. Simple rooms with desert views and easy access to local restaurants.
Holiday Inn Express Twentynine Palms
$$A reliable chain hotel in Twentynine Palms, serving as a convenient base for the park's north entrance. Modern rooms, hot breakfast included, and an outdoor pool for cooling off after desert hikes.
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
$$$A hip, design-forward hotel in Palm Springs housed in a converted 1965 motel, featuring vintage-inspired rooms, a DJ-curated pool scene, and a popular restaurant. A stylish desert retreat after a day in Joshua Tree.
Compare Joshua Tree National Park
See how Joshua Tree National Park stacks up against other national parks
Joshua Tree National Park vs Saguaro National Park
Choose Joshua Tree for surreal rock formations, rock climbing, and stargazing. Choose Saguaro for towering cactus forests, Sonoran Desert biodiversity, and a warmer winter escape.
See full comparisonJoshua Tree National Park vs Haleakala National Park
Choose Haleakala for a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise above the clouds and tropical coastal hikes. Choose Joshua Tree for accessible desert camping, rock climbing, and stargazing closer to the mainland.
See full comparisonJoshua Tree National Park vs Pinnacles National Park
Choose Pinnacles for volcanic spires, talus caves, and California condor sightings. Choose Joshua Tree for vast desert landscapes, outstanding camping, and world-class stargazing.
See full comparisonJoshua Tree National Park vs Death Valley National Park
Choose Death Valley for extreme landscapes, geological variety, and remote desert adventure. Choose Joshua Tree for accessible desert camping, rock climbing, and a quick escape from Los Angeles.
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