13 Unmissable & Best Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
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There are so many best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park that you will not be bored for a second! Some things you would expect, such as hiking, but there are also some really unique activities in Joshua Tree National Park.
I first visited Joshua Tree on a trip back from Los Angeles and absolutely loved the park. It’s definitely one of the more unique parks out there, but be sure to grab a map when you enter so you don’t get lost.
You can make it a weekend trip or even see what there is to do in a day in Joshua Tree National Park. The Park is your oyster, so be free and explore!
Keep reading to learn all about the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park!
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Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
Hike the Hall of Horrors
This easy 0.6-mile loop hike takes about one hour. To find the Hall of Horrors in Joshua Tree National Park, you might have to ask other hikers for help, but with a plethora of other friendly people along the way, you will have no trouble at all.
(Seriously, even with maps online, most people will often find the entrance by seeing other hikers exit the trail!)
In order to find the Hall of Horrors, though, you do have to do a little bit of bouldering and scattering amongst the rocks, which makes it a bit more difficult.
Between two of the boulders lay slot canyons, two very skinny openings of rocks that make it difficult to bypass. However, it’s incredible nonetheless and is one of the most photographic parts of the park.
Despite being fairly popular, it is one of the unique things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Snap a Photograph at Skull Rock
Wondering What to do in Joshua Tree for a day? You can’t miss out on Skull Rock. It’s a rock formation exactly in the formation of a skull.
This is easily one of the most Instagrammable spots in Joshua Tree National Park, and you’ll often find a bunch of cars parked nearby. However, don’t let the number of people deter you – this is a must-visit!
Look at Wildlife
The wildlife at Joshua Tree National Park is extraordinary, which is why seeing the wildlife throughout the park is one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
From coyotes to kangaroo rats and everything in between, you will not be disappointed. There are more than a handful of lizards and reptiles to watch out for on the ground while you are on your hikes.
Maybe play a game with the kids about what type of lizard you see…maybe the Desert Spiny Lizard…or the Western Fence Lizard! This would be fun and educational for the entire family. As always in the desert, watch out for snakes.
You can also expect to see White Tailed Antelope Squirrel, Tortoises, Desert Cottontail, and even Black Bears.
And don’t forget to watch out for the birds; they thrive in Joshua Tree National Park, so keep watch as to how many different species of birds you can see.
Go Horseback Riding
Believe it or not, there are over 253 miles of equestrian trails in Joshua Tree National Park. It has become a very popular way to sightsee throughout the park.
There are also plenty of branches throughout the area, but make sure to make reservations in advance because these tours sell out quickly. Get your cowboy on for a fun day at Joshua Tree National Park by exploring on horse.
Take a Scenic Drive Through the Park
One would think that hiking through Joshua Tree National Park would be the most conducive way to see it all. But, if you want to see the park and are not much of an outdoors person, this is the way to go.
The drive can take only a few hours, with stops along the way. There are also hike entrances along the drive if you want to take a dabble with your hiking skills and see some parts of the park on foot.
With all of the amazing landscapes, you are bound to end up out of the car anyway to take some photographs of the infinite desert.
See the Cute Cacti In the Cholla Garden
The Cholla Cactus Garden is 10 acres of land in Joshua Tree National Park that consists of an easy, flat, wooden path that goes through the land of the teddybear cacti.
This is a great day trip for the family as it is an extremely easy walk and plenty for the kids to explore. The different types of cacti are so beautiful to see.
During my trip, this was my favorite of all things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Attend a Ranger-Lead Program
If you would like to see Joshua Tree National Park on a deeper level, take a free, guided tour through the trails, along with talks about the flora and fauna. This is a great way to get in touch with nature on a deeper level!
These tours are not available in the winter. When you book one, make sure to get there early to hold a spot.
There are different types of ranger-lead programs, such as the Civil War Tour, where the ranger or volunteer will use the surrounding landscape to explain the significance of the area of the Civil War.
There is also a Battlefield Drive to see the space to retrace significant battlefield sites.
See the Sunrise or Sunset At Keys View
When visiting Joshua Tree, you absolutely can not miss out on seeing the sunrise at least once. Keys View is a great spot to go to do this.
So you do not have to wake up super early to go for a hike, Keys View has a driving path up the intense incline. With that being said, there will be a flock of people.
All things considered, the sunsets are spectacular there, too, and have breathtaking views of Joshua Tree National Park. You can also do the two-minute hike up the steep incline to the top at about .1 mile.
Learn At the Visitor Center
Joshua Tree National Park has a few visitor centers since the park is so large. But they are all equally informative. They contain information and travel packets, restrooms, water bottle fill stations, a bookstore, and picnic tables.
They also contain exhibits of what people might see throughout the park, so you are educated on what you are experiencing in the area that the visitors center is in. They are also a great resource for finding out about alerts or notifications.
Make sure to check the hours of the visitor center you are going to, as they each vary in hours!
Pro tip: be sure to visit the visitor center before going into the park. Unlike many other national parks, the visitor centers here are actually located outside of the park, not inside.
Watch People Rock Climb
Joshua Tree National Park is well known to all types of climbers, boulders, and highliners from around the world because of the traditional style of rock, steep face climbing, and thousands of different routes to choose from.
Skill classes are offered to beginners and experts alike looking to grow their experience. Or, for those who just want to sit out and watch in amazement, do just that, and you will not be disappointed in what you see!
It is truly incredible what the climbers, boulders, and highliners can do!
Stargaze At Night
Did you know that Joshua Tree National Park brings some of the darkest skies in Southern California? Because of light pollution in the suburbs and cities, most people are not able to see the magnificent sky at night.
In order to see the stars, the Milky Way, and shooting stars, the following steps must be taken.
First, use a red light only instead of a regular flashlight, as it takes the human eye between 30-45 minutes to properly adjust to the darkness.
Bring layers! The temperature drops quite quickly at night. Bring a chair for sitting because you may be standing up for long periods of time.
Finally, avoid the moon, as it can cause light pollution and make it harder to see stars!
Camp At Black Road Campground
Black Road Campground is a large campground in the northwest corner of Joshua Tree National Park. Each site comes with a picnic table and a fire ring, with restrooms and running water nearby.
The sites are big enough for either a tent or RV! There is a fee to use the campgrounds, so make sure you book in advance.
There is also a Nature Center in the middle of the campgrounds if you need to buy something small like wood for your next campfire.
If you love exploring national parks at their quietest, this is one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Look For Petroglyphs
The last thing you might think you would find at Joshua National Tree National Park are petroglyphs, but alas, the National Park comes through with yet another surprise.
At the southern end of the Barker Dam Trail are the Barker Dam Petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are Native American art that was carved into the rocks, believed to be dated over 2,000 years ago.
Final Thoughts: What to do in Joshua Tree National Park
If it is not evident, there are more than plenty of things to do in Joshua Tree National Park. Whether you go for a day, a weekend, or a week, there are unique things to explore each day.
You can go hiking, go view cacti, or even look for petroglyphs! So take some time off from city life and enjoy the great outdoors that Joshua Tree National Tree has to offer.
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