If you’re looking for the perfect Southern California getaway, a Joshua Tree Day Trip is perfect for you! With incredible desert landscapes, unique twisted trees, crazy rock formations, awesome hikes, and some of the best sunsets in the world, Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see.
If you are looking for someone to guide you through the park, we recommend joining a day tour that is usually around 3 to 5 hours (self-guided audio tours are available too). Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
Where is Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree is in southern California near Palm Springs and the Yucca Valley. It is also close to Twentynine Palms, which is the largest Marine base in the US.
Overview of Joshua Tree
| Location | Southern California, 1 hour from Palm Springs |
| Entrance fee | $30 USD per vehicle, $15 per person on foot or bicycle |
| Opening Hours | All year, 24 hours a day |
| Best time to visit | October through May |
| Ideal length of visit | 1-2 days |
| Drones allowed | No |
Things to do in Joshua Tree in 1 Day
There is certainly enough to do in Joshua Tree to keep you busy for a few days. However, if you only have time for a day trip, as we did, here are the things we recommend putting on your itinerary! These things to do are listed in chronological order, assuming you start at the West Entrance (which we recommend). We were able to do most of these within 4 hours total, so if you give yourself a full day, you should be able to hit them all!
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
It’s certainly worth starting your Joshua Tree Day Trip at the visitor center. The displays are super informative, and planning your day with one of the friendly park rangers is super helpful! Make a quick stop here to grab a map before heading to the West Park entrance.
Enjoy Park Boulevard
As soon as you enter the park from the West Entrance, you’ll start driving along the most quintessential Joshua Tree road called Park Boulevard. The Joshua Trees that the park was named after are everywhere you look, as well as rock formations that seem to defy all laws of physics. We loved driving super slow between the entrance and Hidden Valley (our next stop) and taking in the magazine-worthy views.
Hike the Hidden Valley Trail
Our first official stop of our Joshua Tree day trip was to explore the Hidden Valley trail. Along this trail, you’ll find stunning golden rock formations, plenty of Joshua Trees, and amazing views.
Personally, this is what we like to call a bang-for-our-buck hike. The views and photo opportunities are incredible, and the effort to hike it is very low. The hike is a 1-mile loop trail that consists of a predominantly wide trail and is suitable for all fitness levels.
If you’re a rock climber, Hidden Valley is also a very popular spot in the park to climb! Just make sure you’re trained and have the right equipment with you.
Drive up to Keys View
After you work a bit for your views on the Hidden Valley Trail, you can reward yourself by driving to an epic viewpoint called Keys View. If you follow the signs going right off the main road to “Keys View,” you can’t miss it.
At this 5,185-foot lookout, you’ll find sweeping views of the Coachella Valley, San Andreas Fault, Salton Sea, and (if it’s clear) even the US/Mexico Border!
Check out the most Instagrammable spots in Joshua Tree!
Hike to Barker Dam
After you take in the awesome views at Keys View, head back to the main road and continue into the park. Just a few minutes down the road, you’ll find Barker Dam, which is another great 1-mile loop trail to add to your Joshua Tree Day Trip.
This dam currently forms a small rain-fed reservoir and is used by wildlife in the park. When the water levels are high enough, you’ll find amazing reflections here (perfect to photograph!) and have a good chance of an animal sighting.
Note: Make sure to check at the visitor center to see if the dam has water in it!
Check out Skull Rock
After you finish your hike to Barker Dam, continue on the main road until you reach Jumbo Rocks campsite. On the main road just beyond that campsite is “Skull Rock.” The famous rock sculpture looks like a human skull and can be seen from the road. Here you can pop out of your car briefly and admire the rock & the surrounding area, but you don’t need to spend a lot of time.
Visit Arch Rock
Continuing your drive into the park, you’ll take a right at the fork and then come across Arch Rock. This is the one spot we were super bummed to miss during our Joshua Tree Day Trip. While it’s not marked on the official park map, you can find it in Google Maps here. From the pictures, it looks like a mini version of the famous arches in Utah, and it looks like it’s an amazing spot to photograph.
While in California, also visit Death Valley National Park
Explore Cholla Cactus Garden
Once you see Arch Rock (& make us super jealous!!), make your way down the main road to Cholla Cactus Garden. This place is truly unbelievable, and the sheer amount of cacti will blow your mind! As your day is nearing an end, it’s also a great place to catch a glimpse of golden hour.
Enjoy a sunset
Wherever you are in the park, pause and enjoy the AMAZING sunset. The sunsets in Joshua Tree are just breathtaking. Whether you’re at Cholla Cactus Garden or in a random spot down the road like we were, make sure to stop to take it all in.
Stargazing
If you can swing it, stick around in the park after sunset until it’s dark. While it’s dusk, go ahead and start driving in the direction you want to exit. Once it’s dark, find a spot to pull over and enjoy.
While it may make your Joshua Tree day trip a bit longer, it is so worth it to see the amazing stars here! There is such little light pollution in this part of the desert, so the stargazing is next level (plus it’s the cherry on top after an amazing day trip to Joshua Tree!).
Photography Tips for a Joshua Tree Day Trip
We’ve detailed the 10 Best Photo Spots in Joshua Tree so you can get the perfect Instagram shots during your day trip! Joshua Tree is incredibly picturesque and has so many gorgeous spots to photograph. Whether you’re into portraits, landscape shots, or night photography, you can get the perfect shot here.
Also read: The most Instagrammable places in Death Valley National Park
Are drones allowed in Joshua Tree?
No, unfortunately, drones are not allowed in Joshua Tree National Park. There are signs at each entrance as well as warning signs about fines posted at the different attractions.
Where to stay in Joshua Tree
If you want to stay the night in the area, here are a few places to stay that caught our eye!
- Affordable modern hotel: Field Station Joshua Tree
- Unique mid-range vacation home: Starfire Relaxation Retreat
- Fun glamping under the stars: 28 Palms Ranch
- Luxury getaway: Sacred Sands
- Or check out boutique hotels near Joshua Tree!
If you want to stay in Palm Springs after your day trip, here are some hotels we recommend!
- Quirky mid-range: Ace Hotel and Swim Club, Palm Springs
- Luxury with perfect location: Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel
- Or check out all the hotels in Palm Springs!
While you’re in Palm Springs, check out our guide to a Weekend in Palm Springs!
When to visit Joshua Tree
October through May are the best times to visit Joshua Tree because the summers in the desert can reach really unbearable temperatures. However, December through February can get pretty cold and even experience snow sometimes. We went at the end of January, and it was perfect conditions, but for the most predictable weather, consider going Oct-Nov or Mar-May.
If you can, try and go on a weekday so you avoid the weekend rush. If you go on a weekend, arrive early in the day to beat the crowds.
Joshua Tree Opening Hours
Joshua Tree is open year-round, 24/7. The visitor centers, however, operate under regular business hours (see below).
- Joshua Tree Visitor Center (near the West Entrance) – 8 am to 5 pm daily
- Oasis Visitor Center (near the North Entrance) – 8:30 am to 5 am daily
- Cottonwood Visitor Center – 8 am to 4 pm daily
Can you enter Joshua Tree at night?
Yes! The park gates are open 24/7 for both entering and exiting the park. This means you can enjoy the stars even without camping in the park. Do note, though, that the visitor centers all close between 4 and 5 pm daily.
How to get to Joshua Tree
Because Joshua Tree National Park has 3 entrances, it is accessible from many different areas. You can access two of the entrances from Highway 62, and the other is off of I-10.
From both Palm Springs and L.A., you can take the I-10 to Highway 62 to get to the West Entrance Station. Just put Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center into your GPS, and you should have no problem finding it!
How far is Joshua Tree from Palm Springs?
Joshua Tree is less than a 1-hour drive from Palm Springs, which makes this park a great day trip in the area!
Which Joshua Tree Entrance?
While there are 3 entrances to the national park, we highly recommend the West Entrance Station off Highway 62. This entrance is the closest to the majority of attractions we highlighted in this blog, and is super picturesque from the second you enter.
While which entrance you choose may depend on where you’re coming from, if you’re coming from Palm Springs, the West Entrance Station and the Cottonwood entrance are about equidistant. The North Entrance station is most convenient if you’re coming from Twentynine Palms.
Joshua Tree Entrance Fee
It costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person (either walking or on a bicycle). If you have a group of 2 or more, bringing a car is the most economical option for park entry.
Where to eat near Joshua Tree
While there are no restaurants within the national park, 10 minutes outside the West Entrance, there is a can’t-miss restaurant called Crossroads Cafe. The restaurant is super eclectic, like the town of Joshua Tree, and the food is to die for.
They also have incredible plant-based options on the menu – so many that they make it hard to choose! We went here prior to starting our day trip, and it was the perfect way to fuel ourselves for adventure.
What to pack for a Joshua Tree Day Trip
There are no amenities within Joshua Tree National Park, so it’s important to pack smart for your day trip! Here is a list of things you shouldn’t forget:
- Layers of clothing since the weather changes rapidly
- Plenty of water to last you the whole day in the desert
- Food & snacks, because there are no restaurants inside the park
- Camera (also bring a tripod if you want to photograph stars)
- Tennis Shoes (consider hiking shoes if you’re doing more intense hikes)
- Sunglasses
- Phone Charger – while there is no cell coverage, bring a car charger or external charger for your phone to maintain battery life for photos, offline maps, etc.
- Map of the area (pick one up at the visitor center!)
- Rock climbing equipment (if you plan to rock climb)
Where to park in Joshua Tree
At each point of interest, there is either a designated parking lot or a place to pull off the road and park. Since the attractions are decently spread out, we drove between each of them to maximize our time. While we never had trouble finding parking at any spot during our time there, it may be more crowded on the weekends.
Things to know before your day trip to Joshua Tree
- There is no cell service once you enter the park, so make sure you either download offline maps for the area (Google Maps) or get a map from the visitor center before you enter.
- Fill up on gas before you enter because there are no gas stations within Joshua Tree National Park!
- Don’t forget food & water since there are no restaurants or stores within the park.
- Do not go rock climbing unless you are properly trained and equipped!
- Camping is only allowed in designated camping areas or with a backcountry registration. You can find the campsites nicely marked along the road and on the map they provide at the visitor center.
- During the spring and summer, it is important to watch out for snakes.
- Off-road driving is not allowed, and all vehicles (including bikes) must stay on the established roads
- Pets are only allowed within 100 feet of a park road, campground, or picnic area and must be leashed. Pets are not allowed on any trails.
- Emergency phones are located at the Indian Cove Ranger Station and Intersection Rock
Have the best time on your Joshua Tree day trip!!
