The first time I came to Joshua Tree, I came to climb. I arrived in September and stayed through May — back when you could camp in the park for free and stay as long as you wanted. I’ve returned to the park many times since then. Once a place like this gets a hold of you, it’s hard to stay away.

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of people struggle to enjoy themselves in the park because they weren’t quite sure where to go or what to do once they got there. This guide is meant to help with that.

Since most people have a limited amount of time, the guide focuses on the well-developed areas found along the park’s main roads—especially those areas with good parking and easy access to picnic areas, viewpoints, and short scenic trails.

I hope the guide helps you make the most of your time in the park.

Tim