This is Important

There are no services of any kind inside the park. Seriously, not a thing. No gas, no food, no water, no nothing. Before you enter, make sure you have enough gas in the tank and enough food and water to keep everyone energized and hydrated throughout the day.

There’s little to no cell service in the park, so be sure to download the guide and save it to your device before you enter. The map will help you navigate your way through the park and the guide will help you decide where to go and what to do once you’re inside. If you need to use an emergency phone while you’re in the park, there’s one next to the restroom at Intersection Rock.

The Park

At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree is a huge park. In fact, it’s so large that it’s home to two completely different desert ecosystems.

Up in the northwest lies the high desert of the Mojave. With its iconic Joshua trees, massive rock formations, and miles of beautiful walking trails, this area of the park receives by far the most attention—and rightly so. It’s one of the most extraordinary desert landscapes in the world.

In stark contrast is the low desert of the Colorado, which occupies the entire southeastern portion of the park. Hotter, drier, and more remote than the Mojave, this arid landscape is filled with creosote, patches of ocotillo, and vast stands of teddy bear cholla cactus. What it lacks in trails and major attractions, it makes up for with its wide-open spaces, endless views over the desert, and quiet sense of isolation.

A helpful way to think about the park is like this: the Mojave is a wonderful place to get out of the car and explore on foot, while the Colorado makes for a beautiful scenic drive with a few short stops along the way. However, if your main interest is exploring the Mojave—as it is for most visitors—it’s probably best to save the long, slow drive through the Colorado for another day.

Limited Time

If you only have a few hours to visit the park, one good option is to enter through the West Entrance and head straight for Keys View. The 16-mile drive to the viewpoint takes you through the heart of the Mojave to one of the most spectacular views in the park. If you have time on the way back, the guide will point you to several spots along the main road that are worth a quick visit.

One of the most common challenges for visitors is trying to see too much in a short period of time. Instead of rushing from place to place, use the guide to find an area of the park that sounds appealing and be open to spending some time there. As you’re driving through the park or walking one of its trails, be sure to stop from time to time and really take in the landscape around you. The desert likes to reveal itself slowly. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is sit still and let it come to you.

Best Advice

If you can, arrive early. How early? If you’re in the park for sunrise, you’re on the right track. Show up at that hour and you won’t have to wait in line to get in, the morning light across the desert will be beautiful, and for the first few hours of the day, it’ll feel as though you have the entire park to yourself. Trust me on this—there’s something special about experiencing Joshua Tree in the quiet hours of the early morning.