Joshua Tree Travel Guide (24 Hours)

One hundred and fifty miles away from the Hollywood Sign and the beautiful beaches of Malibu, which I usually like to visit, was the location of the spontaneous trip I decided to take after a work conference. Bearing the high heat and blazing sun, I found myself driving three hours east to the desert on my first solo trip to camp out in Joshua Tree. This was going to be a trip of many firsts: my first time camping, my first time in a national park, and my first time exploring a place completely alone. I was very excited to spend the next 24 hours experiencing new adventures and learning about one of the most popular parks in the United States, but also nervous about camping and the ever-rising temperatures. From the minute I arrived to the minute I started making my way back to Los Angeles, I knew I was going to return to Joshua Tree, as it only took a day to fall in love with the park, the town, and all it has to offer.

Number of Days to Stay: 1-3 Days

Expenses: $-$$

Best Time to Travel: To escape the heat, travel during the spring and fall. Winter is also an ideal time for hikes, but temperatures can drop quickly at night, so make sure to pack a lot of layers! During the summer, temperatures can rise to over 100 degrees so it is not ideal to hike unless it is before 11 am.

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Where to Stay:

Camp Sites in Joshua Tree

Require Registration

• Black Rock ($25 per night)
• Cottonwood ($25 per night)
• Indian Cove ($25 per night)
• Jumbo Rocks ($20 per night)
• Ryan ($20 per night)

First Come First Serve – ($15 per night)

• Belle
• Hidden Valley
• White Tank

Group Campsites

• Cottonwood
• Indian Cove
• Sheep Pass

Glamping

• Cascade Mustang Sanctuary – I had originally booked a hotel when I decided to visit Joshua Tree, but quickly canceled my reservation when I came across Mustang Sanctuary. Not only does the ranch rehabilitate Mustangs, but has other animals on the property as well such as dogs, goats, and chickens. The ranch is right off 29 Palms Road and has its own private area where the animals are located,d as well as the campsites. There are six different accommodations and two campsites that you can choose to stay in on the ranch. I reserved the “El Dorado” tent and couldn’t be happier with my experience (other than the heat, but it was bearable!) Please note that during the warmer months, some accommodations may not be available, or you will have to call to reserve, as there is no air circulation, and it can get really hot. The employees and volunteers are very kind and give great recommendations on where the locals hang out. All communication was seamless, and if you book directly through their website, you will get a discount on an hour horseback ride throughout their property! You can read more about Mustang Sanctuary in our blog post (coming soon.)

• 28 Palms Ranch – If you have dreamed of staying in a yurt or want to experience it, then this ranch is a great option for your trip. Yurts include sinks, private showers and toilets, a bed, towels and washcloths, toiletries, A/C or heater, and a private BBQ.

• Castle House Estate – This property is comprised of many different accommodations, from tents to villas and even a bungalow with 3 rooms! This luxury campsite is on the expensive side but includes amenities, toiletries, beds, toilets, and showers.

Airbnbs

• White Cactus House – Tipi Boho Luxe
• Home – Joshua Tree, Park Entrance, Cold Tub, Views, Firepit A
• Twilight House: Beside Joshua Tree National Park
• Mojave house

Hotels

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites – I originally booked my stay here for one night and decided to cancel when I wanted to experience camping for the first time. This is a great location to stay if you want to use points and are not into the camping life! It is also located right near one of the Joshua Tree entrances in 29 Palms.
• Pioneer Town Motel – Although not in Joshua Tree, I felt like I had to include this hotel as Pioneer Town is a popular destination while visiting Joshua Tree, and this hotel had such great reviews!
• El Rancho Dolores Motel – Great budget-friendly option, and the best review for a motel
• Fairfield Inn & Suites 29 Palms
• SureStay Plus By Best Western 29 Palms
• Oasis Inn & Suites 29 Palms

Unique Stays:

• Hicksville Trailer Palace and Artists Retreat – If you want to stay in a cool vintage trailer with a rooftop pool, hot tub, arcade, and outdoor games, then this is a great option for your trip to Joshua Tree. The 21+ property has 11 rentals and many activities to enjoy when you are not hiking in the national park.
• The Institute of Mentalphysics – More widely known as The Joshua Tree Retreat Center, this 400-acre property is for those seeking an architectural and spiritual experience.  There are 25 rooms in a building called the Caravansary, or 22 cottages available to stay in that include a bed to sleep on, but if you are looking for a more upscale experience, you can reserve the newly built bungalows. Also on the property are a dining hall, a sanctuary, and a maze.
• Container Resort – Shipping containers transformed into homes or rentals have been quite popular in the last few years, and Joshua Tree has embraced it. The 10-acre resort has 3 lodging sites: a mid-air suspended container home, a king-sized Shipping Container suite, and a Ranch House suite. You can also rent an RV or a campsite to pitch a tent and use the amenities.
• The Desert Dome – If you are looking to stay in a dome and stargaze while waking up to the bright natural sunlight in the morning, then this is a great accommodation for you! The prices are very high as it has a lot of private amenities like a private shower,r bathroom, and air conditioning!
• The Kosmic Tortoise – This dome option is great for two people and includes air conditioning, but is a little more on the expensive side. The prices are very high as it has a lot of private amenities like a private shower, bathroom, and air conditioning!

Where to Eat:

• Joshua Tree Saloon ($$) – I ate here for dinner, and it is a cute restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The prices were fairly reasonable, and the food wasn’t bad! It is a popular spot as there were tourists for bachelorette parties, big friend groups, or even locals chilling at the bar. I got the tater tots and a wrap.

• Country Kitchen ($$) – Breakfast all day, vegan options!
• Crossroads Café ($) – local spot, vegan options!
• Spaghetti Western ($$) – Italian restaurant
• Sky High Pie ($) – not sure if this will top NYC pizza, but they make it from scratch and have other options as well! Vegan options!
• Joshua Tree Coffee ($$) – Definitely stop here for a quick pick-me-up! There is a garden in the back to enjoy your coffee and relax.

Yucca Valley

• La Copine ($$) – Vegetarian options
• Frontier Café ($)
• Tiny Pony Tavern ($$)
• Giant Rock Meeting Room ($$) – I passed by this on the way back from Landers
• The Copper Room ($$)

Pioneer Town

• Pappy + Harriets ($$) – The most famous restaurant and venue in Joshua Tree, not only for its food but for its live music. If you come here on the right night, you can find popular artists performing here. Appearances have been made by Lizzo, Vampire Weekend, Paul McCartney, Arctic Monkeys, and more. If you plan to visit while there is a performance that night, make sure to buy a ticket for entry beforehand. Otherwise, you can stop here to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the history and charm of the restaurant.

• Red Dog Saloon ($$) – If you can’t get a table at the famous Pappy + Harriets, don’t worry. Just down the road, you can find Red Dog Saloon, which is the top restaurant choice in all of the desert for food. I cannot wait to return to Joshua Tree to try this place out, but after much research, you can’t skip this spot either!

29 Palms

• Kitchen in the Desert ($$)
• The Dez ($) – vegan options!
• The Rib Co ($$) – If you want to have some good western brisket, it is rated the best in the desert!

Vegetarian/Vegan Recommendations:

• Food For Thought Café ($)
• Boo’s Organic Oven ($)
• Pie For The People! ($)
• Sam’s Indian Food and Pizza ($$)

What to Do:

Hikes/Attractions

• Oasis of Mara/Visitors Center – You can visit this at any point of your trip, as it is outside of the National Park and a quick trail to walk. I think it is definitely worth visiting as you learn about the history of the oasis and Joshua Tree and all its wonders, especially with the tribes that resided there many years ago.

• Cholla Cactus Garden (Easy) – One of the popular spots in the park, and is at its peak beauty during sunrise. It is well worth waking up in the early morning to watch the sunrise over the mountains and onto the odd (but cute) cactuses. There is a wooden walkway to go through the garden and clear paths. I suggest staying on the paths, as some people have been pricked by the cacti, and it is hard to remove!

• Arch Rock/Heart Rock Nature Trail (Medium/hard) – This trail is not meant to be long, but unfortunately, there is no clear direction to exactly where Arch Rock is located on the trail. I ended up getting really lost on this hike and went totally off the trail. Check out the link below for directions to follow when visiting (I wish I had remembered to download it), so you will find both Arch and Heart Rock!

• Skull Rock (Easy) – This is a very easy drive-by attraction as you can pull over on the road and take a picture. You can stop for a quick shot or take the hike.

• Hall of Horrors (Easy) – This is a popular attraction to stop at, but I choose to skip.

• Ryan’s Mountain (Medium) – I decided to skip Ryan’s Mountain hike because of the heat and exhaustion, but a couple of friends did the hike the following day and loved it! They informed me that the view at the top was well worth it!

• Cap Rock (Easy) – This is another stop in the park where you can park your car and admire it in the air-conditioning (or heat, depending on the time of year you travel) and take a quick picture.

• Keys View (Easy) – This lookout point was one of the most breathtaking views I have seen in my life. It overlooks the Indio Hills and Coachella Valley. There is a sidewalk for you to walk up to the view, and benches to relax and take it all in.

• Barker Dam (Medium) – Because I was traveling in summer, I decided to skip this hike as I was afraid I would arrive and not see a drop of water. If you are traveling during the cooler months, make sure to add this to your go-to hikes!

• Cottonwood Spring – This is the southernmost entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, which I didn’t have the chance to visit, but can’t wait to return and make sure I stop here. The natural springs nearby and the hike are rated a great site to see by other bloggers.

• Hidden Valley Nature Trail (Easy) – One of my favorite parts of the park! This trail was also easy to hike, and there were lots of spots for shade to relax. I even saw a woman take a break and read her book.

The following stops and trails can be found in the national park and are not as notable, but can be visited if you are interested and/or your traveling time allows it.

• Lost Horse Mine (Medium)
• Keys Ranch
• Boy Scout Trail
• Maze Loop Trail
• Big Pine Trail
• Split Rock Loop Trail
• Stubbe Springs Loop Trail
• Desert Queen Mine Trail
• Willow Hole
• Queen Mountain
• Eagle Mountains
• Moorten’s Mill
• Mastodon Mine

Activities

• Sound Bath at Integration – One of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! Although it is about 30 minutes away from Joshua Tree town, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is worth the drive. Learning about the Integration and why it was created alone was one of the most interesting highlights of the event. If you are on a spiritual journey or would like to experience a sound bath, make sure to add this to your list!

• Horseback Riding – The Mustang Ranch I stayed at provided an hour of horseback riding for all levels of experience. I haven’t been on horseback since childhood, and it was such a surreal experience watching the sunset over the desert while on horseback. The Ranch has goats, chickens, and dogs you can feed and hang out in the visitors’ area as you wait for instructions.

• Visit Pioneer Town – Another popular stop, either arriving or leaving Joshua Tree. This town was once a popular filming site for Hollywood movies. It is a quick drive around town to see some cool buildings, old sets, souvenir shops, and you can also find a place to grab a bite to eat here.

• Rock Climbing – Joshua Tree is famous for its unique boulders and is sought out by all rock climbers! There are certain spots in the national park dedicated to rock climbing, and there are tours you can pay for to access some of the off-trail spots!

• Glass Outhouse Art Gallery – I am sad to have missed this on my trip as the sculptures and art are said to be one of a kind.

• Smith’s Ranch Drive-In Movie Theater
• Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Sculpture Park
• Visit Joshua Tree Farmers Market
• Visit an Abandoned Mine
• Joshua Tree Open Air Hummer Adventure
• Joshua Tree Off Roading Tour
• Beginner Rock Climbing Tour

Nightlife

There is not much nightlife in the desert unless you find hidden raves and pop-up shows, but if you are looking to enjoy some live music by locals, then the restaurants and bars below are some great options to choose from!

• Out There Bar
• Pappy + Harriets
• Mas o Menos
• Tiny Pony Tavern
• Giant Rock Meeting Room
• The Copper Room
• Joshua Tree Saloon
• Beatnik Lounge
• Virginia Cocktails

Transportation:

Joshua Tree is a driver-friendly park, and you are going to need a car to explore all of its glory. There are some public transportation options within the park, but few to no options to get to the park itself. My recommendation is to rent a car so you can enjoy the park and all of its wonders. The park is also very easy to drive, taking about only three to four hours to drive the entire park if you do not take a stop to hike or sightsee.

Getting To Joshua Tree

Airport – There is no airport in Joshua Tree to fly into, but there are surrounding airports to help get you as close as possible. If you don’t mind driving, arriving at the international airports will save you money on airfare. If you don’t mind making a stop, then flying into a small airport is another choice!

• Los Angeles (LAX Intl. Airport) – Two and a half to three hours driving, depending on traffic (you most likely will always hit traffic unless you leave between 8:00 am-10:00 am 
• San Diego (San Diego Intl. Airport) – Three to three and a half hours, depending on traffic.
• Las Vegas (Harry Reid Intl. Airport) – Three-to-four-hour drive depending on traffic.
• Palm Springs Airport – 40-minute drive to the national park. Closest airport, but you may have to take a connecting flight, or it will be rather expensive.
• Ontario International Airport – An hour and a half to two and a half hours, depending on traffic. This is the second closest airport to Joshua Tree, as it is just outside northern Los Angeles. 

Park Entrances – There are three entrances to the national park, two of which are close to one another, whereas the third one is in the southernmost part of the park. The Joshua Tree entrance, or “West Entrance,” is the most popular to go through, and if you are visiting during high tourist season, it can take you hours to go through. Your best option if driving from L.A. is driving 15 more miles down to the 29 Palms Entrance or the “North Entrance”. This will also lead you further into the park, and you can leave out of the West entrance, which is faster! The Cottonwood entrance or the South entrance is great for those who are already driving around to different parks and entering from SoCal or Arizona!

It is $30 to enter the park, and you can pay at the entrance booths or pay the fee online before your arrival. If you enter the park when the booth is not stationed, you will still need to pay the park fee upon your departure, or if you are camping. The $30 entrance fee is valid for seven days and permits you to leave and enter the park as you please.

While in Joshua Tree

Renting ATVs / Cars / Scooters – The only way to explore Joshua Tree at its fullest is by driving with your own or rented car, as there is no public transportation or car services offered in Joshua Tree. It is very effortless to drive in the park as all of the roads are flat and easily accessible when driving around the park to each landmark. I drove around in a small four-door car and did just fine! There are many gas stations to choose from before you enter the park. You can rent a car at the airport you land at, or if you are looking to rent one in Joshua Tree, there are a couple of options below, otherwise, you will have to look at renting one in Palm Springs.

• Yucca Valley Enterprise
• Uber Rent – This is a new service I found out about that lets Uber drivers rent their cars instead of driving as a taxi.

Public Transportation – There is no public transportation in Joshua Tree National Park. Unfortunately, the Road Runner Shuttle service has not returned since 2019, and there has been no recent news of when it will be in service again

Taxi/Uber/Private Car Service – Finding Ubers or carshare services in the desert is a little difficult, but in some towns like Yucca Valley, you can find taxis. If you are looking for a private car service, there are some available, but they will be stationed in neighboring towns like Palm Springs and can cost a pretty penny

I cannot wait to plan my next trip to Joshua Tree and bring all my friends with me to see all of its wonders and activities it has to offer. I can truly say there is no other place that has made me feel so spiritual, free, and have such a positive experience (other than getting lost on one train, which is my own doing!) Although I would have loved to have company, I knew I was supposed to come to this destination by myself, and all of the trials and tribulations that came with solo traveling. It has opened a new travel desire for me to go real camping and explore more of the amazing national parks the United States has to offer, which I never had wanted to do before, since I always wanted to escape to Europe. One day, I will return and make some new memories with those I travel with and hopefully share the same positive experience, but in a different way.

Waving from the Desert,

Joshua Tree