Popular for its iconic bulbous rocks and snake-shaped canyons, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the top tourist attractions in California and is truly an oasis of serenity. Whether you visit the desert playground for the first time or you have been to it before, it presents tourists with the opportunity to do something new all the time. From sightseeing to cycling and bird watching, the exciting activities at the desert playground will take your tourism experience to the next level.
Knowing about this iconic attraction of the desert playground is imperative if you are planning to visit it for the first time. It will not only help you choose the right activities but also maximize the fun element until the time you leave Joshua Tree National Park. Read on to know more about the top things to do in the park.
Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places to visit in USA, and a paradise for visitors who love to explore new places or indulge in exciting activities. After hitting this tourist spot, you can look forward to some memorable moments of fun and excitement. Here, alongside sightseeing, you can take part in a wide range of exciting activities.
From hiking to climbing and dining, here are some exciting things worth engaging in at Joshua Tree National Park.
1. Head to a Campsite for the Ultimate Camping Experience
Nothing beats the experience of Joshua Tree National Park camping. At Joshua Tree in California, you can pick and choose your camping ground from a wide range of choices. These include Cottonwood, Ryan, Jumbo Rocks, Black Rock, and The Indian Cove. Camping on these campgrounds will let you unwind and connect with nature. Plus, you can also develop a friendly relationship with other campers.
2. Hike along the Challenging Trails
If you are fond of hiking, the first destination you would want to consider post your arrival at the desert park in California is the loop around Barker Dam. Ideal for family hiking, it stretches up to a mile and has watering holes plus a sizeable presence of flora. These features attract several migrating birds.
For more hiking action, you can also stroll along the hiking trail to Ryan Mountain. Located on the western side of the desert park, it is a 3-mile-long hiking trail with some stunning views. The other two prominent options for hiking include the trail that concludes at Lost Horse Mine and the one to Warren Peak.
3. Climb Rocks – Test the Strength of Your Body and Mind
Rock climbing, no matter where you do it, is a challenging activity. It puts your body and mind at work and lets you find out how tough you are both physically and mentally. Joshua Tree National Park has several trad routes laden with cracks and boulders. When you put your best foot forward to climb them, the rocks of the sand playground with these characteristics will keep you on your mettle.
4. Explore the Desert Region on the Back of a Horse
Being a desert, Joshua National Park has plenty of ground to cover. This lets visitors enjoy horseback riding to the fullest extent. With several knowledgeable guides around, you will get plenty of help for it. The best place for horseback riding at Joshua National Park is the path between the north entrance (in proximity to Twentynine Palms) and Black Rock Campground. It stretches up to 37 miles between these areas.
5. Watch more than 250 Species of Birds
Are you a bird nerd? If yes, you can look forward to an unforgettable bird-watching experience at Joshua National Park. Don’t forget to carry your binoculars, though, as you will need them for an invaluable experience of seeing colorful birds in proximity.
Overall, Joshua Tree National Park has 250+ distinct species of birds. Prominent among them are bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, osprey, egrets, roadrunners, quail, raptors, waterbirds, and songbirds. Other than these birds, you can also see birds of several other species. Spring is the best season for watching these birds in action.
6. Ride a Bicycle on the Public Roads of Joshua Tree
There is no restriction on riding a bicycle on the public roads of Joshua Tree. Thus, you can engage in cycling here with ease. This way, aside from keeping your body and mind busy in an engaging activity, you will also get a healthy workout. Plus, you will also be able to gauge your cycling skills.
Cycling along the dirt roads of Joshua Tree will help you avoid traffic congestion. Queen Valley Road, which leads to Desert Queen Mine, is perfect for cycling. You can also head to the interiors of Eureka Peak Road for stunning views. You can get a bicycle on rent at a local shop.
7. Admire the Stars
Joshua Tree National Park, designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), provides many tourists with the opportunity to see the Milky Way. It boasts some of the darkest evenings in Southern California. The parking lots at Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain are the four locations specifically intended for stargazing. Parking is available. Abide with the park policy of keeping your car no closer than 20 feet. The Pinto Basin Road between Cottonwood and Cholla Cactus Garden boasts the darkest skies and the least amount of traffic.
8. Go to the Visitor Center
The visitor centres have a gift shop and an educational film. When it comes to relevant problems like weather alerts or construction in the park, the rangers are always quite helpful. There are three visitor centres in Joshua Tree National Park, all of which are close to the different entrances. Outside the park in downtown Twentynine Palms lies the Joshua Tree Visitor Centre. On Pinto Basin Road, close to the southern entrance of the park lies the Cottonwood Visitor Centre. In Yucca Valley Black Rock campsite sits a smaller visitor centre called the Black Rock Nature Centre.
9. Eating & Drinking
Joshua Tree National Park has ample arrangements for letting its visitors enjoy coffee, burger, and other smoothies. Some popular cafes to enjoy these foods are Crossroads Cafe, Joshua Tree Saloon, Sisters Cafe, Sam’s Fine Indian Cuisine and Pizza, the 29 Palms Inn, and so on.
How to Get There
Joshua Tree National Park is the ideal winter road trip destination because it is only a few hours’ drive from numerous large cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. The West Entrance, the North Entrance, and the South Entrance are the three primary entrances. The most well-known entry is on the west side, off Highway 62. We stayed in the south, and the drive to the north gate through the park took us around an hour.
Joshua Tree National Park Hours
Joshua Tree National Park remains open to visitors every day. You can visit the Joshua Tree Visitor Center between 8 am and 5 pm and the Cottonwood Visitor Center between 9 am and 3 pm.
Best Time to Visit Joshua National Park
The park is open all year round. November to April is the best time to visit the park. The summer months of June through August can be quite hot, with a high of above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You may still enjoy pleasant weather and avoid crowds if you can visit during the shoulder season, which is October or late April.
Conclusion
Notwithstanding the rocks of unique shapes and sizes, Joshua Tree National Park is also popular for its exciting activities. It is one of the best national parks in USA and Indulging in the above activities will make your trip to the destination both enjoyable and memorable.
