Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California! Join me on an adventure exploring the top ten things to do in Joshua Tree!
0:00 Welcome to Joshua Tree
0:32 Camping
1:32 Stargazing
2:01 Visitor's Center
2:16 Entrance Ticket Tip
2:29 The Map, The Map
2:42 Pose like Joshua Trees + More!
3:16 Wildlife and Wildflowers!
4:20 Keys View
4:38 Hall or Horrors (Slot Canyon)
5:36 Skull Rock
5:58 Cholla Garden
7:10 Bonus of Two Deserts Converging
7:30 49 Palms Oasis
8:56 Bonus!
9:10 Driving to Big Bear
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This is our campsite, also making the list for thing to do #1, which is camping at Joshua Tree, even if camping isn't for you. It’s safe, it's quiet, it's inexpensive for those on a budget, and it's an experience you're sure to remember. We stayed at the black rock campground. We did our research for picking which location and decided on #84. It is $25 per night and be sure to book in advance as campsites fill up fast. also be sure to look at the driveway details to make sure you're vehicle can handle the campsite. overall the roads are decently taken care of, there were regular cars there camping too. The black rock campground is also a horse campground, so there's good chance you'll see horses.
Then the sky turns magical.
The colors fill the sky and the lights of Yucca Valley.
Which brings us to thing to do #2, stargazing!
Boasting some of the darkest nights in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is an International Dark Sky Park. There are four designated stargazing areas. They are the parking lots of Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain. Stay awake and within 20 feet (6 meters) of your vehicle, and enjoy the show.
And the sunrsises are amazing ways to start your day! off to the national park entrance we go, but first, you have to stop at the visitor center. which is thing to do #3. There's lot of good information, you can talk to a ranger, and since your'e here, you can pay for and grab your entrance ticket here instead saving time.
When you first enter it's a long highway of just driving, which I appreciate that there's not tons of turn outs immediately. it's like a national park prologue.
Thing to do number 4 - which might be one you've never heard before, and it's to take photos... posing like Joshua trees! Or hugging cholla cactuses! or like hervules lifting giant boulders! yes, abasolutly goofy idea but it's so fun when you're posing.
Number 5 is wildlife and flowers. If you visit in April, the flowers are in full bloom and it's lovely. Also in full bloom are lizards because they were everywhere, but don't be afraid, they hide very well and keep their distance from people. Other wildlife you can expect to see are desert tortoise, and yes there are signs, more than 250 species of bird, 57 kinds of mammals including kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, black bear, bobcat, badgers, and bighorn sheep, more than 75 species of butterflies, tarantulas, scorpions, and yes, even two amphibian species are found here!
Number 6 is KEYS VIEWPOINT
Providing panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. On a very clear day, it is even possible to see Signal Mountain in Mexico 90 miles to the south.We did not go here because we went to the palm springs aerial tramway instead and enjoyed our panoramic views from that side.
Number 7 is the hall of horrors. They say this is where you can hike a slot canyon but we literally could not find it. We ended up finding other types of hallways as you can call them. But this locations was one of the more memorable locations becasue there was so much to see and I would hihgly recomend. Don't forget to find this boulder and take your hercules-photo op here!
Number 8 is one of the most popular destinations so of course I have to mention it, skull rock!
Number 9 is the super amazing cholla gardens. Be ready for the longest portion of your drive as you head south. There will be a noticeable change in the elevation as you go south. You will see less Joshua trees that begin fading into groups of cholla cactuses. then boom, you're in an entire grove. BE CAREFUL as the ranger said many people have to go to the hospital because of these chollas. These cholla, or jumping cholla, have barbed spines that grip so tightly that a segment of the cactus itself breaks off too. it is also common to find fallen spines along the ground, so watch your step as well.
Number 10 the 49 palms oasis trail. This 3 mile out and back hike is a tough one but well worth the trip.
And bonus 11 is all the other stops along joshua tree. we only spent a half day exploring the national park and didn't stop at all the great locations!
That's it from Joshua Tree, stay tuned for the next Southern California adventure of big bear where we ride a mountain rollar coaster! See you next time!
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