Joshua Tree National Park is a protected area, located in southern California. The park saddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. The 800,000-acre desert is one of the world’s most incredible natural deserts, full of cactuses like I’ve never seen before, including the unique Joshua Tree.
Best Time To Visit
Joshua Tree National Park is full of many great hikes to do. There are long hikes and there are short hikes to do. I’ve visited the park twice now, once in August and once in June. Both times it was far too hot to hike any of the longer hiking trails. Even the shorter ones were a challenge in the heat! I recommend going in the winter months if you are thinking about doing the trails, especially the longer ones.
Park Fees
To visit the park, you do have to pay. At the time we visited, it cost just $30 per vehicle for 7 days. If you have the ‘America the Beautiful Pass’, you can use it to gain free entry.
How To Spend Just One Day In The Park
Here is how I spent the day in the park with my family. Please note, there is so much more to see in the park. This is just a little taster of what Joshua Tree National Park has to offer.
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
The Cholla Cactus Garden Trail is located just 12 miles south of the north entrance to the park. The trail is only 1/4-mile long and completely flat. Depending on what time of the year you visit, depends on what flowers you will see. In August, we saw the Pencil Cholla flower. They were beautiful.
For more information on the different types of flowers and when they are in bloom, click on this website link: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/nature/cholla-cactus-garden.htm
Keys View
Keys View is a viewpoint not to be missed! The viewpoint is perched on the top of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles! You will be able to see views of the Coachella Valley and you may even be able to see Mexico if you are lucky! Also, don’t forget to look out for the infamous San Andreas Fault. It runs right through Coachella Valley.
Keys View is about a 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard, down Keys View Road.
The lookout is wheelchair accessible.
If you have more time on your hands, it is worth taking the 2-mile-loop trail, which leads you up onto the ridge. The view you will see, are absolutely stunning on a clear day!
Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley is a scenic 1-mile loop trail. It is one of the most popular trails in the park. Watch out for the thirsty bees visiting in the hot summer months. You may get stung! The trail is full of boulders, cactuses, and the famous Joshua Tree.
The trail is located 1.7 miles northeast of the junction with Keys View Road.
For more information on the park, including some of the other viewpoints you can visit/walking trails to do, please head to their website: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
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Further Reading
My book, How I Tamed the Wolf, Living with Lupus is available on Amazon via this link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09M73X2JQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MWAF58981F0VVMNRV1WN
Other travel guides you may like:
Red Rock Canyon – Calico Hills: Best Hike In Red Rock Canyon
Petrified Forest National Park – A Day In Petrified Forest National Park
Grand Canyon – A Guide To The Grand Canyon
