The Ultimate Road Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

May 21, 2025

We’re continuing our series of road trip destination inspiration with a trip to California and one of this country’s finest National Parks! This time, we’re headed to Joshua Tree National Park for unparalleled adventure, stunning sights, and magical memory making! Featuring 2 completely distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, stargazing, rock climbing, 4×4 drives, nature photography, wildlife viewing, and more, Joshua Tree National Park is a fascinating place. Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast, looking to check off your bucket list of National Parks, or seeking to learn more about our country’s history, you’ll find it here and then some!

The park’s busiest season is October through May, with peak activity from March through mid-April, although the weather can be a little unpredictable. Weather conditions can include extreme heat, heavy rains, flash flooding, high winds, hail and more, so be sure you’re prepared for the weather by checking reports before you head out to explore! Also, be alert for rattlesnakes who love the spring weather as much as we do, and love to explore the trails.

You’ll find 9 fantastic campgrounds in the park, perfect for reconnecting with nature and observing the stars. Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, and Ryan campgrounds can all be reserved in advance, saving you the hassle and stress of “First come, first serve” rush of other campsites. The park is also an International Dark Sky Park certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, and offers visitors an outstanding experience to admire the Milky Way, glimmering stars, passing meteors, glowing planets, and other heavenly bodies. Make sure you have a red-light flashlight or lamp with you, for optimal viewing.

There are more than 300 miles of incredible trails in this national park, many of them wheelchair accessible and even year round access. Opt for a horseback ride tour or bike ride through the trails, or head out on foot for a memorable hike. Only the paved “Oasis of Mara Trail” is pet-friendly, but the rest of the many trails in the park are no pets allowed, so be mindful of this if traveling with furry friends in tow. There are numerous short nature hikes in the park, with highlights including (but certainly not limited to) Arch Rock, Cap Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Hidden Valley, and Ryan Ranch. Although summer time can be very rough, experienced hikers who take proper precautions will enjoy the moderately rated hikes such as Lost Horse Mine, Mastodon Park, and Split Rock Loop. If you’re looking for a big challenge, you’ll certainly find a list of strenuous and challenging hikes, but it’s ill-advised to attempt them in the extreme summer heat – visitors who disregard warning have experienced significant injury requiring rescue, and those who are less fortunate have even perished in the extreme conditions; adhere to posted warnings carefully!

If you’ve grown tired of indoor climbing gyms and are looking to level up, there are 8,000 established routes and 2,000 bouldering problems. You will be able to book a local climbing guide to take you through the park, but make sure to choose one certified through PCGI and AMGA or similar for safety reasons. Remember, the park does prefer you to adopt the “Leave No Trace” ideology, so tread cautiously and try not to disturb local wildlife and plants, as well as doing your best not to leave climbing equipment behind.

Looking to take your new SUV from Classic for an extra spin? Off-road equipped vehicles with 4×5 are permitted to let loose on the backcountry dirt roads! These roads are also perfect for mountain biking, but ATVs/UTVS and dirt bikes are prohibited. Good news: Fido can accompany you on the backcountry roads, but must remain on leash and may go no more than 100 feet beyond the roads. Make sure you download offline use maps and carry printed paper maps with you as well, along with packing adequate supplies and a satellite phone for emergencies; planning ahead and being prepared is your best option as rescue may take awhile in case of any emergencies.

This park is a nature photographer’s dream! The flora in this national park is abundant, featuring 54 rare plant species, 2 of which are federally listed! The Spring season brings with it some of the most brilliant displays of wildflowers in lush color palettes. March through May is the prime season for Desert Dandelion, Desert Globemallow, Brittlebush, Indian Paintbrush, and Pincushions. April through June you’ll find desert Mariposa, Blackbush, Beavertail Cactus, and Desert Fiddleneck. Traveling during the cooler autumn months? You’ll still have a chance to spot some special desert blooms like goldenbush and desert willow if the conditions are just right! As for wildlife, you’ll have the opportunity to catch migratory birds such as Nashville Warblers, Wilson’s Warbler’s, yellow warblers, and many more. Year round you’ll find cactus wren, greater roadrunner,prairie falcon, Gambel’s quail and others.