Joshua Tree ◆ California
Joshua Tree, two deserts at once.
Where the Mojave meets the Sonoran. Climbing meccas, Yucca-strewn plateaus, and night skies dark enough that the Milky Way casts a shadow.
Field guide ◆ Joshua Tree
Plan the trip.
Joshua Tree National Park sits at the boundary between two American deserts — the higher, cooler Mojave (where the Joshua trees grow) and the lower, hotter Colorado (a subset of the Sonoran). The park's 800,000 acres are dotted with 50-foot granite monoliths that have been a rock-climbing pilgrimage site since the 1950s.
For 2 days: Day 1, drive Park Boulevard west-to-east, stop at Hidden Valley, the Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View at sunset. Day 2, hike the Lost Palms Oasis (7.2 miles) or scramble at Skull Rock and Jumbo Rocks. Stay overnight to see the night sky — Joshua Tree is one of the darkest accessible parks in California.
Best window: October through April. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F. Camping is first-come at most campgrounds; book Indian Cove or Jumbo Rocks ahead.
On the map ◆
Where you're going.
Pack the kit ◆ For Joshua Tree
What to bring.
Trip-tested picks for this destination — gear that's earned its place across multiple visits.
View Product +
View Product +
View Product +
View Product +
Get the trip-planning newsletter.
Once a month: one route worth driving for, one piece of gear worth knowing, and 10% off your first order.