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As our California vacation came to an end, it was time to get on the long road back to Texas. While going home is nice, I always feel a little sad when the travel adventures are over. To ease my end-of-vacation blues, hubby came up with a brilliant idea. He suggested that we take a slightly longer route than originally planned, and check out Joshua Tree National Park. I was of course thrilled with this idea, so after we packed our stuff quickly and had breakfast, we left the Charter Inn & Suites in Tulare, CA filled with new excitement!
Where to Stay: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations near Joshua Tree National Park on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! Booking.com is our favorite website for finding great places to stay all over the world!
Tip: The You can also stay in Palm Springs, which is only about 40 miles from Joshua Tree Visitor Center. It’s definitely a fun city to explore. Click HERE for the highest-rated accommodations in Palm Springs.
Top SIX Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
We spent half a day at the park, and discovered it was truly a special place that has a lot to offer. Following the advice of the Park Rangers, we managed to see many of the unique features and attractions. Our favorite ones however were the following six, and I strongly encourage you not to miss them when visiting. These are not only some of the most popular, but also some of the best spots in Joshua Tree National Park! If you are moving from the west to the east end, you can follow our exact route, and if driving the other way, just follow this list in reverse order!
1. Stop at Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is located on the northwest edge of the park, but technically, it is not within the park grounds. I highly recommend that you stop here first, and take a look at the exhibits. You will find plenty of interesting information about the Joshua Trees, the wildlife, and the history of the park. Here, you can also pick up Junior Ranger booklets and badges if you are traveling with kids, and purchase nifty souvenirs like Joshua Tree seeds or a local artwork.
Joshua Tree Art
We arrived at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center in the afternoon, and went in to get maps, directions, and Junior Ranger booklets for our two daughters. We were happy to discover the nice exhibit inside with many educational materials that were all the kids needed to answer the questions in their booklets. As soon as they filled out all the required information, Angie and Dani received their Joshua Tree Junior Ranger badges right then and there.
I also got a couple of things from the shop, Joshua Tree seeds, and a beautiful copper wire sculpture of a Joshua Tree made by a local artist. Hubby was so kind to get it for me, and not complain too much about the cost. At this point, we were set and ready to go out and explore!
My Joshua Tree sculpture by artist Eric Pfranger made of copper wire and stones
2. Get to Know Some Joshua Trees
Enter the park through the West Entrance Station, and keep your eyes open because even in this arid desert land, there is so much to see! Naturally, when in Joshua Tree National Park, you really want to get to know the stars of the park.
Joshua Tree National Park panorama
Pull over on the side of the road at a designated area, and take a closer look at all the Joshua Trees nearby. You will discover that they come in all shapes and sizes. Just step outside, go for a short walk and enjoy these desert wonders!
More Joshua Trees near the main Park Boulevard
The Joshua Trees We Met
Once in the park, we didn’t drive for long before I asked hubby to stop the car. I just had to get to know these Joshua Trees better, and snap some photos!
Landscape near the main road at Joshua Tree National Park
It was late August, and it was hot out there in the desert, but this didn’t stop me. I started walking on a narrow path that led away from the road, and was surprised to discover that some of the nearby Joshua Trees were actually quite tall.
Here I am next to a Joshua Tree. This one is quite tall!
The path didn’t take me far before it merged with the rest of the environment. It was obviously not an official trail, just a path created by other visitors who had the same idea as me.
Single Joshua Tree against the desert landscape
Hubby and the kids joined me outside for a little bit but returned pretty quickly to the air-conditioned environment of the car. After I spent a while longer looking at different Joshua Trees up close, I finally felt well overheated, and ready to get back on the road.
3. Hike Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Trail: EASY, unpaved path that loops around with a few rocky sections, 1.0 mile round trip. Click HERE for a detailed map of Hidden Valley Nature Trail.
Arguably, Hidden Valley Nature Trail is the park’s most popular hike, taking you to some of the best spots in Joshua Tree. Here, you will find not only Joshua Trees, but also unique rock formations shaped by the desert climate. By all means, take this trail! It is a worthwhile 1 mile loop, and a fairly easy walk, except for a few rocky sections.
Rock formations near the start of Hidden Valley Trail
Rocky section on Hidden Valley Trail
Cacti near Hidden Valley Trail…Those sure look painful!
Look at the deep vertical and horizontal cracks on the rocks, created by the harsh extremes of the desert climate. Notice the interesting shrubs, cacti, Joshua Trees, and other unique plants. Experience the desert with all your senses as you walk this short but amazing trail!
More rocks with deep cracks near Hidden Valley Trail
Our Only Hike
We made our way to the Hidden Valley Nature Trail, and ventured out in the summer desert heat. This was the first time ever that I actually hiked in my flip flops. It just didn’t feel right to trap my feet in sweaty hiking boots…not in this temperature anyway. This was probably not the smartest idea since there can be that occasional confused tarantula wandering on our path, not to mention all the prickly desert plants.
Hiking in my flip flops on Hidden Valley Trail
In any case, we started walking despite the heat and all the other desert hazards, and I was ready to conquer this entire trail in my flip flops. Hubby who is often the voice of reason, suggested that we only walk part of the way, then return to the car, and keep driving. I reluctantly agreed, not so much because the heat bothered me, but because it was getting late, and I still wanted to see more of the park.
Angie and Dani starting the hike on Hidden Valley Trail
Rock formations along Hidden Valley Trail
We walked about half way on the Hidden Valley Nature Trail before we turned around. It was a really neat path, passing near Joshua Trees, yucca, cacti, and other desert plants.
Dani posing near a single-arm branchless Joshua Tree on Hidden Valley Trail
Here I am, standing near a few Yuccas on Hidden Valley Trail
Rocks and Cracks
One of the most interesting features of the trail were perhaps the rocks I mentioned earlier. They had so many deep cracks that it looked more like they were piles of individual rocks rather than large formations.
Rocks along Hidden Valley Trail
Dani finishing up Hidden Valley Trail hike
After we admired this desert scenery for a little while longer, we slowly got back to the car, and kept on driving.
4. Enjoy the Panoramas at Keys View
Trail: EASY, paved path that loops around, somewhat steep but short, 0.25 miles round trip
Another worthwhile spot in Joshua Tree National Park is Keys View. From here, you will be able to see a vast panorama of the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea. On a clear day, you can even spot the city of Palm Springs, the Santa Rosa Mountains and Mt. San Jacinto.
Panorama from Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park
Unfortunately, often the Coachella Valley is hazy due to pollution coming from industrial zones in Southern California. Polluted air travels through the nearby Banning Pass, and then settles over the valley. However, if you happen to arrive on a clear day, you will enjoy some truly amazing desert views! It is these infinite panoramas that make Keys View one of the best spots in Joshua Tree National Park!
View near the top of the small hill at Keys View
Our View from Keys View
We arrived to the Keys View parking area, and hubby and I made our way to the top of a little hill from where we could see the Coachella Valley. The kids were tired, and quite absorbed by whatever video games they were playing, so they chose to stay in the car while we went to take a peek.
Looking at Coachella Valley from Keys View
The view was actually pretty awesome, especially under the low light of the late afternoon sun. Hubby and I looked around for a bit, and noticed some haze off to one side of the valley. Although it didn’t seem that bad, we couldn’t find Palm Springs as the haze was lingering right in that area.
Hubby and I at Keys View…We just had to take a selfie!
After we took some photos, and documented our presence with a selfie, we headed back towards the car. There, we found the kids just as we left them, glued to their tablets and highly focused on those screens.
5. Stop at Skull Rock
Skull Rock is definitely one of the more popular attraction in the park because it is easily accessible and intriguing. As the name suggests, the rock is shaped like…you guessed it…a skull! It is definitely an interesting and worthwhile stop that doesn’t require much effort.
Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Skull Rock is located right near the main Park Boulevard, past the Jumbo Rocks Campground. If you are headed east, it will be on your right side. It is a fascinating example of erosion that has occurred as a result of accumulating water. Pools of water collected, and eventually eroded the rock, forming the sockets of the skull.
Play with Shadows
After we left Keys View, we returned back to Park Boulevard, and continued our journey to the east. Honestly, I did not see Skull Rock marked on the park map, and wasn’t sure if we would find it. I had read about it earlier in the visitor center, and was definitely curious to check it out. Fortunately, it turned out it was quite easy to find.
Rocks and trail near Skull Rock
Shorty after we drove past Jumbo Rocks Campground, I spotted the unmistakable shape of a humanoid skull. We parked near the road, and walked over to the funny-looking rock.
Dani on the trail near Skull Rock
Dani, our younger daughter, and I decided to climb up to see it a little closer. We discovered that the afternoon sun was casting our shadows right on the skull and decided to play with that a little. The sun was getting pretty low, and the warmth of the light made this place that much more mystical.
Dani and I playing with our shadows on Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Playing some more with our shadows
After spending some time having fun on the nearby rocks, we got back to the car, and were ready to continue our journey.
6. Catch the Sunset at Cholla Cactus Garden
Trail: EASY, unpaved path that loops around, 0.25 miles round trip
TIP: Watch for cacti parts on the ground, wear closed-toe shoes to prevent injury. These are some really sharp needles, and you don’t want them attacking your feet!
Cholla Cactus Garden is a small area of the park where a ton of cholla cacti grow close together. It is truly a unique place, and without question one of the best spots in Joshua Tree National Park. When in the garden, don’t go too close to these cacti as their spikes are extremely sharp and painful. Also, you may not want to walk around in open sandals or flip flops. There are many fallen cholla cacti pieces on the ground that still have their sharp needles on!
To get to this beautiful spot, take a right from the main Park Boulevard towards Wilson Canyon and Cottonwood. In my opinion, the most scenic time of the day to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden is at sunset. The low light and warm golden tones of the setting sun illuminate the nearby mountains in orange-red tones. It really is a picture-perfect panorama!
Looking east from Cholla Cactus Garden at sunset
A little further down the road is Ocotillo Patch, another small area of the park with interesting desert ocotillo plants. There again, you can enjoy the beautiful colors of the ending day, and take some more desert sunset photos.
Sunset Colors
We arrived at Cholla Cactus Garden at what seemed like the perfect time. Toward the east, the low sunlight was bathing the nearby Pinto Mountain making it glow with orange-red colors. Toward the west, the sun was slowly dipping lower beneath the horizon, coloring the sky with an array of warm hues. All this set the perfect background for taking some really neat photos at the Cholla Cactus Garden.
At Cholla Cactus Garden looking west at sunset
Loving the sunset in Cholla Cactus Garden
Before the sunlight was completely gone, we stopped at one more spot further down the road, the Ocotillo Patch. Here, I was the only one who left the car. Hubby and the kids seemed to have had enough for the day. I, on the other hand, had to stop and take some more photos and inspect these funky ocotillos up close! Imagine a bunch of tall sticks covered with spikes emerging in a bundle from the ground.
Ocotillo at sunset near Ocotillo Patch
After I spent a little time photographing the ocotillos, I got back to the car as the last few rays of sunlight disappeared behind the horizon. Hubby continued driving further down the road until we exited the park near the Cottonwood Visitor Center on the southeast end.
Final Night in California
We continued our long journey toward Texas on Interstate 10 East. By this time, it was completely dark and driving was getting tiresome, so we decided to stop for the night in Blythe, CA. When we got to the town, we found a place called Pizza Studio, where we got to make our own pizzas by selecting from a whole bunch of toppings. It was really quite delicious, and I highly recommend it if you are in the area.
After enjoying our pizzas, we moved the car near our hotel, which happened to be right next door. This marked the end of our California family vacation, more than two weeks of beautiful sights and unforgettable adventures. That night, I went to sleep a little sad, but also feeling enriched by all the unique experiences we had. We will be back, California!
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Resources to Help Plan Your Visit to Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park – The official website for the park by the National Park Service, and our personal favorite resource. Here, you can find all the latest information, updates, and alerts.
Joshua Tree Hikes, Information and Specifications – A webpage created by the National Park Service that provides information about all the hikes you can take in Joshua Tree National Park.
Hidden Valley Loop Trail Map – A PDF map of Hidden Valley Trail to give you a better idea of how it loops around.
Visit California – Spotlight: Joshua Tree National Park – On this page, you can read additional suggestions about things you can do while visiting the park.
National Park: Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park – Here is even more information about Joshua Tree National Park.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the photos in this post were taken by Vessy with an iPhone 7 Plus. Please, send us an e-mail (vessy@feelgoodandtravel.com) if you would like to use any of them. All images are subject to copyright laws.
This trip took place on August 18, 2017.
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