The 17 Most Amazing Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park That Stole My Heart

Article Summary: Unique Things to Do in Joshua Tree, Things to Do at Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park is easily one of the most diverse national parks in the country. There are so many great things to do in Joshua Tree for each type of visitor.

Here, you can hike trails or climb rock boulders. You can discover abandoned gold mines in the backcountry. Driving through, it’s easy to marvel at the trees that look as if they came straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. After enjoying a glorious sunset, you’ll be treated to an unparalleled night sky.

All in all, no matter what you choose to see in Joshua Tree, you can’t go wrong. Here’s a list of my favorite things to do, in Joshua Tree National Park.

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Maps of Joshua Tree National Park

Click the images below to view and/or download the full maps. On the left is a map of the entire park while on the right is a detailed map of the Hidden Valley/Jumbo Rocks area. Many of the best things to do in Joshua Tree are located in this area.

Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park

1. Go for a Hike

The two most popular activities in Joshua Tree are hiking and rock climbing. I’ve already compiled a list of the 20 best hikes in Joshua Tree for you to check out. It’s organized by type of hike and difficulty.

If you want to reach the top of a mountain or see the most Joshua trees or find a cultural site, there’s something for everyone. My favorite hike was Hidden Valley, and the short stroll to Ryan Ranch was also very scenic and informative.

Of all the things to do in Joshua Tree, hiking is the best way to get a sense of the park.

2. Take in the Vista at Keys View

Many national parks have a famous, iconic viewpoint. In Joshua Tree, that’s Keys View.

The road winds by the Lost Horse Mine as you climb up to the mountaintop for a view over the scenic valley. From here, you can see hundreds of miles of desert along with some of the highest mountains in the range. Furthermore, the city of Palm Springs can be seen here as well.

3. Wander Through the Cholla Cactus Garden

This is one of the most unique things to do in Joshua Tree and any other national park. The small trail through the Cholla Cactus Garden was one of my favorite stops.

This forest of small cacti plants is so special. You can walk off-trail, but be careful – cacti are pointy! Don’t let your children wander away or run through the cacti forest. The needles can be painful to remove. Staying on the trail will help you protect yourself and these special plants.

I found the cholla cactus to be adorable. Even if you don’t like plants or cacti, this is worth a stop. You’ll find it on the way to Cottonwood Springs in the southern portion of the park.

4. Photograph the Famous Rocks

Joshua Tree is known for its famous rocks. Mostly, this fame comes from the amazing climbing opportunities. However, if you’d prefer to keep your feet on the ground, there are still some famous rocks to see.

One of the most well-known is Skull Rock, pictured above, which you can see from the road. Other unique formations include Arch Rock, Split Rock, and Cap Rock. You can find details on the trails to each of these in my post on the best hikes in Joshua Tree.

The park is obviously most well known for its trees, but these rocks are the honorable mention. Seeing them is a must, and is definitely one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree.

5. Find the Elmer and Barber Pole Trees

Two of the most famous Joshua trees are the Elmer Tree (above top) and the Barber Pole (above bottom).

The Elmer Tree is known for its high number of branches stemming from the main trunk. The Barber Pole is known for the opposite: it has very few branches. Furthermore, the branches it does have are all located at the top of the abnormally tall tree.

The trees aren’t marked, but there is a small pullout on the side of the road for you to park and take photos.

6. Take a Tour of Keys Ranch and Desert Queen Mine

There are many stories told in the park ranging from Native Americans to homesteaders and gold miners. One of those stories is forever enshrined here at Keys Ranch.

You can only access the site on a guided tour with a Park Ranger. Reservations are required and can be made online. They cost $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 6-11. Tours are currently offered Tuesday to Friday and Sundays between September and April. Dates can change, so it’s best to check the official calendar.

During the tour, you’ll learn the story of the Keys family and the various roles the ranch has played throughout time. In addition to the park’s natural beauty, the cultural history is fascinating and learning it is one of the top things to do in Joshua Tree.

7. Squeeze Through the Hall of Horrors

Thankfully, Marissa had a friend named Katy who was working in Joshua Tree when we visited. Without Katy, I don’t know that we ever would have found the Hall of Horrors.

There is a designated parking area and a sign along the main road, however, a network of social trails winding to various rock boulders would have easily misled us. It was like wandering through a maze. Even as we followed Katy through the desert, I wasn’t sure what we were trying to find.

After some searching and some rock scrambling, we were able to squeeze ourselves into the Hall of Horrors. Essentially, it’s a hallway between two enormous rocks. Making our way there reminded me fondly of my days spelunking through Jewel Cave. If you can find it, it’s a worthy side trip and one of the most fun things to do in Joshua Tree.

8. Visit the Wonderland of Rocks

If you enjoy secluded backcountry wilderness, the Wonderland of Rocks is for you. Whether it’s hiking the well-known Boy Scout Trail or climbing the rocks, there’s plenty of adventure to be found here. It’s a great place to go backpacking and explore the Mojave Desert. While it’s best suited for longer adventures, it’s easy to take a short stroll into the area to check it out as well. Some of the best scenery in Joshua Tree can be found in this area.

9. Drive Geology Tour Road

If you have extra time and a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle, the Geology Tour Road is something special you should consider adding to your list of things to do in Joshua Tree.

The 18-mile loop takes about 2 hours to complete. There are 16 stops along the way that follow a guide you can pick up at any of the visitor centers.

Typically, all vehicles can access the first few miles. However, if you wish to complete the entire loop, check on the latest conditions with park rangers and ensure your car is suitable. If the road is in good condition and you have the time, it’s a great addition to any Joshua Tree itinerary.

10. Go Rock Climbing (or Scrambling)

We discussed hiking, now let’s talk about rock climbing, the two most popular things to do in Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree National Park is renowned worldwide for the rock climbing opportunities available here. There are plenty of companies in the area that offer tours if you’re not well-versed but interested in giving the sport a try.

Alternatively, you could scramble up the rocks as we did. While it doesn’t require much skill and is relatively sturdy thanks to the granite rock, use caution and don’t go overboard.

11. Gaze at the Beautiful Night Skies

One of the things Marissa and I were so excited about before our trip was stargazing. We have seen some excellent night skies in Alaska in the winter, but it’s often too cold to spend hours staring at the sky. In the summer, the night sky disappears entirely. Marissa felt the same, as she currently lives in New York City and was itching for a sky full of stars.

After a somewhat disappointing sky at Death Valley (mostly due to continuous headlights on the road), we found seclusion at Joshua Tree. If you can find a secluded spot away from lights (not as challenging here), you’re in for a treat.

12. Take a Guided Tour in the Park

There are some amazing tours you can take in Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area. For example, some companies offer rock climbing courses while others lead horseback rides. Check out the Desert Institute, Nomad Ventures, Joshua Tree Outfitters, and Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours for more options.

13. Find an Oasis

One of the most satisfying things to find in a desert is an oasis. The most popular oases in the park are Cottonwood Spring, 49 Palms Oasis, Lost Palms Oasis, and the Oasis of Mara.

The Oasis of Mara is an easy, short hike from the Oasis Visitor Center. You can find Cottonwood Spring about one mile from the southern visitor center after a short walk.

For more strenuous hiking, look into 49 Palms (pictured) and Lost Palms. If you’re interested in finding water but find yourself short on time, the hike to Barker Dam is much shorter and you’ll discover more cultural history along the way.

14. Learn About Cultural History

Speaking of cultural history, I’ve mentioned it a few times throughout this post. One of the most famous hikes is to Lost Horse Mine, a moderate hike that is 4 miles roundtrip to the mine itself (but 6.5 miles if you complete the full loop).

Other popular attractions in Joshua Tree include Barker Dam, Ryan Ranch, and the Wall Street Mill (above). If you’re not up for a hike, you can learn more by visiting the exhibits in any of the visitor centers.

15. Visit the Ocotillo Patch

It turns out Joshua trees aren’t the only otherworldly plant in the park. The Ocotillo plant is actually not a cactus despite its appearance and name. To see it during the bloom as in the photo above, it’s best to visit in mid-April. There are multiple plants in the park, but this patch is close to the Cholla Cactus Garden mentioned in #3 making the spots easy to combine.

16. Enjoy Sunrise or Sunset

One of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen was the one we were treated to upon arriving at Joshua Tree National Park. It was so amazing that this night owl was inspired to wake up at 6 a.m. to see the sunrise the next morning.

After scrambling to the top of some rock piles, I got to watch the sun peek over Ryan Mountain and a forest of Joshua trees. Try to plan your visit so you’ll be in the park during these times. Camping in Joshua Tree is the perfect way to do so.

Sunrise is especially magical – you’ll feel like you have the park to yourself.

17. Marvel at the Crazy Cool Joshua Trees

I’ll let these photos speak for themselves. I absolutely adore Joshua trees, and I hope that when you visit the park you’re as astonished by them as I was. This is obviously one of the greatest things to do in Joshua Tree, and I hope you enjoy these trees as much as I did.

When to Visit Joshua Tree National Park

For the mildest temperatures, plan to visit between March and April or October and November. Spring also brings amazing wildflowers. Summers are extremely hot and could be a dangerous time to be outside in the sun, but provide some of the best evenings for stargazing. In the winter season, you’ll find fewer crowds and colder temperatures.

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

There are three entrances to Joshua Tree: Oasis, Joshua Tree, and Cottonwood Springs. Oasis is in the town of Twentynine Palms while the main entrance is in Joshua Tree. These are the two communities I’d recommend searching in. One of the best options in the Joshua Tree area is Airbnb. You can find some amazing homes and excellent glamping! Check out my post on the best Airbnbs near Joshua Tree. These locations provide excellent proximity to the best things to do in Joshua Tree.

What to Pack for Joshua Tree National Park

For more recommendations, check out my posts on my favorite outdoor gear and the best daypacks for women.

The 10 Hiking Essentials

Every hiker should always carry the ten essentials with them. These include:

1. Navigation systems: map, compass, and/or GPS
2. Sun protection: sunscreen and/or ballcap
3. Insulating layers: synthetic or down jacket, rain jacket, hat, gloves, and leggings
4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp)
5. First-aid kit
6. Something to light a fire: lighter, waterproof matches, and/or fire starter
7. Repair kits and tools: pocket knife, duct tape, screwdriver, and/or scissors
8. Emergency shelter: tent, bivy, tarp, and/or space blanket
9. Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks
10. Hydration: water bottle, water treatment (LifeStraw or SteriPen), and water

Joshua Tree National Park Guides

• Trails Illustrated map: waterproof; provides a great overview of the park
• Hiking Joshua Tree National Park: a great book with details on even more Joshua Tree hikes
• Joshua Tree and Palm Springs: a guidebook for the park and the surrounding area

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