Getting to Joshua Tree
With stunning rock formations, rugged mountains, desert wildlife and unique foliage, Joshua Tree National Park is a whimsical and enchanting place to visit and explore. Nestled in Southeastern California, just east of Los Angeles and close to Palm Springs, the park offers you an oasis of natural beauty while still being drivable to some of the major cities in Southern California. You can experience all the calming and therapeutic properties of Joshua National Park and still have the accessibility and offerings of modern amenities like farm-to-table restaurants, fresh pressed juice, and a comfy cozy bed to curl up in at night.
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Situated where the high Mojave Desert meets the low Colorado Desert, the outcome is a gorgeous desert vista with enchanting wildflowers and a few four-legged friends like the bighorn sheep who call this place home. Joshua Tree is affectionately nicknamed “JTree” by locals and is a destination for both tourists and locals alike.
How to Get to Joshua Tree
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Located in Southeast California, Joshua Tree is easily accessible from several major cities and airports. From Los Angeles and LAX, it will take you 150 miles or approximately 2.5 hours to reach the entrance of Joshua Tree.
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San Diego is a little farther away, so it will take you about 3 hours to get to the park.
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Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Airport (PSP) are only about 40 miles away from Joshua Tree National Park, offering the closest and most convenient airport to fly in and out of, as well as a great town to check out while you’re exploring the area.
Located just a manageable drive outside of some of the largest Southern California cities, Joshua Tree National Park is a true desert wilderness and oasis you can escape to. The Park is open year round and provides a little piece of serenity and adventure for all its visitors. Whether you’re looking for zen and tranquility or adventure and excitement, Joshua Tree is calling your name!
Top Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
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Joshua Tree offers a little something for everyone, whether you just want to drive around and take in the scenery via car, jump out and get your hands dirty by bouldering and rock climbing, or take a leisurely stroll on the many trails. The scenery, no matter which route you take, is stunning so make sure you bring your camera along for the journey.
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If you want to see some unique desert foliage, then check out the Cholla Cactus Garden. This garden is really a desert plain full of cactus in the most whimsical shapes and sizes. The whole plain is covered with these furry little creatures and also has a walking path for an easy walk through this funky stop.
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Maybe you want to take a walk on one of the easier trails, if so then Barker Dam Trail is a great option. It is a 1.5 mile, fairly flat loop that allows you to see the iconic Joshua Trees along the way.
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Or if you’re up for a new adventure and want to try your hand at bouldering and rock climbing, the Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School offers classes on the fundamentals such as handling ropes, rappelling and belaying. They also allow you to rent gear if you want to give it a go!
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If you’re up for an evening adventure, Joshua Tree provides you with the most incredible and unobstructed spot to stargaze. There is something incredibly serene and magical about being in almost complete darkness and having the sky above you open up in its expansiveness. Truly incredible.