Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Sunset in Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua trees at Joshua Tree National Park, California (Larry Brownstein/Photodisc/Getty)
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Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Karen Kefauver

  • Known for its unique beauty, desert wild flowers, easy access, and varied rock climbing, Joshua Tree National Park has more than 7,000 rock climbs of every rating.
  • The wildflowers at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert are a top attraction. Depending on rainfall and temperatures, the blooms are usually out in late March and April. Watch for Desert Lily, Dune Primrose, Western Jimsonweed, and Desert Star, among others.
  • Though rock climbing is usually the main attraction of the park, you can also enjoy day and overnight hikes, front- and backcountry camping, and mountain biking on dirt roads.

Joshua Tree National Park

It used to be that Angelenos who had outdoor play on the brain largely ignored southern California's deserts. Joshua Tree was an infrequently visited national monument—it had plenty of desert scenery but lacked the kind of dramatic natural wonders that put Yosemite, Death Valley, and Yellowstone on the map. Then, slowly but surely, word began to trickle out that the best winter rock climbing anywhere in the United States was here. Instead of stowing their ropes and rock shoes when snows ended the season in Yosemite and other Sierra Nevada hot spots, climbers began to make pilgrimages to the warm monzogranite faces of Joshua Tree. Read More

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1 Questions | 0 Answers
  • The Air Force trained Rescue & Survival technicians in Joshua Tree National Park in the 1950's. We camped near a "Giant" rock that had a large room dug under this rock. The person living there invited all of us into this room (about 20 of us). Sometime later in the late fifties I saw a picture of a VW sitting on top of this rock in Life Magazine. Does anyone know how to locate this rock? Or have you seen the picture?
    Know the answer? Answer this question

Hotels

from: $60

Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage

71-700 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Map

Distance: 31.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0
4.0
from: $108

Sunnyvale Garden Suites

73843 Sunnyvale Drive
Twentynine palms, CA 92277 Map

Distance: 17.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 2 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
3.0
3.0
from: $110

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites TWENTYNINE PALMS/JOSHUA TREE

71809 TWENTYNINE PALMS HWY
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 Map

Distance: 18.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
3.0
4.0
All Joshua Tree National Park Hotels »
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Attractions

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

expert favorite attraction
47-900 Portola Ave
Palm Desert, California

Distance: 28.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

This 1,200-acre desert reserve, museum, zoo, and educational center is designed to acquaint... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Palm Springs Air Museum

(Between Ramon and Vista Chino; adjacent to the airport)
745 N Gene Autry Tr
Palm Springs, California 92662

Distance: 34.2 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
4_0

Palm Desert Visitor Center

72-990 Hwy 111
Palm Desert, California 92260

Distance: 30.4 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
All Joshua Tree National Park Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Joshua Tree National Park

Distance (mi.)
Ontario International Airport 98.0 map
San Diego-Lindbergh Field Airport 109.8 map
Santa Ana John Wayne Airport 113.4 map

Other Smaller Airports near Joshua Tree National Park

Distance (mi.)
Palm Springs Municipal Airport 34.0 map
El Centro/Imperial Imperial County Airport 77.6 map
Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport 100.0 map

Flight Deals to Joshua Tree National Park

Originating From
Seattle (SEA) to Ontario (ONT) $187
Denver (DEN) to Ontario (ONT) $200
Salt Lake City (SLC) to Ontario (ONT) $213
Austin (AUS) to Ontario (ONT) $234
Kansas City (MKC) to Ontario (ONT) $244

Feature Articles

More Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (13) »
See All Feature Articles on Joshua Tree National Park »

Trip Ideas

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  • The Big Sweep
    Mountain Biking the Santa Monicas

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