Road Trip to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles

Replace bustling traffic and city lights with tranquil desert scenery where the Milky Way lights the night sky and where your biggest roadblock is a desert tortoise crossing. A road trip to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles is the perfect day trip, weekend getaway, or full-week vacation!

From scenic drives and wildlife viewing to hiking up peaks or strolling among the boulders, Joshua Tree National Park offers exploration opportunities for all. With the abundant wildlife, native and recent history, unique geology, and breathtaking landscapes it’s no wonder Joshua Tree National Park is a bucket list destination for many.

Where is Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California on the ancestral homelands of the Serrano, Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, and Mohave communities. The park is unique because it’s where the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert meet—creating varying climates and therefore, a diverse ecosystem.

How Far is Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles?

The drive to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles is two and a half hours without traffic. If you’re driving from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree on a holiday or weekend morning, prepare for a longer drive.

Is a Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles Possible?

Since the drive to Joshua Tree from Los Angeles is only two and a half hours without traffic it’s possible to explore Joshua Tree in a day. Head out of the city early to make the most of it. If you can, visit during weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.

How Many Days Do You Need in Joshua Tree National Park?

While it’s possible to visit Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles in a day, I’d recommend spending at least one night to get the full experience. Stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park is a must. If you have the time, check out the park for 3 – 4 days. There’s a lot to explore.

Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each season offers different opportunities to explore the park. The high season is from fall through spring. The summer isn’t as popular because of the high temperatures.

Fall

Fall is a great time for a road trip from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree. Temperatures are very comfortable in October and November with daytime highs ranging in the upper 60s to low 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s to 50s.

Winter

Winter is a nice time to visit Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles, although temperatures are a bit cooler than in the fall and spring. Highs average in the 50s to 60s and lows average in the 30s from December through February. Sometimes it even snows in Joshua Tree! By late January wildflowers begin to bloom at lower elevations in the park.

The park is especially crowded around the holidays from Christmas to New Year so make camping reservations well in advance if you plan to visit then.

Spring

Like fall, spring is an incredible time to take a Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park road trip. Spring wildflowers are at their peak throughout the park and following the winter precipitation, you’ll have a chance of seeing water throughout the park.

Under the right conditions, the Joshua Tree occasionally blooms in the spring. It’s rare to see but an incredible site when it happens! From March to May daytime temperatures average in the 70s and 80s. Nighttime temperatures are in the 40s to 50s.

Summer

Unless you like sweating in your sleep without access to showers, I wouldn’t recommend a road trip from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park in the summer.

From June through September temperatures in the park regularly reach 100 degrees during the daytime. Even park rangers advise against hiking during the day. If you plan to visit during the summer, plan your hikes in the early morning.

Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park

Whether you’re visiting the park for a day, a weekend, or for a week, there’s plenty to explore on your Los Angeles to Joshua Tree road trip. Wildlife, history, outdoor adventures, and scenic drives all await your visit!

Go Stargazing

Stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park is a highlight for many visitors. The park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association.

Visit the park around a new moon on a clear night for the most impressive views of the Milky Way and shooting stars.

The parking lots of Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, Quail Springs, and Ryan Mountain offer some of the best Joshua Tree stargazing areas. Any pull-offs or parking lots along Pinto Basin Road, from the center to the east side of the park offer great stargazing options.

Drive up to Keys View

Keys View is the most impressive scenic overlook you can drive to in Joshua Tree. Standing at 5,185 feet tall you’ll take in sweeping vistas overlooking the park, the San Bernardino Mountains, and the Coachella Valley. On a clear day, you can even see into Mexico!

The trail out to Keys View is a 0.2-mile paved, wheelchair-accessible trail.

Go Birding

Joshua Tree is home to many year-round bird species such as the Gambel’s quail, mockingbird, greater roadrunner, cactus wren, and many more. The park is also visited by many transient birds including sharp-skinned hawks, osprey, western tanagers, and much more! Head to Barker Dam, the Oasis of Mara, or Lost Palms Oasis for the best shot at seeing bird life.

Explore Keys Ranch on a Ranger-Led Tour

Keys Ranch is a historic ranch that was built in 1910 by William and Frances Keys. They lived in the house with their children for over 60 years while mining and ranching in what is now Joshua Tree National Park.

Keys Ranch is located at the end of Keys Ranch Road off of Barker Dam Road. It is only accessible on a ranger-led tour reserved in advance.

Stop by a Visitor Center

There are 4 visitor centers in the park. The Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is located in downtown Twentynine Palms near the north entrance to the park. The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is located is located in downtown Joshua Tree near the park’s west entrance. The Cottonwood Visitor Center is located off Pinto Basin Road at the park’s south entrance. The Black Rock Nature Center is located near Black Rock Campground.

All of the visitor centers are staffed with rangers and plentiful information about park history, geology, wildlife, and more.

Go Rock Climbing

A climbing trip to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles is a popular weekend getaway because Joshua Tree is considered a world-class climbing destination famous for its challenging single-pitch trad routes and bouldering problems. There are more than 8000 climbing routes and more than 2000 boulder problems in the park.

Go Hiking or Backpacking

Joshua Tree National Park is filled with plentiful options for hiking! With many popular hiking trails, it’s a great place to start solo hiking if you don’t have anyone to go with. If you want to escape the crowds then try planning a backpacking trip in the cooler months!

Best Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park

You’re going to want to stretch your legs when you arrive at Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles so hiking is a great way to explore the park. With so many Joshua Tree hiking trails to choose from, there are options for all visitors from short roadside walks to half-day hikes up steep mountains!

Barker Dam Nature Trail

1.3-mile loop, 60-foot gain

The Barker Dam Nature Trail is a short, family-friendly hiking trail in Joshua Tree National Park. Barker Dma Nature Trail is off of Barker Dam Road near the Hidden Valley Campground. This trail winds among many large boulders, Joshua trees, and past the historic Barker Dam which in the springtime is sometimes filled with water, a rare site to see in the park.

Discovery Trail

0.7-mile loop, 60 foot gain

The Discovery Trail is another perfect family-friendly hike on your road trip to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles. The flat trail winds among boulders and desert flora and fauna. There are signs along the Discovery Trail so you can learn more about the park’s environment, history, and geology. The Discovery Trail is located right across the road from Skull Rock so you can check that off you’re list too!

Cholla Cactus Garden

0.2-mile loop, flat

The Cholla Catus Garden Loop is one of my favorite trails in the park. It’s a short 0.2-mile loop that winds through the cholla cacti. It’s an incredible spot to photograph during sunset. The cholla cacti blankets the landscape until it meets the horizon. The rugged mountains fill the background.

Ryan Mountain

3 miles out & back, 1,050-foot elevation gain

This Joshua Tree hiking trail is a must for any avid hikers. Ryan Mountain stands 5,456 feet tall and gains 1,050 feet on the 1.5-mile ascent. The round-trip Ryan Mountain Trail is 3 miles and is considered difficult but well worth the challenge. From the summit, you’ll have sweeping panoramic vistas looking across the park, at the San Bernardino Mountains, and the Coachella Valley.

Lost Horse Mine

4.1 miles out & back, 530-foot gain

Mining in Joshua Tree National Park started in the 1870s but peaked in the 1920s – 1930s as more gold was found throughout the park. Over the years mines popped up and while they are closed today, you can still hike part of the trails where settlers used to search.

The Lost Horse Mine Trail is a 4.1-mile out & back trail that follows along the road used to access the mine. The National Park Service considers the Lost Horse Mine to be one of the best-preserved mines in the area. It produced more than 10,000 ounces of gold and more than 16,000 ounces of silver.

Skull Rock

0.1 miles, flat

Skull Rock is one of the most iconic rock boulders in Joshua Tree National Park. It gets its name because, you guessed it, it resembles that of a human skull with two eye sockets carved out from erosion! Skull Rock is also one of the easiest rock formations to enjoy in the park, located right off Park Boule

Arch Rock

0.3 –  1.2 mile loop, flat

Arch Rock is another famous Joshua Tree hike and one of the most popular spots to photograph the night sky. The trail to Arch Rock has two access points. You can reach Arch Rock on a flat, 0.3-mile loop from the White Tank Campground or you can hike to Arch Rock via a 1.2-mile trail from Pinto Basin Road.

Heart Rock

0.6 –  1.7 miles out & back; 100 foot gain

If you want to keep hiking after passing Arch Rock then head onto Heart Rock. Heart Rock is only a bit past Arch Rock and as you can guess, brings you to a large heart-shaped rock! You can also start this hike from White Tank Campground or you can start the hike to Heart Rock from Pinto Basin Road.

Warren Peak

5.6 miles out & back 1,110 foot gain

Warren Peak stands 5,102 feet tall above Joshua Tree offering impressive views of the desert and surrounding rugged mountain background. It is located in the northwest part of the park near Black Rock Campground. Warren Peak is a moderately challenging hiking trail.

Joshua Tree National Park Camping

There are 500 Joshua Tree campsites in the park spanning over eight Joshua Tree campgrounds. Five campsites require reservations in advance and three offer first-come, first-served camping.

Joshua Tree Campgrounds Map

Reservations Required Campsites

Five Joshua Tree campsites require reservations. Joshua Tree camping reservations are open from 6 months in advance to the day of. All reservation campgrounds are open year-round. Book your site before you enter the park as cell service is unreliable in the park. Campsite amenities vary depending on the campsite.

Jumbo Rocks Campground

Jumbo Rocks Campground is located right next to many Jumbo Rocks and just a short walk away from the iconic Skull Rock. 124 sites are available for $20 a night. Some of the campsites allow RVs up to 35 feet and trailers up to 20 feet. Jumbo Rocks Campground is a basic campground with pit toilets, tables, and fire grates but no water.

Indian Cove Campground

Indian Cove Campground is located off Indian Cove Road just south of the town of Twentynine Palms. The campground road does not connect to the main roads in the park but it is near the Indian Cove Nature Trail, Rattlesnake Canyon Trail, and one end of the Boy Scout Trail. If you plan to visit Fourtynine Palms, it’s only a short drive from Fourtynine Palm Oasis!

Indian Cove Campground has 101 sites available for $25 a night. It has pit toilets, tables, and fire grates but not water. It has some RV and trailer camping sites up to 35 feet long.

Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground is located in the southeast part of Joshua Tree National Park near the Cottonwood Visitor Center. It’s the best campground in Joshua Tree if you’re exploring the park from the south entrance. It’s near Cottonwood Spring, Mastodon Peak, and Moorten’s Mill.

Cottonwood Campground has 62 sites available for $25 a night. It has water, flushing toilets, tables, fire grates, and a dump station. RVs and trailers up to 35 feet are allowed in designated sites.

Black Rock Campground

Black Rock Campground is located in the northwest part of Joshua Tree near Black Rock Canyon. The road into Black Rock Campground does not connect to the main park roads, Park Boulevard, or Pinto Basin Road. The campground is near the Black Rock Nature Center and many trailheads including up Warren Peak.

Black Rock Campground has 99 sites available for $25 a night. The Joshua Tree campground has water, flushing toilets, fire grates, tables, and a dump station. RVs up to 35 feet are allowed but railers are not.

Ryan Campground

Ryan Campground is located off Park Boulevard, centrally in the park. It is located next to Ryan Ranch, the trailhead for Ryan Mountain, and near the Lost Horse Trail. There are 31 sites at Ryan Campground available for $20 a night and has pit toilets, fire grates, and tables but no water. RVs and trailers up to 35 feet are permitted.

First-Come, First-Served Campsites

There are three first-come, first-served Joshua Tree campgrounds. They are all available for $15 a night and have pit toilets, fire grates, and tables. None of these Joshua Tree campgrounds have water. You must pack your own.

Hidden Valley Campground

Hidden Valley Campground is one of the best Joshua Tree campgrounds. It’s located right across the road from the Hidden Valley Nature Trail and right down Barker Dam Road from the Barker Dam. Hidden Valley Campground is located centrally in the park off Park Boulevard and has 44 campsites.

Belle Campground

Belle Campground is a small, 18-site campground located off Pinto Basin Road, 20 minutes south of Twentynine Palms. Many popular hiking trails including Heart Rock and Arch Rock Nature Trail start near Belle Campground.

White Tank Campground

White Tank Campground is located just a mile and a half down Pinto Basin Road from Belle Campground. It is in a central location right next to Arch Rock, a popular spot for night photography. There are 15 campsites.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land

If you can’t get a campsite and you’re familiar with primitive camping then the BLM land surrounding Joshua Tree National Park offers ample camping opportunities. There are no services and amenities at primitive camp spots. Think of a dirt road that you pull off of where clear of plants.

Don’t drive or park on any vegetation. Make sure you pack out all trash and human waste. There are no bathrooms so plan your evenings and mornings accordingly. Carry a WAG bag or toilet set up. The goal is to keep these areas pristine and looking untouched so they remain open and free to the public.

Some camping apps like The Dyrt, iOverlander, and Campendium are great resources for finding wild campsites.

Tips to Visiting Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles

A little planning and research can help your Los Angeles to Joshua Tree trip run smoothly. Here are a few tips specific to Joshua Tree National Park.

Reserve Campsites in Advance

Campsites book up early in Joshua Tree. The high season is from October through May. Reserve your campsites in advance to guarantee your desired spot. Reservation-only campsites open 6 months in advance. Weekends and holidays are the busiest time to visit Joshua Tree.

Pack Water

The Joshua Tree National Park motto is BYOW – Bring Your Own Water. Some of the visitor centers and campgrounds have running water but many do not. Pack plenty of water at least a gallon of water per person per day for hiking and exploring in the park. If you’re camping in the park bring another gallon of water per person per day to use for cleaning dishes and other camp uses.

Start Your Days Early

Joshua Tree gets crowded during the high season. Start your days early especially if visiting on the weekend or holidays. If visiting Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles you’ll want to leave very early to avoid city traffic.

Parking lots fill up early and park entrance lines are very long on the weekend. The closest park entrance from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree is the west park entrance. Lines back up for over an hour at busy periods. If lines are bad avoid the crowds and enter via the north entrance near Twentynine Palms.

Check the Park Website for Updates

Any notable information about road closures and up-to-date weather conditions is listed on the Joshua Tree National Park website. If there are any updates they are listed in a banner at the top of the page.

Don’t Expect Cell Service

There is very minimal to no cell service throughout Joshua Tree National Park. Let loved ones know your general itinerary and that you will be out of service. You have to exit the park to access internet reception.

Download Offline Maps

With no cell service in the park, it’s especially important to have maps downloaded. Both Google and Apple Maps allow you to download offline maps. For hiking trails apps like AllTrails and Gaia GPS are great resources that also allow you to download offline maps.

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip Packing List

• Clothing layers – puffy jacket, rain jacket, warm base layer
• Comfortable hiking boots or trail runners
• Quick-drying hiking pants
• Long-sleeved sun hoodie
• Day hiking backpack 18 – 30 liters
• Trekking poles
• Gloves
• Sun hat
• Warm hat
• Sunglasses
• Headlamp
• Road maps – downloaded offline & paper
• First aid kit – blister care, over-the-counter meds (Ibuprofen, Acetopmetafin, Benadryl), bandaids, gauze, medical tape, medical scissors, antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin)
• Snacks
• Water
• Water filter
• Bug spray
• Sunblock
• Garmin InReach Mini
• Pocket knife
• Topo map
• Rechargeable battery pack or solar panel
• Headlamp

Other Stops on a Road Trip to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles

While the drive from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree isn’t very long, Palm Springs is still a neat city to check out on your way! Otherwise, explore the small towns outside of the park.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is the city of the Sonoran Desert. Known for its upscale dining, luxury accommodations, hot springs, golf courses, and spas, it’s a popular spot to stop on a drive from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree. Or spend a few nights and ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, explore some art museums, or check out Palm Canyon Drive.

Palm Springs is about an hour from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park and about an hour and a half from downtown Los Angeles.

Downtown Joshua Tree

The town of Joshua Tree is a quaint town located just outside the park’s west entrance. Downtown Joshua Tree gives off an artsy-wild west vibe. There are cafes, restaurants, a saloon, gear shops, and some boutiques worth checking out!

Twentynine Palms

Twentynine Palms is a small and cute town located near the north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. It has some local restaurants and shops worth checking out as well as grocery store and hotel options.

Pioneertown

Pioneertown is an old Wild West-themed town located about 20 minutes north of the town of Joshua Tree. If you’re looking for that classic Wild West vibe in a town that was previously the stage for some TV shows and movies then check out Pioneertown!