Joshua Tree National Park

Desert dunes meet starry night skies

Joshua Tree National Park in California showcases a landscape shaped by desert winds and ancient rock formations. Visitors encounter twisted Joshua trees, rugged mountain ranges and wide open skies that stretch across the horizon. The park’s trails lead through valleys dotted with boulders where wildlife such as lizards, birds and small mammals find shelter. At night, clear air makes stargazing possible under bright constellations. Hiking, rock climbing and photography attract those seeking quiet natural beauty away from crowded cities.

Add to list Map view

National Park in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	4

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken and understood in Joshua Tree National Park, especially near popular visitor centers and campgrounds. Most park staff, guides and fellow hikers communicate comfortably in English, making travel easy.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Joshua Tree National Park Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for desert hiking and rock climbing. Explore vast desert trails, climb granite formations, camp under stars and photograph dramatic landscapes.

Place score

8.7

Best at:

Deserts

Secluded

Natural sites

Hiking

Running

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Joshua Tree National Park, United States

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	May
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Campsites fill months ahead October to May, reserve early; summer is quiet and mostly walk-up

Summer daytime highs often exceed 38°C (100°F), carry plenty of water and avoid midday hikes

Flash floods possible during July to September thunderstorms, avoid washes and canyons

Don't miss

🌲 Hike through Hidden Valley Trail
🌅 Watch sunset from Keys View
✨ Stargaze at Barker Dam's night sky
🌵 Explore Cholla Cactus Garden on foot
📸 Photograph Joshua trees near White Tank

You've been here?

Why travel to Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park offers a quiet, contemplative experience that contrasts sharply with California’s bustling coastal cities. The park’s iconic Joshua trees – slow‑growing, ancient desert flora – create a distinctive landscape that feels both alien and timeless. Visitors can explore over 800 miles of trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry routes, each revealing unique geological formations such as granite monoliths, deep canyons and expansive sand dunes. The park’s relatively low visitor density allows for intimate encounters with wildlife. Desert bighorn sheep, coyotes and a variety of bird species thrive here, providing excellent opportunities for nature photography without the crowds typical of more popular national parks. Nighttime stargazing is another highlight; the clear desert skies offer some of the best celestial views in North America, making it an ideal destination for amateur astronomers. Cultural history also enriches the experience. The park preserves sites related to early settlers, Native American heritage and the mid‑20th-century rock‑and‑roll era that once drew musicians seeking inspiration in its solitude. Whether you’re hiking, photographing or simply soaking in the quiet desert atmosphere, Joshua Tree National Park delivers a memorable, low‑impact adventure that showcases California’s diverse natural beauty.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Keys View
2 Skull Rock

🎡Places for activities

1 Ryan Mountain Trail
2 Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
3 Pappy & Harriet's

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Keys View
2 Skull Rock
3 Hidden Valley
4 Jumbo Rocks Campground

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Arrive early to avoid crowds and secure parking near the main entrance.
Carry plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat; temperatures can rise sharply even in winter.
Use the park’s free shuttle during peak season, but check schedules online for changes due to weather or maintenance.
Explore less-visited trails like Hidden Valley for unique rock formations and quieter sunset views.

How to travel to Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is accessible primarily by road, with major routes including Interstate 10 and California State Route 176 providing entry points. The nearest airports are Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), approximately 40 miles south and John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, about 130 miles southeast. From these airports, visitors can drive to the park using rental cars or shuttles. Seasonal road closures may occur due to weather, particularly during winter months when high elevations can be affected by snow. The park’s entrance fees apply and seasonal passes are available for vehicles. No public transit services operate within the park; all access relies on personal or private transportation.

Access summary

From Palm Springs (PSP): Drive 45 min to Joshua Tree.
From Los Angeles (LAX): Drive 2h 30m; from San Diego (SAN): Drive 3h 15m.
By shuttle bus from Palm Desert, 1h 20m.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua‑Tree offers a mix of rustic cabins, glamping tents and budget hostels within the park’s 790 sq mi expanse, plus a handful of mid‑range lodges just outside its borders. The park itself hosts a limited number of campgrounds – four primitive sites and one with electric hookups – catering to hikers and photographers seeking solitude. Nearby Twentynine Palms provides affordable motel rooms and a few boutique inns that emphasize desert architecture and local art. For those desiring higher comfort, the surrounding towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree feature upscale cabins and eco‑friendly resorts that capitalize on stargazing and sunrise hikes. The region is renowned for its “desert chic” accommodations, blending minimalist design with rugged natural beauty.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa California

8.3

AutoCamp Joshua Tree

9.0

Indian Wells Resort Hotel

7.9

Hyatt Vacation Club at Desert Oasis

8.9

The O Spa + Resort - Adults Only

8.3

The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

8.8

Desert Breezes Resort

8.5

DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Joshua Tree National Park

To explore Joshua Tree National Park, the most efficient way to get around is by car. The park spans over 790,000 acres with vast desert landscapes and limited public transportation options. Renting a vehicle at your arrival point – such as the North Entrance near Twentynine Palms or the South Entrance near Joshua Tree town – is highly recommended for flexibility. Most visitors drive through scenic routes like the Park Boulevard to access key areas, including Hidden Valley and Barker Dam. For those without a car, limited shuttle services operate seasonally from nearby towns, but these are infrequent. Always carry water, maps and charge your phone, as cell service is sparse across much of the park.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+5 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 5% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Twentynine Palms, United States - 31 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£77	£160	£417
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£75	£165
🍝 Food per day	£33	£77	£222
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£29

Notable additional fees: US$30 (£22.53) per vehicle (7 days). No non-resident surcharge; the America the Beautiful annual pass is US$250 (£187.78) for non-US residents.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£31
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£16
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£18
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£85
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£16

Safety information overview

General safety

Joshua Tree National Park remains generally safe for visitors, with low crime rates and well‑maintained trails. Stay on marked paths, keep valuables secure, avoid overnight stays in unapproved areas and follow park guidelines to ensure a protected experience.

Health & Medical

Joshua Tree National Park offers limited medical facilities; nearest hospitals are in Palm Springs and Yucca Valley, about 60 miles away. Travelers should carry first‑aid kits, stay hydrated, avoid heatstroke, watch for ticks and be aware of dust storms.

Accessibility

Joshua Tree National Park offers some accessible trails, like Hidden Valley and Barker Dam, with paved paths and rest areas. However, many iconic routes are rugged, lacking wheelchair access. Visitors should plan ahead, use shuttle services and check signage for mobility-friendly options.

Tap water

Tap water in Joshua Tree National Park is safe to drink, sourced from reliable municipal supplies and filtered at park facilities. Visitors can refill bottles at designated stations throughout the park, ensuring convenient hydration during hikes and stargazing sessions.