20 Things To Do In Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park has long been known for its impressive rock formations, panoramic desert views, and its biodiverse ecosystem. A hub for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Joshua Tree National Park is home to an expanse of desert art, sculptures and quirky man-made architecture.

With so much to do and see within the confines of Joshua Tree National Park and even more to see in the surrounding downtown, planning an itinerary is an important step to getting the most out of your visit. Keeping this in mind, here are twenty breathtaking and unique things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park

20 Things To Do In Joshua Tree

1- Explore The Cholla Cactus Garden

The stunning Cholla Cactus Garden is located within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park, where the upper Mojave desert and the lower Colorado desert meet.

One of Joshua Tree National Park’s most photographed features, the Cholla Cactus Garden takes visitors on a winding walk through endless rows of Cholla Cacti.

These plants are a scenic treat, however, visitors should take caution, as even the slightest brush with the cacti is a painful (and dangerous) experience!

An iconic experience in Joshua Tree National Park is seeing the 360-view of the cacti-covered landscape at sunrise or sunset.

The Cholla Cactus Garden is at Cholla Cactus Garden Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

2- Admire Art At The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum

Joshua Tree is home to natural beauty and many artistic wonders, including the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum.

Public policy worker and artist Noah Purifoy moved to the Mojave desert in the late 1980s, where he spent the last fifteen years of his life creating and constructing outdoor artworks and sculptures.

The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum is conveniently close to Joshua Tree National Park, only about 10 miles (16 km) from the park’s southern entrance.

Visiting the museum is free of charge, and some of the attractions you will see ranges from colourful house-like structures, sculpture art crafted using found items and junk re-imagined as art.

The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum is also a popular stop for anyone looking to capture the more quirky, artsy side of Joshua Tree on camera or film.

The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum is at 62975 Blair Ln, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

3- Check Out The Impressive Skull Rock Nature Trail

Skull Rock Nature Trail is a popular trail located within Joshua Tree National Park, best known for its namesake, the impressive Skull Rock.

Skull Rock is exactly what it sounds like, a large granite rock formation with two depressions giving it the shape of a skull.

Visitors to Skull Rock Nature Trail will enjoy the winding desert loop, which shows off much of the park’s biodiverse flora and fauna, particularly in the spring.

Skull Rock Nature Trail is a must-visit for anyone hoping to check out some of the park’s most amazing rock formations.

Skull Rock Nature Trail is at Skull Rock, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. Check out this Joshua Tree tour.

4- Enjoy Panoramic Scenery At Keys View

Considered one of Joshua Tree National Park’s crown jewels, Keys View provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountainscapes, the Coachella Valley, and the San Andreas fault.

The hike to Keys View is a paved and well-maintained loop, taking visitors to a lookout point at an elevation of about 5,185 feet (1580m).

Sunrises and sunsets at Keys View are very popular but more than worth dealing with the crowds; make sure to allow plenty of time to get to the crest and park.

Keys View is at Keys View Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

5- Visit The World Famous Crochet Museum

Known as one of Joshua Tree’s most beloved eclectic art arrangements, The World Famous Crochet Museum is a unique museum experience you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Founded in 2006, the museum is housed in a bright green drive-thru photo booth and is open seven days a week, free of admission.

As you might expect from its name, The World Famous Crochet Museum is full of crocheted creatures and creations, from cute to creepy to charming and everything in between.

The booth’s owner, local artist Shari Elf, curates the museum with a fine collection of donated crochet work and pieces she purchases online specifically for the museum.

The World Famous Crochet Museum is at 61855 CA-62, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

For more California ideas, see:

6- Hike The Hidden Valley Nature Trail

Joshua Tree National Park’s iconic Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a highly popular trail, most recognised for its stunning vistas and up-close look at the park’s namesake: the Joshua trees.

The trail winds through a rock-enclosed valley before spitting hikers out into the natural desert landscape covered in Joshua trees and other shrubbery.

The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a short 1-mile (1.6 km) loop, making it an easy introduction to the plant life and wildlife you’ll get to know in the park.

The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is at 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. Love hiking? Check out these:

• Full-Day Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
• Half-Day Guided Hike in Joshua Tree National Par

7- See The Historic Lost Horse Mine

Located within the confines of Joshua Tree National Park lies the Lost Horse Mine, a well-preserved gold and silver mine surrounded by the stunning desert ecosystem.

The history of the Lost Horse Mine dates back to 1894, when gold and silver mining produced over 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver, until the mine’s permanent dormancy in 1931.

Hiking to the Lost Horse Mine is a four-mile (6 km) excursion, taking visitors through winding desert hillsides dotted by shrubbery.

Lost Horse Mine is at Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

8- Grab A Drink (Or Two) At Joshua Tree Saloon

After a long day of adventure in the park, who wouldn’t want to wind down with drinks and some grub at the nearby Joshua Tree Saloon?

Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the Joshua Tree Saloon is a quirky bar and grill with an Old Western-themed interior and exterior.

Live music, hearty drinks and friendly service await visitors who stop by Joshua Tree Saloon, which attracts many out-of-towners looking to socialise with townsfolk.

Swing by Joshua Tree Saloon for a great selection of beers and wines, and immerse yourself in the Old West aesthetic, perfect to complete any trip to the desert.

Joshua Tree Saloon is at 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

9- Marvel At The Desert Christ Park

Desert Christ Park is a non-traditional sculpture park established in 1951 and has attracted visitors ever since.

The park is within the Yucca Valley, an 11-mile (17 km) drive from the nearest Joshua Tree National Park entrance.

Desert Christ Park spans 3.5 acres (1.4ha) and contains over 40 large white sculptures portraying infamous biblical figures.

Considered a holy place by some and simply an interesting work of art by others, Desert Christ Park is a unique viewing experience you won’t want to miss.

Desert Christ Park is at 56200 Sunnyslope Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.

10- Go Rock Climbing 

Get an up-close and personal look at some of Joshua Tree National Park’s finest rock structures by scaling rocks and mountains on a personalised adventure with Mojave Guides.

Mojave Guides offer many different experiences, from hiking to rappelling, but their group or private rock-climbing bookings are certainly the most popular.

Mojave Guides tours are easy to book, with reasonable pricing that covers all necessary equipment for your adventuring purposes.

You can book a group rock-climbing tour with Mojave Guides here, and prepare to enjoy Joshua Tree National Park for a brand new perspective that won’t disappoint.

11- Get Your Shop On In Downtown Joshua Tree

Just a short drive from the outskirts of Joshua Tree National Park is Joshua Tree’s downtown district, a quirky hub for dining, shopping, and sightseeing of all kinds.

Downtown Joshua Tree’s streets are lined with vintage stores and antiquing, gift shops and bookstores, and no end of small-town spirit and charm.

Visitors downtown can also enjoy good coffee, dessert, pizza and sandwiches, with many options for filling up on food and drink before or after your visit to the park.

Strolling through Joshua Tree’s downtown is a must-have on your agenda to truly soak in the Western vibes and sunshine that Joshua Tree offers.

12- Take A Trip To The Coachella Valley Preserve

Nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts will be charmed by a trip to the Coachella Valley Preserve, a nearby natural habitat you won’t want to miss.

The Coachella Valley Preserve covers over 17,000 acres (6879ha) and contains countless hiking and walking trails through scenic desert bluffs and oases.

This biodiverse landmark is also home to the fringe-toed lizard, which lives exclusively within the Coachella Valley.

The Coachella Valley Preserve is thirty-eight miles (61 km) from Joshua Tree National Park, making it a great day trip from the park!

The Coachella Valley Preserve is at 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA 92276.

13- Sightsee At The Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is a seasonal hike located in Joshua Tree National Park and open to the public during the spring, fall and winter months.

The hike is closed during the summer, as the oasis at the hike’s end is a primary water source for local bighorn sheep, especially valuable during summer’s drought-like conditions.

The trail is three miles (4km) round trip and takes explorers through winding desert scenery, with cacti lining the track until it reaches its end at a secluded palm tree oasis.

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is at Fortynine Palms Canyon Rd,​​ Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

14- Explore The Nearby Pioneertown

An unincorporated community in San Bernardino’s high desert, Pioneertown is a unique town with great historic value.

Pioneertown was constructed in 1946, built to look like a town from the 1870s, and originally used as a movie set for many Western-themed films.

To this day, Pioneertown is a beloved stop for many tourists, with many interesting photo ops and old-timey architecture to enjoy.

Pioneertown is 16 miles (25 km) from the nearest entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, perfect for a day trip or a stop on your way out of town.

Pioneertown is at Pioneertown Rd, CA-62 W.

15- Go Stargazing At Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center

Joshua Tree is known for both its nighttime and daytime beauty and the park is a great place to see the stars at the nearby Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center.

This observatory hosts free public night sky programs for stargazing on weekends, or you can visit on your own time with your own equipment.

In addition to the famous observatory, Sky’s The Limit also hosts nature trails, a meditation garden, and a welcome centre with many amenities for visitors.

Joshua Tree National Park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park, meaning it has perfect conditions for stargazing.

So don’t miss a chance to explore the night sky in all its glory.

Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center is at 9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

16- Hike The Barker Dam Nature Trail

Considered one of Joshua Tree National Park’s milder hiking trails, the Barker Dam Nature Trail is a prime stop for taking in the wonders of the Mojave Desert.

This simple, 1.1-mile (1.8 km) loop hike takes visitors through fields of desert plantlife, wide boulders for climbing and towards the namesake Barker Dam.

Barker Dam is sometimes dry depending upon the season, although the dried-up lake bed is also worth a look during dry months.

The Barker Dam Nature Trail is perfect for beginners or anyone seeking an easy trail through some of Joshua Tree National Park’s fine natural landmarks.

The Barker Dam Nature Trail is at Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree National Park, CA 92277.

17- Be Wowed By The Giant Rock

Allegedly the largest free-standing boulder in the world, Giant Rock is an impressive and large boulder just outside Joshua Tree National Park.

The rock is roughly 220 feet (67m) tall and impressively large, hosting a colourful history and background.

Once a sacred site for the Native Americans who inhabited the area, Giant Rock later became the site of an underground home built by the eccentric Frank Critzer, who dug out a hole in the bottom of the rock to live in before a dynamite explosion killed him.

Giant Rock is also considered a hotspot for supernatural and paranormal activity, once a meeting place for UFO conventions and revered by spiritual gurus and psychics.

Giant Rock is at Giant Rock, Landers, CA 92285.

18- Visit Nearby Art Installations At Slab City

Slab City is a lawless community and art hub located sixty-three miles (101 km) south of Joshua Tree National Park.

Tourists and travellers flock to Slab City for its prime attraction, Salvation Mountain, a massive man-made art installation constructed with clay and paint.

Another interesting visit in Slab City is East Jesus, an outdoors walkable art project full of experimental artwork and sculptures.

The environment in Slab City is unlike any other place you’ll likely ever visit, but the people who live here will respect you as long as you respect them and their homes.

Slab City is at Beal Rd, Slab City, CA 92257.

19- Watch For Wildlife At Cottonwood Spring

Located seven miles from the southern entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, Cottonwood Spring is a lush oasis escape hidden within the desert.

Visitors to Cottonwood Spring will find themselves surrounded by towering palms and cottonwood trees, with wildflowers blooming generously during the spring.

Cottonwood Spring is one of the best spots in Joshua Tree National Park for wildlife watching, including bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats and roadrunners.

Cottonwood Spring is at Lost Palms Oasis Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

20- Check Out The Ruins Of Ryan Ranch

What’s left of a long-abandoned estate, hidden among the shrubbery, makes the Ruins of Ryan Ranch such an interesting stop on your trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

J.D. Ryan, who operated the Lost Horse Mine in the park, built the once impressive estate for himself, although it was burnt down in the 1970s due to suspected arson.

Park archaeologists have since stabilised the ruins, so visitors to Joshua Tree National Park can now step through the doorway of Ryan Ranch’s long-forgotten history.

The trail to reach the Ruins of Ryan Ranch is short and simple, with desert canyon views on either side of your journey.

The Ruins of Ryan Ranch is at Ryan Ranch, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.