Joshua Tree National Park
A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Places we've visited and fallen in love with
Trip · 3-day camping trip
For · New campers
Vibe · Moderate and fun
Reservations · Buy a $30 vehicle pass and reserve a site at Black Rock Campground
Drive · 3 hours from LA
Ideal dates · February - April (for wildflowers!)
Pets · Welcome at campgrounds, but not on hiking trails
Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) is the second largest national park in California (the first is Death Valley National Park); it features more than 795,000 acres, which makes it slightly larger than Rhode Island. Inside you'll find native Yucca brevifolias, aka Joshua Trees, desert tortoises, and one of the darkest skies in Southern California. The options for exploring are endless, with easy hikes for kids, rocks to scramble on, and animals to see. Outside of the park, you’ll find fun and kid-friendly designations, like western-themed saloons and the park’s museum. Get a taste of desert cool at JTNP.
Official National Park Website
Main image credit: Alex Kramarevsky
Each campsite comes with a:
Black Rock Campground lies among one of the thickest Joshua tree forests in Joshua Tree National Park. Campers staying at Black Rock may have the chance to view the elusive desert tortoise, found only in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Campers may also want to keep their eyes out for cool desert features like lizards and kid-friendly rock boulders that can be explored. This campground is known for being more family-friendly, as it has running water and a nature center that can be explored. The campground has running water, meaning that there are flushing toilets and drinking water available.
Check-in: Noon · Check-out: Noon
Nightly Rate: $25
Image credit: Michael Mayernick
JTNP is home to 57 mammal species! If that’s not impressive enough, the part also has 46 reptile species, 250 bird species, and 75 types of butterflies. Learn more about the animals you can find in the part here.
For thousands of years, the Chemehuevi, Serrano, and Cahuilla tribes regularly lived in the high desert, canyons, and caves. These were some of the first humans that lived in the park, over four to eight thousand years ago!
Joshua trees are technically stemless succulents, not trees! The tallest Joshua Tree in the park is about 43 feet high in Queen Valley forest and is estimated to be around 960 years old.
A spacious sleeping bag that will help you stay warm for spring, summer, and fall camping.
Essential Items
Whether it's coffee or cocoa, bring a silicone mug like this one into the wild. Your tummy will thank you.
Kitchen
Leave your backpacking pack at camp, and use this sleek, compressible pack for day hikes.
Shared Gear
An affordable day pack for bringing snacks, sunglasses, and water on your next day hike.
Shared Gear
Handmade in Seattle, Washington, this sleeping bag is pricey, but you can count on it lasting for years.
Essential Items
A fun, affordable tent for beginner car campers that can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.
Shared Gear
An absorbent, antimicrobial fabric that will keep you clean and dry down under.
Personal Stuff
This cook station has plenty of storage and counter space, and is easy to set up and carry out.
Kitchen
If you like to toss and turn at night, this sleeping pad is known for being a quiet, quality option for car campers.
Essential Items
A solid, lightweight, and relatively affordable tent for people are new to backpacking.
Shared Gear
This winter trek on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park is a one of a kind itinerary for adventerous backpackers.
