Joshua Tree was the first national park we ever visited in the USA , so it holds a special place in our hearts. This unique park in the Mojave Desert is instantly recognisable for the hundreds of Joshua trees that dot the landscape, as well as the iconic rock and desert scenery.
With a car you can cover a significant area and see the best the park has to offer in just one day. If you have a bit more time, then you can take on some of the hikes which escape the crowds and show you areas that few people visit.
However, for a day trip, we’ve put together a one day itinerary that shows the unmissable bits of the park to create a truly memorable trip.
Joshua Tree day trip itinerary
Sunrise – Cholla Cactus Garden
It’s worth getting up early, as sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the best ways to start a day in any national park in the USA. Situated on the top of a huge desert plain, the Cholla Cactus Garden has incredible views as well as huge patches of cacti.
The reason why you should go at sunrise is not just because you can see the sun rise above the mountains in front of you, but also because the spines on the cacti glow at the first light of the day and it’s an absolutely mesmerising sight.
We’ve never seen anything quite like it, and felt like we were witnessing a unique phenomenon. It’s a great place to take a few photos as well and I doubt there will be more than a handful of other people around at this time of day. To watch sunrise and take photos of the glowing cactus doesn’t require any walking, but there is a short and worthwhile walk here if you want to stretch your legs and see more of the cacti.
Find yourself a Joshua tree
After sunrise, it’s time to find the icon of the national park - a Joshua tree. You won’t have to try very hard as there are thousands here! These desert trees are only found in selected areas of the Southwest (primarily the Mojave Desert in California and Nevada), but they are greatest in number in Joshua Tree National Park.
These iconic trees were named by Mormon Settlers, who used the Joshua trees to help guide them through the desert. They were named after a biblical story in which Joshua was led through the desert with his arms outstretched to Canaan.
Check out Skull Rock
From Cholla Cactus Garden, you’ll head into the main part of the park and one of the first things you’ll see is the stop for Skull Rock. As you might imagine, this rock has been eroded into the shape of a skull, and stands out from the rocky landscape.
There is also a hike you can do from here, but we wouldn’t recommend it. You basically go to a campground and then head back to Skull Rock along the road.
Barker Dam Walk - 1.4 miles (2.2km)
Time to stretch your legs on one of Joshua Tree National Park’s best trails. This hike is relatively flat, short and easy going, so you don’t need to worry about fitness level.
The trail was created by cowboys to water their cattle and weaves away from the road into the desert. The scenery is fantastic and despite being a short walk, the landscape feels wild. There are plenty of Joshua trees as well as those unique clusters of boulders and of course the dam, which feels really unexpected in such a dry and arid land.
After the dam and just 30 seconds from the main trail you’ll find some Indian petroglyphs. Sadly they have seen better days, but it is still a fascinating to see how drawings were used to depict water sources and other vital information.
Hidden Valley - one mile (1.7km)
Not far from the Barker Dam Trail is another short gem. As the name suggests, this trail leads into what feels like a hidden valley. The trail goes through a narrow passage before dropping into a valley of rocks, boulders and Joshua trees. We’d recommend doing both this one and Barker Dam but if you only have time for one, we’d recommend Barker Dam for diversity.
The trail is a circuit and quite easy to lose, but it is beautiful to just meander through this special desert landscape.
Keys View for sunset
The best spot in the park for sunset is definitely Keys View. At the top of a winding road is a vast view out to the Coachella Valley and beyond, just the right direction for sunset! It’s a stunning point, and it’s plenty big enough to not feel crowded even if there are other people up there with you.
Be careful of the weather though, as it was insanely windy on both evenings we visited! It may have just been a winter storm, but the wind really picked up around this area!
If you fancy a longer hike - The Panorama Loop - 6.7 miles (10.8km)
If you prefer one longer hike to several short trails, then head over to the Black Rock Campground section of Joshua Tree and embark on the Panorama Loop.
This is our favourite hike in the park and is more diverse than any other trail. It’s also a far quieter part of the park if you’re visiting in peak season when crowds can be an issue.
The trail heads away from the campground into narrow valleys, over a ridge line and offers views to the Sierra Mountains beyond. There are also plenty of dense patches of Joshua trees. It is a really great trail and well worth venturing out to the lesser visited part of Joshua Tree National Park.
You can read more about the trail or get some other ideas on our blog all about the best Joshua Tree hikes.
Where to stay if you want to make it an overnighter
Casa De Frank
We’d highly recommend staying in Joshua Tree town for easy access and to make full use of your one day in the park, although you could also visit using Palm Springs as a base too (roughly 35 miles away).
If you’re looking for a great option, then check out Casa De Frank which has really high ratings (we picked the trailer in the end because the only remaining room at the Casa was with shared facilities).
Check the latest prices & reviews on:
Eclectic Joshua Tree
For a highly rated more luxurious option try Eclectic Joshua Tree which looks amazing!
Check the latest prices & reviews on:
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Are you planning a trip to Joshua Tree? What would be on your itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
