Joshua Tree National Park is best known for its namesake gnarly trees. But there’s much more to the park, including two desert ecosystems, which make for a wide variety of plants, animals and geologic features.
We made our first visit to Joshua Tree in December 2024 as part of a longer Southern California road trip. With only one visit to Joshua Tree National Park under our belt, we won’t claim to know everything about the park.
But we are experts on National Parks. Joshua Tree was the 51st National Park we’ve visited and 333rd out of all National Park Service sites. So, we generally know what to expect in a national park.
But while there are a lot of similarities, every national park has unique traits, so it’s important to know what is different for that park. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of 19 tips for visiting Joshua Tree National Park.
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Top Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
Most of our tips are general enough to be useful year-round. But, each season is a little different, so there are a few tips that are specific to visiting Joshua Tree National Park in December or anytime throughout the winter.
We hope these tips will help you plan your trip to Joshua Tree and prepare for what to expect when you arrive.
1) Winter is the Busy Season
The most important thing to understand about visiting Joshua Tree National Park in December is that it is the busy season. This is especially true in late December and early January when many people have extra time off work and children are out of school.
In fact, we visited the park on the weekend between Christmas and New Year’s, which is often the busiest weekend of the year.
Honestly, we didn’t even think about the timing when planning our trip. That just goes to show that even seasoned national park travelers sometimes forget to consider the calendar!
If you have the flexibility to visit during the week or not right in the middle of the holidays, that would be best. But, if you are like many people (including us), you go when you have the time.
Just know that around the holidays, you’ll need to pack your patience as the park will be crowded. It will be even more crowded on weekends throughout the entire winter and even into early Spring.
Our suggestion: arrive at the park early, plan your highest priority activities for first thing in the day and be prepared for full parking lots by mid-morning.
2) Check the Weather Forecast
The upside to visiting Joshua Tree National Park in the winter is that the weather is often fantastic. That’s exactly why it is so busy in the winter! (Temperatures can be dangerously hot in the summer.)
During our visit, highs were in the mid-60s to low-70s with mostly clear conditions. It was a little cool in the early morning and after dark. But the middle of the day was near perfection.
We alternated between short sleeves and lightweight long-sleeve layers, depending on what we were doing.
But Joshua Tree can get extremely cold in the winter. And snow is possible. So you should definitely check the weather forecast before packing so that you won’t be caught unprepared.
3) Joshua Tree National Park has Three Entrance Stations
There are three main entrance stations to Joshua Tree National Park.
On the southern end, you can enter the park off I-10 at Exit 168. On the northern side of the park, you can enter from the town of Joshua Tree (known as the West Entrance) or Twentynine Palms (known as the North Entrance).
There are a couple of other access points on the north side, but they only take you to campgrounds and hiking trails.
The most popular stops are on the north side of the park, along Park Boulevard, which connects the North and West entrance stations. But the southern part of the park is worth a visit too as it is quite different. It is actually part of an entirely different desert ecosystem than the northern end of the park.
4) Stop at a Visitor Center Before Entering the Park
Joshua Tree National Park has three visitor centers located near its three main entrance stations. On the southern end of the park, the Cottonwood Visitor Center is about six miles inside the park. On the northern end, the visitor centers are just outside each park entrance.
If possible, I’d suggest stopping at a visitor center the afternoon the day before you plan on entering the park (if entering from Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms). That will give you a chance to talk to a ranger and still enter the park early the next morning.
We always like to check in with a ranger to ask for hiking suggestions and find out any general park updates or important information.
Additionally, the Black Rock Nature Center is located in the northwest corner of the park at the Black Rock campground. Note: this area does not connect to the main part of the park by road.
5) Expect Delays Entering and Exiting
Based on Joshua Tree National Park’s popularity, it should come as no surprise that lines can get backed up at the entrance stations. You can pay the entrance fee or purchase a park pass at the visitor center, which will speed up your time at the entrance station. But you should still expect delays just about any time after sunrise.
And don’t expect to skip out on paying the fee by just entering the park early. Rangers often check park passes of those exiting the park as well, so lines back up just to get out of the park also. (Plus, the national parks are horribly underfunded and can greatly benefit from the additional money that comes in via entrance fees.)
From what we saw, the biggest backups were in the mid-afternoon at the West Entrance station near the town of Joshua Tree. I’m pretty sure the line to get in stretched for at least a mile.
Again, we suggest arriving early in the day with your entrance pass in hand. Even at 10:00 am we had a 10-15 minute wait to get through the North Entrance.
6) Be Prepared for No Services Inside the Park
For such a popular park, the lack of services inside the park is a little surprising. But, that’s the way it is.
Seriously, inside the park, you will find a few picnic areas and pit toilets. That’s about it for day visitors. There are no lodges, restaurants or gas stations inside the park. The visitor centers have flush toilets, but there are none in the interior of the park.
Some of the campgrounds have water fill stations but not all of them. Only two campgrounds have flush toilets.
Bring all the food, water and other supplies you need with you.
Pro Tip: The Stater Bros Market in Twentynine Palms is a full-service grocery store and a great place to stock up on anything you need before entering the park.
7) Don’t Expect to Have Cell Service
Along those lines, cell service is extremely limited inside the park. We got a blip or two of service here and there but nothing you could count on.
I suggest you download the NPS app before you arrive so that you’ll have access to trail descriptions and general park info. Of course, you should also pick up a park brochure with map at the visitor center or entrance station.
8) The Closest Hotels are on the North Side of the Park
If you’re looking for lodging close to the park, your best options are on the north side in either Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Twentynine Palms and it was very comfortable. There are a few other chain hotels, along with several local options. From either of these towns, you can be at an entrance station within 10-15 minutes.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews and Book the Hotel
Farther west, you’ll find the greater Palm Springs area, which has many more lodging options, but you’ll have a longer drive to Joshua Tree National Park.
9) Camp Inside the Park for Easy Access
For campers, there are eight campgrounds operated by Joshua Tree National Park. These are best for tent campers and those with camper vans or other small RVs. A few sites can accommodate large RVs, but there aren’t many of those.
There are also a few private campgrounds in both Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. If you have a large RV, you’ll find these much more accommodating. Campgrounds outside the park will also, generally, offer more amenities.
Only five of the national park campgrounds accept reservations and those fill quickly in the busy winter season. It’s best to book as early as possible.
The other three campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis but they are fairly small. Personally, I wouldn’t risk not getting a spot but if you are local or have a lot of flexibility, that might work for you. Just remember that overnight camping is not allowed in parking lots or along roadsides.
Finally, Ryan and Jumbo Rocks campgrounds are the most centrally-located campgrounds. If staying at Indian Cove or Black Rock campground, you’ll still have to fight traffic in and out of the main park entrance stations.
10) Reserve a Tour of Keys Ranch Before You Arrive
One of the most unique things to do at Joshua Tree National Park is a ranger-led tour of Keys Ranch. A tour of this once privately owned ranch is the best way to learn about the history of the park and the people who once lived here.
On the tour, you’ll visit one of the original ranches located in a rocky canyon on the north side of the park. The ranger will take you through the ranch, sharing tales of how the past residents made a life in this remote desert.
Tours are typically offered October – May and reservations must be made in advance through recreation.gov.
11) Don’t Expect to Find Joshua Trees on the South End of the Park
You might be surprised to learn that Joshua Trees aren’t found throughout the entire park. (Also, they technically aren’t trees but succulents.)
As mentioned previously, the park crosses through two deserts. Joshua Trees are only found in the Mojave Desert, in the northern portion of the park.
If you enter through the southern entrance off I-10, you’ll have to drive quite a while before you see even a single namesake Joshua Tree. The southern part of the park is part of the Colorado Desert and is still quite interesting, with several different types of cactus and other desert plants.
12) Allow Plenty of Time for Rock Scrambling (or Climbing)
Joshua Tree National Park is home to many different large rocks, boulder piles and granite monoliths. Many of these can be easily explored on foot from the main road. Other areas require considerable skill and rock climbing equipment.
Both kids and kids at heart can spend hours scrambling over and through the rocks to explore this outdoor playground. While there are many areas to do this, some of the easiest to reach are right along Park Boulevard.
One of the most recognizable rocks is known as Skull Rock for its resemblance to a human skull. That particular rock is located just steps off the road and is well-marked. While there is a 1.7-mile hiking trail through the boulder pile and desert washes, you can also just explore the area on your own.
Just be careful not to venture too far away from the road unless you have proper supplies, including water, food, a map, a first aid kit, and sun protection. Shoes with good traction are also recommended.
You can also have plenty of fun just watching rock climbers on some of the many rock walls around the park.
13) Be Considerate When Parking
As mentioned previously, a visit to Joshua Tree National Park in December will mean a crowded park. Expect parking lots to fill by mid-morning, especially on the weekends.
If you are searching for a parking spot, be patient and be considerate of other visitors.
Don’t park on the road. If parking on the shoulder, make sure your car is full off the road. Don’t take up more than one parking space and don’t block other cars. Of course, you should never park in an area that is marked as a no-parking zone.
There are very few parking areas for large RVs, so it’s best to have a tow/towed vehicle if your RV is too big for a standard parking spot. We did find a few pullouts that could accommodate larger Class A and Class C motorhomes or trailers, assuming there weren’t too many cars already parked.
14) Drive the Unpaved Roads to Escape the Crowds
As busy as Joshua Tree National Park is in December, we still managed to find some quiet space along the unpaved roads. Both the Queen Valley Road and the Geology Road Tour offered almost instant relief from the crowds of people along Park Boulevard.
Queen Valley Road should be passable by most vehicles. It also offered several pullouts, allowing you to stop for pictures among the Joshua Trees and boulder piles or to enjoy a picnic lunch. That said, conditions can always change, so check with a ranger if you are concerned.
The first few miles of the Geology Tour Road Tour is generally accessible by most passenger vehicles. Watch for signs where four-wheel drive is required. As the name implies, a self-guided tour of the geologic forces that shaped the landscape along this road is available on the NPS app.
While both are great drives, we enjoyed the Queen Valley Road more.
15) Hiking Trails are Closed After Dark
While Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, a ranger pointed out that the hiking trails are closed after dark. In fact, all day-use areas are closed from dusk to dawn to protect wildlife. All the more reason to make sure you are inside the park early, especially on short winter days.
If you are interested in backcountry camping, you’ll need to need a permit in person, over the phone, or on recreation.gov.
While hiking is prohibited and day-use areas close after dark, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best parks for stargazing. Just be sure to stay within 20 feet of your vehicle, per park regulations.
16) Don’t Expect to See the Milky Way in December
Stargazing can be magnificent any time of the year, thanks to the relative remoteness of Joshua Tree National Park. That said, some light pollution does impact the night sky, so some areas of the park are better for stargazing than others. Additionally, stargazing is always best on a moonless night.
Pro Tip: Bring a red light flashlight if you want to do any stargazing. That will provide needed light without “ruining” your night vision.
If you aren’t an astronomy nut, you may not be aware that the Milky Way is not visible year-round from the United States. In particular, the Milky Way is not visible in November, December, and January.
The best time to see the Milky Way is in the summer. Check the park’s website for more stargazing tips.
17) Have a Plan if Bringing a Pet
Many people like to travel with their pets. Unfortunately, this is not always the best idea in national parks. Generally, this is because the presence of pets can alter the natural behavior of native animals. Domestic pets can even harm native plants.
So, it’s always best to do a little research before taking your pet to a national park or any public land.
At Joshua Tree National Park, pets are not allowed on hiking trails, in the backcountry or in park buildings. Leashed pets are only allowed within 100 feet of roads, picnic areas and campgrounds.
If leaving your pet in your RV, be mindful of the weather as temperatures can be quite warm even in the winter.
Read up on pet regulations in Joshua Tree National Park
18) Don’t Over-Plan
We always suggest having some sort of planned itinerary when you visit a national park. But when visiting in the busy season, be prepared to adjust based on the crowds.
I’ll admit, before arriving at the park, I didn’t give it too much thought that we would be there on the weekend between Christmas and New Year’s. We had a wonderful plan to follow the itinerary we wrote in our book, USA RV Adventures.
That plan went out the window almost as soon as we entered.
We quickly realized that since we entered the park mid-morning on a busy Saturday, we were going to be limited by where we could find parking. Ultimately, the parking situation dictated what we did and when.
Thankfully, we were able to adjust our itinerary and make the most of it. But it wasn’t what we originally planned.
Hopefully, our tips will help you plan your visit a little bit better. But I’d still suggest being ready to adjust based on the crowds.
19) Splurge on Brunch, Dinner or Drinks at Kitchen in the Desert
I’m sure there are many wonderful things to do in the communities near Joshua Tree National Park. For us, the park was the focus. So we didn’t even look for other things to do in the area.
But we did enjoy dinner at Kitchen in the Desert one night. We first discovered the restaurant when researching for the California’s Desert Parks route in our book, USA RV Adventures. Of course, we wanted to check it out to make sure our recommendation was justified.
We had a wonderful meal and will certainly be leaving this recommendation in our upcoming second edition.
The restaurant serves tapas-style small plates. Their website describes the style as “world flavors with a Caribbean twist.”
In addition to bold flavors and interesting combinations, we enjoyed the tasty cocktails and outside dining. Just remember that it does get cold after dark in December, so be sure to dress appropriately.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park offers an interesting combination of remoteness and limited services with nearby gateway communities that provide the necessities and comfort you may desire.
The whimsical Joshua Trees are just plain fun to view. We especially love that no two trees are the same.
Add in the rock piles, cactus and other desert plants and it’s a very unique landscape. Believe it or not, over the past few years, we’ve really come to love the desert and the calmness they embody.
Personally, I would not want to visit Joshua Tree or any other desert park in the summer. It’s just too hot to be enjoyable throughout the day. So it’s understandable that a visit to Joshua Tree National Park in December might test your patience a little.
Be prepared to run into crowds along the main roads and shorter hiking trails. Have a plan but be ready to adapt. And seek out ways to find solitude and just enjoy your surroundings.
If you are looking to make Joshua Tree National Park part of a longer road trip, check out our itinerary for visiting Death Valley National Park or purchase our book, USA RV Adventures. In the book, you’ll find a five-day itinerary for visiting California’s Desert Parks, plus 24 additional routes all around the country.
- Sinclair, Bonnie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 560 Pages – 02/28/2023 (Publication Date) – Moon Travel (Publisher)
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