Exploring Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is one National Park I have been close to countless times during my life, but have never been before this trip. My husband and I had been wanting to visit for years and had ear marked this February as the time to finally make that happen. Our kids are avid National Park visitors and were looking forward to exploring a place so completely different than many of the parks we’ve explored to date. We had crystal clear perfect weather to take in all that we could during our visit.
Joshua Tree is a photographers dream. Everywhere we hiked, sat, climbed, drove, looked was a boulder, tree, bush, butterfly, blue sky beckoning to be captured. I am looking forward to printing a few of these images to have in our home. Caution, this post contains a lot of photos. Hopefully just enough to tempt you with your own travels to Joshua Tree National Park or any of our amazing National Parks in the US. We are so fortunate to have so much protected land waiting to explore. I think about Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Franklin Roosevelt, and John Rockefellar Jr. among others, every time I enter a National Park. Though they weren’t the only ones responsible for each of our parks, their passion for nature and protection of these remarkable lands is inspiring. I am truly grateful for their forethought, dedication and generosity. As Ken Burns called them, “National Parks, America’s Best Idea.” Find one to explore near you, you will be glad you did.
Details on our journey following the photos.
Getting there + traveling tips
We were originally going to rent a little house I found inside the park, but in the end decided to stay in Palm Springs. It’s about 45 minutes from Palm Desert to the South Entrance, Cottonwood. I had read that if you only have one day, it can make an interesting journey to start at the south entrance and meander your way north. The landscape changes as you drive through the Colorado Desert with cactus and tumbleweed and onward northwest through the Mojave desert where the larger boulders Joshua Tree is famous for are most abundant.
We made stops along the way for short hikes and climbs We found the most picturesque campsites at White Tank near Arch Rock. I couldn’t help but imagine an evening spent there on this perfectly clear day, the stars must be mystifying at nightfall. I would love to go back again to camp and witness the solar system in a way that is pure and unpolluted with the lights of any urban life.
You should know that once you get to Joshua Tree, there are no services in the park for food or drinks. There are restrooms at the visitor centers. You will want to plan to bring your lunch, snacks and lots of water with you before you head into the park, especially when exploring with kids.
More Simple Proof posts on National Parks, take a look here and here.
