Spanning nearly 800,000 acres between Palm Springs and the Colorado River, Joshua Tree National Park protects native cacti and succulents, including its namesake, the Joshua tree. Many visitors take a self-guided tour of the park simply to see these otherworldly members of the agave family, but guided tours allow you to further explore the two desert ecosystems here and gain a deeper understanding.
© Tsebourn | Dreamstime.com
For a self-guided tour, start by visiting one of the park’s three visitor centers, each located near one of the entrances: one in the town of Joshua Tree, one in the town of Twentynine Palms and one at the park’s south end off Interstate 10. Passenger cars can tour Joshua Tree on paved Park Boulevard, which connects the Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms entrances. Pinto Basin Road, also paved, intersects Park Boulevard and runs south to I-10.
While most two-wheel-drive vehicles can handle the Queen Valley roads and a few miles of the Geology Tour Road, all other backcountry roads require a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate. However, companies like Red Jeep Tours and Adventure Hummer Tours offer backcountry-road trips through the park.
Hiking proves another popular way to explore Joshua Tree National
Park. Options range from paved loops and easy hikes to treks so physically challenging the National Park Service warns against attempting them during the summer. For a safer alternative, consider booking a guided hike through the Desert Institute. The institute also offers photography, art and nature classes.
© Bonandbondw | Dreamstime.com
With more than 8,000 climbing routes and 2,000 boulder problems, Joshua Tree National Park attracts rock climbers from around the world. You don’t need any experience to join them, though. Several guides offer guided climbing adventures for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned climbers. Because of heat, most operate October through May.
You don’t need a guide to appreciate the night sky. Joshua Tree National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, recognized for
its extremely dark skies. Bring your own binoculars or telescope or take advantage of the park’s small observatory near the Twentynine Palms entrance. The park also hosts ranger-led astronomy programs
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 8, 2025The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection Celebrates 100 Years
Washington, D.C.’s, The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection is celebrating its 100th anniversary with historical exhibits, sophisticated cocktails and a once-in-a-lifetime bookable hotel offer. Known as the Grande Dame of Washington, the hotel has been the backdrop for countless historic events.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
April 2025
Apr 8, 2025Australia’s Amazing Gold Coast Buzzes with Family-Friendly Activities
In Springbrook National Park, about 90 minutes south of Brisbane, the sky is aglow. But this isn’t the sort of glittery glimmer I expected from Australia’s buzzy Gold Coast. I’d heard about the sun-dappled beaches framed with scintillating sand, the sunscreen-slathered bodies at play, the way the ocean water whirls with what looks like bits of gold dust, the amusement parks, the meter maids clad in bikinis, and the high-rise hotels with their reflective-mirrored windows and popular bars that blare tunes beside the waves. Before arriving at what I imagined to look a bit like Miami’s South Beach in places (and it does along the coast in parts), I hadn’t focused much on thoughts of ancient trees, rugged outback and night skies luminous with glowworms. This nighttime nature foray, however, shows me another version of the Gold Coast ... one where nocturnal safaris veritably light up my life.
Daily
Apr 8, 2025A Quick 2025 Summer Guide to Maine
With summer travel coming up, more and more travelers plan trips to Maine. The destination has something to offer every type of traveler, from quaint coastal towns to cities and villages bordering a national park.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Daily
Apr 8, 2025Luxury HQ Resort & Residences to Take Over Celebrated Hodges Bay Resort in Antigua
HQ Hotels & Residences, the lifestyle hospitality brand spearheaded by entrepreneur Sam Nazarian, through a strategic alliance with Wyndham and its Registry Collection Hotels brand, opens its debut resort, renaming the Caribbean’s deluxe Hodges Bay Resort and adding HQ Luxury Resort and Residences onto the name. The new property will bring new on-site venues and amenities, as well as introduce Sam Nazarian’s reputation as an innovator.
A World of Wellness
April 2025
Apr 6, 2025April 2025
Apr 6, 2025Good to Go
As usual, we have a lot going on at Global Traveler. We are about to start our efforts with the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center Roundup Gala, to be held Oct. 24 in Philadelphia. The organization asked me to serve as cochair with John Kelley, a member of the Advisory Board of FXExpress Publications, Inc. Last year’s event surpassed that of 2023, so we have big shoes to fill for 2025.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
Daily
Apr 4, 2025Which European Cities Have the Best, Worst Metro Networks?
International luggage storage company Bounce researched Europe’s metro services across the continent’s capital cities and made some interesting discoveries.
ShareThis