Wall Street Mill. The blooming season can begin as early as February but it’s mostly in early spring which falls around March and April. Wether you are a tent camper or have an RV, camping in Joshua Tree is top notch. But that’s not why JT Health Store is on this list. The East side of the park is best for stargazing. Top Joshua Tree National Park Landmarks: See reviews and photos of sights to see in Joshua Tree National Park, California on Tripadvisor. Notch-leaved Phacelia - Small purple flowers are also called scorpionweed. For the most part, this is the best place to camp in Joshua Tree National Park. A wide or ultra-wide lens is great to show the chollas and nearby hills, but a telephoto lens could also bring some … Facebook Share on twitter. Best Photos Spots in Joshua Tree and Surrounding Cities Pioneertown. All of the photographs and copy herein, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by the photographers and authors. If you’re a shutterbug like me, you’ll understand how I love to explore and photograph all kinds of subjects. TOP 10 GUIDE: Best Instagram Photo Spots Inside Joshua Tree National Park. The last time I visited Joshua Tree a was very pregnant so I couldn’t venture out too much. San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District, Baby-Friendly Travel Guide to Santa Monica, 100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10, Where to Find Blooming Almond Orchards in Northern California, Le Marais Bakery: San Francisco's Newest Favorite Instagram Cafe, How to Build the Perfect Charcuterie and Cheese Board, The Ultimate San Diego Bucket List for Summer. Juniper trees are especially photogenic because they have dramatic twisted trunks which totally add drama to a photograph. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. One of the most popular sights in Joshua Tree National Park is Cholla Cactus Garden. The site is also known for having local parties although there are larger campsites that give you privacy. These guys definitely are not what you typically think of when you hear cactus, but that’s what makes them unique! In-park campground near Joshua Tree South Entrance: Cottonwood Campground; 6 more great camping, glamping, and RV sites close to Joshua Tree entrances. The Big List of Strange, Fun & Unique Attractions in Southern California, Pacific Coast Highway: Where to Stop on Your Road Trip, Fun Stops on the Drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Donner Pass, Summit Tunnel Hike: Old Abandoned Railroad. 4-Night Joshua Tree Desert RV Rental Package. Joshua Tree has over 800 climbing routes. One of the best places to visit in Joshua Tree is the Cholla Cactus Garden trail. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit! It’s pretty easy to see why. The Mohave Desert is the only place on earth where the Joshua tree grows. The most popular spring is Cottonwood Spring which surprisingly has lush green palm trees. Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Springs and Water Oases - You don’t usually think of bodies of water in the desert but actually there are five water oases in Joshua Tree Park and few springs too. Climbing Routes - If you’re feeling adventurous, get a new perspective from up above. It’s on this list because it’s a fine purveyor … Twitter Share on reddit. Cholla Cactus Garden - Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus grows here and in my opinion is one of the most photogenic areas of the park. The trailhead access is at Pinto Basin Road on the way to Cottonwood Springs. And if you visit before 10 am even on a … We came back and tried again early in the morning at the beginning of the week and grabbed one of the last spots. The anticipation was incredible. If there isn’t enough rain, they save their water and wait for the next year to bloom. Desert Dandelion - Pretty yellow flower with a red center closes up at night. Halvor Tweto. Joshua Tree NP in Summer – I don’t recommend visiting in summer, when the weather regularly exceeds 100 degrees F. If you do visit in the summer, make sure you’re prepared for hot weather and bring lots of drinking water. The Hidden Valley loop trail is not only one of the best hikes in the park, but it’s also one of the best photo spots in Joshua Tree. I lit my way with a cell phone, carefully stepping between man height cactuses and Joshua trees to find a good place from which to watch the rising moon. They grow super tall stalks with yellow flowers, great fro photos. Joshua Tree glamping is a great way to experience the mountain views in comfort. Begin in San Diego and drive your crew into adventure! It’s perfect for photos! See all outdoor activities in Joshua Tree National Park on Tripadvisor. If you need to pick up some vitamins or supplements during your trip, you can do that here. July 2, 2020 6:18 am Comments Share on facebook. There are no developed trails on Quail so I don’t recommend it to anyone unless you’re real Gung-ho for adventure. The light illuminates the tiny cactus plants and lights the … We won’t send you spam. Along Park Boulevard, Hidden Valley, Ryan, and Jumbo Rocks are the three campgrounds most central to the main … The colors are so clearly defined and come out beautifully in photos. We find this part of the park a great spot (or along the road) to watch the sun go down. Full disclosure, the mine is blocked off so you have to admire it from a distance and get creative with your camera. Nothing like it anywhere: an 8,000-acre maze of jumbled boulder formations filled with secluded places like Rattlesnake Canyon and unnamed spots where you’ll feel like the first human ever to venture. Wildlife - If you want to try your hand at wildlife photography, species that live inside the park include birds, bighorn sheep, snakes, and lizards. It is one of the signature sights of Joshua Tree. Photographers will love to visit at sunrise to watch the sunbeams light up the semi-translucent needles. The campground has 101 sites, including 13 group campsites. Find it here on Google Maps. The Cactus Garden is pretty deep into Joshua Tree National Park, about 12 miles in from the south entrance. To get to the trailhead: From Park Boulevard, take Keys View Road south 2.4 miles and turn left onto a dirt road leading to the trailhead for Lost Horse Mine. It is one of many unique rock formations in the park and it’s a great place for star photography as well. All specialty lodgings in Joshua Tree National Park; Near Landmarks. The hike to the top is about 1.5 miles. Joshua Tree Flowers - We all know about the funky looking Joshua Trees (which are actually not trees at all), but not everyone knows that they bloom with white clusters of flowers. There are cute shops, fun bars and restaurants, and more. Joshua Tree is one of the best places for stargazing in the country (and the planet!). Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing place to explore, and here are a few fantastic hikes that prove the point: Arch Rock Nature Trail, 0.3 mile: Walk from White Tank Campground to a natural arch, through a maze of other rock formations with abundant spots to scramble around and crannies to explore. Lost Horse Mine - Long ago miners arrived in the park in the 1800s. If they do bloom, it will be sometime in the spring, but only if there’s been enough rain in the winter. Must See Spots in Joshua Tree. Coronavirus January 2021 Update: Please note that some information in the posts may have changed and some places may be closed. Joshua Tree, California Joshua Tree is one of the best places for stargazing in the country (and the planet!) These round and bulbous rocks where formed by glaciers long ago and make for some great photos. 3. It was also the perfect spot for a quick snack, so we sat on a few boulders at the top and munched on some sandwiches. Fortynine Palms Oasis is much more secluded with a 3 mile roundtrip hike to find it. It’s also easy to walk to some desert area where the Joshua Trees are growing. Best Places to Live in Joshua Tree, California Suburban complex - Southern California, 50 to 80 miles east of Los Angeles and Orange County. To get to the trailhead from inside the park, exit the north entrance and make a left on Route 62. This 774,000-acre preserve has a rich history and flourishing natural scene with wildlife and plant-life. Indian Cove Campground is also the best campground in Joshua Tree for beginner rock climbers. Log in, This blog is simply a hobby and labor of love for me. Just like everywhere else in the park, get here early to beat the crowds, which will climb all over it and ruin your photos (leaving you with nothing use on your annual Halloween cards to friends). It’s very, very, dark at night in Cholla Cactus Garden. Cholla Cactus Garden. Copyright: This entire site Ⓒ 2014-2020 Gennifer Rose. From a photography standpoint, the Mojave Desert usually gets all the love. Skull rock is probably the most famous Instagram spot in Joshua Tree National Park. Wonderland of Rocks. Joshua Tree National Park is the meeting place of two deserts, the Colorado Desert and the higher and cooler Mojave Desert. No part of this site, or any of the content contained herein, may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsover without express permission of the copyright holders. I could write an entire blog post on just these gems but I will just give you some highlights for now. Cholla Cactus Garden. Arch Rock, located in the White Tank Campground, is one of my favorite places in Joshua Tree. Colorado Desert - The main reasons for the divide between the Colorado and Mojave desert are based on climate, elevation, and the types of plants that thrive in each area. Each area has its own distinct ecosystem with diverse territory. You’ll see them growing on mostly level, well-drained areas throughout the park at elevations from 2,000 to 6,000 feet (the Black Rock Canyon area and Queens’s Valley have … Backyard Bohemia, a dog-friendly glamping site right outside Joshua Tree main entrance. Each area has its own distinct ecosystem with diverse territory. If you are able to stay at a campground in Joshua Tree National Park or at Twentynine Palms (we stayed at a hotel there), then venturing out for the sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden is well worth your time. Along the Hidden Valley trail (best hiking photo spots in Joshua Tree) About halfway through the Hidden Valley hike. Keys View. Chia Flower - Spinky pink flower grows on a long stalk. Quail Mountain - The tallest mountain in the park and you must be an experienced hiker to reach the top. Agave Deserti - Mostly known as a common houseplant, these beauties are even better in the wild. It … The hike is only a quarter mile and leads you straight into a beautiful lush garden of these adorable cacti. They all have Western facades that will have you feeling like you’re in an old Western movie set. Unsubscribe at any time. With new luxury tents, cabins, airstreams, and yurt options. The … There’s no permit required for this trail, yay! The Natural Sisters Cafe, Joshua Tree (Vegetarian & Brunch, $$) Crossroads Cafe, Joshua Tree (American, $$) La Copine, Yucca Valley (New American, $$) Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace (New American, $$) – open late and has live music. You will hit the iconic Joshua Trees and boulders once you drive north to the Mojave desert side. Note: This article has been updated for 2020 to reflect the best Joshua Tree glamping sites and unique stays. If you’re into ghost towns, there are nearly 300 abandoned gold and silver mines in Joshua Tree Park (see our adventures at the Ghost Town Bodie!). The Cholla Cactus Garden is another obvious photo spot in the park due to its high concentration of cholla cacti. Some campgrounds lie along this corridor, and a couple of others are nearby. October, April and May are the most pleasant months in Joshua Tree, while July and August are the least comfortable months. Pioneertown is an unincorporated town with a population of 420. But you can definitely photograph it from some great view points. Desert Lavender - This plant looks very similar to traditional lavender, but found in the desert. Drive 5 miles through the city of Twentynine Palms and turn south on Canyon Road. Dessert Mariposa Lily - Orange Flower that resembles the California Poppy. Dessert flowers only bloom after the winter rains. The reason is that the Park is located in the High Desert (3000-5000 ft above sea level) and it is located far from major cities (which create light pollution). Hidden Valley. They don’t bloom every year so it’s extra special if you’re able to catch it and the perfect time. Although it's not an ambitious trail, there are still some great photo opportunities along the way. The best outdoor activities in Joshua Tree National Park according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Ryan Mountain. Gennifer Rose is a Sacramento based blog specializing in traveling around California, natural lifestyle, motherhood. 13 Hidden Secret Spots in Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park is the meeting place of two deserts, the Colorado Desert and the higher and cooler Mojave Desert. Although explorer John C. Fremont famously derided Joshua trees as “the most repulsive tree in the vegetable kingdom,” these grizzled looking plants that reach up to 40 feet-tall can be as beautiful as they are eccentric. The views from the peak seemed to endlessly stretch in every direction. We especially love eco-conscious brands, supporting niche and small businesses, and paying homage to stylish pioneers. Sunset Skies - Joshua Tree has the best sunset skies and you can actually see the stars at night. If you continue another mile down the trail, there’s a great overlook spot as well. From Park Boulevard, take Pinto Basin Road for 12 miles. Hotels near Hidden Valley; Hotels near Keys View; Hotels near Cholla Cactus Garden; Hotels near Skull Rock; Hotels near Barker Dam Trail; Hotels near Ryan Mountain; Hotels near 49 Palms Canyon Trail; Hotels near Cottonwood Visitor Center; Hotels near Joshua Tree Ranch; Hotels near Arch Rock But the Colorado Desert actually has some of the best colorful blooming flowers which are great in photos. Privacy Terms and ConditionsSite design by Jodi Neufeld Design© 2014-2019 Gennifer Rose All Rights Reserved. Other Trees - We all know about the Joshua Trees but within the park there’s also has piñon, pine, juniper, and live oak trees. They are fairly close to the main road and easy to climb.