This iconic park, named after the unique Joshua Trees that dot its vast landscape, offers a stunning blend of rugged rock formations, desert vistas, and a diverse range of plant and animal life. Embarking on a day trip from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in nature and experience the wonders of the desert firsthand. Join us as we discover the unforgettable sights and activities that await you in this enchanting national park.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The park is always open and may be visited at any time of year. Visitation increases as temperatures moderate in the fall, peaks during the spring, and diminishes during the summer heat.
Planning
Be Prepared: There is no food, water, or gasoline available within the park, so be sure to arrive fully stocked. Joshua Tree weather can include extreme heat, heavy rain, flash flooding, gale-force winds, hail, and snow. Check the weather forecast before you arrive.
Download the NPS App: Access over 400 national park sites from your phone. The app includes trail maps, campground info, and ranger programs. Plus, you can download offline maps when there’s no cell service.
Consider Buying Your Pass in Advance: Save time by purchasing your pass on recreation.gov. This helps reduce wait times at entrance stations, and when it’s busy, we’ll open the bypass lanes for passholders if staff is available.
Hitting the Road
The journey from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park takes approximately an hour, making it an easily accessible day trip. As you leave behind the urban charm of Palm Springs, the surrounding desert landscape gradually unfolds before you, setting the stage for the adventure ahead.
The West Entrance is five miles south of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard junction in Joshua Tree Village. This is the busiest entrance.
South Entrance near Cottonwood Spring is an access point along Interstate 10, 25 miles East of Indio.
Do not rely on GPS directions to navigate to or within Joshua Tree National Park! Vehicle navigation systems sometimes try to route you onto backcountry roads with ruts or soft sand that may be impassable to your vehicle.
Joshua Tree Visitor Centers
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
It is located just five miles from the West Entrance. They have educational exhibits, a bookstore, and visitor resources. Grab a park map, buy an entrance pass, and chat with a park ranger to get all your questions answered before heading into the park. It's opened 7:30 am - 5 pm daily.
Cottonwood Visitor Center
Located on Pinto Basin Road, approximately 6 miles north of Interstate 10 (exit 168), the Cottonwood Visitor Center is a convenient stop for those entering and exiting the park from the south. It has educational exhibits, a bookstore, visitor resources, and restroom facilities. You can grab a park map, buy an entrance pass, fill up your water bottle, and chat with a park ranger to get all your questions answered. Open 8:30 - 4 pm daily.
Parking
Only park in designated spots or on graded shoulders along the road. Avoid parking in unauthorized areas, such as next to red curbs, campgrounds, or places that could damage soil or vegetation.
Choose your hike or stop based on available parking. If a parking lot is full, head to another area.
Joshua Tree Scenic Drives
One of the best ways to explore the park is by taking a scenic drive along its well-maintained roads. The Park Boulevard and Pinto Basin Road loop offers breathtaking vistas of the rocky landscape, rolling hills, and the iconic Joshua Trees. Be sure to make stops at various viewpoints and overlooks, such as Keys View, where you can marvel at panoramic views of the Coachella Valley.
Park Boulevard - West Entrance
This loop begins at the Western Entrance near Joshua Tree Village and exits through the opposite entrance, allowing for a seamless journey along Highway 62 on the park’s northern edge. Driving Park Boulevard offers an excellent way to experience the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park in just a few hours. This scenic drive can be easily combined with short stops and hikes for those looking to extend their adventure.
As you journey along Park Boulevard, you’ll pass iconic highlights, including stunning rock formations and expansive Joshua tree groves. Notable spots along the route include Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, Ryan Mountain, and Skull Rock. For those seeking more, a brief detour to Keys View and Barker Dam offers even more breathtaking sights.
Keys View Road
This is 10 miles from the West Entrance on Park Boulevard at the Cap Rock. You'll turn right, with a parking lot and public restrooms. Frive 20 minutes down Keys View Road, and you will come to Keys View, offering panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. This winding road leads to an overlook at 5,185 feet (1,580 meters), offering an unparalleled vantage point over the surrounding desert landscape. On clear days, you can even see as far as the Salton Sea and the San Jacinto Mountains.
Pinto Basin Road - South Entrance
Take the Cottonwood Springs Road off I-10 (exit 168) toward the South Entrance and head toward the Cottonwood Springs Visitor Center. Here, you will connect to the Pinto Basin Road. After a 30-mile drive, it will run into Park Boulevard. It offers a unique perspective of the park's diverse landscape. As you drive along this route, you'll witness the transition from the high desert terrain to the lower elevation Pinto Basin, where the vegetation changes and the vast expanse of the desert opens up before your eyes. Don't forget to stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden, where you can take a short walk among a grove of striking cholla cacti.
Joshua Tree Short Hikes and Nature Trails
For those looking to stretch their legs and venture into the park's heart, Joshua Tree National Park offers an extensive network of hiking trails. Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and Ryan Mountain are popular trails that showcase the park's unique flora, fauna, and stunning geological formations.
Pets are not permitted on any trails in the park except the Oasis of Mara Trail.
Arch Rock: Twin Tanks Parking lot, aka the Arch Rock Trailhead. A lollipop trail through sandy and rocky terrain. A .6-mile trail leads to a .2-mile loop. The arch is located halfway along the loop—1 hour.
Bajada: South of Cottonwood Visitor Center. Loop. Walk on a bajada and discover plants of the Colorado Desert on this easy path—1 hour.
Barker Dam: Barker Dam parking area. Loop. Explore cultural history and view a water tank built by early cattle ranchers. Watch for bighorn sheep—1 hour.
Cap Rock: Cap Rock parking area at the junction of Park Boulevard and Keys View Road. Loop. View boulder piles, Joshua trees, and other desert plants on this easy path. 30 - 45 minutes.
Cottonwood Spring: 1 mile east of Cottonwood Visitor Center. Short walk to fan palm oasis with cottonwood trees. It is a fantastic birding location with plentiful shade—10 minutes.
Discovery Trail: Skull Rock parking area east of Jumbo Rocks Campground. Loop. Connects Skull Rock and Split Rock Loop trails at Face Rock. Easy hike through boulder piles and desert washes. 30 - 45 minutes.
Hidden Valley: Hidden Valley picnic area. Loop. Discover a rock-enclosed valley once rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers—1 hour.
Indian Cove: West end of Indian Cover campground. Loop. Walk on a gently rolling path with a few steps. Take a closer look at desert plants and learn about their traditional uses by Native Americans. 30 - 45 minutes.
Keys View: Short, paved loop path is steep. Breathtaking views of the San Andreas Fault, Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio, and the Salton Sea. 30 minutes.
Ryan Ranch: Ryan Ranch trailhead is about half a mile east of Ryan Campground. Out and back. Enjoy a leisurely hike along an old ranch road and see a historic adobe structure—1 hour.
Skull Rock: The parking area is east of Jumbo Rocks Campground. Loop. Take a leisurely hike and explore boulder piles, desert washes, and the namesake Skull Rock—1 to 2 hours.
Sunset Spectacles
As the sun sets over Joshua Tree National Park, the desert landscape transforms into a magical display of colors. Finding a prime spot to witness this natural spectacle is a must during your day trip. Head to Keys View, Jumbo Rocks, or any high point in the park for an unforgettable sunset experience that will leave you in awe.
Joshua Tree Stargazing
With its remote location far from major city lights, Joshua Tree National Park offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. As night falls, the vast expanse of the Milky Way reveals itself, captivating astronomers and casual observers alike. Bring a blanket, lay back, and marvel at the countless stars illuminating the desert sky in this International Dark Sky Park.
A day trip from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park immerses you in an otherworldly desert landscape characterized by awe-inspiring rock formations, unique vegetation, and abundant outdoor activities. Whether you hike, climb, drive, or soak in the enchanting ambiance, this national park offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. So, pack your camera, grab some snacks, and embark on a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park for a memorable encounter with the wonders of the desert.