Joshua Tree is a gorgeous desert escape with its towering rock formations, starry skies and quirky art installations. My parents moved here 10 years ago so I’ve been countless time to explore this gorgeous landscape. This is a complete guide for all the wonderful activities there are to experience in this quaint desert town.
Tip: There is a great Self-Driving Audio Tour on Get Your Guide for the National Park if you enjoy having a historical background on the gold prospecting and cattle rustling of Joshua Tree’s past.
Where to Stay
Camp at Hidden Valley Campground in Joshua Tree National Park
Hidden Valley campground is a great place to camp, but really any of the campsites are pretty amazing within the park.
To Do.
Visit the Cholla Cactus Gardens
This is a spectacular sight to see, nearly 10 acres of landscape dominated by the teddybear cholla. These furry cactus are anything but cuddly, so don’t get too close! It’s best to see this sight at sunrise or sunset so you can see how these fuzzy plants light up in the glow! Read more
Hike Ryan Mountain
A challenging 3 mile hike to a 360 degree view of Joshua Tree National Park. This hike is my favorite in the park! Read More
Walk the Arch Rock Loop Trail
Walk the flat 1.3-mile loop hike that begins from a trailhead along Pinto Basin Road to see this spectacular rock formation. Best to go at sunset for some great photography. Or if you’re a pro, this can be an amazing night shot with stars.
Read More
Hike to Barker Dam
Hiking the Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree is a short, scenic loop that offers stunning desert views, fascinating rock formations, and a glimpse of a historic water reservoir.
Read more
Hike Wall Street Mine
Hiking the Wall Street Mine Trail in Joshua Tree is a fun mix of desert scenery and old mining history, perfect for a little adventure. This is also a family friendly hike if you have children.
Read more
Plan a Backpacking Trip
Joshua Tree has many well-marked trails that can make planning a backpacking trip easy. If you’re inexperienced you can always do a guided trip.
Read More
Desert Art Installations
Visit Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum
If you love junk art (like me!), visit Noah Purifoy’s. It’s an odd arrangement of found objects ripe for interesting photography.
Read more
Visit the Wild West Set of Pioneertown
Pioneertown was once the set of many Wild West films back in the 40s. Today, you can browse the many buildings and even shop at some of them.
Read more
Visit The World Famous Crochet Museum
A quirky sight in downtown Joshua Tree, Crochet Museum is filled will crocheted items from teddy bears to tacos.
Read more
Visit The Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum
This is a quirky retro roadside attraction. The Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum was started by stylist and historian Jeff Hafler over 25 years ago. This collection is a vast array of hair products from the past century plus.
Learn More
The Glass Outhouse Gallery
The Glass Outhouse Gallery in Joshua Tree is a quirky, offbeat art space that showcases unique local creations with a touch of desert charm.
Read more
Take in the View
See the Stunning Vista from Key’s View
This drive-up destination has fantastic views of the Coachella Valley. On a clear day, you can see all the way to The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake.
Read more
Go Rock-Climbing
Joshua Tree has worked class rock-climbing. All over the park you can see climbers scaling the endless stacked boulders.
Book a rock-climbing course
Go on a Rock Scrambling Adventure.
Book now
Sign Up For A Class
Take a night photography class
Capture the magic of the desert skies with a night photography course, or just go out on your own if you’re a pro photographer!
Take a block-printing class
Block Shop textiles have block printing workshops from time to time.
Check the schedule
Go on a yoga & hiking trip
Book now
Go to a sound bath at Integratron
Relax with an immersive sound bath at this Historic Landmark.
Read more
To Eat & Drink
Breakfast
Food for Thought Cafe
Brunch at Food for Thought Cafe: Get breakfast inside a Frank Lloyd Wright building with a beautiful sculpture garden outside.
Lunch
La Copine
La Copine is a hip and trendy restaurant in the middle of the desert.
Read more
Kitchen in the Desert
Kitchen in the Desert serves New American and Caribbean cuisine on their expansive patio. What I love about this place is it stays true to the vibe of the desert with it’s mining equipment scattered throughout, rusted tin roof and murals. This is a great place to grab a bit if you are entering or existing through the east park entrance, or if you’re staying in Twentynine Palms.
Giant Rock Meeting Room is a great locals spot in Yucca Valley with delicious pizza all days and live music Friday and Saturday nights.
Joshua Tree Saloon: is a great place to eat western style burgers in downtown Joshua Tree. They also have live music on the weekends. Read more
For Dinner
Pappy & Harriets
Pappy & Harriets: Your Pioneertown visit is not complete without grabbing BBQ from Pappy & Harriets, great for lunch or a night out. It’s also a great bar that features occasional live music. Read more
The Copper Room
The Copper Room is a revitalized restaurant that stars used to frequent in the 1960s. Dining here fells like you’ve stepped back in time.
Local Restaurant Selections in Yucca Valley
Aki Sushi
I personally love Aki Sushi for no frills quality sushi at a good price and go here often with my parents. They have bottles of wine for $14, and the sushi is really fresh!
Yucca Kabob
Another local favorite for food quality is Yucca Kabob Middle Eastern Cuisine. The food is phenomenal, but the ambiance and service are lacking. You can grab takeout, or just expect slow service. The food is REALLY good and worth it. Try the Chicken Kabob Platter.
To Drink
Joshua Tree Brewery
Taste Craft Brews at Joshua Tree Brewery
Joshua Tree Coffee Company
Grab a cup of Joe at Joshua Tree Coffee Company. Good brews and good vibes.
Joshua Tree Distilling
“Raise your Spirits” at Joshua Tree Distilling. Try a sampling of spirits and cocktails made with locally named Lost Horse Whiskey, Black Hole Vodka, and Giant Rock Gin.
To Shop
Acme 62 Furniture
Explore Acme 62 Furniture for stunning desert-chic home decor.
Moon Wind Trading Co.
Moon Wind Trading Co. is a boutique shop with desert-inspired charm, offering clothing, jewelry, candles, and more.
Wine & Rock Shop
The Wine & Rock Shop in Yucca Valley is a charming and quirky spot offering an excellent selection of organic wines and craft beers. Their curated collection features artistic, desert-inspired labels that are as unique as the shop itself. You’ll also find candles, backpacks, coffee table books, and yes—rocks!
The Station
The Station is a retro gift shop packed with fun photo opportunities and lots of great souvenirs. Be sure to grab a T-shirt featuring Big Josh, the towering 20-foot cowboy, before you go.
Read more
Book Your Trip
These are some of my favorite sites for finding the best prices, places to stay, book tours, and more:
Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for the best hotel deals and easy change or cancellation
Find A Tour
Search Get Your Guide to book a variety of tours and activities
Book Your Flight
Browse Expedia for deals on flights, hotels, rental cars and more
Shop Comfortable Hiking & Athleisure
Shop Vuori for long-lasting comfortable hiking and workout apparel for men and women (my fave!)
Shop Travel Gear
Shop Herschel for nice luggage and other travel goods and accessories that are made to last.
This website contains some affiliate links. If you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no added cost to you. Thank you for supporting this travel blog with your purchase!
Like This Post? Pin It.
11 Responses
Love how consise yet complete this guide is! When my BF used to live in LA, we often went to Joshua Tree Park just for night time photography and stargazing. But there are so many exciting hikes in the area – should have tried some of them! I didn’t even know about the Crochet museum – looks like a super quirky place. 😀
I love the idea of heading out to see the Joshua Tree National Park. But good to go forewarned that it is a challenging 3 mile hike. The Palms Oasis looks like a fun spot and a way to cool down too. We always love outdoor art installations. But must admit we have never seen a Crochet Museum. There certainly looks like a lot to see and do. Far more than just a desert walk!
I thought Joshua Tree is in the middle of nowhere. Good to know that there’s also Airbnb outside the park. I would like to do the Pal Oasis trail and visiting the Crochet Museum.
I would definitely hike 49 Palms Oasis. I actually had no idea there was so much to do in Joshua Tree beyond hiking. All of those art installations look so unique and interesting. Joshua Tree is still at the top of my list to visit one day!
It is such a great guide, very inspiring, and helpful in planning trips. Joshua Tree is still on my dream list, so I’d love to follow your tips. Hike Ryan Mountain and Hike Lost Horse Mine seem perfect for me. I would also take Hike 49 Palms Oasis, excellent views. Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum looks excellent. I also add to my list Pioneertown.
I did not realize that there is so much to see or do. The crochet museum as well as the Noah Purifoy museum looks interesting. We would love to visit in the future. Love your photo with the TV sets as background. It’s so cool.
I love these rustic towns middle of nowhere. I have been to a few in Australia and have absolutely loved them. I had never heard of Joshua Tree before and I so want to visit now. I have added this to my list. I also enjoy seeing the different and interesting museums in these towns. 49 Palms Oasis seems so beautiful.
You got me at starry skies and quirky art installations! That automatically puts it in my wishlist. A cabin in the middle of a desert and its 10 mins drive from entrance? Whoa! I need stay here for a night! Unquestionably, obviously hiking here is a definite must-do. Crochet museum and Wild-west set? Oh wow. Looks like you need more for a couple of days to see this place!
The first picture got me curious right away. I love quirky art installations and night gazing would be so much fun. The landscape looks great, close access to hiking, desert and then the crochet museum would definitely be on my list. I had never heard of Joshua tree and now I am curious to know more. I loved the photography.
I can’t even describe my jealousy… This is amazing. My heart aches to visit Joshua tree , yet I have never been!
You’ll definitely have to visit sometime. It’s a truly special place.