Joshua Tree National Park, 2024

Joshua Tree NP

California

Winter, 2024

Cottonwood Springs
Split Rock
Keys View
Quail Springs

Joshua Tree National Park is located in central Southern California and straddles both the Mojave Desert to the northwest and the Colorado Desert to the Southeast. During our first visit in 2021 we entered from the town of Joshua Tree to the north at the West Entrance Station. In our most recent visit, we started in the opposite direction; the southernmost entrance was an hour from our resort in Palm Desert.

Hiking, Joshua Tree National Park, California, 2024

Joshua Tree National Park is more of a “no frills” adventure than those Parks with lodges, restaurants and shuttle buses. There are a few restrooms scattered around the 55-mile drive, but any food and large quantities of water need to be packed in and out. There are three ranger-staffed Visitor Centers with a gift shop, indoor restrooms and exhibits, but all are toward the outside of the park.

Map downloaded 2/2024 from the Joshua Tree National Park Service Website https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/maps.htm:

Cottonwood Springs

Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California, 2024

We had just a day to explore and were with friends who were first-time visitors to JTNP. Based on our last visit during the holiday season we knew to expect long queues of cars waiting for the few parking spots. We stopped first at the Cottonwood Visitor Center, then went on a short walk at the start of the Lost Palms Oasis Trail to see the cluster of Palm Trees near the parking area. It is on my list to someday tackle the full 7.5 mile out and back “difficult” hike, but even without going too far we were able to get panoramic views of the Colorado desert.

Lesson One was to get gas before entering the park. We were fairly certain we could make the 55 mile drive north to the West Entrance Station, where we would exit. We realized we couldn’t chance any “off the main drag” adventures to some of the more remote sections of the park.

Belle & Split Rock Areas

Our next stop on our drive north was at the Belle parking area. There were many areas to climb on boulders and to explore crevices, but the location was much less crowded than the well known Hall of Horrors and Skull Rock areas. Rock scrambling is permitted and one of the big draws to JTNP. The formations range from easy flat terrain to vertical rock faces that require climbing gear.

After leaving the Belle area were then lucky to find parking at Split Rock before Park Rangers closed the entrance to incoming traffic. We picnicked and hiked a short loop trail.

Keys View

At the suggestion of one of the Park Rangers we drove up to Keys View overlook. At the 5185 foot altitude platform we could see southwest as far as Palm Springs.

Quail Springs

Like our first visit we again found Quail Springs to be the perfect location to find all of the best things about JTNP. Large Joshua Trees fill the landscape, and there are many trails that lead to large and small rock formations. It’s easy to find a short hike or use it as a connecting point to one of the longer treks. With Picnic Tables available it is also the perfect destination for visitors with a short amount of time to dine al fresco with best imaginable ambiance.

West Entrance

We exited near the west Entrance Station; cars are stopped here to show a pass because there’s no gate at the south entrance, so plan for some extra time if you need to pay. We were waved through a quicker exit by showing our Annual National Park Pass.

The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is in the town of Joshua Tree far from the actual Park. Restaurants and touristy shops also can be found nearby, but due to distance to the actual entrance station and long waits there, it’s best not to plan on leaving to eat and then returning.