30+ Best Things To Do In Joshua Tree National Park & Around

Planning a trip to Joshua Tree National Park and looking for cool and unique things to do in Joshua Tree?

There are a ton of things to do and attractions to see in this part of the California desert. From natural monuments and hiking trails, to unique art installations, to cool desert experiences and desert stays, Joshua Tree has it all.

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park, including unique things to do in Joshua Tree town and around.

Best Things To Do In Joshua Tree, California

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Joshua Tree Must See Things

Over the years we have done many trips to the famous California desert destination and discovered lots of things to do at Joshua Tree National Park in California as well as cool things to do in Joshua Tree town and beyond which we want to share with you here.

What to see in Joshua Tree?

Since there are a lot of things to discover in Joshua Tree we split up the things to do in two sections.

First, we will start out with the best things to see in Joshua Tree National Park, followed by cool attractions near Joshua Tree.

Let’s take it away!

Top Things To Do In Joshua Tree National Park

What to see in Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park is world-famous for its unique Joshua Trees, big boulders that draw in lots of climbers, desert camping, cute but pointy Cholla cacti, and the ultimate California desert flair.

Here’s our selection of the best things to do inside Joshua Tree National Park:

1 | See The Joshua Trees

The reason we are all here is… drumroll …to see the Joshua Trees. This is, of course, the number one top thing to do in Joshua Tree National Park!

You will see most of the pretty Joshua Trees along the road when you enter the national park from the town of Joshua Tree. If you want to take pictures in Joshua Tree, make sure to find a proper pull-out area and don’t just park your car along the road.

Pro tip: During sunset, those quirky trees look even cooler.

2 | Hike Among Giant Boulders At Arch Rock

Arch Rock is one of the best spots in Joshua Tree National Park. It only takes a short and easy hike from the Arch Rock nature trail parking lot to get to the famous rock arch.

Check out Alltrails or the national park’s website for more info on how to get there.

As always when going on a hike in the desert, bring sunscreen and enough water. It can get very hot!

3 | Rock Climbing & Bouldering In Joshua Tree

This Joshua Tree activity is more for climbing enthusiasts than the regular tourist visiting the national park, but this doesn’t make bouldering in Joshua Tree any less popular. In fact, climbing those giant boulders is one of the top sporty activities in Joshua Tree besides hiking.

4 | Set Up Camp In Joshua Tree

One of the most fun things to do in Joshua Tree National Park is camping. There are several scenic campgrounds in Joshua Tree spread out through the park.

As camping in Joshua Tree is very popular there is a lot of demand. You have to book your campsite very early in advance or get lucky that a spot opens up last minute.

5 | Walk Through The Cholla Cactus Garden

Must-See In Joshua Tree National Park

A Joshua Tree must-see is the Cholla Cactus Garden. Accessible directly by car, you can wander between the pretty Cholla Cacti right from the parking lot.

The cacti look especially cool in the morning or towards the evening when the low position of the sun creates a dreamy glow around the spikes of the Chollas.

6 | Discover Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Nature Trail is the most popular and prettiest trail of Joshua Tree National Park. It’s an easy and short loop hike through a landscape of gigantic rock formations.

Look for the Hidden Valley Nature Trail parking lot to park your car and start the hike from there. For more details on the hike check out Alltrails, although it is super easy to navigate around though.

7 | Snap A Picture Of Skull Rock

One Of The Joshua Tree National Park Top Attractions

Joshua Tree is known for its rock formations, but did you know there is a rock that looks like a skull?!

This attraction is easily accessible and stopping by Skull Rock should definitely be on your Joshua Tree sightseeing list.

8 | Find Juniper Tree & Penguin Rock

Around the Jumbo Rocks Campground explore a little bit and you will find the Juniper Tree and Penguin Rock.

9 | Have A Break At Split Rock

As the name gives away already, Split Rock is a giant boulder in Joshua Tree National Park with a big crack.

If you need a break from all the sightseeing in Joshua Tree, the Split Rock Picnic Area has a few picnic benches where you can eat your lunch next to the giant rocks.

10 | Take In The Amazing Panorama At Keys View

Keys View is the highest vista point in Joshua Tree National Park with panoramic views of Coachella Valley and the famous San Andreas Fault. On clear days, you can see all the way to Mexico. However, clear air days get increasingly rarer in the California desert these days.

Best Sunset In Joshua Tree

The best time to visit is before sunset when the setting sun creates a nice contrast in the mountainous landscape. Keys View is also the best place to watch the sunset in Joshua Tree.

Keys View is about a half an hour drive into the national park from the Visitor Center at Joshua Tree. It’s a little detour from the main road, but well worth it.

11 | More Top Things To See In Joshua Tree National Park

Cool Vintage & Retro National Park Gifts

Best Things To Do In Joshua Tree Town & Around

What to do in Joshua Tree outside the park?

There are not only things to do at Joshua Tree National Park directly, there are also lots of cool and pretty unique and sometimes even quirky things to do near Joshua Tree National Park.

Visiting the national park is only part of the story that makes this place in the desert so special. So, without further ado, here are our best things to do near Joshua Tree:

12 | Visit The World Famous Crochet Museum

One of the most popular things to see in Joshua Tree town is the World Famous Crochet Museum. It is really called world famous, yes!

The world famous Crochet Museum, founded by artist Shari Elf, is a litte cubicle housing lots of crochet stuffed animals and toys.

Conveniently located across the street from the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor’s Center, you can visit the museum on your way in or out of the park.

It’s definitely a must-sees in Joshua Tree for the ones who like crochet and cute things.

13 | Check Out The Art Queen Shop & Gallery

While seeing the World Famous Crochet Museum and maybe taking a selfie, stop buy at Elf’s hideaway gallery and store Art Queen where you will find found-object sculptures and a cute little shop with second hand things and crochet animals.

14 | Get Some Desert Swag At The Station

The Station at Joshua Tree is a transformed service station from 1949. The shop is selling souvenirs, t-shirts, Mexican blankets, jewelry, vintage things and more.

15 | Have An Otherworldly Experience At The Integratron Sound Bath

Most Unique Thing To Do In Joshua Tree

The Integratron is a pretty unique thing to do in Joshua Tree, you may even think it’s a bit weird. However, we think it is super cool and absolutely recommend it. Julia has done it twice and even brought her parents once. So, just do it and don’t think too much about it! It is suuuuper cool!

What Is The Integratron?

So what is the Integratron? (This is where it might get a bit weird, actually.) The Integratron is a dome structure, build in the late 50s and entirely made of wood. It was designed by “ufologist” George Van Tassel. He claimed the Integratron was capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity, and time travel. OK! I leave the judgment up to you.

Besides some debatable capabilities, the dome structure is actually really cool and is used for sound baths nowadays. The wooden dome structure makes the perfect resonance body for the sound waves from the crystal quartz bowls to travel around the room.

With the alien back story in mind and deep relaxation, we felt a little like we got sent to outer space. You can feel the sound waves move around in different directions throughout the dome and your body – and that’s the amazing part about it. Others got a little bit too relaxed and entered into the world of dreams. 🙂

So if you are up for it, and even if you have doubts, The Integratron is definitely worth a visit and a super unique experience. Check Integratron’s website for pricing, availability, and directions, etc.

16 | See The Giant Rock

Just North of the Integration near the town of Landers, CA you will find Giant Rock, which is a literally gigantic freestanding boulder in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

With its impressive 30 meters height, Giant Rock is the largest freestanding boulder in North America.

17 | Go Back In Time At Pioneertown

Pioneertown is an old independent western town founded by some Hollywood people to have a western-style film set which at the same time can be used as shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.

Today, exploring Pioneertown became one of the top things to do in Joshua Tree.

Especially in the last few years, the western town gained a lot in popularity. There are vintage shops and other stores selling things like handmade soaps and arts and crafts.

Coolest Places To Visit In Joshua Tree

The well-known Pappy + Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace BBQ restaurant hosts live music with oftentimes famous bands and is among the top 10 things to do in Joshua Tree.

The ones looking for cool places to stay in Joshua Tree will be happy to find the stylishly remodeled Pioneertown Motel next door.

The western town is located Northeast of Yucca Valley and a must-see for desert and western lovers.

There are some cool places to stay around Pioneer town:

18 | Explore Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum

Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum is one of the best places to visit in Joshua Tree if you are into art or desert art specifically.

The open-air museum displays the artist’s assemblage sculptures that were created on-site between 1989 and 2004. The large-scale sculptures are all made out of junk like old tires, toilet bowls, bicycles, keyboards, bottles, burnt wood, etc. Some are large enough to explore from the inside.

Cool Thing To Do In Joshua Tree

Even if you are not an art connoisseur or much into “museums” this place is pretty unique and a fun thing to do in Joshua Tree.

The outdoor museum is free of charge, but donations are welcome.

Located North of the city of Joshua Tree you can reach Noah Purifoy’s sculptures by car via a dirt road.

19 | See The Transmission Sculpture

The Transmission Sculpture in Joshua Tree by world-renowned South African artist Daniel Popper is Joshua Tree’s latest art installation that created a massive hype.

Location

The giant sculpture is located at the Mojave Moon Ranch. There is no public access to the private property, however, there is a designated area along the road from where you can see the “Transmission” sculpture from further away. Don’t trespass into the property!

Update: Due to the popularity a fenced path has been built to get a closer view of the artwork. You still can’t walk around the structure, but now you will be able to see the Transmission Sculpture pretty well now.

Learn more on how to visit the Transmission Sculpture here.

Joshua Tree Transmission Sculpture By Daniel Popper

20 | See The Welded Steel Sculptures At Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation

On the way to the famous Transmission Sculpture you will pass by the Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation on Sunfair Road.

Simi Dabah is a self-taught artist/welder who uses industrial scrap material to create welded steel sculptures.

He has a studio in Los Angeles where he creates most of his steel art. His second studio is this place in Joshua Tree where you can find more than 500 of his sculptures.

Many of the Simi Dabah sculptures can also be found in public places throughout southwestern United States.

Usually, the place is closed and you will have to see the sculptures from the street, but it is still an interesting thing to see in Joshua Tree when you are in the area.

Giant Metal Desert Sculptures in Borrego Springs, CA

21 | Desert Christ Park

The Desert Christ Park is a sculpture garden in Yucca Valley by late aircraft worker and sculptor-poet Antone Martin.

The park features white steel enforced concrete sculptures portraying the Twelve Apostles, Martha, Mary, angels, and a 15-foot-tall statue of Jesus, reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s famous hilltop statue.

The Rock Chapel

Right next to the park you will find a cute little chapel made of stones that is worth a visit as well.

22 | Stay & Check Out The Oasis At 29 Palms Inn

The 29 Palms Inn spans over 70 acres with the Oasis of Mara at the heart. The Inn with its lush oasis is located close to Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center in the town of Twenty Nine Palms.

The last remaining pond, pictured above, is a landmark at the center of the hotel’s property. It’s literally an oasis in the desert!

23 | Stay In A Mid-Century Cabin In The Joshua Tree Desert

The Joshua Tree desert experience wouldn’t be complete without staying in a typical mid-century cabin in the desert. Thinking of enjoying the quietness, tranquility, and loneliness of the desert and watching magical sunrises and sunsets, and gazing at the stars at night.

Check out cabins in the Joshua Tree area. We also wrote a post about Affordable And Cool Joshua Tree Airbnb Mid-Century Cabins.

Affordable And Cool Joshua Tree Mid-Century Cabins

24 | Stargaze In The Desert

Joshua Tree Things To Do At Night

When staying in Joshua Tree, take the opportunity to do some stargazing in the desert. This is a cool thing to do in Joshua Tree at night, especially if you are into stargazing or night photography.

On a clear night with little light pollution, you can see lots of stars in the sky. If you are lucky you can even see the Milky Way sometimes.

Best Stargazing In Joshua Tree

The best place to see stars in Joshua Tree is at a cabin in the desert far away from any light pollution. Stargazing can also be a pretty romantic thing to do in Joshua Tree. 🙂

25 | Listen To Live Music At Joshua Tree Music Festival

Twice a year, in May and October, the intimate Joshua Tree Music Festival takes place in the desert at Joshua Tree Lake Campground. With unique artists from all around the world and actual hippies and arts and crafts, the desert festival is pretty cool and extraordinary.

The first time we went to the festival we saw an Austrian and Mexican guy playing techno beats with their didgeridoos. How cool is that!?

Joshua Tree Music Festival couldn’t be more opposite of Coachella. Though, Coachella was really fun too. (You gotta do it at least once in your life to see what’s it all about.)

The Festival is super chill and for all ages, you can even bring your kids. Besides great live music, good food, and art shops there are yoga classes, dance performances, a slackline, a healing space, and good vibes stage.

26 | Start Your Day With A Cup Of Coffee At Joshua Tree Coffee Company

Not a sight, but a must-do when in Joshua Tree and absolutely worth mentioning is our favorite coffee from Joshua Tree Coffee Company. We came across this amazing coffee while staying at various Joshua Tree Airbnbs and immediately got hooked.

The coffee shop and roastery are located on 29 Palms Highway directly in the center of town and are by far the best place to go in Joshua Tree for coffee.

You can also order online or find them Saturdays at the farmer’s market in Palm Springs.

27 | Have A Drink Or Coffee At Más O Menos

Más o Menos is a bar and coffee shop in Twenty Nine Palms with great cocktails and amazing coffee. We recommend the iced latte with almond milk.

The bar and coffee shop near Joshua Tree is a great stop on the way to see some desert art installations that are further out like the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, for instance.

28 | End Your Day At The Joshua Tree Saloon

The Joshua Tree Saloon is an American grill and dive bar. Stop by after a long day of exploring Joshua Tree National Park for a hearty meal and local beer. You deserve it!

Things To Do Near Joshua Tree

The following things are not really things to see in Joshua Tree but close enough for a day trip.

29 | Make A Day Trip To Palm Springs

If you are already in the area, making a day trip to the nearby chic mid-century desert town Palm Springs is another great idea if you are looking for what to do around Joshua Tree.

Check out our Palm Springs Guide for cool things to do there.

Unique Things To Do In Palm Springs

30 | Check Out Historic Route 66 In Amboy

Just about an hour North of Twentynine Palms, you will land at the unincorporated desert town Amboy along the historic Route 66.

Roy’s Motel And Cafe

Amboy is a famous stop along Route 66. The town is home to the historic Roy’s Motel and Café which is a Route 66 landmark that in recent years gained a lot in popularity again due to its roadside mid-century Modern Googie architecture.

Right outside of town, you will find the Amboy Crater, which is a dormant cinder cone volcano in the Mojave Desert.

31 | Find The Historic Desert Center Cafe

The historic 1920s 24 hour Desert Center Cafe closed in 2012 and is now a ghost town. So if you are into abandoned or lost places, this is a must-see.

Desert Center is located about a 25-minute drive from the South entrance of Joshua Tree National Park on the way to Phoenix, Arizona.

It’s quite eerie if you look inside the Desert Center Cafe. It literally looks like time has stopped. The chairs, tables, interior, and even the table condiments are still there like from once prosperous times.

32 | More Things To Do Around Joshua Tree

Guide To Visiting Joshua Tree

Where to Eat In Joshua Tree

If you are looking for places to eat in Joshua Tree, let me tell you, there are not many great restaurants in Joshua Tree and the surrounding towns. Unfortunately, many of them are disappointing, despite their alleged hype.

However, a handful of them are pretty good. The restaurants below serve by far the best food in Joshua Tree:

Where To Stay In Joshua Tree

Besides the above-mentioned amazing desert stays, there are also some cool affordable cabins and vacation rentals in Joshua Tree.

The cheapest option on where to stay in Joshua Tree are motels along the Twenty-nine Palms Highway:

FAQ

Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree

The best time to go to Joshua Tree depends on what you are looking for in your trip.

Visiting Joshua Tree In Spring & Fall

The best time to visit Joshua Tree is in Spring and Fall in our opinion.

In March and April, the temperatures are very mild during the day and get crisp at night. During Spring in Joshua Tree, you will also be able to see the wildflowers bloom.

The weather in Fall (September and October) is similarly mild, minus the wildflowers. So Spring and Fall is really the best time of year to go to Joshua Tree if you prefer milder temperatures.

Visiting In Summer

During the summer months, it will get very, very hot in the desert, especially during the midday hours. Daytime temperatures in June, July, and August often go above 100˚F (38 Celcius).

If you want to go hiking in Joshua Tree in the summer, it’s best to plan your activities early in the morning or late afternoon. Mid-day, when the sun is at its highest point, is not really the best time to go to Joshua Tree National Park, unless you like getting fried from the sun.

Visiting Joshua Tree In Winter

The winter months November, December, and January in Joshua Tree are pretty cold, considering during the summer it’s super hot. Even the month of February can be cold in the desert.

However, there are still plenty of things to do in Joshua Tree in December and the other winter months. The good thing about visiting Joshua Tree in winter is, that you won’t have crowds and accommodations are cheaper.

Snow In Joshua Tree

Hard to imagine, but sometimes it even snows during winter in Joshua Tree’s high desert and the landscape turns into an eerie white winter wonderland surrounded by the iconic cacti.

Best Time Of Day To Visit Joshua Tree

As mentioned above, during summer, the best time of day to visit Joshua Tree is in the morning and late afternoon.

During the other months of the year, it depends more on your plans what you want to do in Joshua Tree National Park than anything else.

When is the best time to see stars in Joshua Tree?

The best time to see stars in Joshua Tree is when there is as little light pollution as possible and nearly no clouds in the sky. Meaning, full moon is not exactly the best time for stargazing as the moon can be pretty bright, and hence the stars won’t be as visible.

You also want a clear sky which is a hit and miss. Lots of times when we visited Joshua Tree, it got pretty cloudy at night and night photography was kinda difficult.

How Many Days In Joshua Tree Do You Need?

We love the Joshua Tree desert and recommend spending as many days as you can. At the bare minimum, we’d recommend at least two days in Joshua Tree.

2 Days In Joshua Tree

That way you can spend 1 day in Joshua Tree National Park and explore the unique landscape and spend the other day checking out the art and quirky things immediately around Joshua Tree.

3 Days In Joshua Tree

When you have three days in Joshua Tree, you can explore things to do and see further away like Amboy along Route 66 or make a day trip to Palm Springs.

We also love to just hang out in one of those unique Joshua Tree mid-century cabins and chill for a day and enjoy the tranquility of the high desert.

What To Do In Joshua Tree For A Day?

If you only have one day in Joshua Tree we recommend checking out the major sightseeing spots in the national park, without going on any major long hikes so you get to see most of the top sights.

Itinerary: 1 Day In Joshua Tree

Start from the North Entrance at Twentynine Palms and see the sights along the way until you reach Cholla Cactus Garden. From there head back up north towards Joshua Tree town and see the attractions on the way.

This route gives you the chance to see the sunset up on Keys View at the end of the day on the way out.

What Things To Do In Joshua Tree Besides Hiking?

If hiking in Joshua Tree is not your thing, there are plenty of other things to do in Joshua Tree, CA that you can do that don’t require a hike.

Many Joshua Tree attractions are easily accessible right from the parking lot. Like Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View, the big boulders and of course the Joshua Trees themselves.

Outside the national park you can visit the artsy and cool places in Joshua Tree and around by car.

Joshua Tree Outfit Ideas

Joshua Tree Outfit Ideas

Best Things To Do In Joshua Tree National Park & Beyond

We hope you found our guide to the best things to do in Joshua Tree helpful and got some good inspiration or your upcoming trip on what to do in Joshua Tree National Park and around the area.

And hopefully, you like Joshua Tree with its desert flair and slight weirdness and uniqueness as much as we do.

Have fun exploring!

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Julia & Felipe

Follow our adventures on Instagram! @piscoandbier

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