Tips For Vacationing In Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Vacationing in Joshua Tree National Park isn’t exactly a walk in the park, so to speak. Truth is that most travelers aren’t ready for the heat or the vast size. The attractions are spread over an 800,000 acre expanse that spans both the Mojave and Colorado Deserts at different altitudes in California.
No trip here will be easy unless it is well planned for with the right selection of a destination and accommodations that eliminate the need for lots of driving. Palm Springs airport gets a lot of travelers flying in to visit Joshua Tree, and many also drive from LA or San Diego. But the right place to find lodging is on the other side on Hwy 62 near the north entrance.
The only viable choices here are in the towns of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree. Within these two towns, the preferred choice for lodging is to be found in Twentynine Palms, on Inn Avenue. Since the early 1920s, the historic inns here have been open for travelers. For those in dire need of relief from the desert heat and grime, these inns offer Adobe bungalows and wooden cabins immune to the desert heat and cold nights, not to mention an oasis lagoon and poolside drinks under the cool shadow of swaying palm trees.
Guests can expect modern amenities including computers available for use by guests and poolside wi-fi internet. Bedrooms in each cottage/bungalow will have at least a queen bed and showers in bathrooms. Private patios are also commonly available, offering sweeping views of the mountains to the west and the desert in the north.
With lodging and meals all set in Twentynine Palms, the next thing to plan for would what to do inside and how to get around. The three main choices for moving around are driving, walking and bikes. The roads lead ordinary vehicle traffic to most of the major attractions, and only a few (like Geology Tour Road) need a four wheel drive.
Hiking and walking on the trails are the most popular activities here for visitors vacationing in Joshua Tree National Park. Out of the 12 self guide nature trails, the most popular ones include the Barker Dam loop (1.3m) and the Keys View loop (. 25m). Keys View is especially spectacular, with a view that sometimes offers a peek past the Salton Sea into Mexico.
Whether driving, hiking or biking within the park, each is a strenuous activity in the desert heat and by day’s end visitors should expect to be exhausted. This is when it would be a big pain to have to drive a long way, while those who have planned for it in advance can get to their room in Twentynine Palms in minutes. These guests will be relaxing in the pool with a cool drink while others are still driving back to a hotel.
Planning a trip to Joshua Tree National Park? Get the inside scoop on the best hotels in Twentynine Palms now in our guide to top Joshua Tree hotels .