United States
Joshua Tree National Park
Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park, where desert landscapes come alive with Joshua trees and mystical rock formations. Get ready for a day of exploration, adventure, and stunning natural beauty. From the Cholla Cactus Garden to Skull Rock and Keys View, we've got your ultimate Joshua Tree daytrip covered.
Start your day with the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
Begin your day by immersing yourself in the otherworldly beauty of the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail. This short 0,4 km loop leads you through a mesmerizing landscape filled with teddybear cholla cacti. Take your time to soak in the unique surroundings, but be cautious not to touch the cacti, they have a prickly surprise if you get too close! No wonder they call the cacti “jumping cholla” ;-).
It’s a 13 minute drive to your next destination!
Hike the Arch Rock Trail
Next up, Arch Rock Trail. Here you’ll witness one of Joshua Tree's natural wonders: a captivating natural arch. It was our absolute favorite hike when we visited Joshua Tree NP! This short and popular hike offers not only the chance to admire the arch, but also gives you the freedom to explore the countless rock formations along the way. If you’re just interested in walking the hike, it should take you not more than half an hour. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore the rocks, you can easily spend multiple hours here! That’s what we did ;-).
A less than 10 minute drive will take you to your next destination.
Visit Skull Rock
A quick stop at Skull Rock is a must when you’re in Joshua Tree NP. This iconic rock formation looks like a skull due to water erosion, so cool to see! The trail is easily accessible from a parking area just across the road. If you’re interested in doing the full hike, remember that it’s a 2,7 km trail that will take you around the area (even crossing the street). But if you’re just looking to see Skull Rock, you’re in luck! The beautiful rock can already be seen from the start of the trail, across the street from where you parked your car.
Hop in the car for a 15 minute ride to your next destination.
Hike the Barker Dam Trail
For a deeper connection with Joshua Tree's desert landscape, we definitely recommend taking the Barker Dam Trail. This 1,8 km loop takes you through the heart of the desert, where you'll encounter Joshua trees, the historic Barker Dam, and even some colorful desert lizards. Plenty of those little ones will show (or try to hide) their faces whilst you’re exploring this trail. So funny! If you’re looking to add an educational touch to your hike, make sure to read the information signs along the trail. They offer insights into the area's geology, flora, and fauna which we found really cool. Even though the trail is relatively short (it took us 45 minutes), make sure to bring enough water with you. There’s almost no shade along this trail, and the desert sun can get very hot very quickly.
15 minutes by car separates you from the last stop of the day. We promise it’s worth it!
End your day with a magical sunset at Keys View
End your day with the grand finale: a sunset at Keys View. This viewpoint offers panoramic vistas over the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, with the potential to see as far as Mexico on clear days. It’s still, to this day, our most awesome sunset we’ve ever experienced. Arrive early to secure a prime spot for the mesmerizing sunset, these popular places are occupied in no time! The view is so captivating that we wanted to stay for a long time after sunset, just to take it all in. We suggest you do the same! The drive back home was also something we’ve never experienced before, seeing the colors change over Joshua Tree National Park as the sun disappears is something we’ll cherish forever.
