Travel Roamer
Difficulty
Moderate
Trip length
2–3 days
Budget
$200–$700
per person · excl. airfare
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
Hiking

Park entrance: $30 (Entrance - Private Vehicle) · source: NPS

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself!

Highlights

  • Twisted Joshua trees
  • World-class rock scrambling
  • Desert wildflower blooms

Photos

Brocken Inaglory · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Brocken Inaglory · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tuxyso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tuxyso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tuxyso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photos via Wikimedia Commons under their respective licences.

Map

Trails (1)· Moderate

Getting there

  • SAN San Diego Intl · 113 mi
  • LAX Los Angeles Intl · 147 mi
  • LAS Harry Reid Intl (Las Vegas) · 155 mi

Straight-line distances to nearby airports. Airfare and drive times are not included.

Permits & access

No permit required

No permit for day hiking; register for some backcountry routes — carry ample water — check the official site.

Official permit & conditions ↗Last verified 7/24/2026