Joshua Tree National Park, California

While the trees that make this park famous are everywhere, there's so much more to this place. The carfree California hippie energy is contagious. The landscapes take you back in time. The sky is full of stars. There are multitudes of desert plants to immerse yourself in. And the towns are full of fun and offbeat art.

Majestic at golden hour

But let's start with the trees. I know a few people who think they are ugly. They certainly have a look all their own, but I love them.

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Each one is a unique sculpture of twists and turns. They are interesting in almost any light with their striking, spiky outlines. And then there are the granite boulders and hills that make the whole landscape look prehistoric, like a place where you wouldn't be surprised to see Fred and Wilma Flintstone, or maybe even a roaming dinosaur.

Prehistoric landscape

The rocks form cliffsides, boulder piles and fun shapes, like arches, hearts, and skulls to name just a few. And the surfaces are so grippy. It's easy and fun to scramble around on them.

Heart Rock. Awe. :)

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And then there are all the other plants. The cholla garden casts a golden glow from afar and is much bigger and more magnificent than I expected. There must have been at least 400 of them, covered cute yellow blooms that looked like frilly suction cups. While teddy bear cholla look fuzzy, those spikes will jump out and grab you if you are not careful to avoid getting too close.

Ben, showing some cactus appreciation

Cholla Garden

There was also an ocotillo patch. And some glorious palm tree lined oases. We explored Cottonwood Spring, a lush, shaded pocket within the sea of Joshua Trees. There was a symphony of birdsong, concentrated in that one tiny spot.

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Joshua Tree National Park is also full of history. This land has remnants of old mines, ranches, and much more. One of our favorite hikes was Barker Dam, where you can see the remains of a reservoir used to water livestock. It still fills with water when the rain falls just right. We arrived at the trailhead during a bright orange sunrise and were lucky enough to spot a coyote slinking away in the distance.

Another can't-miss spot is Keys View, the highest point in the park. They say you can see all the way to Mexico on a clear day.

Keys View

And then there is the town. So fun and artsy and full of interesting things to see, like the tiny and adorable crochet museum, or The Beauty Bubble, a working salon and vintage beauty museum. On market days, the town is packed with people enjoying the live music, crafts, local food, and good vibes.

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Here are some of our favorite places in the park ...

• Keys View

• Arch Rock Trail

• Barker Dam Trail

• Cottonwood Spring

• Cholla Garden

• Skull Rock
  

And in town ...

• The Beauty Bubble

• Joshua Tree Saloon

• The Crochet Museum

• The Station

• Joshua Tree Coffee Company

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Tips for visiting Joshua Tree National Park

• Get up and on hikes early. It can get crowded because of it's proximity to Palm Springs, and it is so much lovlier with some space to breathe, park, and explore at your own pace

• Make sure to catch at least one sunrise or sunset in the park. Joshua Trees look incredible against a colorful sky

• Get off the beaten path a bit. Some of our favorite places were further out than many people choose to drive. 

• Don't miss the fun in town. Try to visit on a market day!