Trip · 3-day camping trip
For · Friends and new campers
Vibe · Moderate and fun
Reservations · Buy a $30 vehicle pass and reserve a site at Indian Cove Campground
Drive · 3 hours from LA
Ideal dates · February - April (for wildflowers!)
Pets · Welcome at campgrounds, but not on hiking trails
Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) is the second largest national park in California (the first is Death Valley National Park); it features more than 795,000 acres, which makes it slightly larger than Rhode Island. Inside you'll find native Yucca brevifolias, aka Joshua Trees, desert tortoises, and one of the darkest skies in Southern California. Outside of the park are delicious restaurants, funky art and sounds at Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum and the Integatron. Get a taste of desert cool at JTNP.
Official National Park Website
Main image credit: Alex Kramarevsky
Each campsite comes with a:
Indian Cove Campground is tucked between giant rock formations, which is what JTNP is famously known for. Bring plenty of drinking water because there isn't any drinking water at camp. You can refill your supply at the ranger station located two miles away. Restrooms and trash collection are available. Pets are welcome too!
Check-in: Noon · Check-out: Noon
Nightly Rate: $25
Image credit: Michael Mayernick
JTNP was originally declared a national monument in 1936, and only became a national park in 1994, thanks to the California Desert Protection Act.
For thousands of years, the Chemehuevi, Serrano, and Cahuilla tribes regularly lived the high desert, canyons, and caves.
Joshua trees are technically stemless succulents, not trees! The tallest Joshua Tree in the park is about 43 feet high in Queen Valley forest and is estimated to be around 960 years old.