Located three hours from Los Angeles at the junction of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, Joshua Tree, California is a haven for those who love art and the outdoors. And despite what you may have heard, this little desert town has so much to more offer beyond its National Park. It’s vibrant, thriving, weird in the absolute best way, and without a doubt worth spending some time exploring.
We spent a week in Joshua Tree and fell in love with its rich art scene, quirky downtown strip, and namesake natural landscapes that are found nowhere else on Earth. Below, we’re sharing 10 can’t-miss Joshua Tree experiences for those who love nature, art, and the magic that is created when the two intersect.
Watch the Sunrise over a Cholla Cactus Garden
We’re convinced that watching the morning sun kiss the spines of this garden’s thousands of cholla cacti is the best way to start your day. To experience this natural spectacle, you’ll drive 20 miles north of Cottonwood Visitor Center in Joshua Tree National Park. Then, you’ll walk the short (.25 mile) loop trail that traverses the garden. When you visit, be sure to wear close-toed shoes! These bad boys are beautiful and a bit fuzzy-looking, but don’t be fooled or tempted to touch them…they’re extremely prickly!
Visit an Oasis
Joshua Tree National Park is home to several of these lifegiving natural refuges. Our favorite is Fortynine Palms Oasis and it can be accessed by a moderate 3 mile out and back hike across mountainous desert terrain. When we visited in late September, the trail had just reopened for the season as the sheep migration had recently ended, so if you are planning to visit, be sure to check AllTrails or with the Park Rangers at the visitor center to be sure that the oasis can be accessed. Also, when visiting natural spaces always be sure to practice Leave No Trace. This particular oasis is a sensitive biological area, so stay on trail and do not enter the oasis itself as it is a crucial water supply for native plants and wildlife.
Experience the Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum
The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Art is another must-see in Joshua Tree. This outdoor museum is composed of 10 acres of large-scale sculptures made of salvaged materials. Visiting is free of charge (donations are appreciated) and the museum is open to the public every day from dawn until dusk.
Browse the Glass Outhouse Museum & Art Gallery
The Glass Outhouse is another outdoor art museum that is filled with fun and quirky recycled sculptures. Located in Twentynine Palms, just a few miles from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, this unique roadside museum and gallery is not to be missed. We spent about an hour walking around the outdoor grounds of the museum and indoor art gallery and had the pleasure of meeting Laurel, the owner and creator behind the Glass Outhouse. While you’re there, be sure to check out the venue’s namesake – a functioning outhouse made of glass!
Visiting is free, but donations are accepted.
Stay Somewhere Quirky
Joshua Tree is no stranger to quirky accommodations, and for a true weird and artsy desert experience, you should take full advantage of them! We stayed in a vintage eco-friendly airstream, located steps from the National Park on certified wildlife habitat. Our stay was the perfect mix of glamping meets eco-resort, and the sunrises and stargazing opportunities were absolutely unreal. To book any of the several accommodations on property, click here.
Dine & Dance at Pappy & Harriett’s Pioneertown Palace
What was once a façade used as a cantina for various western films is now a Tex-Mex restaurant and music venue that has hosted Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Leon Russell, Lizzo, Lorde, and countless other musicians on its stage. After you’ve experienced the iconic watering hole that is Pappy and Harriett’s, walk around the historic Pioneertown that neighbors the establishment.
Experience Skull Rock
All of the granite rock formations that inhabit Joshua Tree are nothing less than iconic, but if you want to see one that looks like an extra weird work of art, you cannot miss Skull Rock. Created from the combination of rain and erosion, this bolder is both particularly unique and not to be missed. And it’s pretty hard to miss actually, as it’s located right off the side of the main east-west park road in Joshua Tree National Park
Catch an Epic Sunset
Sunsets are nature’s paintings, so a visit to Joshua Tree would not be complete without catching a sunset from one of the park’s iconic view points, right? Our favorite place to watch the sunset is the summit of Ryan Mountain (a 3 mile out and back hike with 1,050ft. of elevation gain) and Key’s View (a short but steep walk from the parking lot will bring you to this overlook) comes in at a close second place.
Head Downtown after Dark
Joshua Tree comes alive at night, and a visit to the city’s vibrant downtown area after dark is a must. If you can, plan to visit on a Saturday night to experience the outdoor Night Market – a weekly event that hosts local artists, musicians and vendors. If you’re looking for some good grub and live music, look no further than Joshua Tree Saloon. This lively little haunt is packed nightly and in true “weird desert” form, is famous for its fish tacos….. in the desert. While you’re out and about downtown, be sure to pop into both the World Famous Crochet Museum, and the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum – a functioning salon that is jam packed with vintage hair and beauty artifacts and memorabilia.
Sleep under the Milky Way
A true outdoorsy Joshua Tree experience wouldn’t be complete without at least a night or two spent under the stars, and the campsites within the National Park limits will not disappoint. We’ve stayed at both Jumbo Rocks and Ryan campgrounds, and would highly recommend both locations. Reservations are required during the busy season (September – May) and cost $20/night.
We hope that these suggestions help you to plan an outdoorsy, artsy, and unique visit to Joshua Tree. If you’ve explored the area before, we’d love your feedback! Is there anything that we missed? What can we add to our Joshua Tree bucket list for our next visit? Until then…
