The Ultimate Joshua Tree Day Trip Itinerary
If you want to spend a day out in a spectacular, otherworldly landscape, there’s no better place than Joshua Tree National Park. Located in both the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert, this unique national park is a particularly popular destination for a day trip.
In this guide, I’ll go over how to plan an incredible Joshua Tree day trip, and will also give you everything you need to know to make the most of your visit. My itinerary includes the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree and other key sites so that you get a well-rounded experience exploring the park – even with limited time!
Can You See Joshua Tree in One Day?
Of course, one of the main questions travelers ask is if you can actually do Joshua Tree in a day. Good news: it’s completely doable to visit the park with just one day. In fact, it’s a super popular day trip destination from Palm Springs, as it is just under an hour drive. It’s also a great day trip from Los Angeles and San Diego for those that can handle all that driving in one day!
While you of course won’t get to explore every attraction and do every hike, the park is fairly compact, and most of the must-do activities are concentrated in the northern section of the park. This allows you to easily cover a lot of ground in a single day.
That said, I do highly recommend getting out as early as possible to make the most of your time. The Joshua Tree itinerary I’ve created below hits the top attractions in the park, so you’ll leave feeling like you’ve had a well-rounded experience!
If you’re considering spending more than a day at this national park, check out my weekend trip to Joshua Tree guide for a complete 2-day itinerary.
Key Things to Know for Your Day Trip
My guide on what to know before visiting Joshua Tree goes into more detail, but here are a few key things to keep in mind for your trip:
- You’ll need to pay the entrance fee – either online or in-person at the gate. It is $30 for one vehicle, and this pass can be used for a week.
- A car is a must, as there isn’t any sort of shuttle system within the park. There also aren’t any gas stations, so fill up in the town of Joshua Tree (or the surrounding towns) before entering the park!
- As you pack for Joshua Tree, be sure to bring along ample sunscreen, water (more than you think you need!), and snacks.
- For the mildest weather, the best time to visit Joshua Tree is the late fall, winter, and early spring. Visit during these times to avoid the worst of the desert heat!
- Be aware that there is virtually no cell service in the park, so be prepared to navigate while offline!
- Leashed dogs are technically allowed…but they aren’t allowed on hiking trails. To best experience the park, you’ll probably want to leave them at home!
The Perfect Joshua Tree Day Trip Itinerary
Now, let’s talk about how to spend one day in Joshua Tree. You’ll hike through the area and see some of the most iconic sites, and will end your short trip with sunset in the park!
Note: this guide is based on you entering through the West Entrance Station, which is the main Joshua Tree entrance on the north end of the park.
Grab a Coffee and Lunch for the Day in Town
Before making your way into the park, make a quick stop in the town of Joshua Tree, which is just north of the park. Since there aren’t any stores or restaurants in the park, you’ll want to make sure you pick up a to-go lunch to enjoy in the middle of the day. Two spots offering sandwiches and other to-go meals are The Dez and Roadrunner Grab + Go.
If you’re also in need of a quick caffeine boost, I recommend stopping by Joshua Tree Coffee Company. It’s the best place in town for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other drinks.
Hike the Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Now, it’s time to head into the park! Enter through the West Entrance Station, and make your way to the first hike of the day at Hidden Valley Nature Trail. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the entrance, and there’s a large parking lot by the trailhead.
Hidden Valley is one of my favorite easy hikes in Joshua Tree. The 1-mile loop trail takes you through a valley of the park’s iconic giant boulders. It also features plenty of cool desert plants – including Joshua trees!
Explore the Giant Boulders at Jumbo Rocks Campground
Once you’re finished at Hidden Valley, you’ll drive another 15 minutes down the road park near Jumbo Rocks Campground. There isn’t a parking lot here, but you can street park on Park Boulevard.
You can hike the popular Jumbo Rocks Campground Loop (which is rated as easy and is 1.6-miles long), but I also love exploring the area across the street from the campground. There isn’t a marked trail through the area, but I recommend spending some time walking through the natural paths and climbing up some of the huge boulders. There are plenty of fun spots where you can gain high elevation with little effort!
Hike the Split Rock Loop Trail
Next, you’ll drive just five minutes to Split Rock Loop Trail. There’s a very small parking lot right by the trailhead, and if it’s full, you’ll need to street park on Park Boulevard and then walk to the trailhead.
This loop trail is 2.4-miles long, and rated as easy. That said, if you have AllTrails+, I do recommend downloading the map for offline use, as it isn’t always super clearly marked (but there are trail markers – you just need to keep your eye out!).
Split Rock Loop Trail has a very pretty and varied terrain. As you hike, you’ll pass by lots of unique rock formations, as well as some beautiful cacti and desert plants. It’s also a great place to see wildflowers in the spring!
You’ll probably be hungry at this point, so this is a great time to relax for a moment and eat your lunch. You can find a spot along the trail, but there are also a few picnic tables right by the trailhead.
Do an Easy Hike to Arch Rock
Arch Rock (which is a 10-minute drive from the Split Rock trailhead) is one of those spots that you must see in Joshua Tree. To get to the rock, you’ll need to follow the short and easy Arch Rock Nature Trail, which is 1.2-miles long. You’ll park in the parking lot on the opposite side of the street, where the trailhead is located. Follow the trail across the street, and you’ll be on your way to Arch Rock!
It takes a bit of rock scrambling to get under the rock to pose for photos, so be sure to wear shoes with good traction. Also note that the picture-perfect rock is very popular – expect to experience some crowds when visiting!
What I also love about this spot is that there are a ton of really cool boulder formations all around Arch Rock. I highly recommend spending some time exploring the area! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also find your way to Heart Rock (which, as you can guess, is a large heart-shaped rock).
Enjoy Golden Hour at Cholla Cactus Garden
The final stop in the park on your day trip to Joshua Tree will be Cholla Cactus Garden, which is less than a 15-minute drive from the Arch Rock trailhead. There’s a small parking lot, but you can also easily park on the street if it’s full.
As it says in the name, this spot is packed with cholla cacti. These cacti have nearly translucent needles that look especially beautiful in the golden hour light around sunrise and sunset.
You’ll be tired after a day of hiking, but don’t worry – there’s no hiking required to get to this spot! The cactus garden is located right off the side of the road, and there’s a short walking path that takes you through the area. Cholla cacti are incredibly sharp, so don’t get too close!
An Important Note on Sunset Time
You’ll want to be mindful of the sunset time to make sure you have the best experience. Since there are mountains on the west, the direct sunlight gets blocked earlier than the actual sunset time. I highly suggest making sure you get to the garden no later than half an hour before the sunset time to see the glowing cacti!
Re-Fuel with Dinner in Joshua Tree or Pioneertown
Once you’re done at Cholla Cactus Garden, it’s time to make your way out of the park. It’s about a 45-minute drive to get from the garden back to the town of Joshua Tree. Note that it will be faster and more direct to exit through the North Entrance Station, which is east of the West Entrance Station.
If you plan on staying for dinner before making the trek back home, I have two recommendations.
Your first option is to eat at Crossroads Cafe, which is located in the town of Joshua Tree. The laid-back eatery serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, tacos, and more. I love the Hell Burger (which is vegan!).
Alternatively, you can make a quick detour to Pioneertown, which is about a 20-minute drive west of the town of Joshua Tree. This town was established in 1946 to be used as a film and TV set for Westerns. It’s occasionally still used for productions today, but visitors can also explore the fun western town. While many of the storefronts are fake, there are a few real businesses in Pioneertown – including some eateries. I recommend stopping by Pappy and Harriet’s, a lively bar and grill serving up burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and more.
What to do with a Half Day in Joshua Tree
For those that aren’t able to spend a full day in the park, here’s what I recommend doing. Start by picking up lunch (if needed) at The Dez or Roadrunner in town, and then make your way into the park. Start with a hike at Hidden Valley Nature Trail, and then make your way over to Jumbo Rocks to explore the giant boulders in the area. From there, you’ll make your way over to Arch Rock to see the iconic rock formation. These three key activities can fill up half a day, and you’ll still get a varied experience seeing some of the coolest spots in the park.
Additional Things to do with More Time
If you have a bit of extra time, here are a few extra stops I recommend checking out when visiting Joshua Tree:
- Barker Dam Nature Trail: Barker Dam Nature Trail is an easy 1.3-mile loop located on the north end of the park, about a 20-minute drive from the West Entrance Station. The loop leads you near an early 20th century dam (which tends to fill up after a rainy season), as well as Native American petroglyphs. There is a good sized parking lot near the trailhead, but you can also park on Barker Dam Road if it fills up.
- Wall Street Mill Trail: Wall Street Mill Trail is just to the east of Barker Dam, and the trailhead shares the same parking lot. The easy 1.8-mile out-and-back trail takes you near a two-stamp gold ore crushing mill that dates back to the 1930s, as well as an abandoned house, rusty car, and an old windmill and water pump.
- Keys View: Keys View is located on the west side of the park, and is just about a 15-minute drive from Hidden Valley Nature Trail. It has an elevation of 5185 feet above sea level, and is a great spot to get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and the Coachella Valley. It’s also especially beautiful during sunset! The viewpoint is accessible by car, and there’s a good amount of parking spots available up top.
- Hall of Horrors Loop Trail: If you’re down for a bit of an adventure, try to find the Hall of Horrors slot canyon. The Hall of Horrors Loop Trail (which is a 7-minute drive from the Hidden Valley Nature Trail) is easy and just over half a mile long, but you can go off trail and do some rock scrambling to get to the slot canyon. Here are the Hall of Horror coordinates!
- Ryan Mountain Trail: Those looking for a more challenging hike should check out the Ryan Mountain Trail, which is less than a mile down the street from the Hall of Horrors. The moderately-rated out-and-back trail is 2.9-miles long, and leads you to the peak of Ryan Mountain (which is 5457 feet above sea level).
Have a great time in Joshua Tree! Here are some additional travel guides to read through as you plan your visit:
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