Consider yourself a nature lover, there’s a good chance that a visit to SoCal’s Joshua Tree National Park is on your bucket list. Anyone unfamiliar with the area might be wondering what to do in Joshua Tree? other than take in the natural desert surroundings and breathe the freshest air imaginable. Here’s what you need to know about popular activities unique to this protected area of California.

What is Joshua Tree known for?

Joshua Tree is famous for the large yuccas, commonly called Joshua Trees. It’s a unique landscape featuring high and low desert areas as well as magnificent rock formations. Joshua tree is a special place and very popular at night for those who like star gazing. The best times to go to Joshua tree are arguably Mach and April when the desert flowers bloom. The autumn lights of October and November are also a big tourist draw, making them popular times.

The Joshua Tree National Park hours are year round. The Visitor Centre and Oasis are open 8:00am – 5:00pm daily. Meanwhile from 9:00am – 3:00pm the Cottonwood Visitor Centre is open. Wondering if Joshua Tree ever closes? The short answer is no but occasionally yes. When Joshua Tree National Park is closing temporarily, it will be publicized well in advance.

Since 1991, Joshua tree entrance fees have been charged. Since 2016 the price has been $25 for a car and $16 for a motorcycle. Joshua Tree is one of 117 national parks in the United States that charges an entrance fee.

Wondering what to do in Joshua Tree?

If you’re wondering what to do in Joshua Tree, the simple answer is enjoy the outdoors. From gaming, camping, mountain biking to rock climbing it’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking is the most popular activity in Joshua Tree National Park but plenty of other activities.

Glamping in Joshua Tree

Glamping is the ideal solution for outdoor lovers who don’t necessarily love to sleep under the stars. Joshua Tree glamping basically means camping in style and not giving up on the everyday luxuries of life. In other words, it’s the most glamourous camping experience you’ll ever have. The glamping craze really came into play within the past decade or so, and JTNP has quickly become the best place to go glamping in southern California. Glamping in Joshua Tree is a popular activity for those with toddlers.

There are plenty of options for staying in luxury tents throughout the park. These days you can even book a glamping experience on AirBnB. Finding the best camp in Joshua Tree for luxury glampers on a website called Glamping Hub. It provides you with with the best glamping options around the world, including Australia, South America, and of course, Joshua Tree.  Many visitors spend lots of time at the campsites as not much happening in Joshua Tree town.

Mountain Biking in Joshua Tree

Mountain biking is one of the most popular activities in the park. In fact, people come from all over just for the ideal mountain biking terrain found throughout Joshua Tree. Similar to other SoCal national parks like Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness Area, you aren’t permitted to take your bike just anywhere.

Be mindful of the park rules and stick to the designated biking roads and trails. There’s about 29 miles of them so you have plenty of area to cover. If mountain biking is your true passion, you might also consider making a trip to Desert Trails Bike Park in Arizona. This park is designated entirely to outdoor biking enthusiasts.

Joshua Tree Rock Climbing

Aside from mountain biking, plenty of people venture to Joshua Tree for the rad rock climbing opportunities. Joshua Tree rock climbing is as good as it gets. The grippy rock formations and surreal landscapes are what make for a true rock climber’s paradise. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be overly experienced in climbing to enjoy what JTNP has to offer.

No matter if you’re a beginner or novice climber, there are plenty of options for rock climbing available to you. Hiring a guide is always a solid-as-a-rock idea – like what we did there? There are several rock climbing tours to choose from. One of the most respected rock climbing platforms of the area is 57 hours. Companies like this one will teach you a variety of climbing techniques and even cater to your specific rock climbing hopes and goals.

Joshua Tree Hiking

It goes without saying that hiking is another major activity that goes on throughout  the 1,00 square miles of Joshua Tree. There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate to extremely challenging. No matter what category you fall into, Joshua Tree National Park hiking is a must for nature fanatics.

Most of these hikes can be done on your own, but you also have the option to hire a guide through one of the many JT tour operators. However you choose to experience the area – with a pro or on your own – you are guaranteed to see a fascinating variety of plants, animals, and picturesque landscapes fit for a postcard.

Joshua Tree: The Ultimate Outdoor Experience

All in all, visiting Joshua Tree is an amazing way to get in touch with nature. Some people even claim Joshua Tree to be the world’s most unique outdoor spot for adventurers. It’s undeniable that adventure runs rampant here, what with all the climbing, biking, and hiking opportunities. It doesn’t matter if you get in touch with nature while relaxing in your glamorous tent or you do it by climbing massive rock formations, JT is the place to make it happen.