The Ultimate One Day in Joshua Tree National Park Itinerary
Joshua Tree was one of the stops on our California road trip in the summer, and even though July isn’t exactly the ideal time to visit (hello, desert heat), we still had an awesome time exploring.
With its weirdly wonderful trees, massive boulders, and almost alien-looking landscapes, this place feels like you’ve landed on another planet.
If you’re wondering whether one day is enough, yes, it totally is! We managed to see a bunch of the park’s highlights in just one day, and it didn’t feel rushed. Spots like the Cholla Cactus Garden, Hidden Valley, and Skull Rock are all easy to fit into a single trip.
This guide follows the same route we took through the park and includes everything you need to plan your own one day Joshua Tree adventure. And if you decide you want to stick around a little longer, I’ve also included tips on where to stay nearby.
Where Is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is right in the heart of Southern California, making it super easy to get to. It’s about three hours from Los Angeles, San Diego, or even Las Vegas, and just a quick 45-minute drive from Palm Springs.
It’s also only about two hours from Slab City, so you can easily pair your visit with a trip to Salvation Mountain and the Salton Sea. And if you’re planning a longer road trip through the Southwest, Joshua Tree’s location makes it a great starting point before continuing on to places like Death Valley.
How to Make the Most of One Day in Joshua Tree
To really make the most of your day trip to Joshua Tree, it’s best to arrive as early as possible. Not only will you avoid queues at the entrance gates, but you’ll also get to enjoy the cooler morning temperatures, and it will be much quieter.
If you’re a real early bird and arrive before 7am, there won’t be anyone at the gates so you’ll need to pay your $30 admission fee when you leave the park (or show your America the Beautiful National Park Pass if you have one).
To get the most out of your time, you could stay the night before in Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms. This is what we did, and it meant we could just roll out of bed and head straight into the park without worrying about a long drive in the morning!
There aren’t any food options inside the park so pack plenty of food and water before you arrive, there are loads of picnic areas, so bringing lunch is a great idea. And don’t underestimate the heat, it can get seriously hot out there, so bring more water than you think you’ll need.
Lastly, you’ll need a car to explore the park properly.
What’s the Best Route to Drive Through Joshua Tree?
The best way to explore Joshua Tree is to drive straight through the park from the West Entrance to the North Entrance, or flip it, depending on where you’re staying. We followed this route during our trip, and it worked perfectly, hitting all the main stops along Park Boulevard without any backtracking.
At one point, you’ll want to take a little detour onto Pinto Basin Road to check out the Cholla Cactus Garden and Arch Rock. They’re a bit off the main loop, but honestly, you don’t want to skip them. Cholla Cactus Garden was one of my favourite stops!
Once you’ve seen those, you can hop back on Park Boulevard and carry on toward the North (or West) Entrance.
One Day In Joshua Tree National Park Itinerary
This itinerary starts from the West Entrance, but if you’re coming in from the North Entrance, you can easily follow it in reverse. And if you’re planning to catch sunrise or sunset at a particular spot, feel free to tweak the order to suit your plans.
This is the route we followed during our visit. We actually stayed two nights in Joshua Tree, so we had time to come back the next morning for one more sunrise before hitting the road, and it was totally worth it.
Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley is a great place to start your visit to Joshua Tree! The 1-mile loop trail is super easy and takes you through an incredible desert landscape filled with tons of iconic Joshua trees, massive boulders, and rock formations that are perfect for climbing.
It’s a popular spot for rock climbers, so don’t be surprised if you see a few tackling the massive boulders while you’re there!
The parking lot can get packed later in the day, but we got here just after sunrise and had the place to ourselves. By the time we finished the loop, it was already starting to fill up, so getting here early is definitely the way to go!
Cap Rock
Cap Rock is just a quick 5-minute drive from Hidden Valley, so it’s an easy next stop. It’s a short 0.4-mile loop trail which is super flat and takes you through a pretty desert landscape with tons of Joshua trees and unique desert plants.
There are more rocks you can climb here and some picnic tables where you can chill and enjoy the view while you eat breakfast if you bring some with you.
Keys View
Unfortunately, this part of the park was closed when we visited because of swarming bees, so we didn’t get to check it out. But from what I’ve read, it’s definitely worth a stop if you can!
Apparently, Keys View has amazing views of the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, Mount San Jacinto, and even Mexico if the weather’s clear. It’s about a 10 minute drive from Cap Rock.
There’s a parking lot, but it can get pretty busy around sunset, so keep that in mind if that’s the time of day you choose to visit.
I’ve also read from the reviews that bees are pretty common here, especially in the summer months.
Hall Of Horrors
Don’t let the name put you off, Hall of Horrors is actually a really fun stop in Joshua Tree! It’s just a 13-minute drive from Key’s View and has a 0.6-mile loop trail that circles around massive boulder stacks.
There are two slot canyons that are tucked into the second group of boulders along the trail and you’ll need to climb up onto some rocks to reach them. The canyon on the right is wider with a sandy path through it, but you’ll need to climb down a boulder to get into it and back out again since it’s a dead end.
The canyon on the left is much narrower, with some parts only about 6 inches wide. It’s a tight squeeze, but this one is end-to-end, so you’ll exit at a different spot than where you entered.
Skull Rock
Just a quick 10-minute drive from the Hall of Horrors, Skull Rock is one of the most iconic and popular spots in Joshua Tree. This unusual rock formation has been shaped by natural water erosion over time, creating a shape that looks just like a skull.
The area has a 1.7-mile trail that’s super fun and easy for all ages. The trail is surrounded by massive boulders and rocks that are perfect for climbing, you could easily spend a few hours here. If you’re short on time or just want to grab a photo of Skull Rock, it’s only a quick 100-meter walk from the road.
This is one of the most popular places in the park, so it can get pretty busy. If you’ve got extra time, Jumbo Rocks is nearby and worth checking out too!
Arch Rock
Arch Rock is about a 10-minute drive from Skull Rock. To get there, you’ll need to turn off Park Boulevard onto Pinto Basin Road and park at White Tank Campground, where you can pick up the trailhead.
The 0.5-mile trail is short and easy, but it’s best to hike it counterclockwise, it’s much easier to spot the arch that way as it can be a little tricky to find. If you’ve been to Arches National Park, you might not be super blown away by this arch, but it’s still a fun and unique stop in Joshua Tree.
While you’re there, you can also take the side trail to Heart Rock, a boulder that’s shaped like—you guessed it—a giant heart!
Cholla Cactus Garden
Just a 15-minute drive from Arch Rock, the Cholla Cactus Garden is easily one of my favourite spots in the park—except maybe for Hidden Valley, but the two are completely different.
The 0.25-mile flat paved loop trail takes you through a field of teddybear cholla, which looks soft and fuzzy from a distance but definitely isn’t, don’t let the name fool you! The signs about not touching them are no joke! The spines stick like crazy, so make sure to stay on the wooden path.
Although we didn’t make it here for sunset, I can imagine it would be amazing with the golden light making the cholla glow.
We also found that there were quite a lot of bees here too, they weren’t really a bother to be honest but just be aware in case you are allergic.
If you drive just a little past the garden, you’ll spot some quirky plants called Ocotillo, they really reminded me of octopus, and I’m guessing that’s where they got their name!
Is One Day Enough To See Joshua Tree National Park?
I do think one day is definitely enough to see the highlights of Joshua Tree! We ended up returning the next day to catch the sunrise again and to check if Keys View had reopened since it was closed on our first day (sadly it wasn’t!). Other than that though, we didn’t go back to revisit anything specific and moved on to our next spot on our road trip.
You could easily spend a few days in Joshua Tree if you have more time though. Along with the shorter hikes, there are some great longer trails to explore:
Lost Horse Mine: If you’re into history, there’s a 4-mile hike where you can see remnants of the park’s gold rush days and get a glimpse into its mining past.
Lost Palms Oasis: This 7.2-mile hike takes about half a day and leads to a palm tree grove within a desert oasis. You won’t find any Joshua trees here, but it looks like the scenery is incredible.
Fortynine Palms Oasis: A 3-mile hike that takes you down into a canyon to discover a remote fan palm oasis.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree?
The best time to visit Joshua Tree is between October and May. These months avoid the scorching summer heat, making it much easier to enjoy the park, especially if you’re planning on doing any of the longer hikes I’ve mentioned.
We actually visited in July, and by mid-morning, it was seriously hot. Every time we got back to the car, we were so relieved to crank up the air conditioning! If you do decide to visit during the warmer months, be prepared for the heat and make sure to carry plenty of water no matter what time of year you go.
Some campsites close during the summer months, so if you’re planning to stay, make sure to check which ones are open before you go.
Also, keep in mind that the temperature can drop significantly in the evening, especially during the winter months, so it’s always a good idea to bring layers.
Where To Stay During Your Visit
There are plenty of places to stay in and near Joshua Tree, from campsites in the park to quirky spots in nearby towns like Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. Whether you’re camping or looking for something comfier, there’s lots to choose from!
Camping In The Park
There are nine campsites in Joshua Tree. Five of them—Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, and Ryan—need to be reserved ahead of time, from six months in advance to the same day. They all have pit toilets and no water, except for Cottonwood.
Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank are first-come, first-serve, but they fill up fast, so it’s a good idea to get there early. Sheep Pass is a group campground if you’re camping with a crowd.
If you can’t grab a spot in the park, there are plenty of campsites nearby to check out!
Twentynine Palms
If you’re staying in Twentynine Palms near the North Entrance, there are plenty of great places to choose from:
The WDNDR: Just 1 minute from Joshua Tree National Park, this spot has a hot tub, 2 bedrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s got stunning desert and mountain views and is secluded enough for some serious stargazing.
Desert Sage: A boho-style home with 3 bedrooms, an outdoor cowboy pool for hot days, and a hot tub for cooler evenings. It’s only a 5-minute drive from the North Entrance.
Holiday Inn Express: A more budget-friendly option or great for those who prefer hotels. It’s just a 10-minute drive from the North Entrance gate.
Joshua Tree
We stayed in White Cactus House and it was such a beautiful place to stay! The location was perfect, the decor was to die for and the cowboy pool in the back garden was such a treat in the hot weather!
AutoCamp Joshua Tree: Nothing says Joshua Tree like staying in an Airstream! This unique spot has free bikes, an outdoor pool, a shared lounge, and a terrace. There’s also an onsite restaurant that caters to dietary needs. It’s just a 13-minute drive from the West Entrance.
Village House: This place has it all—hot tub, pool, and it’s within walking distance to shops and the Joshua Tree Saloon (we had such a fun evening here!). It has 2 bedrooms, a picnic area, and a barbecue. It is only a 10-minute drive from the West Entrance.
Joshua Tree Ranch House Motel: A more budget-friendly option located right in the centre of town and just a 10-minute drive from the West Entrance.
Final Thoughts
You can easily see some of the best spots in Joshua Tree National Park in one day! With plenty of shorter hikes and beautiful places to explore like the Cholla Cactus Garden, Hidden Valley, and Skull Rock, it’s the perfect park for a day trip.
I really loved seeing all the unique Joshua trees and how the landscapes changed as we made our way through the park and I really enjoyed staying in the nearby town of Joshua Tree also.
If you’ve got more time, there’s always the option to stay longer and do some of the longer hikes or nearby attractions. Whatever your plans, this park won’t disappoint!
