There are a lot of cool things to see in Joshua Tree. Two or three days at tops are all you really need to spend there, it is indeed a desert. Make sure to check out the back country and some of the cool places they recommend on the map at the Visitors Center. STARGAZING

Fun and informative. The employee at the counter showed us how to upload the nation parks app to the cloud so we could find tails and info off line! No wifi in the park. Great souvenirs to pick up. Amazing food to go shop attached to the center! Loved it!

We loved visiting the park, though we picked an extremely hot day! Luckily, you can easily drive through and stop at the key viewpoints. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen—it’s easy to get dehydrated. There are also several short hikes around a mile long if you’re up for a walk!

The people working at the Joshua tree visitor center were all very friendly and very helpful. Our Daughters took part in the junior ranger program and the ranger that helped them was very nice! Joshua tree was a very nice national park, but we went mid June and it was very hot! Would definitely go back when it’s a little bit cooler outside!

Great place to get the rundown on the trails and other sites in Joshua tree. Theres a little museum with information and a gift shop that sells cute little Knick knacks. Parking is in the back, bathrooms are outside. Chris was nice with the information he provided us.

There are two visitors centers on this road. This is the smaller of the two, but the one to enter the park at. (You can at the other location but this one has the bulk of the Joshua trees).

Is a great starting point for exploring the park. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, offering helpful maps, guides, and tips. It’s a perfect place to get information about hiking trails, park history, and current conditions. A must-stop for first-time visitors.

Atmosphere is very cool! A lot of decor and vibe def worth to take a look! Many seats even a large outdoor seating too Many people even in weekday night but no line A lot of server and all helpful and friendly Ribs is better than i though Salad big and cute And gotta said area like this have a nice restaurant open til 11pm is the best!

Every time I head up into the high desert, stopping at the Joshua Tree Saloon is non-negotiable. From the moment you walk in the door you get that relaxed desert-town vibe mixed with reliably good food and drinks. I love that I can pull up outside the park at 61835 29 Palms Hwy and know I’m going to get something solid. The burger list alone is worth the stop — their half-pound patties with names like the Ghost Pepper Burger (bacon, ghost pepper cheese, chili verde sauce) and the Saloon Original Patty Melt (Swiss cheese, grilled onions, Russian dressing on sourdough) are the kind of indulgences you’ve earned after hiking or driving all day. On the lighter side the grilled portobello burger and black bean quesadilla show they haven’t forgotten the non-meat folk. They’ve got 14 beers on draft and are “home of our famous homemade Bloody Mary mix” which sets the tone right for any desert afternoon or evening. The cocktail list doesn’t disappoint either: things like the Mexican Mule, JT Dark & Stormy, Cactus Cadillac — fun, strong, and desert-appropriate. The staff always greet you with a smile, the folks playing pool or relaxing outside on the patio make it feel like a local spot not just a tourist stop, and the mix of indoor bar and outdoor seating means you’ve got options whether you’re coming in for a late drink or dinner after a long hike. Heads up though: when the place gets crowded the food wait can stretch out — I’ve had to kill time with a draft and some people watching while waiting for the burgers to land. But for me, that’s part of the charm: you’re in the desert, you’ve earned the pause. Five stars all the way.

Had a really great experience at the joshua tree saloon. The exterior and interior design of the saloon were fantastic and made you feel like you were in a real saloon. The food was well above average. The fries were cooked to perfection and the burger was juicy and really well made. The meat was cooked medium-medium rare. The prices were also very acceptable with the exception of the sodas which were slightly more expensive. The only negative thing that I can say is that we had to wait quite a time for our food. Not extraordinarily long but for american standards still longer than other chains. But if you are there you probably have a lot of time and it is a nice break. I would definitely recommend coming here.

Went with my family for dinner and we all had a great experience. Hostess was great and got us seated immediately and our waitress was straight over to offer drinks as soon as we were seated. Food was very tasty all around. Biggest surprise was the price which I thought was very reasonable.

Nice place to hang out great selection of food and amazingly good service. It was pretty crowded on a Friday afternoon. The seating area inside and out dogs are allowed outside. I had the steak salad, which was really good, especially with the assortment of greens. And yes, they have non-alcoholic beer Heineken.

So close to Camp Sunburst a super amazing Dog Friendly AirBnB, the National Park entrance, and the downtown JT area. I had the bison burger with skinny fries. It was absolutely the most amazing burger I’ve had in a long time. My friend had the steak salad. It was huge definitely something we could’ve shared, but I didn’t want the help your option. The service is great. The weight is sometimes a little longer than usualbut the quality of food makes it all worth it.

We came here on a recommendation from another person. What a surprise! We walked into delicious smells the hostess was great. Our waitress was fast and friendly. The server brought our food quick,we watched him bus 3 big tables in minutes. Talk about a great place to hang out....THIS IS IT!

Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Desert Art Museum is an unconventional, eccentric, and strikingly imaginative installation.. Every installation is crafted from waste and the number of artworks made from old toilets alone is surprising! Created by the late artist Noah Purifoy, the art is captivating but how it's withstood the harsh desert climate. Getting there isn’t the easiest—expect a bumpy drive along a dirt road but the journey is scenic. You'll find plenty of signs along the way guiding you to the museum which is at the edge of the desert in a quiet residential area. Marked parking and entrance access, making it easy. At the entrance, you’ll find a donation box and brochures too! Do visit this place and get your imagination rolling!

We were staying in Joshua tree and looking for something to do so we stopped at this art museum. It was started in the late 80s and the owner spent the rest of his life building this art. He passed away in the early 2000s and its pretty neat how long so much of these items have survived for the last 20 plus years in the desert. Very unique stuff and im not much of an art guy but still a pretty unique little place. It's not a bad spot to stop at and its unique.

A quiet place with interesting art designs. It is nice that they actually put up signs for each of the arr pieces. Pretty wide place to spend some time at when passing by the area.

if you need a moment to yourself to self reflect or just to get inspired, this is a great spot to get stuck in thought. also note that there is a dedicated parking area that is labeled "gor noah's art site" (seemingly kindly provided by the neighbors) across from the site. dont park anywhere else as it is private property and you need to respect the area

Noah definitely had a passion for the unusual. Making things out of what others discarded or had no use for and because of the effort and time it took Noah to create his visions, I feel it's worth a visit. Unfortunately, his visions were hard for me to conceptualize and are in various states of neglect. This reminded me of Slab City, near the Salton Sea. Seems like it's being milked for as long as the pieces are still standing, but this could be due to costs to maintain?? Now, in the defense of those overseeing his art, the donation box is hard to find and not marketed correctly, it should be, in my opinion, next to the Welcome art piece; with the entrance clearly marked there. Guiding people to this spot. If the funds would actually be used to upkeep Noah's art pieces, then there should be signage explaining why donations are needed. I didn't see one of the many visitors drop money into the donation box next to the sign in box. We had to search/figure out where the money drop box was in order to make our donation. Most of the drive is paved until your last right turn on to Blair Lane. You park perpendicular to the road, on the sides of the road. There is parking signage. The owner of the spaceship home, I think it's a vacation rental, probably won't be happy with my pointing out its existence a ways behind Noah's Desert Museum. It's cool. Check it out from a distance so as not to ruin it for the people who are there. Respect the residents of the area by not littering, drive slowly, stay off their property, and be respectful.

Such a unique experience. I have come back at least once a year for the past 7 years and it is amazing to see how the desert has changed the art. Self guided tour, you can walk through in 20 minutes or spend hours here. A lot of the art is interactive, you can walk through it under or inside the structures. There is always something new and random to stumble upon. The story of the museum and its creator Noah is such an interesting part of Joshua tree history. Don’t forget to donate and to be respectful!

This was a highlight of my Joshua tree trip! You can go through this vast collection of sculptures if you walk quickly in about 20 minutes, but I could have spent an hour leisurely walking and snapping photos of everything. I went around 9:30 am on a Sunday, and there were only 4 other people I ran into.

Had lunch here and everything was super tasty! I got the tuna melt with Caesar salad – fresh and flavorful. Also tried the chicken quesadilla and it was cheesy and satisfying. The vibe was nice and service was friendly. Wish I could come back more often, but it’s a bit too far for me. Still, totally worth the stop if you’re in the area!

The service was good, the food was.. okay. The environment, cool. I’m quite a breakfast snob since I used to work brunch shift as a server all summer.. so I know a good crispy potato, with an impeccable poached egg with hollandaise. I was just underwhelmed. The potatoes left much to be desired.. but the bacon was great. I got the Egg Barrio I think?

Ordered quesadillas and country breakfast with biscuits and gravy. Quesadillas was fresh and yummy. Potatoes were delicious. I was skeptical but side order of Banana bread was surprisingly good. Definitely worth ordering. House made lemonade was nice too

The Cali Cheesesteak is really good with full of flavor and cooked perfectly. The pancakes are excellent as well, definitely worth trying. Great spot for a tasty and satisfying meal!

Stopped here before heading out to the desert. Food was fantastic and the waitresses were great. The fruit cup was super fresh and they cooked our eggs perfectly. Definitely would stop here again if in the area.

Great little place. We had the vegan saitan "burger". It was pretty big, the slaw and fries were homemade. I highly recommend the homemade lemonade as well.

Got the hell burger didn't read the fine print . Got some weird shredded mystery meat , definitely did not hit the spot. The fries were fresh but didn't get the chilli and cheese I ordered with it. Cool place to hangout .

It’s an interesting area of the park - the most fertile in terms of vegetation and someone used to support grazing at one point! The trail here is very poorly marked - only a mile loop that takes maybe 20-30 minutes. It’s pretty easy to walk through and there’s minimal elevation changes but there’s so many curves and turns that are not noted or lack signs.

Hidden Valley Trail is a 1-mile loop with about 100 feet of elevation gain. The path is clear and easy to follow. Super good way to knock out amazing views of the park in a shorter amount of time. You pass massive boulders, Joshua trees, and desert plants. Short side trails lead to rock formations. Signs share the history of cattle rustlers hiding herds here.

It is beautiful and easy to walk. We saw some people hiking up the hills. There are restrooms and also a camping ground. We had a great time and I would recommend stopping by, although it is not outstanding compared to the rest. Hope you will enjoy it! Lots of parking space available:)

This review is about stargazing at night at Hidden Valley. My go-to first stop for stargazing. Could have driven to Arch Rock but the rock and surrounding Joshua trees formed great backdrop when taking Milky Way photos! Can be a little crowded at night, so be prepared to have your photos tinted red from folks exiting the parking lot or from distant traffic along the main route.

Such a nice enjoyable hike! Easy loop with beautiful views of the rock.

Really loved this loop! First time experiencing JTNP and this was a fantastic hike. It’s easy and you really get to experience what JTNP is all about. We went in the evening and it wasn’t too hot and wasn’t crowded.

This trail is Majestic. If your schedule only permits a short hike, this is the one to take. It is wonderful that Joshua Tree National Park allows all type of rock climbing from repelling to free form. Be safe and have fun.

Gorgeous spot - boulders are huge, sun shines directly on you. Sat down and melted into it all. Parking is easy and all are just enjoying the desert - heals things you didn’t know were out of line. ❤️👁️

This was our favorite hike at JT. It’s a daily easy trail but it is really exposed most of the time so make sure to take adequate sun protection measures and lots of water. There wasn’t water when we went but the dam itself was really cool and we enjoyed reading all the trail plaques to learn more about the area and the native plants. It was fairly crowded but it didn’t feel overwhelming with everyone pretty spread out on the trail. Plenty of parking

Great hike. Pretty easy going. Really enjoyed hiking down to the dam and seeing the old wood trough and standing at the cement basin still there with William Keys "signature" still visable from what seemed to be June 1939. Also cool looking up at seeing the "Resting Guerilla" formation that... lies...above it. Really fun hike. Lot's to explore.

Pretty easy hike out to the dam. Lots of room to allow many hikers on the trail. If you are looking for wildlife, cacti, bugs...you can find them on tje trail or nearby. The dam itself was ok. I visited when it was dry.

Our first visit to Joshua Tree and we hiked the Barker Dam trail. It was a beautiful stretch and the terrain gorgeous! We didn’t get to see any water though- it was towards the end of summer. Will need to return post a heavy rainfall and see the water front attract all the wildlife.

The Trail offers a breathtaking journey through a vibrant desert landscape filled with towering cacti, unique rock formations, and stunning vistas. This trail is perfect for nature enthusiasts and photographers, showcasing the park's diverse flora and serene beauty. Whether you're hiking or simply exploring, the Amazing Cactus Trail promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature.

The dam is pretty anticlimactic if there’s absolutely no water. I did this easy hike in late January a day after rain and it was still totally dry when I got to it. Still a nice first walk upon entering the park, I suppose.

Nice little grab and go spot. I think calling it a 'deli' would be a bit far. Yes, there are sandwiches and hot burritos, but they're pre-made. It's more of an airport take-out style situation, but that said, the selection is great and designed to fuel hikers. So, you'll find nuts and cheese other hiking foods. And good for vegetarians. Good selection of ice cream, too!

It got my attention when I was coming back from Joshua Tree Park so I decided to stop and see what’s inside. It’s a cute cafe with prepped meals, cold brew, snacks, drinks, ice cream, fruit. I ended up trying nitro coffee with oat milk, and I bought the savory Bear Bar. When I see organic and vegan, I can’t help it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Super convenient location. Bought my parks pass at the visitor center then headed directly next door to Roadrunner to pick up lunch to pack in to the park. Very impressed by vegetarian options (multiple sandwiches available). Happy that everything was super quick to grab and go - already wrapped up, no waiting, easy to read signage and prices. Sandwich tasted great and the bread held up even to the moisture of the dressing on the sandwich, and sitting in the car for hours.

Super convenient grab and go place that sells all sorts of locally sourced items. Parking is the same lot as the Joshua Tree visitor’s center. Restrooms are outside. They carry snacks, coffee, tshirts, drinks, Gatorade, and kombucha. On the pricier side of things, but if you have the cash, worth the try.

Don't expect much from a grab and go store. Food are all fresh. Is it the best sandwich? No. Does it fill you up? Yes. You can also grab other snacks. The food is a little pricey. The meat to bread is good.

They are so sweet in there and make yummy home cooked meals with seasonal menu offerings. Gluten free and vegan options available! A great place to come before heading to JT National Park or a road trip anywhere!

We found this place by accident after looking in the Joshua Tree NP Visitor Center. We wanted sandwiches to take into the park and we were not disappointed. Not being mayo fans they made us 2 beef sandwiches without mayo. They were absolutely delicious. You will not find a better sandwich to go anywhere. The service was friendly and atmosphere lovely. Thank you for the sandwiches…we enjoyed them very much!

During our one-night camping trip at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, we decided to skip packing all our cooking supplies. A quick Yelp search for sandwich spots with good reviews led us straight to Dez Fine Food, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation! They have two convenient locations, just a few doors apart. One specializes in warm sandwiches, which is perfect if that's what you're in the mood for, and it's also where you'll find the restroom. We tried the Desert Dirt Smoothie, a Tuna Melt, and for my boyfriend, the Pastrami and Swiss. Every item was delicious and truly hit the spot. Staff were super friendly and helpful. We were thoroughly impressed and will definitely be returning!

Glad to have found this place while in Joshua Tree as I didn’t want the typical burger/homestyle offerings. The counter staff was helpful in making my selection and brought it to my table on an ironware plate with metal flatware. I highly recommend the Lentil/Hummus pita! The ingredients were fresh and plentiful with great flavor. The staff were pleasant and suggested other areas to visit during my stay in CA. The coffee was strong but not bitter and the cookie was just the right size with lots of chocolate chips.

Rating based on date shake. Overall seems like a fine little market, but the date shake was badly made and overpriced especially for the execution. Dates were not mixed well with the ice cream and it was overall too thin of a consistency. It was difficult to drink with a straw because the chunks of dates were so large they clogged up the straw. We’ve had much better! We were disappointed as date shakes are more difficult to find where we are from and we were looking forward to a nice treat.

Do not order vegan food here. They do not actually check. They are rude, slow, and defensive over mistakes they make. They don’t understand the gravity of serving a person real meat when they don’t eat it and were super dismissive. “Mistakes happen,” but maybe that one shouldn’t as it isn’t that hard to read a label. Reading is part of working at a restaurant. Here’s a great business tip: do not serve vegan food. We don’t like places like yours and don’t care to have you include us especially if you’re going to make careless mistakes like that one. It was especially hilarious that you mentioned this doesn’t happen often, well it did to us and now we are going to tell every vegan we know in town that used to recommend this place to not. Again, just make your menu full of dead animals and don’t include us at all. Thanks!

They play Lana De Rey! And their Tuna Melt and Chai taste soooo good! I feel like I’m pregnant 🫃

Absolutely one of the nicest experiences I had at Joshua Tree. The lady said she really appreciated how politely I asked. I told her my name was Jeff, and she put me down as 'King Jeff'. And although I can't prove it, I feel like these sandwiches we bought were made with extra love. So yeah. I recommend this place. ✌️

AMAZING! Love the food here and the people are great as well. Stopped in for lunch and I must say it’s very tasty! The Turkey bacon wrap is the best I’ve ever had! The albacore tuna on sourdough is so bomb! This place is a must stop and enjoy!!!

Decided to explore another part of this exciting city and found myself at the Palm Spring Air Museum in Hot Springs 😀. Since my dad was a Marine, I try to honor him by visiting places like this and learning more about our military heroes through their stories and history. Just a little tip, it’s a really dry heat out here, so stay hydrated! The aircraft are retired, but the lessons and history they hold are alive and inspiring for anyone who loves to learn. Call or visit website to confirm hours. Tell them Team Smiley sent you.

From the moment you step onto the grounds, you're transported to a different era, one of innovation, sacrifice, and unparalleled heroism. ​What truly sets this museum apart is the incredible hands-on experience. Unlike many other museums where aircraft are roped off behind barriers, here you can get up close and personal with the planes. The collection of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam era aircraft is meticulously maintained, and many of the planes are still in flying condition. The opportunity to actually sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet is an exhilarating experience that appeals to all ages. ​The true highlight of the visit, however, is the staff. The docents are a mix of veterans and passionate volunteers who share their stories and knowledge with an infectious enthusiasm. Their personal anecdotes bring the history to life in a way that no plaque or sign ever could. They are a testament to the dedication and spirit of the people who shaped aviation history.

This air museum is amazing! There are also vehicles and ship models. So much history in each hangar and outside. Icredible memorabilia. A staggering experience to see each of these aircraft upclose. There were planes being restored and getting worked on. Though most are grounded, i was told a couple still fly. My husband is a huge plane lover and this place was the perfect first stop in Palm Springs. Right next to the airport. There are guides in each area to answer questions and share information.

Absolutely incredible collection and curation! We were visiting in town and came here on a whim and all of us were completely blown away by everything here. Felt like i needed an entire day for each hanger to be able to truly appreciate everything! The F-117 exhibit alone was breathtaking and the docent in the hanger was super knowledgeable and friendly. Already planning trip to come back here from Maryland! Fair warning if you come here overestimate how long you’ll spend because there is so much to see, read, and watch!

Really nice museum, great collection of planes and World War II information. If you're thinking about doing the warbird rides go for it! It was extremely fun and the T6 airplane ride was amazing.

Great museum! Multiple hangers with more planes outside. We spent 4 hours and could have easily spent another 4 if we stopped and read all the historical posts and information posters. Well worth the price of admission!

This is definitely a must do if you visit Palm Springs. Fantastic war museum, hard to believe the size when you get inside. The displays are amazing and a credit to the devoted people that work there. One of the best I have visited, lots of great surprises.

I went here last October and absolutely loved my visit. The people working were fantastic and were happy to answer all of my questions and chat. It’s small and I thought it wouldn’t take long to get through, but I think I ended up spending 3 or so hours. It’s a great place for plant lovers and they have so many interesting plants. They also have great plants for sale. I bought five plants and four months later they are all thriving. The people running the garden are so knowledgeable and passionate. I can’t wait to go back and I highly recommend spending at least a few hours here!

A nice cacti garden to walk around in. The staff was very friendly, and offered guided or self guided tours. Was fun to walk around and see the various cacti, other vegetation, birds, tortoises, lizards, and a hummingbird nest. Was a fun relaxing area to meander through.

Wow! What a beautiful gem in the desert. Every year, for our wedding anniversary, we go to a different botanical garden from around this country. They have all been amazing, but this one is the best one yet. We met Clark Moorten, the owner and curator of the estate, and he was the kindest, sweetest, most knowledgeable man we have ever encountered. We never really imagined visiting a desert themed garden, full of so many varieties of cacti & succulents, as well as, birds and tortoises. Despite the high heat of summer (110 degrees F), it was still such an eye opening experience. HIGHLY RECOMMEND, if you enjoy botanical gardens.

Tucked just off the main drag in Palm Springs, Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium is a slice of desert paradise that feels both timeless and otherworldly. This compact, one acre garden may be small in size, but it’s absolutely overflowing with personality, charm, and thousands of fascinating desert plants from around the world. Originally established in 1938 by Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten and his wife Patricia, the garden is still family owned and proudly rooted in local history. The Moorten family’s home dubbed the “Cactus Castle” adds a vintage vibe to the property and is just one of the many quirks that make this place so special. The main attraction, of course, is the Cactarium - a shaded greenhouse packed with rare and exotic cactus species that look like they belong on another planet. From tiny, fuzzy succulents to towering spiky giants, there’s something captivating around every corner. The garden is thoughtfully laid out with paths leading you through different arid regions, including South America, the Baja Peninsula, and the Mojave Desert. It’s also incredibly photogenic, with light filtering through spines and blooms, perfect for photographers and Instagram enthusiasts. For just $5 admission, it’s one of the best deals in Palm Springs and a peaceful escape where nature takes center stage. Whether you’re a plant lover, history buff, or just looking for something unique, Moorten Botanical Garden is a must-visit desert treasure. 🌵🌞

My group went to the botanical garden for our friend’s birthday and we had a spectacular time! Barry the tour guide was informative, kept us inquisitive, and he had a fun sense of humor. 10/10 would recommend visiting the garden and asking if Barry is available.

If you love succulents and cacti like I do, you have to visit Moorten Botanical Garden in Palm Springs. I stopped by this past January and it quickly became one of my favorite spots of the whole trip. It’s a small, family-owned garden tucked right in the middle of the desert—and it’s packed with hundreds of stunning cactus varieties, rare succulents, and desert plants from all over the world. Every turn felt like a tiny alien landscape. 🌵🪴 The best part? The Cactarium—a vintage-style greenhouse filled with the most Instagram-worthy spiky plants you’ve ever seen. It was hot, wild-looking, and completely magical. They also have a little nursery where you can buy plants to take home. I couldn’t resist—I bought a couple and had them shipped back to my house because TSA doesn’t love spiky souvenirs 😅 It’s peaceful, weirdly romantic, and a total vibe if you love desert beauty. You don’t need a whole day—just an hour and an appreciation for plants with personality. Don’t skip this gem next time you’re in Palm Springs.

Such a beautiful gem I stumbled upon. Definitely worth the visit and the cool cacti they have! If you visit, take your time! There’s a lot of hidden secrets.

Such a beautiful scenic area. Definitely worth driving there and to the different trails especially if you’re not a seasoned hiker (like us). The rangers were really helpful and recommended the Andreas Canyon and Palm Canyon to us. The Andreas Canyon was a totally achievable hike for two novices. Bring water and some flip flops if you want to wade your feet in water.

Andreas canyon trail was a great little hike. Says 1 mile round trip. Not too bad. Can be done some where between 20 and 30 minutes. February would definitely be a great time to visit high 60s to low 70s. May through September would need to bring some water. Not free costs $12 per person but worth it to see it.

It is a beautiful, amazing place for a hike. You can choose a short or long trail. Lots of amazing palm trees. The Google map is extremely limited in this area, and even the map given at the entrance is incomplete (the river was not even shown!), so be aware and cautious.

This is my favorite canyon to walk in the area. There is a good stretch of canyon walk with palm trees then more hiking trail. The canyon is easy walking. The other hiking trails are more strenuous and out in the open - sun! Plan accordingly, bring a camera, water, snacks, sunscreen etc. There are places to sit and rest along the way both with benches and not.

Chose to come to Indian Canyons on my last day of vacation, it was definitely the right decision. My wife and I loved the scenery getting to see the stream and palms. Definitely planning on coming back to explore more

Totally blown away! !!!!! 🌴🌴🌴😱😱😱😱 A beautiful and tranquil destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Indigo Canyons offers a serene escape into nature with its breathtaking landscapes and peaceful ambiance. Perfect for hiking, photography, or simply unwinding, the canyons are rich with vibrant colors and unique rock formations that create a truly mesmerizing setting. The trails are well-maintained, suitable for various skill levels, and provide a quiet retreat from city life. It’s a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts.

The park features stunning palm trees and a serene oasis. There is a parking and entrance fee and discount for students. In summer, visitors should carry at least 3 liters of water. The park is open only from Friday to Sunday during the summer season.

This museum is really neat to go through. Worth it to get the self-guided tour. It's very educational and cool to have a part of the audio per room. The upstairs apartment was beautiful. Walking the grounds was very cool and not boring at all. Plenty to see. Staff was very kind and responsive. Parking was plenty and easy. We highly suggest being able to see and experience some great history of the area.

If you like amazing desert oddities then you have come to the right place. Imagine what life was like living in this Pueblo style desert home actually made from found objects in the desert. This is one man’s dream to build his dream castle all alone by himself over many years. Take the self guided tour and be immersed in the story behind Cabot’s Pueblo oddity.

Very interesting structure. Enjoyed the self-guided tour. My favorite room was the apartment that he made for his wife Portia. Happy wife, happy life 😂

Lovely place to experience in Desert Hot springs. The audio tour did not completely work to its full capacity, only inside the house but the tour inside the house is worth it. House was beautiful, the property has nice greenery and the history of the place make this site pretty interesting. It was amazing to see how someone would live and make life in this little place in the desert.

Great small museum, very unique, beautiful surroundings. All the staff are very welcoming, have your phone ready to use the audio tour. Great art to purchase at the gift shop. Restrooms and parking on the site.

Nice spot with rich history. The ticket attendant/slash limited guide was so friendly and helpful. Tickets are relatively affordable, but the price adds up when your party is large. I think it'd $10 per adult. The tour is a self-guided audio tour that you do with your phone. If you have a large party, maybe a Bluetooth speaker will help so that everyone can hear. If you actually have the patience to listen, it's quite amazing how the home was designed, and the attention to detail that went into it. We had some kids with us do they could care less about the history. They were more interested in pointed and asking. That said, a lot of the things here are original pieces (including some falling-apart clothing), so be mindful and watch touchy kids to make sure they don't sit, touch, or go where they shouldn't.

Really nice piece of history! Amazed it didn’t get pillaged while it was unoccupied and a nice tribute to the builder Cabot and his wife Portia. Nice audio tour and very open to all areas of the Pueblo. Fascinating building. Very cool point of interest. Cheap admission and fun visit.

This is a beautiful view! Who would have thought a faut line could make such scenery. The distance you can see from here is amazing, wish it was a clearer day when I went. I would recommend adding time to stop by the abandoned gold mine on lost horse trail on the way also If you can.

Driving to Keys View from the Hidden Valley picnic area was wonderful! The Joshua trees seemed very dense along this scenic road, making for a beautiful journey. Keys View is a truly beautiful elevation, offering great views of the mountains, the tectonic plate fault line, and the riverbed. Be prepared for it to be very windy up there! You could quickly visit all the main points in about 15 minutes of walking/viewing time, plus the drive time. This is a must-visit place inside Joshua Tree National Park.

Be sure to catch a sunrise view, its spectacular at Keys view!! Their is a toilet up there, cell service at the top of the loop lookout point. Great view of the Salton Sea, San Jacinto and beyond. Parking can be full on the weekends, do not recommend if your pulling a trailer.

I definitely recommend visiting this spot before sunset. Don’t forget to bring a windbreaker or jacket - it can get windy and chilly even during summer evenings. The spot has its own designated parking area, so no need to worry about finding a place to park. The views are absolutely beautiful, as you can see in the photos! We visited in June. 2025 and arrived at Joshua Tree after 5 PM. Surprisingly, we didn’t have to pay an entry fee - there was no one at the checkpoint selling tickets. I’m not sure why, but just a quick tip in case you’re visiting around the same time!

The only thing better than Key's View is to hike the use trail to the north for the big epic overlook higher up. Follow the arrows. Incredible views of the Palm Springs desert and Coachella Valley across to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains.

A beautiful place to visit. I was impressed by the beauty of the place. I will definitely come back.

Absolutely beautiful at sunset. You will not have cell service, so if you feel like you need a map, have it downloaded, but the route within the park was best well marked. I visited in the off season in July, so it wasn’t overly crowded, but I’m sure parking is at a premium in the busy season.

Beautiful landscape and pool! Room itself felt like motel and needs some renovation but the exterior of the hotel was gorgeous! Complimentary breakfast had lots of choices and I enjoyed at the outdoor seating. Pool was nice and mist they spray cooled down while seating in pool lounger. You can walk to town and many restaurants. Good location and beautiful hotel ground made our stay a special one.

The hotel is a in a great location. Outward appearances the hotel looks great. The lobby is updated as well as the surroundings. From there though it starts going down relatively quickly. The rooms while updated, the room we had during our stay has some kind of weird dip in the middle of it. While normally I doubt that this would be a factor to comment on, here at this hotel it’s different. The entire console where the tv, desk, mini fridge, dresser drawers are is attached to the wall. Again, not a big deal until you factor in the dip in the floor. The console is literally hanging off the wall and has such a slope to it the dresser drawers don’t stay closed. This is dangerous to say the least. In the middle of the night you might have went to bed with them shut but then they slide open on their own. Ended up having to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and about killed myself on the drawer that popped open in the middle of the night. Ultimately, I had to fix it with putting some cardboard under the legs of the console to lift it back up enough to stop the drawers from sliding out. It was evident that other guests have had the same issue and someone tried to fix it the same way but did not get it high enough up to stop it. This is a simple and quick maintenance fix with a couple shims. One would think the liability of someone severely injuring themselves on tripping on a drawer at night would out weigh the expense of a $2 shim. The other notable thing is they “offer” a gym on site, however, it’s not functional. They have several treadmills, but opted for a high end Eschelon $6000 weight machine, but it requires a subscription. Because of a long standing back injury and needing to do physical therapy exercises daily we always use a hotel that has a gym. When I asked the front desk how can we actually use a gym when it requires a subscription, they were not super helpful. All they said was oh the treadmills will work as a guest. When I specifically said I needed the resistance machine I did not get much of an answer other than “oh our subscription expired.” If you are going to offer a gym in house, but then make it require a subscription service to use it, you might want to let people know ahead of time so if they need to make other arrangements they can; or better yet don’t buy equipment that requires a subscription in the first place, or ensure that if you do your corporate office keeps those valid so guests can actually use the offered gym facilities. Also due to the dip in the floor the door has about an inch + gap. In the photo below you can see one side it starts flush, then the floor drops about an inch or more down, which coincides with the console drawers not staying closed.

I had a conference in Palm Springs and stayed there. This entire town is expensive, this hotel is at the lower end of the price, although it’s still more expensive than an average hotel we used to stay. But my experience was really good! Cute hotel, free breakfast that’s very nice, the room was big and clean. Their pool was fancy, there are many flowers and I keep seeing a hummingbird hopping around. The only problem is they are fixing some floor tile thing outside and has been pretty noisy during the day time. I’m not sure I’ll go to Palm spring again but if I do, this hotel will still be the option.

Cute hotel with lush landscaping and grounds. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The room was clean. I was especially pleased that it was not carpeted. Breakfast was quite good. It was a little noisy at night due to its close proximity to a block of bars but the noise didn't keep me awake.

Wonderful hotel for the price and location. Just a few minor shortcomings but still 5 stars. My first time visiting Palm Springs and I chose this hotel for the affordability and location. I was also looking at the Zoso hotel next door but they charge a ridiculous resort fee so I went with this one instead. Room: I got 2 queen beds which was perfect for 2 couples. Rooms aren't huge but that wasn't a big deal since we were just there to change, shower, and sleep. Bathroom was clean but the body wash was empty. The fridge worked and the room included a huge TV. There are also a bunch of seating areas on each floor so if you need more space or just want to be outside, you can. Pool: relatively clean. Yes there are leaves but there are trees everywhere, so that is expected. Hot tub also clean and not overly treated with chemicals. Only downside is that the pool is surrounded by the hotel, trees, and a mountain, so the sun may only be showing in the morning/early afternoon only. Breakfast: I stopped by for a coffee and snack but each day they had eggs, sausage, biscuits, waffles, cereal, yogurt, muffins, fruit, etc. Its a pretty decent offering considering it is included in the price. Bar: probably best to skip it for mixed drinks. The bartender literally measured everything with a cup which takes forever when making drinks for multiple customers. Gym: this is probably the only downside of my stay. The equipment itself is newer and high end (Echelon and Peloton machines). However, none of the machines were able to connect to the internet so you could not actually use them or their programs. The treadmill, elliptical, and cycle won't actually work unless you are connected. The gym is also fairly small, only 3-4 people at a time max. Some other important things to remember. When I booked, I chose the non-pool room view and I am glad I did. None of the rooms actually have a true "pool view" since there is a walkway in between the room and outer wall. I was given a pool view room anyway but could barely see the pool outside of the window. Location is great. It is only a few minutes walk from all the bars and restaurants. But the downside of this is that there are about 3 nightclubs surrounding it so you will hear loud music on weekends going until 1-2AM. Its not super loud but if you are a light sleeper, you may notice it more. Lastly, I asked the hotel for late check out and they gave me an hour at no additional cost, which I thought was nice. They will also hold your bags for you so you can pick them back up when you are ready to leave. Overall, I loved my stay here and will definitely stay again.

Nice staff but beware of the noise! Many of the rooms (24 out of the 90) face onto a super noisy bar/disco North of the hotel. After 10:30pm it’s a bit better but still pretty noisy. Avoid rooms: A 105 108 209 212 311 312 B all odd numbered rooms C 109 110 209 210 309 310

Visited town here for convenience of the event happening behind the building. Always cozy. Love the pool area with Jacuzzi. One minor detail would be a request of putting out either fly traps or bug zappers while the pool area is closed to reduce the amount of flies and mosquitoes that were aggravating while trying to enjoy the pool.

Great loop. About halfway through the trail there’s an option to take a short detour to see skull rock. About 2.5 miles. Very scenic, weather was perfect. Not super steep, but was uphill and had few stairs/step areas along the route. Rocky path.

The huge climbing rocks are super grippy here, which is great for kids or beginner hikers! I feel like there weren’t as many actual Joshua trees inside the park as there were while driving there, but that’s ok. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all, am I right?

Skull Rock is a mist go to in Joshua Tree. I had the most peaceful time seeing the sunset and the emerging Milky Way! A beautiful place to see the stars!

Great and easy hike with beautiful views. The park is also a nice place for stargazing.

Skull rock as a located along the main east-west park road in Joshua Tree National Park. Skull Rock is a favorite stop for park visitors. So you’ll always meet people there. You can just park across the road from the rock to see it and take pictures or you can take a 1.7-mile hike. Nature trail begins either just across from the entrance to Jumbo Rocks Campground or inside the campground, across from the amphitheater. One side is rocky the other side is full of desert plants. You can learn a lot about all the plants alongside the trail.

This rock formation is literally about 20 feet from the road. You can stay in your vehicle and take pictures but that's not fun. It truly does look like a skull. As always during hot/warm weather reminder to have water no matter what!

The skull rock formation is right by road. No hike necessary. We did the trail loop, which part of it is paved through the campground area. Once you cross the road you’re back on sandy ground. Lots of places to rock scramble if you want too. Easy hike for all levels. Parking can be full by 10am..even on the side of the road. Potties can be found going through camp ground.

Absolutely WORTH checking out. Make sure to wear shoes appropriate for a small hike if you want a pic under the arch. Joshua Tree National park is my favorite

Arch rock and Heart Rock are on the same trail within Joshua Tree National Park. Some parking available close by. Bring water and good grippy shoes to climb rocks. Less than 1.5miles to walk trail to see main interest points, however, best to enjoy walking around the wash, trails and climbing rocks. Soak up the sun, get out and enjoy nature!

This is a great trail of Heart rock and Arch rock. It was too hot when I went there so I recommend going before 9 am or after 6 pm. Fantastic views and not too crowded. Parking is limited so you may want to go early in the morning.

A little hard to find at the end, but the "All Trails" app helped us find it. You download the trail map ahead of time because you don't get service there. It was a cool rock formation. You have to climb up some rocks to get there though so I couldn't take one of our son's in his all terrain stroller up there. My 7 and 10 year old sons climbed up it just fine though.

Bring ur sunglasses and water cause this trail in the summer heat no joke haha learned that the hard way ... great trail.. a little confusing to reach the heart rock though so pay attention to prior tracks and those small markers

This is the trailhead and parking lot for the arch and heart trail, don’t park in the campground. Surprisingly it was not too hard to get a space before sunset. Easy and mostly flat trail to both famous rock formations, 1.6mi round trip I believe. The golden light made everything pretty and mythical. I think we spotted a coyote in the parking lot, not sure though. Great family-friendly trail.

We met with our family to take our niece and nephew for a quick hike. The trail was easy except for climbing up to the arch and around the arch. You can get as adventurous as you'd like around the arch. The trail leads directly up to arch but you have to scramble up on the rough rock to be under the arch. The rock you have to climb on is sharp and can cut your hands if you're not careful. The parking lot is nice but limited. I would recommend getting to the park early to avoid the crowds.

It was fun place to take pic but hard to locate. The split trial has even more variety rock shapes and styles that I would recommend more than here. It was Saturday noon in Feb and was a little busy you need to wait in line to take pics lol. I also added some pics from around the Rock site hope it’s easy to locate. If you need pic for the rock itself it might be even more wait.

This was one of my favorite places at Joshua tree national park. It was a drive maybe about an hour from the north entrance. The drive was amazing and full of different places to hike and stop by. When you get there there’s a parking lot and you will have to cross the road to start the hike. The trail is well marked and as you get closer to the end of the trail you will keep walking and find some steps that lead to the arch. It does get a little crowded and you might have to wait a bit to get a good picture of the arch but it’s so well worth the wait. The climb to the arch is a little steep so be careful walking up the rocks. When we headed back there were rangers a couple of rangers offering cold water refills and that made our hike because it was pretty hot out.

Okay, it’s not clearly marked. I am not inclined to complain but my sister and I walked around for a solid hour thinking we would find it easily. It’s smaller than you think. Is it worth it? Yes. And walking around was fun and cool until we felt a bit lost among really big boulders. Amazing boulders but that creeping feeling of being lost was a bit unnerving. Use caution, take water, keep other people in sight.

Got engaged here at sunrise! It was absolutely beautiful — I’ll never forget it. Truly feels like you’re in a different world. Highly recommend sitting at Arch Rock or a neighboring boulder to watch the sun come up.

The Arch Rock is s beautiful rock formation which you can reach after an easy 10 min hike starting at the campground. The trail is marked very well and does not require any hiking skills or equipment. I recommend to also go to the Heart Rock formation which is just 5 mins further from the Arch Rock. The whole area around the Arch Rock and Heart Rock is interesting for further short hikes and peeks.

Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park is a breathtaking natural wonder that exemplifies the park's unique beauty. This stunning geological formation, sculpted by nature, offers a picturesque setting for exploration and appreciation. The short trail leading to Arch Rock presents a serene journey through the desert landscape, providing an up-close encounter with this magnificent sandstone arch. The captivating beauty and tranquility of Arch Rock make it a must-visit spot within Joshua Tree National Park. Whether you're a photographer capturing the shifting hues of the desert sun or simply a nature enthusiast seeking awe-inspiring vistas, this iconic landmark offers a delightful experience for visitors of all ages. Make sure to visit during sunrise or sunset for an extra touch of magic, as the sun's rays dance upon the rocky landscape. Arch Rock truly encapsulates the raw and captivating essence of Joshua Tree's natural splendor.

Easy trail and well marked. Frequently traversed paths. Ease of access and degree of difficulty made the trail too crowded for my liking. The rock formations themselves were awesome however. As you make your way to the boulder field, large rock formations quickly engulf you. Arch Rock (looked more like an elephant to me 😆) was cool. Made my way over to Heart Rock which was far more impressive in person. The glow of the sunset may have helped a bit.

This campground was spectacular. We were in Joshua Tree for three days, and the highlights were all experiences we had at the campground - climbing the jumbo rocks behind our site, stargazing, and watching the sunset at the end of the day. I got chills seeing the silhouettes of solo travelers or small families on top of the larger than life rocks, watching the sun come up each day. It was a quiet but connected, spiritual experience. Lots of coyotes howling at night, bats swooping over as we watched the night sky. We were in site 83 and would recommend for families - toddlers loved scrambling up the paths and rocks right behind our site.

The campground was amazing! It was clean & well maintained, even during the shutdown. No one bothered our campsite and were polite. There is not complete privacy, but our site was sort of out of the way. I enjoyed the trip so much, we will do it again next year!

Great campsite. The most amazing stargazing i have ever done. No cel service but that's okay. Very nice view on the drive over there too. I recommend either to see the sunset or the sunrise. It's both amazing!

This campground was really great. The location was nice too, since it is in the middle of the park. You are close to everything. I recommend this campground, it is nice for tents as well if you bring a mallet or rock to place the stakes.

November 2025. This reservation ONLY campground has VERY tiny sites. Most are car sized. But its a gorgeous area. Inside the grounds and outside for sure. There are trails right there to walk. Including the trail to Skull Rock. Joshua Tree Park truly is an amazing place. And Jumbo Rock Campground is right on the middle of it. They do have pit toilets. And they are clean. Plenty of paper too. And they have sorted trash bins. BUT no water. At all. No stores in the park. And no gas. NO CELL SERVICE! So come prepared or go without. It was reasonably quiet once the tenters stopped slamming car doors. Not many people were burning either. I gave this campground 4 stars instead of 5 for 2 reasons. One is theres no lights in the bathrooms. There should at least be a solar powered nightlight that comes on inside at night. Public restrooms are often gross and I want to see what Im touching! Secondly, these parkinglot style walk-in camp sites are pooey. People park in them at will during the day for hikes and whatnot. And they're pretty unattractive. The tenters that do legitimately rent them walk back and forth for hours getting their stuff and slamming car doors each time - no matter the hour. Very disruptive to those with pull in sites. They should be all in their own loop away from the entrance. You'll get a laught at the bus sized trailers trying to stuff themselves into these tiny sites. They really shouldn't be allowed. Id stay there again, but I'd be way more choosy about which site I rented.

Awesome campsite! I love the fact all/if not most campsites come with a grill, table, and fire pit. The campsite is less than 5 minutes from Skull rock and easy to find. Only critique is campsite size, they are pretty small but I can only judge from my campsite (96) 👍

First time there. One of the best camp spots I've ever been to. Just stayed 1 weekend But I'm definitely going back every year. Or a couple times a yr 🍺😎👍

Beautiful hike May 29 2020

One of the more energetic short walks in the park. Really nice walk with great views at the top. You do not need to be super fit to do this walk, just take it steady, it's only a 1.5 mile there and back trail. Have fun and enjoy and good for all ages.

Decently challenging trail especially with the uphill ascent. It’s pretty steep but the path is well made. Gets windy at the top so do pack well, and bring sufficient water. Docked a star because the view at the top wasn’t as great as described, there are some good vistas along the way but the top felt like a bit of a letdown…

Nice hike up the mountain, a bit rough but most should make it if ya take it slow and smart. Views get better as you work way up.

Nice little trail. Well marked, very steady incline to the summit. Great view at the top... Very exposed all the way up. Did this one before sunrise to avoid baking in the sun

Wonderful hike, not too long and not too short, just right. Easy to do in time for sunset and with fantastic views at the top. I also saw a couple coyotes along the way.

Those rocky mountains over the heating sand are an amazing contrast. It was so cool to hike to the top to see a 360° view. I wish I had a wider lens to cover more, but these are awesome results with this natural place 👌🏾

Nice easy trail. Around 1.3 miles loop with only 100 feet elevation gain. You get to the dam around half a mile in, going clockwise. The dam would make for a good sunset spot, but I didn't stay that long. Easy to find parking when I got there around 4:40pm on a Saturday in February. Lots of people at the dam, so didn't wait around to get a good solo shot.

Beautiful hike at sunset! Ending up clocking just over a mile so it’s a short one but still highly recommended. It’s nearby some other good trails in Joshua Tree as well.

Great place to visit, lots of rocks, trees and nature. I always love coming to this place gives me peace and tranquility. I would highly recommend you visit this place.

Very impressive rock formations and a fun trail. It’s short tho only like 1 mile but worth it. It’s one of the prettiest spots unfortunately no water when I went but still impressive and beautiful with the exposed areas. A bit crowded since it’s one of the most popular hikes.

This is easy hike that goes in a loop. There isn't always water behind this damn but when we visited in May there was some water. It made the visit a little more picturesque.

Love the hiking trail around this beauty. Small but nice views. Must take Pictures here if u have kids take them very fun hike.

Sadly, there will be very little water at the dam, but the hike is wonderful. Lots of Joshua trees, boulders to climb and rock cliffs to admire. Be sure to go to the end to see the Native American pictographs. For a few minutes you'll be transported in time. After the initial light climb, the trail is gentle and good for all ages.

Beautiful place for a short hike. Had a great walk and talk with a ranger.

Camp Rock Trail is a beautiful and easy hike with amazing desert views and unique rock formations. Perfect for a short adventure where you still feel immersed in the beauty of Joshua Tree. Plenty of spots for photos and peaceful moments. Highly recommend if you want a scenic, manageable trail

This review is for stargazing at Cap Rock at night. Really like this location with less crowded than the ever-so-noisy and Hidden Valley stargazing site. Cap Rock forms a great anchor for some of my Milky Way photos (when it's still slow rising near the horizon). It may be a bit too bright for some as you can see some light pollution from the direction of Palm Spring...

Cap Rock at Joshua Tree is very good sight. The top boulder looks like a hat so it's named cap Rock. Nice rock formation with clearly marked trails around it. Short distance, and pretty flat. You can also climb some of the boulders. There were benches to sit and enjoy the view along the trail. Also some ground posted signs to tell about the plant life in the area. They also had a park information board here with whole park map and lots of other useful information.

Joshua tree National Park: a must see if you are nearby. We did the auto trail with audio. Absolutely brilliant

Nice spot in Joshua Tree National Park for a short, easy, flat walk with views of rock formations, Joshua Trees, and desert plants. I'm a photographer and love this location for photoshoots since there aren't usually too many people around and the rocks here are fun to climb and make great photos. Sunset timing is absolutely beautiful! This is also a pre-approved ceremony spot so if you want to get married in Joshua Tree this is a good option (permit is only $120). Bathroom and a few picnic tables available near the parking lot.

This is a must stop in the whole park. Close to the driveway. A short loop of 10 minutes walk. Really weird but beautiful rocks.

Nice small visitor center. We dis not need to show anything driving in on this side but when we drove out the west center we dis need to show our national park pass. Do not know if this is always the vase. Friendly people go in if you want a map of Joshua Tree park.

The visitor center was staffed with friendly volunteers and they are able to help you map out your hikes and sites. We hiked about a half mile behind the center up to see the rock formations and huge tall palm trees. As soon as we reached the trees the temperature dropped about 20 degrees it was amazing. They have a nice rest room area and souvenirs.

Passport stamps were visibly available when you enter the visitor center : a turtle stamp / palm tree stamp/ Joshua tree stamp / kid rangers stamp available. I was told they don’t have a secret stamp as of July 2025. But they are planning to have it. Can someone let me know if/when have it. Thanks. *Photos show more stamps that I collected at other visitors center. (Yucca valley / 29 palms/ Joshua tree national park visitor center as well as black rock nature center)

Always consider buying the lifetime national parks pass if you go at least once a year. Our pass got us into the park for free... The Cottonwood visitor center was clean, organized and well laid out. There's a great notice on hiking- what to take, what to do, and warnings about hydrating, since it's a dry heat and teaches 100° frequently. Nice bathrooms, a really well equipped gift shop, and personnel who know their craft. We got a nap of the whole park, and were able to navigate easily. The roads were in good condition, so no worry there. Austere, but still beautiful...

There are a few places on earth which are simply stunning. Joshua Tree is one of them and rightfully hailed as an exceptional experience. The sweetest thing about my visit back some time ago, that one gets easily in to a conversation over the sheer awe inspiring scenic views and nature itself with co visitors/strangers. The rangers at the visitor center were super friendly and sent me on my way with a smile. I'll definitely need to return, rather sooner than later. What an experience! Well worth the price of the admission.

From the south entrance, the Joshua Tree National Park sign appears quickly after leaving I-10. A few miles later is the Cottonwood Visitor Center. It’s nice, stocked with maps and information. We encountered a very nice helpful young lady. But now that we’ve driven all the roads in the park, it’s clear that the best route for the tourist just passing through to see the best sights is north entrance to west or vice versa. The highest concentration of stops is clearly between these two points. There are many restrooms in these areas but only one towards the south end before the visitors center. Toward the south entrance is the Cholla Cactus Garden which is a small area loaded with Cholla. Also on that end we found the Ocotillo Patch to be more sparse and with many dead ones. We spent about 4 hours driving the routes and stopping often for photographs. We did not see a single animal in the midday heat. It is just beautiful to see all the Joshua trees and experience the place where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet.

Beautiful National Park - quite busy on the weekend in the high traffic areas closest to Palm Springs. Rangers were super friendly and helpful. Plenty of easy to moderate trails that are available for hiking.

Lots of space for car camping and bringing trailers. The road goes into Joshua Tree. --- 5/5 Stars - A Must-See If You Love... Dirt? If you're looking for a place with absolutely breathtaking amounts of dirt, congratulations—you’ve found paradise. Cottonwood Springs is like nature’s minimalist art installation: dirt, more dirt, some suspiciously brown mountains, and the occasional lizard giving you side-eye like you’re the one out of place. No shade (literally, there’s no shade), just vibes—and by vibes I mean sunburn and a constant reminder that water is life. But hey, the night sky? UNREAL. Like, “is this a screensaver or am I having a spiritual awakening under the Milky Way?” kind of unreal. Bring a camera, leave your expectations, and prepare to be wowed by the cosmic display and humbled by the sheer amount of... you guessed it—dirt. #DesertVibes #LizardWatch2025 #JoshuaTreeAesthetic #DirtTok #SkyPorn Would I go again? Yes. Do I understand why the lizards run this place? Also yes. Follow me for more brutally honest travel reviews you didn’t know you needed! @YourFavoriteWanderer Final Rating: 5 lizards out of 5.

Did the Mastodon Peak hike starting from Cottonwood Spring Parking Lot on a Saturday afternoon in February. There was no room in the parking lot, and cars were parked along the road for a good ~500 feet leading up to it. The trail actually runs right along the road, so it didn't add any extra mileage to park a bit farther from the trailhead. Did the loop counter clockwise - came to around 500ft gain, all in the beginning, over 2.4 miles. You start with some good photo opportunities of the trees, and reach the mine at around the 1 mile mark. Good trail, easy to follow. I entered the Park from the south, and didn't have to wait or show my Annual Pass for this.

Beautiful spot with some beautiful trees and some great scenery. You don't need to go very far to enjoy the scenery. There's some rock stairs and then you can see pretty far away. Not the best compared to the other rock formations in the park but it's still worth a stop.

Visited Cottonwood Springs in early March 2024 on a weekday. Lots of parking available. There was also a fair sized visitors centre with washrooms and running water. I deecided to do the decided to do the Lost Palm Oasis hike, and on the way back, do the Mastadon loop back. The Lost Palm Oasis hike was about 1.5 hours each way. It wasn't a tough hike at all. It was very easy, but it seemed long because there were a lot of hills. The viewpoint wasn't the best in the end. But the hike was good and gave us. Nice workout. Definitely bring water and snacks with you.

Really cool starting trailhead for a great hike to the Lost Palms Oasis! Big grove of palm trees in the desert, with a well-maintained and well-paved trail. The parking lot has trash cans, but no water or restrooms. The hike was beautiful, with lots of boulders, Mountain View’s, and even a desert tortoise!

I love the southern portion(Colorado Desert) of Joshua Tree National Park. Though it is devoid of the Joshua Tree, its unique features more than compensate. I love this paradise and the creatures that abound here!!!

loved this hike! it can be as short as you want it to be, but it can be up to 8 miles or so. i recommend the Mastodon Loop! it’s a little confusing because the signage is a little vague, but you can’t really get lost! the first mile is full of wildflowers (early april) and when you turn left up into the rocks, the rock formations are truly so fascinating! i ended up doing the loop twice! i did walk a bit of the Lost Palms Oasis, but i ended up turning around before the end, it’s obviously still beautiful, but far less wildflowers and more vast views vs. close rock formations. sadly not pet friendly, but none of the trails in the park are :(

Joshua tree and all it has to offer is amazing. In this week's visit, we were planning for the new moon and astro photography. We parked in the lot and walked in to set up the tripod for some long exposure shots. Clear skies, perfect weather in July, summer breeze, and only one other photographer so no light noise! I couldn't have asked for a better set up!

This was our group's FAVORITE stop in all of Joshua Tree! We had an entire sunset photoshoot, met some Europeans flying a drone, built a rock tower, and loved walking around the cacti. Watch your feet so that you don't step on any of them! Come here during golden hour, you won't regret it! There is a nice 1/4 mile walking trail around the garden, with many chances to walk off the trail and approach cacti. Nice parking lot with no water for the public.

It was cool to visit there. There were bees that super bothered us, but other than that, it was cool to see the cacti and panoramic view. Even in 7 AM, the sun was unforgivingly hot.

Absolutely stunning spot! The Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree offers incredible nature and breathtaking views. The layout is perfect, you can easily capture beautiful photos without other tourists constantly in the frame. It wasn’t crowded at all during my visit (a Sunday afternoon in mid-May), which made it even more enjoyable. Definitely a must-see if you’re anywhere near Joshua Tree!

Beautiful garden especially at sunset. Be careful with the small cacti on the ground.

One of the most magical places on this planet. You see nature's magnificent work at its best. Hundreds and thousands of cholla cactus standing proudly in the windy air of Joshua Tree National Park. The best time to visit is during sunset or sunrise when the entire place is cast with the golden light of the desert sun. Now, be careful to keep a safe distance from these 'teddy bear' cacti and don't try to wander off the trail.

My favorite place in Joshua Tree NP. A beautiful garden where you can really spend some time. It's a bit tricky to find the walking paths in between the cacti, as the paths are not very clear/visible. After some time you just get that it's up to you to decide where you want to walk and how far inside of the garden do you want to get. No toilet around.

What a unique and quirky place! I can't believe I never knew about it until recently. The art galleries are great and the fact that they feature new artists monthly is awesome! Laurel Siedel, the founder, unfortunately passed away last year. One of the galleries touchingly remembers her. The gallery is run by Keisha. She is such a sweetheart and genuinely nice person. I highly recommend visiting whenever you happen to be in the area. I know I'll be back!!

We unknowingly arrived on the last day before they close for the summer and it was great stop. There's a lot of sculptures in the front with a nicely decorated pathway to walk around and take pictures before reaching the gallery area in the back. Quisha offered us refreshments and let us use the restroom before checking out the galleries too. Love how this place supports local artists from all kinds of backgrounds, even young aspiring ones too! Definitely recommend coming out to support and check what they have when they're open

This is such an awesome gallery, dedicated to helping artists showcase their work! Every month they allow a new artist to show their work for an entire month. They do not take a penny of commission if any of your art sells. It is full of really fun and neat eclectic stuff. If your anywhere in the area I highly suggest checking it out and showing some artists some love.

I drove past this gallery on my way to the Mojave preserve, the outdoor installations caught my eyes. Ended up stopping by on my way back, and they had this lovely indoor gallery with pieces from mostly local artists (avail for purchase). The kaleidoscope “selfie setup” was super cute. The glass outhouse was the other attraction, and there’s a good a couple of miles worth of trail to enjoy the outdoor installations. If you’re in the vicinity definitely don’t miss this place!

Great place to visit, it's free specially the the little chapel it's amazing

We were on the way from Joshua Tree to Amboy and on the way we saw a lot of outside artwork and we just had to stop. There was so much to see, and the featured artists were really interesting, I ended up buying a crossbody purse that will be cherished for many years to come!

A really nice art gallery out of nowhere (actually in the eastern edge of 29 Palms). Tim and Quisha were friendly and hospitable. We enjoyed out visit and especially loved the little chapel.

Lived less than 2 hours away for 25 years, so I would go here all the time, and it never got old. Great trails and scrambling spots, but visit late fall through mid-spring, rest of the year it is way too damn hot! Awesome place!!! (Post below is from my most recent trip, stuck to only the Cholla Cactus Garden, no Jumbo Rocks area pics)

The staff at the Visitor Center were great! Very helpful on places to stop and check out. They were friendly to all visitors that came in to the building. Had a good variety of items for sale. Staff had maps of the driving road through the park, in very good condition. Lots of pull offs and places to get out and walk. Picture worthy spots everywhere you turn. I would highly recommend this park.

Overall a stunning and incredible place. The scenery was underwhelming at first near the visitor's center. Then as you get further into the park it gets increasingly beautiful and interesting. We arrived at noon in summer and the temperature was scorching. I'd love to visit at sunset or in winter. One nice thing about summer however, there were not many people there. Most of the time there were no cars in sight as we drove through the park, and minimal crowds as we got out to see points of interest. It was a peaceful and serene, with awe inspiring scenery.

The National Park is so beautiful. We did the drive through but there were places to pull off and take in all the natural beauty. It a total of about 2 1/2 hrs but if you don't stop it takes about 1 hour. Due to the government shutdown the rangers were not permitted to charge any fees.

Had a quick stopever on out travels and visited the visitor's center which was super informative. The super helpful gentleman talked at length about all the significant hikes and stops, as well as pointed out where the tallest Joahua tree was located, which we did manage to locate. Bring water!

Wow! This place was fun! It's the perfect way to be introduced to the Joshua Tree National Park. Greeted with warmth and a smile! Even took a few photos of the area which was pretty unique! Bella was so happy to explore the are with me.

Very nice views and trails. This is a great place to see the August 12 meteor shower perseids.

Did this as my first hike at JT NP. Overall it was okay. Went at the end of April, it was a hot day but not too hot (80s). The hike was not too difficult you do have to do quite a bit of elevation though and in direct sun. The Oasis was a little underwhelming from what I was expecting. Not a bad hike I just wouldn’t do it again and I wish I would have used that time for other stops in the park. We didn’t go very fast and we did rest at the oasis, took us under 2 hours to hike.

Beautiful Evening Hike at 29 Palms Oasis Trail! We started our hike around 3:30 PM, and the timing was perfect. The day was hot, so I wore shorts, thinking it would stay warm, but as we got to the trail, the temperature started dropping. Luckily, with all the hiking and movement, I worked up a little sweat, so it stayed comfortable—neither too hot nor too cold. The higher we climbed, the more breathtaking the views became, revealing more of the surrounding desert landscape. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it all the way to the palms since we were with a large group and didn’t want to be up there at sundown. However, I definitely want to go back and complete the full hike. As for difficulty, I’d say it’s moderate—some rock steps, but very manageable. Compared to Red Rocks, this one was a bit easier. If you’re looking for a scenic and rewarding hike, I highly recommend it!

This was our favorite hike from our recent first time visit to Joshua Tree NP. The hike down to the oasis is enjoyable with changes in elevation and great views along the way. The highlight is most certainly reaching the end Oasis and relaxing in the area. We setup and had a snack among the palm trees. It’s a cool experience to go from the quiet dry desert and then reach the oasis and hear birds chirping and wildlife throughout. We went about 10am on a weekday and there were about 15 parking spots remaining of the maybe 40 or so. We saw plenty of hikers but it was not over crowded at all. The entrance is outside the official park entrance but ideally you have your park pass handy if needed. We started our visit to the park with this hike and then head to the north park entrance for avoid the traffic at the more popular west entrance.

One of the best HARD hiking trails in JT national park/forest. This hidden gem is worth the hike that takes you winding up, down, side-to-side into the rocky terrain and desert wilderness. This trail offers no shade and yet so much warmth on cool winter morning in December. Recommend starting the trail walk around 9am to get the max. out of mood, atmosphere, temperate weather and scarceness of other hikers around. One of the best hikes I have been on.

My favorite hike we did in our 2 days in the park. Great views, great workout, great opportunities to explore at the oasis. All around just great!

Good hike but not recommended during a hot day. Bring water and expect to negotiate some rocky inclines on your way up to the Oasis. The Oasis is nice with a cool breeze coming off the trees but it can also be a letdown when there are a lot of other hikes because the tranquility of the spot is ruined by loud voices having conversations in a fairly small and crowded space.

This was a beautiful hike. Bring plenty of water, the temperature was in the low 90s, but the sun is harsh. I had three children, ages 8-14, so it took a little longer to do. Be aware and respectful of wildlife. There is a restroom at the beginning of the hike, it is very smelly. 🤢

Had the Pho King and Dumplings tacos. Great food, you'd never know it was here as the only Pho spot in 29 Palms. More options of food, but I'll save it for another time. Come by and try it out, and they also do pastries!!! Highly recommend!

I think my hopes were too high since most locals speak so highly of this establishment. It’s not bad. Very average. The donuts are WAY better than the pho. Wasn’t impressed with the pho at all actually. Lacked flavor. I’d recommend only going for the donuts

I did not expect to eat Pho in Joshua Tree, but when my Vietnamese girlfriend saw this place we had to try it. A place called Jelly Donut… selling pho… in Joshua Tree?? Well, the pho is genuinely very good and a large portion; I was pleasantly surprised. The banh mi was solid as well. The place is Cash only but has an ATM inside. Owner was very friendly and the food came fast. No complaints. Highly recommend stopping by for a great meal.

Pretty good pho. They have a vegan friendly pho that’s served with veggie broth. For those avoiding dairy, I would not recommend their iced coffees, they all contain dairy and unable to opt for black.

While the food is decent, the service is absolutely horrible and the hit or miss hours make it impossible to plan to eat there unless you basically get lucky driving by while they’re open. I’ve eaten there 6-7 times and I don’t think I’ve ever had a positive experience with the staff. They seem to genuinely want you not to be there and act like your presence is a bother. Special shoutout to the girl at the front who sighs loudly every time you order as if you really caught her off guard by ordering food in a restaurant. Their hours are wholly inconsistent. They appear to close at will, and I’ve tried to go there multiple times to be turned around by a handwritten sign on the door saying they’ve closed inside of their posted hours. I’ve also been told they won’t take my order because it’s within 30 minutes of their lunch time. I apologize, I didn’t know I couldn’t order food while your open if it’s not the specific time you’re allowing me to order food. I’m genuinely excited for some other Vietnamese donut/pho options to open in town. It appears complacency in no competition has turned this place into a complete drag. I won’t be trying it any longer.

The owner updates the menu frequently, very generous portions and excellent food! I really enjoy the chicken and rice, the wife enjoys the beef and brisket wontons and fries, and my daughter craves the pho! The new brisket chili hotdogs are literally the best I’ve had in the US! Don’t skip this when you’re in town! (The photos of the brisket chili cheese dog was 1/4 of what it came with, the chicken and rice, the wonton fries brisket dish and the last photo was the birria egg rolls) egg rolls were great as well!

This was a cute place to relax and recuperate. Very friendly staff and great pho. Donuts are also phenomenal. A little pricey but for the middle of the desert, I was pleasantly surprised. The also claim their chili oil recipe is over 400 years oil, Which is pretty neat. Side note: bring cash because hot food is cash only.

Had a late dinner here last night (20:30). It's a busy time of year with nearby Joshua Tree, so the wait was about 1 hour. The meat is cooked out front of the small restaurant over a bed of 🔥. We had the 10oz steak and baked potato, the rib sampler plate and a ceasar salad. We also sampled the baked beans, coleslaw and the cornbread muffins with honey butter. Oh so good! A friendly staff who are in constant motion given the popularity of this family run restaurant.

Decided to try this place as take out for the first time. The ribs were absolutely FALL OFF THE BONE! Probably the most tender ribs I’ve ever had and I’ve been all over southern USA and Texas. The ribs were juicy and well seasoned. The half rack came with two sides which I got mashed potato and broccoli which were delicious but small portion, so I took off a star. The burger was huge. I’d say 8/10 since it was cooked to medium and it came with crispy thin fries. My favorite. I’d come back to try their signature dry rub ribs.

Got a table pretty fast and was excited for the food. Ordered onion rings($16), they were good but such a measly portion. The cornbread was pretty good with the honey butter. I ordered 3 sides ($6 each) but the portions were just disrespectfully small. The ribs that we got were insanely dry. You d expect a place named after ribs to have decent ribs. The steak was ordered medium but arrived rare, when we sent it back, they just put it back on the grill but didn’t cook it properly still. Still very pink and inconsistent. Such a disappointing experience for paying that amount of money.

Big note that a lot of menu options are old and no longer being served. My opinion is to call before ordering online. Now as for the food it's ok. The ribs were very tender but lacked flavor. The beans also ok nothing to get happy about. My beans are so much better ( my opinion) The salad was good and liked the homemade croutons were delicious. Ranch dressing was good as well.

I used to enjoy coming here. The food was good during the pandemic. But the last two times I've come here the service is super slow and the food has been off. Yesterday we had ribs that were obviously reheated. They tasted like old grease. The coleslaw was spoiled as if it had been sitting out in the heat. It wasn't served cold. When I mentioned it to the server I didn't get the reaction I expected. Very disappointing. We won't be back again. And just to follow up on what was written above. We got sick from the little bit that we did eat. The health department should definitely take a look at this place.

Food was great! When all the tables are taken (which almost was) it gets really noisy. Service was also great! We had the porterhouse steak and the salmon.

Absolutely the best ribs I have ever had. Go for the rib sampler plate, you will not regret it! Every single rib was cooked to fall-of-the-bone perfection. Was told it was good for two, but realistically could have fed 3 or 4!

We have been to the ingratron multiple times. Each time as wonderful and healing as the last. We will continue to visit for as long as we can. Make sure to arrive early to check in and enjoy a peaceful moment in the courtyard. Bring a light blanket if you tend to get cold easily. Make sure to fill up on their mineral water AFTER your session. Not suggested to have liquids/full bladder before.

I was very excited to do a sound-bath at the integratron. I have experienced many sound-baths. Sadly for me I was unimpressed with this particular sound-bath performance. I believe the person playing the bowls did not have a lot of experience. It was very one dimensional and flat. Normally my body reverberates with the sound and I thought that given the fact that I was in an acoustic dome that it would be amazing. Unfortunately I did not have that experience. I also was uncomfortably cold as the A/C was on, it was quite warm outside so I get that. I would recommend bringing a blanket.

Wow! If you love mystery, history, and maybe even alien encounters, you will love the Integretron. We knew about the story prior to visiting and did some research. My wife saw they offered a "sound bath" with musical bowls. We were fortunate to get tickets for this great experience. We highly suggest purchasing tickets in advance (a week or two out). We arrived early and enjoyed the grounds and gift shop. Very clean property with restrooms and a bottle refill station. The sound bath was amazing and relaxing. It lasted around 45 minutes, and it let's you disconnect. Highly recommend this experience.

I attended a 60‑minute sound bath at the Integratron in Landers (just outside Joshua Tree), and it was absolutely transformative. The moment you arrive, you’re greeted with a peaceful “hammock village” and fresh lemon water—perfect for unwinding before stepping into the dome. The sound bath begins gently, then crescendos into deep, enveloping tones that literally vibrate through your entire body. Over the course of the session, I drifted into such deep relaxation that I experienced an almost meditative journey—some even see colors or have visions

A most interesting experience to see, feel, and hear. The sound bath experience will play with your senses, very relaxing. Adjusting back to reality takes a few minutes.

Soooo much fun! The sound bath was amazing, I had a deeeply profound experience. The staff really cared about everyone’s experience and provided so much history and context for the building we were in. Maybe a little too much! Haha I would have preferred a longer sound bath and cliffs notes of the history (I had already done my research, that’s why I was there haha) Super fun! Highly recommend They also have a great gift shop!

An absolutely beautiful place! We went on a Friday and thoroughly enjoyed walking the grounds and the sound bath they offer brought our mind and souls to a unique destination. It was fun exploring the gift shop afterwards.

The Joshua tree certified farmers market is a delightful little stop on a weekend getaway to Joshua tree national Park. There are a lot of great vendors here selling everything from fruits and vegetables to honey to skin care. It is relatively busy as it only occurs once a week but not so much so that it’s too difficult to navigate. It’s also sort of small, so you can do it all in 30 minutes or less. Overall, I highly recommend checking this out at least once if you’re visiting and I’m sure the locals go every week. I would too!

Small in size but filled with the essentials expected at a local farmer's market. Fruits, Vegetables, local honey, dips, fresh juices, food, and the best desert from Cherry's famous! Of course, there's much more to explore in the vicinity. A cute and fun place to stop by with the family or in general. Highly recommended if visiting Joshua Tree area.

We got here around 11 and it wasn't that crowded so we were able to check out each stall without waiting in line. Ended up not buying anything but was still nice to see what they have available. One of the ladies was giving out free samples to a small group of tourists but I think it was only because they were debating on which item to buy since she totally ignored us when we also reached our hands out lol the other farmers market down the street has more options than this one so if you only have time to go to one then I'd recommend driving further down

The Joshua Tree Farmers Market is fantastic! 🌵 Fresh, local produce and handmade goods from amazing vendors. The atmosphere is welcoming, friendly, and vibrant — a true community experience. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Great little farmer’s market with fresh produce and home made goods. Definitely worth checking out. Sign says 8AM - 1PM on Saturdays. The nearby crossroads cafe is a great place for brunch and restrooms can be found in the health food store. Also stop by Cherry’s for a delicious sweet treat. Enjoy!

We went to the farmers market on the right day, we had no idea this was even a thing but I'm so glad we went. Very dog friendly with lots of vendors to browse. We left with a haul of delicious produce. If you're ever in the area during one of thei markets definitely check it out!

Great market, but we arrived minutes prior to closing. Excellent choices and numerous vendors!

What a crazy, interesting, fun , artsy experience! Don't miss this free stop across the street from Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. It's right next to Joshua Tree Saloon. Look for the colorful painted bus and walk past it to the red ART QUEEN sign to get to the World Famous Crochet Museum where 2 people can fit to visit at a time. It's basically a little village of cool art and shops! Definitely some worthy Instagram photos ops!

So glad I stopped for this place, my cousin was insistent that we visited. Shari’s collection is amazing! My cousins and I spent around 20 minutes looking in the museum and checking out everything in the store. I got my mom this “F-bomb”, she absolutely loved it! She’s said she was going to take it to work for “when she really needs it” lmao. You should 100% make a stop here if you are passing through, very worth it.

I called in before I went yesterday and Shari herself answered! I told her I was planning on coming in soon and she was kind enough to let the manager know to expect me. As soon as I went into the crochet museum and the shop, I felt so comforted! Everything was so positive and really was quirky in the best way. I always say art should incite emotions and intrigue. Shari’s art did just that! I bought a bunch of stickers and magnets to put all over my house and my trusty adventure water bottle. So, now I have a beautiful little piece of art with me wherever I go!

A Joshua tree landmark. This tiny photo hut turned into a crochet museum is a must see, you will probably never find anything else like it. If you work with yarn you can leave on of your pieces to add to the collection. They have pins and stickers and stuff you can purchase. Be respectful of the space and the people who have created this. There are other art works and shops all in the same area. You can spend a whole afternoon exploring

Love this unique stop! As a fiber artist it warms my heart to see these creations in a spot taken care of by someone who cares. Donations accepted.

A quirky place - def. Add it to your itinerary for a weekend in Joshua Tree!

Very cool place! Glad we stopped by to take a look. Really only one person fits in museum at a time so there is a line to view. But the wait wasn’t long and it was really neat to see the crochet pieces. Come check us out on YouTube @ Time4Dirt

If you are visiting Joshua Tree National Park, this is a MUST!! There is a lot to see in the park during the day, but a lot of people don’t realize the park is a designated dark sky spot. The benefit of booking with the Stargazing group is you get to both see the night sky in a remote area and you have a team of experts to walk you through what you’re looking at. We learned so much from Matthias, Aaron, and Dan! Also, shout out to Dan for the incredible photography skills — love that we left with photos to remember the experience.

We came to Joshua Tree hoping for a great stargazing experience & got an even more incredible experience than we ever could’ve imagined. Being from New York, we don’t have the opportunity to see the night sky so vividly. Devon is knowledgeable, friendly, and perfectly passionate about the cosmos. Her knowledge of the history of the universe, the mythology behind all of the celestial objects’ names, and her sense of humor were wonderful. We got to use optical and digital telescopes and saw Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy & so much more! Mind you, this is all in a gorgeous setting of the Californian desert, which is a huge plus! The directions on the website are very clear even though GPS directions cut out about 10 minutes before arriving. There was no question in our mind of how to get there. The site is cozy - with beanbags, blankets, hot cocoa and tea. The experience is worth every single dollar. Wish I could go every day and hear more about our place in the universe. As Devon said, “The world is so much different than the Earth. If you're ever feeling down about the world, look up and spend some time with the Earth.”

We booked this experience as part of a work group and it was truly great. The drive into the spot was a bit nerve-racking as there's very little signage and lighting (which is to be expected!) and there is no working cellphone signal - but once you get to the spot it's all good. This was during a cold snap, and temps were around 40, but they provide blankets for you to be more comfortable while listening to the fantastic explanation by their astronomers. Make sure to bundle up sufficiently as this is the middle of nowhere in a desert area. They also provide hot beverages and a few snacks. They have multiple telescopes, some digital and some optical, pointed at different constellations and planets, which they will readjust to a second set of objects halfway through the evening.

Stargazing in Joshua Tree is something you don’t want to miss. We reserved a group of 7 and set off on our night adventure! There were fun winding dirt roads leading up to our meeting area with helpful little signs to guide us. After parking in their lot they called out our party names to make sure we were all present and we headed off down a path of lighted planets! We stopped at each planet to learn a few interesting facts and then headed to our destination. Upon arrival we saw each party had reclining lounger chairs on a covered ground area with blankets for each of us. We were encouraged to enjoy the free hot beverages and lucious chocolates. They also gave us red light flashlights, hand warmers, and glow in the dark magnets. As we sat down in our loungers to enjoy the warm treats, they began pointing out all of the constellations and planets that were visible and explained their origins. We interacted answering questions and enjoyed the subtle humor and fun conversation. They later invited us to gaze more closely in their many high velocity cannon sized telescopes. The experience was amazing for all of us and we had a very fun night watching a moon rise and seeing the stars!!!

Such a great experience my wife and I loved it. Our guide was so knowledgeable and had some great puns. The professional pictures we received were outstanding. An experience worth having

Has one of the best stargazing experiences with this company! The crew were so great in responding to our questions of curiosity! Plus we loved the humor added in as well! The photographer and the guide was so great and friendly! Thank you all for an amazing experience!

My wife and I went last night and highly recommend this experience. They were well organized, communicative, friendly, informative, their directions to the site were on point and the landscape was uniquely and interestingly captivating. Devon, our astronomer guide was fabulous. Her subject matter expertise and narration was educational and entertaining. She never missed a beat and kept us captivated the entire time. And there was hot chocolate to boot! The telescopes, both digital and analog, were phenomenal and the images took our breath away.

Joshua Tree is fantastic and a place of unlimited exploration of natural desert beauty = thousands of acres! Trail types vary. Beautiful boulder & rock formations. Pets are not allowed in the park.

I would say the labeled plants and rocks in front of the building here were more valuable than the trail itself. Section of the trail around the palm trees were closed but still the trees were visible. Nothing exceptional but yes easy paved path, wheelchair and stroller friendly walk.

Nice easy trail explaining the history of the oasis and surrounding countryside. Look out for wildlife. There are lizards, quail and plenty of other birds.

Very nice area. A lot of light pollution from the near by homes. But I still managed to take some decent photos. Can't wait to upgrade to a better lense.

This is a significant location where you can connect with and learn more about Native American history, their resettlement, and their rich cultural beliefs. It’s also an ideal spot for a short, peaceful walk.

Easy morning walk at a nice location. It was quiet when I visited. The loop is paved with plenty of benches available to take a break and soak in the scenery. The entrance area is pretty cool too!

Update: currently closed due to recent flooding. The recent storms did a lot of damage. The trail is covered with sand/mud & there are a lot of dangerous washed out areas Nice loop walk. Got to see a lot of different lizards, bugs, birds (like quails, doves), & rabbits before 11am (specially during spring). Love that the restroom is so accessible.

Nice walk. Not the most exiting one, but gave us an idea how they was digging for gold and in 1943 and the greed between to neighbour's in a vast land.

Easy hike. Had a baby chest carrier and was able to do the entire hike. The loose sand was more noticeable in the hike back out, but definitely neat to see the mill and Bagly stone. Stayed out for a nice sunset view with the mountains.

Do not miss this walk if you're at Joshua Tree! I found it spellbinding and really enjoyed the ruins along the way to the impressive Wall Street Mill. It's worth doing some reading beforehand to fully appreciate the history of this spot.

You can start this trail from the Barker Dam parking lot or drive up a dirt road and save a good 10 min of walking. This trail wasn’t crowded like the rest of the park, which was nice. Took us 50 min round trip and we took some time to admire the ruins of the old mill and the Wonderland Ranch. Would love to find a photo of what it looked like in its glory days, but haven’t been able to yet. Good hike!

Very cool little hike. I highly recommend checking out the other ruins along the trail, "Wonderland Ruins". So many cool spots to clamber onto some rocks for some epic views. Highly recommend checking it out. The dirt road is maintained so it's a very easy in and out.

It's a nice easy out and back hike with very little elevation change. A challenging aspect is that much of it is over loose sand. It's not particularly well marked, but when you find the sign about the Worth Bagley rock, you're on the right trail. If you end up in the ruined remains of an old brick house with a visible chimney and fireplace remaining, you made it to the Wonderland Ranch. You're in the wrong spot. The old cars are cool, and the mill is interesting as well. Definitely worth the side trip from the Barker Dam area. If you're there for hiking, I wouldn't bother moving your car to the other parking lot closer to the mill trailhead. Parking can be a challenge.

• 5-star hike | 2.4 mile out-and-back | Easy difficulty | Gain 95 feet We'd recommend the trail to Wall Street Mill as the best short trail in the park. Take a picturesque stroll between rocky outcroppings along the flat desert floor, passing historic ruins of mans' attempts to live in and off this arid landscape. The one mile out-and-back trail leads you past a windpump, an argument leading to a shoot-out, and ultimately to a small preserved depression-era stamp mill. Local prospectors would commission Bill Keys' stamp mill to crush and grind their rocks into a slurry using a two-step process, so it can be separated into gold and mine tailings. On the route you'll happen across a modern metal replacement for a stone monument that was originally placed here and is now in the Joshua Tree park museum. The monument was placed in this location by the mill owner Bill Keys as a warning, after an altercation and shooting over a property dispute. The law sentenced Keys to five years imprisonment but later received a full pardon. At the mill site you can also check out other historic equipment and a motor vehicle rotting away in the desert sun. More derelicts can be found on your return trip just to the north of the main trail - we've included a detour to these in our trail map. While you're out here in the desert, keep an eye out for wild bighorn sheep that roam the area. This is a very popular hike, so we'd suggest making it a first priority in the park. We'd also recommend combining this with the Barker Dam Nature Trail hike that leads off from the same parking lot.

First time visiting. Went on a Sunday morning around 8am. When we got there it was not busy. There was one person ahead of us but the service was a bit slow. Took about 6minutes for the cashier to take out orders. We had their hot tea, hot chocolate, prickly pear cupcake and vegetable pie. All were good. I was really craving velvet cake but they didn’t have any. This is more of a pie bakery than anything. I may return to see if they have velvety cupcakes. The place is very clean and the cashier was very friendly. I just wished they had velvet anything lol. I will return & I recommend.

The best bakery in the Morongo Basin by far! We stopped in and ended up going back to the counter to get more to take home. If these guys served sandwiches on their fantastic bread, they would be the best sandwich shop in town and I would update this review to a 5 star!

A Must if you love pies... Pot pies and dessert pies are delicious! And the pastries OMG. It's a great feeling being able to see how they are preparing everything in the background

Super basic, and pricey for the quality. $20 for a cranberry peca loaf, a basic handpie and 2 coffees. Nothing special here. Not all the bread is sourdough based, just run of the mill commercial yeast so save yourself the frustration and a grocery store will likely have better pastry honestly. They also are not super interested in your satisfaction either.

Oh goodness. The best bakery in the high desert. A holiday weekend and they were completely prepped for it. They were all so kind and I’m pretty sure we got one of everything . Can’t wait to come back… tomorrow….and it was all so delicious.

Stopped here for birthday cupcakes while we were staying in Joshua Tree. They tasted as amazing as they looked. The scones and other bakery items looked really good as well. Hoping to get back here again before the end of our trip.

Atmosphere was great. Clean & well lit. Staff was kind & attentive. Love the peach scones & cupulent cupcakes.

Jass served us and went above and beyond to ensure we had exactly what we wanted. She also offered to cut our subs in thirds and wrap them individually, knowing we were eating on the road. Such customer service! We are tourists and likely will never be this way again, but if we were locals, we would go to this Subway just to have Jass’ outstanding customer service. Thank you, Jass for taking the time to make our day more special! We hope your manager will recognize you and - if you are the manager - pat yourself on the back!

Best subway out here!! Always great sandwiches and service. Jessica makes the BEST sandwiches!!!

Really nice staff. I didn't catch her name, but I'll choose that Subway in a gas station just because of the great service!

There was mold on the vegetables last time i went a few months ago and they want 20 dollars for a sub. What happened to 5 dollar footlongs? It's not like billions of dollars per year in profit make it hard to keep that deal going when there's fact based evidence proving that there was no reason to stop the deal. The local franchise owners don't honor subway deals either so good luck getting a discount without a serious argument about the subway policies.

We have gotten sandwiches from this location twice and both times we got excellent service from Doc. He is friendly and excellent at making sandwiches. We are Vegan and order veggie sandwiches and believe me when I say that Doc makes our sandwiches taste amazing with his portions and sandwich making style. Thanks Doc!

Its Subway 🤷‍♂️ is it the greatest thing ever? No but the customization is awesome when you are watching what you eat and they are everywhere so it's an easy and decently quick choice. If you get anything with egg make sure to have them add salt and pepper, their eggs are unseasoned starting off.

Subway is subway, not a fan of that Jared guy but the subs are as you would expect. When I don't have time to make something I'll stop here so that I can fight the urge to eat junk. Never too busy and the employees seem to be kind and have high morale. Recommend for sure.

Excellent bar! Loved the huge mural in the main room. Played darts and watched some others play pool while enjoying a couple Pacificos. As the sign outside says, “not fancy but friendly.” Accurate. Everyone inside was friendly and wished us a Happy New Year. Highly recommend if you’re spending any time in Twentynine Palms.

Out There Bar is the best! There’s no better place around to have a cocktail or beer. If you haven’t been yet, you should go…now. Ian and all the amazing bartenders will make you feel like you’re at home. It’s got a great feel inside with an interesting mural, posters and decor. There’s pool and a shuffleboard for your entertainment. Always great music, most often a dj too. Great outdoor patio if you like to hang outside too. The boraxo hand soap in the bathrooms makes me happy every time I go there (it exfoliates). I can’t recommend Out There enough! I really just love this place and the people in it.

Love this place! Cool vibes, cold drinks, laid back desert folk and lonesome drifters,, peep Dusty’s Diner on Sundays,, so dope! No better sound in town,, 🤠🌵🚀

Sure seemed like we had found a special little bar in the desert. Stopped in on a Wednesday night to find a wonderful bartender and happy patrons to talk to. Bought the teeshirt!! Went back the next night and the woman behind the bar this night was also professional, warm and friendly. Decided to stop in the next night, Friday night and we were taken by the bartender who was cold and disconnected, bored, dry, without care or concern. So we didn't go back, finding other bars to frequent. Tonight, we stopped back in only to find the same deadpan bartender who offered no warmth or welcome, the guy had his arms crossed, no smile, he didn't even tell me how much the drinks where. Why have a bar with a careless and emotionally empty person out front? .$12.00 for a well drink and a ginger ale with no personality. It's no wonder the bar was empty.

Last night, I visited Out There Bar, and it was an absolutely horrendous experience, primarily due to the shockingly rude and aggressive behavior of the bar owner. Here are the key issues we encountered: 1. Extremely Rude and Aggressive Owner: The main reason our visit was so dreadful was the behavior of the bar owner. We wanted to shoot some pool before ordering drinks, but the owner immediately became irate. Instead of interacting with us directly, he monitored us through security cameras and then aggressively approached us, demanding that we order drinks right away. When we hesitated, he kicked us out within 10 minutes. At one point, he almost put his hands on one of us, which was extremely intimidating and unacceptable. The owner is an aggressive loser who has no idea how to run a hospitality business. His creepy and disgusting behavior completely ruined our trip. 2. Poor Service: Beyond the owner’s aggression, the overall service was disappointing. The rest of the staff seemed indifferent and inattentive, adding to the negative atmosphere created by the owner’s behavior. 3. Dirty Environment: The bar was not well-maintained, with sticky tables, dirty floors, and even some uncleaned glasses at our table when we arrived. It gave off a very unhygienic vibe, further detracting from our experience. It’s no wonder the bar was empty on a Saturday night. With such an aggressive and incompetent owner, it’s clear why people choose to go elsewhere. I would strongly advise against ever visiting Out There Bar. Even if they paid us to return, it wouldn’t make up for the disgusting behavior of the owner. If you go here, expect to have a horrible, uninviting experience. There are plenty of other places in town that offer better service, cleaner environments, and more reasonable prices. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this place at all costs.

Fair drink prices/amazing cocktails and the bartenders are just wonderful! They have pop-ups (food-wise), and they're delicious, so don't sleep on them! The live music (if Melancholy Babies are playing RUNN!!! dont walk), and DJs that we've seen so far are magnificent. For the area, this IS your spot for a good time, and you will be made to welcome🥰 P.S. There's an ADORABLE Photo booth, an outside area, a pool table, and other games!

Great new bar. decent selection of mezcal. pool table, darts, and shuffle board. Good music selection that is unique to this area of bars. Outdoor seating as well

Came here a bit ago on a trip to Joshua Tree with some friends. We were trying to find a cute coffee shop/cafe to go to for a pick me up and stumbled across this place. I really liked it! It’s a very cute cafe, beautiful decorated to fit the environment of Joshua Tree while bringing a modern/hip/aesthetic vibe that makes it feel like it could belong in a more urban area. The inside is simple but cute. I loved that it is a coffee bar and cocktail lounge combined. We ordered our drinks to go but it looked like they had decent seating inside and outside. The menu was decent with different syrup options for you coffee/tea choices. I ordered an iced latte with caramel and it was tasty. The staff were nice, there were lots of little keepsake items you could buy like stickers and prints, lots of wine options, full bar, and they had body products and candles. The energy was very calm and relaxed inside. I didn’t know until reading other reviews that they have a photo booth out back. Will definitely check this place again in my next trip to Joshua Tree and will have to take a pic in the booth!

Came here for the drinks and aesthetics. Aesthetics are a hit. It’s a trendy place that hosted a variety of influencer type people when we were there. It’s definitely hip. We loved the drinks there. The service was decent. They were fast and efficient. Not necessarily rude, but not super friendly either. The vibes were a little off. I originally ordered the Grilled & Stuffed Chilaquiles Breakfast Burrito. Shortly after paying, they said they ran out a replaced it with a sloppy Joe burrito that was the same price around $15. I laughed to receive something that could be eaten in 3-4 bites. It did taste good though. Iced Lavender Gin Fog: 4/5 Sunny Delight: 4.5/5 Sloppy Joe Burrito (Vegan): 3:5/5, small, pricey, but did taste good.

We were on the hunt for an “Instagrammable” brunch spot in Joshua Tree — and found the one! This café looks straight out of a desert daydream — cozy patio, perfect décor, and so much charm. We ordered iced coffee, an iced matcha latte, and breakfast burritos — all so good! The only thing we wished for was a bigger menu (a few items were sold out). Bonus points for the surprise photo booth! Every place in Joshua Tree seems to have one, and this was no exception — such a fun keepsake to take home. A total must-visit for breakfast (and photos!) when in Joshua Tree. 🌵

The place is located on the main highway easy to find and park. The look of this place is really nice and mellow minimal and simple I liked how it was themed to like desert colors almost and just had a nice vibe to it. The drinks were amazing I think I haven’t been to a bar in a minute that really plays well with fresh flavors in their cocktails and I enjoyed every drink I had. They have nice Photo Booth outside and I think it’s the perfect addition to their place. Will come back when I stay in Joshua tree again!

This is the best coffee you will get in Joshua Tree (if your taste lands closer to third wave). The vibe is excellent, Photo Booth super fun, and the folks working are attentive and friendly. The downfall of the place is their hot drinks. If you’re used to a classic cap ratio, I would recommend an iced drink such as a latte (mine was great!) or one of their excellent teas! Overall would recommend if you’re staying out in Joshua Tree and are on the prowl for artisan coffee.

I spotted this place on Instagram and convinced my boyfriend to check it out. On the way, we kept wondering how such a gorgeous spot (according to Instagram) could possibly be thriving in the middle of nowhere. Google Maps called it a “cocktail bar” … and we were heading there at 9 a.m. Not sure what our plan was. 😅 When we pulled in, the parking lot was packed—first surprise. Inside, the guy at the register was incredibly friendly. He recommended the breakfast burrito (which was phenomenal, especially with the white garlic sauce). I ordered an iced latte, but then he casually said, “If you’re looking for something with espresso, you won’t find better than our espresso martini.” I mean… at 9 a.m.? Scratch the latte—espresso martini it is. 😂 The food? Amazing. The cocktails? Exactly what we didn’t know we needed. Atmosphere and service? Perfect. And the merch? Couldn’t resist—a hat and t-shirt came home with me. Will 100% be back next time we’re in the area.

Very hipster location, good for pictures if that’s your thing. They also have a cute photo booth! We had a few items including the matcha lattes, a matcha based cocktail, and a mocha. The drinks were all very solid in taste, my favorites were the matcha lattes. Did not think matcha and tequila would mix well but the cocktail was delicious! The mocha was a little more on the bitter side but it did the job. For us, the best part was the italian sandwich. We were floored by how simple yet tasty it was. It had me thinking about making the drive out there just for that. Would recommend this as a quick stop for drinks and a small bite.