Our one day in Joshua Tree National Park was the perfect way to explore California’s desert landscape. As part of our 19-day road trip, we spent a day exploring the sights and a night’s stay in Twentynine Palms overlooking the Mojave Desert.
Whether you’re spending one day in Joshua Tree as a day trip from LA or Las Vegas or as part of a longer weekend getaway, you’re in for an incredible and unique experience! We were mesmerised. As we entered the park I remember feeling this overwhelming sense of wonder. The landscape was breathtaking. We were in awe of the landscape.
Joshua Tree was the best part of our road trip! So surprising. I’m so excited to share all the things we loved about this part. Let’s get started!
How to Spend One Day in Joshua Tree National Park
We visited in August 2023 and like Death Valley National Park, it’s very hot in the Summer months — on the day we visited it was sweltering, over 45 degrees. The heat is something you need to be prepared for. You need water, suncream, hats, and more. Don’t let it put you off, we had an incredible day as it was free from crowds. The Park Rangers said this was due to the temperatures during the Summer. For us, it was a treat.
As you enter, call into the visitor center, pick up a map, and take the opportunity to chat with the park rangers about any questions you might have. They were really helpful.
Our day trip to Joshua Tree National Park was filled with weird, strange, and all kinds of amazing things! We admired the insanely cool trees, climbed up huge rocks, enjoyed the views, and headed to the highest point in the park to look over Coachella Valley. It was an incredible experience. We felt like we were on the set of a Star Wars movie.
WHAT TO DO IN JOSHUA TREE IN ONE DAY?
You can see a lot during one day in Joshua Tree! Plan your day starting with which entrance you wish to use as your starting point and go from there. We entered via the North entrance. We were able to complete a loop trail in a few hours which covered several stopping points, random stops, some took 10-20 mins, and others like the one-mile trail took 45 minutes.
We were able to stop at Arch Rock, Cap Rock, Jumbo Rocks (our favourite), and Skull Rock. All of which we enjoyed and took time to wander around and explore and enjoy the view. We drove up to the viewpoint at Keys View which was breathtaking. Took on the one-mile Hidden Valley Trail which was worth it. We ended our time in Joshua Tree by visiting the Cholla Cactus Garden which was something very different from the rest of our trail.
No matter what part of the park you’re in, you will see Joshua trees and, like us, you’ll probably find yourself pulling over regularly to photograph them even if they are not on your list. They’re just so unusual and like nothing else you will ever see.
The one-mile Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an easy walk if you have limited time or don’t want to hike too far. Due to the heat, we chose this hike which still tested us as we underestimated the water we needed. We would have enjoyed others but sadly the heat did prevent us from doing more.
IS ONE DAY ENOUGH TIME TO VISIT JOSHUA TREE?
Yes. Thankfully, Joshua Tree National Park is pretty straightforward to get around, more so than we originally thought. Despite losing our phone signal on entry, we downloaded maps in advance and were able to follow the roads that were signposted and our stopping points appeared on the GPS. You can see the main highlights in a day or even less! Perfect if you only have time for a day trip to Joshua Tree. If hiking is your thing you will need more time to do it, and it would be wise to do so in the cooler months.
We cannot wait to go back and see more of the park, one day was such a tease. We know now that we would spend two nights and more time exploring. There’s so much to do, see, and hike.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR JOSHUA TREE?
When we researched where to stay we fell in love with Twentynine Palms, it was en route to Las Vegas and close to the entrance to Joshua Tree that allowed us to experience a loop trail of sights in a day, and super close to food places. Our favourite restaurant of our 19-day road trip was actually in Twentynine Palms – Desert Kitchen. A must if you stay in this area. Our Airbnb Desert Sage meant that we looked over the Mojave Desert, as a lover of a sunrise and sunset it was an incredible spot. As an area it was renowned for being family-friendly and the best place to see the stars in the night sky!
How to Spend One Day in Joshua Tree National Park
If you only have one day in Joshua Tree, I hope this itinerary covers the park’s best highlights and viewpoints for you to enjoy! You can read more about our road trip here. And, take a look on my Insta where you’ll find a Reel and more photos from our day in the desert.
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
