I remember the first time Jason and I visited Joshua Tree. It was in 2010, the year we moved to Southern California.  As we drove through the park full of Joshua trees and boulders, we marvelled at the unique and otherworldly landscape.  We looked at each other and both remarked how this was a place unlike anywhere either of us had ever seen before.

We have returned to Joshua Tree several times since, and have brought friends, extended family, and our boys.  We love it so much, we always say we’d like to go more than once a year. But with our busy schedules and so many other places on our wanderlust list, we generally make it back about once a year. The fall and spring are our favorite times to visit, when the weather is mild and comfortable. This is the desert, after all.

There’s so much I could share about Joshua Tree, but in this post I’m going to share our family’s strategy for visiting the park, including our favorite family friendly spots,  our favorite places to eat, and our favorite airBnBs.   We generally spend 2-3 days in Joshua Tree, as we tend to visit over long weekends.

Favorite spots in the park: 

Because we live about 2 hours from the park, return often, and have young kids, we tend to head into the park without much planned.  Pre-kids, we would make it a point to visit the visitor’s center, get the guide, and do hikes/ and see certain scenic points in the park (ie. sunset at Keys View). But with kids, we take it easy, and focus on only 1 or 2 hikes, mixed in with a couple of “get out of the car to stretch our legs” stops.  There are many pull outs and parking lots with trails throughout the park, and piles of boulders that the boys enjoy climbing on.  If you’re coming from afar, and/ or if this is your first time, I do recommend checking out the park’s First Time Visitor Guide for  information, maps, FAQs, etc to help make the most of your visit.

Our favorite family hike in the park is Hidden Valley.  There are a few reasons why we love this spot so much. 1) There is a great picnic area with picnic tables and some shade, 2) Near the start of the hike (if you do a clockwise loop), there is a section of boulders that our kids love to climb – Brian’s been scrambling on them, with assistance, since he was two years old! 3) it is an easy 1 mile hike that our kids have been able to do on their own since they were two. The grandparents enjoy this hike as well.

Another stop we love and visit nearly every time is the Cholla Cactus Garden because it is so different and unique. We always bring new visitors here!  There is a well maintained 1/3 mile trail that it is very important to stay on, because these cactus are also nicknamed “jumping cactus”.  If you accidentally brush against one, you will find painful spines stuck in your shoes, clothes and skin.  The last two visits, we have seen people trying to remove a painful barb, and it’s not easy – often requiring tweezers.  Despite this potential peril, we love this easy trail, and our boys do too.  We just watch them closely, and remind them constantly not to run.

Other spots we like exploring, but don’t get to every time include: Barker Dam, Skull Rock and the Jumbo Rocks Area.   There’s great hikes and boulders to explore throughout the entire park!

During our Spring 2019 visit, we finally found the Arch Rock! Here is a link to a guide describing how to find it, and about the 0.5 mile hike in the White Tanks Campground.

Favorite spots to EAT in or near Joshua Tree (updated April 2024):

Most of the time we visit Joshua Tree, we’ve stayed in an airbnb where we cook many of our own meals.  Although the park is vast and there are no food establishments within the park, Joshua Tree is actually very close to civilization and there are plenty of places to eat in Joshua Tree, as well as access to large supermarkets like Stater Brothers and Vons.

1. Road Runner Grab & Go: Joshua Tree West Entrance Visitor Center, 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252. 760-974-9260, open daily 7:30am-5pm.  Chef Merilee Kuchon and Rosa Ficara are our favorite chefs in JT. They used to run a private chef/ catering service, but have fully transitioned to ensuring JTNP visitors have this stop to stock up before heading into the park.  This is a great place to pick up sub sandwiches, fantastic salads, charcuterie, gourmet snacks, and more! 

2.  Pie for the People UPDATE : In 2022, they moved from JT to nearby 58960 29 Palms Hwy Yucca Valley, CA 92284. We haven’t visited the new location yet but remember that we loved their authentic and delicious New York pizza.

3. Joshua Tree Coffee Roasters:  The coffee here is delicious. One of the airBnB’s we stayed at left a small bag of roasted beans and I loved the coffee.  I bought couple bags of the First Roast to bring back home, and was going to gift one – but ended up keeping it to enjoy myself 🙂   It’s right next to Pie for the People.

4. Pappy and Harriets: 760-365-5956.  This is not in Joshua Tree, but is close by in Pioneertown, and worth a visit because it’s so cool and the food is solid if you like burgers, BBQ and Tex Mex.  Pappy and Harriet’s is a restaurant and music venue, so it is best to check the schedule in advance and make a reservation if you want to dine there.  It is family friendly and they have a kids menu.

5. On my foodie wish list:  La Copine – I’ve heard incredible things about this place. I don’t know that it’s kids friendly, but one of these days I will dine there!

Picnic Spots in Joshua Tree National Park: Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Live Oak, Split Rock, Cap Rock, Hidden Valley, Quail Springs, and Black Rock.

Favorite Places to STAY in or near Joshua Tree (updated April 2024):

One of the other reasons why we love visiting Joshua tree so much is that there are so many super cool design homes in the area to stay at!  We often spend as much time relaxing in these homes, as we do being active and exploring the park.  I have so many places saved on my Joshua Tree vacation rental wishlist, and every time I check, more cool homes keep on getting added!  The following places are our favorites, and as much as I want to keep them to ourselves, if you can stay at one – I’d highly recommend it.

Joshua Tree House : This one is instafamous, and for good reason. Sara and Rich Coombs have designed several homes in Joshua tree – they live in the Hacienda, and rent out the Casita and House. As described in the listing, “The Joshua Tree House is a two bed two bath 1949 hacienda located 10 minutes from the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park in Joshua Tree, CA.  This is a place for dreamers to reset, reflect, and create. Designed with a”slow” pace in mind, our hope is that you enjoy every aspect of your stay; from making local coffee by drip in the morning, choosing the perfect record to put on as the sun sets, or by relaxing in the hot tub surrounded by over 100 Joshua trees and a starry night sky” . These listings are super popular.  If you want to stay here, it’s best to book many months in advance.

Homestead Modern :    We stayed at one of their properties years ago, but now they host many more listings – all of which look incredible!  The one we stayed in was: “Homestead Modern No. 1 is the prototype for the pre-designed homes offered by Homestead Modern throughout the High Desert. This modern-style compound sits on 2 1/2 acres of mostly open desert with dead-on vistas of spectacular desert buttes and is just blocks from Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown.”  There is also a casita that can be rented here as well. 

Acido Dorado:  This golden house in Joshua Tree, is amongst our favorite places to stay ever.

I won’t make it too easy though –  if you’re interested in learning more, you can do a quick search for more information and details.  The architect, Robert Stone,  requires an application to book, and I will forewarn you that while we love this space, it isn’t for everyone. We’re always sharing the space with beetles, and on one occasion, a tarantula 🙂  I think this excerpt from an Apartment Therapy post describes it well, “Acido Dorado isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a pampered boutique hotel experience, a few notable amenities are available (a relaxing jacuzzi and outdoor fire pit both make for wonderful evening relaxation spots and a powerful heating system keeps the desert chill at bay), but overall one is left with a sense that he or she is here to shed away the trappings of luxury to find comfort in the simple.  The furnishings are spartan in layout, but none uncomfortable (I slept better and deeper than I’ve anywhere in the last several years, thanks to the new bed, bedding and absolute quiet); a stocked kitchen provided us with all the tools to cook our own dinners each evening. If you’re squeamish about flora and fauna or find the elements intrusive, you’re best served detouring over to Palm Springs where plenty of resorts can accommodate that vacation style. But if you’re looking for architecture as a reflection of place and feeling, Acido Dorado may easily become your new favorite secret desert getaway destination as it has immediately become for us.”

Glamping: AutoCamp Joshua Tree

I’ve had the opportunity to stay at a couple of AutoCamp Glamping sites – Russian River Valley and Joshua Tree.  This is definitely not roughing it.  These airstreams have every possible comfort you can think of. There is a bedroom with a queen bed, a sitting area with a galley sofa which folds out into a double bed, bathroom with shower, and kitchenette! These airstreams are equipped with electricity, heat or A/C, and a TV.  They also have cabins at this location.  The clubhouse has a cafe and gift shop. There is also a pool.

Coming soon: Autocamp will also be opening a field station in Joshua Tree sometime in 2024!

Camping:  There are so many great campsites in Joshua Tree National Park. Our favorite spot is Jumbo Rocks.  You can reserve your campsite online at Recreation.gov . The sites do book up quickly 6 months out at 7am PST. However, there are often cancellations so check back and you might just get lucky!  We camped here during the Perseid Meteor Shower in August 2023 and loved it.  There are pit toilets, but no showers. You must bring your own water.

General Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park:

• Purchase your  7 day pass ($30), annual Joshua Tree Pass ($55) or America the Beautiful National Parks annual pass ($80) ahead of time if possible. There is also a Senior lifetime pass ($80)* and a free Military Pass for veterans. 4th graders also have free entry into our national parks.
• You can purchase your pass at the Visitor Center before heading up to the park entrance or buy it online before you leave home.  While you can buy a pass at the kiosk, there is often a long line to get in, especially during peak visitation.
• Be prepared: Once you enter the park, there is no water, no food service, no lodging/ hotels (other than camping) , no electricity, and no cell reception.
• Please Leave no trace

I hope this guide is helpful! I’d love to hear about your favorite places to visit in Joshua Tree or places to eat or stay! Please leave any questions or comments below.  Happy Travels! 

Please note: This post is NOT sponsored.  All opinions shared and expressed are our own.