I'm having a hard time deciding between Joshua Tree, Anza Borrego, and Death valley. We will be driving a minivan, so concerned about getting around. Also, we are tent camping, and going for about a week in middle of April. My daughter,(26) and my grandchildren will be going (2,4,9). We have never been to the desert, and would love to try something new. None of us are really into hiking, just some scenic walks maybe. I guess I just want to know which would be the best for the kids, and the safest. Any feedback will be very helpful. My family camps quite often, but so far only at coastal redwoods, or the beach.

There is a lot to see in Death Valley. A lot of the hikes there are fairly short. I was born in Joshua Tree(Twenty Nine Palms), but really haven't been there to remember it much.

There is indeed a lot to see in Death Valley, but a week with little kids? Hm.

I might suggest Joshua Tree instead. There are some nice walks, and the landscape is gorgeous, but IMO the main advantage would be that you could spell yourselves off with some town time, too - Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley communities, the tram in PS, etc. - that would fight the boredom factor. From DV it's a serious schlep to any towns of consequence, not so from JTNP.

http://www.anzaborrego.net/Travel/An...ason-2010.aspx

I would recommend the Anza Borrego area. It is famous for it's flowers and this year should be spectacular because of all the rain we've had in So.Cal.

I would call the Chamber of Commerce and find out what is going on as far as the best estimated week for the flowers.

Another place the NPS says is a great place to camp is the Mojave National Preserve. http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/camping.htm There is plenty to see there- including lots of Joshua trees, sand dunes, volcanic rock and flowers if you are there at the right time. You can access the Preserve from I-40 and I-15. Closest real towns are Baker, Barstow and Primm NV.
Please remember to stay well hydrated and use sunscreen.

The Living Desert, in Palm Desert, is a great place to go for an introduction to desert flora and fauna: http://www.livingdesert.org/

If you go to Borrego Springs, Carlee's is the best place there for a hearty meal.

HTTY

I have been to Death Valley numerous times, and when our kids were little, we went often and always for a week - so I don't see that as a problem. They loved it! There are plenty of scenic walks as opposed to hikes and the Visitor Center is great for helping you figure out where to spend your time. It's a huge park and always involves a lot of driving to get from point to point. With a family, I'd recommend camping near Furnace Creek RANCH and the Visitor Center, so you are close to services such as gas, restaurants and the mini-grocery store. Plus, you can pay to use the pool and the showers. And there is a large expanse of grassy play area for the kids, too. It's a very family-friendly place.

I can't advise on the other parks; they are on our to-visit list. Perhaps you should look at drive-times to see how long a drive it is to each park from where you live.

I think Death Valley would be the most interesting, there is more variety in the scenery, but check the weather, I'm not sure if April will already be too hot.

JOshua Tree #2, the weather is milder, plus it isn't that far from the Coachella Valley, and you can always drive there and do something like the Living Desert, which I also recommend.

For me Anza Borrego isn't all that unless you have a 4wd and will be willing to drive some of the washes.

I've been through Mojave and I think it may be too underdeveloped for entertaining the young ones.

Check Desert USA for wildflower blooms. I wonder what our strange weather wiil be doing to the normal bloom pattern.

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html