42 Best Sights in Joshua Tree National Park, California

Make this quick roadside stop to see a thriving grove of ocotillo, which has long spindly branches tipped by red flowers. These succulents are particularly colorful after a rain shower.

If you have time only for a short visit, driving Park Boulevard is your best choice. Traversing the most scenic portions of Joshua Tree, this well-paved road connects the north and west entrances in the park's high desert section. Along with some sweeping desert views, you'll see jumbles of splendid boulder formations, stands of Joshua trees, and Hidden Valley and Barker Dam, remnants of the area's wild and woolly past. From the Oasis Visitor Center, drive south. After about 5 miles, the road forks; turn right and head west toward Jumbo Rocks (clearly marked with a road sign).

This paved road takes you from high Mojave desert to low Colorado desert. A long, slow drive, the route runs from the main part of the park to Interstate 10; it can add as much as an hour to and from Palm Springs (round-trip), but the views and roadside exhibits make it worth the extra time. From the Oasis Visitor Center, drive south. After about 5 miles, the road forks; take a left and continue another 9 miles to the Cholla Cactus Garden, where the sun fills the cactus needles with light. Past that is the Ocotillo Patch, filled with spindly plants bearing razor-sharp thorns and, after a rain, bright green leaves and brilliant red flowers. Side trips from this route require a 4X4.

Outhouse races, live music, and arm wrestling mark this celebration held annually, during the third full October weekend, in Twentynine Palms. The event also features a parade, carnival, chili dinner, and an old timers' gathering.

Head to Indio for camel and ostrich races.

The payoff for hiking to the top of Ryan Mountain is one of Joshua Tree's best panoramas. From here, you can see Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio, Lost Horse Valley, and the Pinto Basin. You'll need two to three hours to complete the 3-mile out-and-back trail with 1,062 feet of elevation gain. Difficult.

The 1.7-mile loop takes you through boulder piles, desert washes, and a rocky alley. It's named for the park's most famous rock formation, which resembles a human skull. Access the path from within Jumbo Rocks Campground or from a small parking area just east of the campground. Easy.

Run by a dedicated, local nonprofit, this volunteer-staffed 15-acre park near the northern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park educates visitors on the region's celestial and terrestrial attributes. It has an observatory dome with a 14-inch telescope, nature trails that feature desert plants, a meditation garden, numerous sculptures, and an orrery (a 20 billion–to-1 scaled model of the solar system). The campus is always open for walks or stargazing with your own equipment, but the big dome and telescope are only available during the free Night Sky Programs, which are held once a month on the Saturday night nearest the new moon. Programs usually start an hour after sunset and last two hours. The observatory also hosts an annual Night Sky Festival.

Experience rocky jumbles, Joshua trees, cacti, and geological wonders along this relatively flat 2½-mile loop trail that includes a short spur to Face Rock. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as this is a hot spot for birds and reptiles. Moderate.

More often than not, California's, and specifically the high desert's, reputation for being wacky and weird is blown out of proportion. But in the case of this woo-woo wellness offering—namely, a 60-minute sonic healing session/sound bath during which someone plays 20 quartz singing bowls keyed to each body chakra while you lie on the floor of a white, domed structure in the middle of nowhere—believe the hype. If you go in with an open mind, you might just find inner peace, a clear mind, and deep relaxation. Even if you don't, think of the tale you'll be able to share with relatives at the next holiday get-together. 

You can get a full day of exploring Joshua Tree with Trail Discovery, along with information on the park's plants, animals, geography, and history. Sunrise treks are offered in hot, summer months. Park admission, bottled water, hip packs, snacks, and fruit are included. Transportation is not provided.

Another only-in-Joshua Tree spot not to be missed, this museum displays all kinds of crocheted creations inside a reimagined drive-through photo stand. Tucked off the street in Art Queen's courtyard, it earned global recognition when it appeared in an international advertising campaign. Before you get back in the car, detour around the front to see another eclectic collection at the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum ( beautybubble.net). The working salon displays more than 3,000 pieces of vintage equipment, toys, products, and advertising related to the hair/beauty industry.