I’ve never experienced a park quite like Joshua Tree National Park. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. When you drive through the park you’ll also realize why it’s named after the whimsical Joshua Trees, because they are everywhere!

The park is an approximately 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. For a weekend trip, you can see all or most of the park’s main roads, perhaps a few secondary roads, and take some short hikes. You can camp in the park, enjoy the sunset, star-filled sky, and desert life. The National Park entrance fee of $30 is required to enter or the annual pass. Here’s what to see on a weekend trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

What to see in Joshua Tree National Park

Cholla Cactus Garden

Approximately 12 miles south of the park’s north entrance is the 0.25-mile Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail. This flat loop leads you through nearly 10 acres of landscape dominated by the teddybear cholla. Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail also features beautiful wildflowers and is an easy walk through the garden. Beware of the cactus though, they will prick you if you get too close. I highly recommend checking this out for the sunset because it is phenomenal. It’s a great place to take pictures and soak in the park at sunset.

Skull Rock Trail

The Skull Rock Nature Loop Trailhead is located on Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree National Park. From Highway 62 in Twenty Nine Palms, CA, travel south on Park Boulevard 11.5 miles to the trailhead. The trail can be accessed from roadside parking on either side of Park Boulevard. Located along the main east-west park road,  a 1.7-mile nature trail begins either just across from the entrance to Jumbo Rocks Campground or inside the campground, across from the amphitheater. You can wander out as far as you’d like in this area but the main attraction is the Skull rock formation.

Jumbo Rocks

If you wander in further, you can see the jumbo rocks after the skull rock. You will have to do some climbing through the rock formations, but it’s well worth it to be in a different world surrounded by massive boulder rocks!

Key’s Views

Keys View is Joshua Tree’s highest viewpoint, offering panoramic views of mesas, mountains & Coachella Valley perched on the crest of the San Bernardino Mountains. It is well worth the 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard down Keys View Road. You get epic views of the park and it can get pretty windy.

Arch Rock

Hidden Valley Trail

Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a 1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Twentynine Palms, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking and is accessible year-round.

Joshua Tree is also a designated International Dark Sky Park which means it has minimal light pollution and is perfect for stargazing from anywhere!

Some other hikes in the park include the Hidden Valley Trail, Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail, Ryan Mountain that I did not get a chance to check out but will be returning for.

Lazy Sky Retreat

For a great glamping experience close to the park with Teepees and Yurts, Lazy Sky Retreat is a great place to disconnect and connect with the desert and enjoy nature. The Glamping Tent is an Airbnb site that is situated on 10 picturesque acres just a 30-minute drive outside of Joshua Tree National Park. There is a community restroom and kitchenette with seating in the center of the property. This location is also perfect for star gazing at night!