Why I Didn’t Like Joshua Tree National Park

I’ll be honest that Joshua Tree National Park isn’t my favorite national park.

I actually rank it last on my list of best national parks in California (after visiting them all).

I feel that Joshua Tree gets way overhyped for what it is, but that’s just my personal opinion.

It’s still a national park and an incredible desert — and there are still things I did like about it (for example, the Cholla Cactus Garden!).

Joshua Tree is meant for a very specific type of traveler — one who loves stargazing, desert landscapes, and rock scrambling. And to enjoy these things, you need to visit at night and with proper climbing gear.

For me, however, it just didn’t wow me. Here’s why.

Reason 1: The Views Are Underwhelming

I visited Joshua Tree for a full day, drove all around it, hit up all the highlights, and, at the end of the day felt quite … underwhelmed.

For example, the best view of the park, the panoramic view at Keys View allows you to look down at the Coachella Valley and possibly even see Mexico on a clear day.

I mean, yeah, it’s an incredible view — but is it the best view I’ve ever seen? Is it something worth spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to see? Is it Grand Canyon level epic? Well, no.

It’s a short, paved walk to the top, so it’s not something you exert much effort to reach.

Perhaps my experience was a bit tainted by the wind.

In fact, we didn’t stay long at Keys View because of the intense wind on the day we went. It was blowing our hats off and our hair all around.

Reason 2: It’s Just Rocks and Dirt

Some people humorously say Joshua Tree is just rocks and dirt, and I kind of agree.

Granted, the park is massive at over 1,200 square miles, so it’s a lot of rocks and dirt.

And some of the rocks have cool shapes, like one of the most famous, Skull Rock.

Skull Rock is a popular photo stop so you’ll see crowds of people here, coming and going, taking photos. You don’t have to hike to reach it as it’s off the side of the road.

Seeing it was cool, but it’s just a quick photo opp, and then what? On to the next rock?

Reason 3: It’s Just Not That Unique

Joshua Tree is so named for its plethora of Joshua trees littering the park. Even though there are a lot of them here, Joshua trees live and exist elsewhere in Southern California.

Growing up in this region, I’ve seen many a Joshua tree, so, for me, visiting Joshua Tree National Park wasn’t my first look at this plant.

It was more like, oh, here’s another Joshua tree, just like the one in my grandma’s backyard.

The popular 1-mile hike to Barker Dam goes past lots of Joshua trees as well as petroglyphs, which are also interesting but, again, not unique.

The One Reason I Loved Joshua Tree National Park

Okay, negativity aside, there was one thing in Joshua Tree National Park that wowed me and made the whole day worth it.

Cholla Cactus Garden

The Cholla Cactus Garden was my last activity of the day and the best thing I experienced in Joshua Tree National Park.

When I think of Joshua Tree National Park, I think of these fuzzy little cacti (called teddybear chollas), so bright and yellow they were almost glowing.

Hundreds of them, covering a field.

It was gorgeous and well worth the long drive to reach them (about 20 minutes from Skull Rock).

There’s a dirt path as well as a boardwalk that goes through the 10 acres of this landscape of teddybear chollas (it seems to go on as far as the eye can see).

I’m sure at sunrise or sunset the lighting is incredible.

Should You Still Visit Joshua Tree National Park?

The park is massive at over 1,200 square miles. However, despite its size, I would recommend only visiting for one day.

Why?

Joshua Tree is underwhelming and, in my opinion, not worth a long visit.

Should you still see it for yourself? Of course!

But don’t allot too much time here.

You can easily see all the highlights of the park — Barker Dam Trail, Keys View, Skull Rock, and the Cholla Cactus Garden — in one day.

See where I rank Joshua Tree on my list of best national parks in California (I’ve been to them all)!

How to Make It Worth It

I drove less than two hours to reach Joshua Tree National Park with my mom and grandma, and I just spent a day here before heading back home. For me, it was worth that.

I probably won’t return, though. And if I lived farther away, I wouldn’t buy a plane ticket, spend money on a nearby hotel, just for Joshua Tree.

Combine it with other nearby attractions. If you combine it with other things in the area, for example Palm Springs or Los Angeles, it could make the travel costs worth it.

Come to tick it off your list of national parks. If you’re on a quest to visit all the U.S. national parks, then of course you have to come.

But, again, you don’t need to stay long.

One day in Joshua Tree is plenty of time to see all the highlights of this national park in the California desert.

I visited Joshua Tree National Park for one day in December with my mom and grandma, and I thought that was really all the time that was needed.

Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree in One Day

• Bring water and sunscreen.
• Prepare for a long drive. Joshua Tree National Park is a huge area, and you’ll be driving for hours inside the park.
• Fill up your gas tank before you arrive.
• Download a map of the park to your phone for offline viewing. I like using the app HereWeGo.
• Pack a lunch!
• Wear your hiking boots with ankle support. Many of the hikes and walks include rock scrambling.
• Visit in spring for wildflower viewing or fall or winter for ideal temperatures (summer is far too hot for a daytime visit).
• Wear layers. I visited in December, supposedly the coldest month of the year, and even then it was a warm day. I only needed a light jacket, but wear layers to adjust with the temps.

Getting to Joshua Tree National Park

The closest airports to Joshua Tree National Park are in Palm Springs (about an hour away), San Diego, and Los Angeles (both about 3 hours away).

You will need a car to get to Joshua Tree National Park as it is quite a drive into the middle of nowhere.

Use Discover Cars to compare car rental deals for your dates (there’s free cancellation!).

Where to Stay Near Joshua Tree

There are no hotels inside Joshua Tree National Park.

You can camp inside Joshua Tree National Park. See the national park website for more information on how to make campground reservations if you’re interested in camping in the desert. I’ve heard the stargazing is wonderful.

However, I would recommend booking a hotel in Twentynine Palms, CA, the closest town to the park.

Recommended Hotels in Twentynine Palms, CA:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Twentynine Palms
• Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott Twentynine Palms-Joshua Tree National Park

This was a day trip for us as we live fairly close to Joshua Tree National Park.

Where to Go Instead?

I don’t mean to scare you off from visiting Joshua Tree, but if you want to visit a desert national park that will wow you at every turn, consider:

If you’re looking for epic desert views — go to Death Valley National Park or Grand Canyon National Park.

If you’re looking for pretty desert sunsets — go to Petrified Forest National Park or Saguaro National Park.

I loved all of these desert national parks much more than Joshua Tree (but, again, this is just my personal preference).

Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to California

• Best National Parks in California (From Someone Who’s Visited All 9)
• One Day in Death Valley National Park (Itinerary Using Paved Roads ONLY)
• Guide to the Torrey Pines Hiking Trails in San Diego (I’ve Hiked All)
• Visiting Redwood National Park: 3 Day Itinerary
• One Day in Lassen Volcanic National Park
• 3 Day Itinerary for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• Day Trip to Channel Islands National Park
• Exploring Bear Gulch Cave: One Day in Pinnacles National Park