TWO DAYS IN JOSHUA TREE: ITINERARY DETAILS

DAY 1

MORNING:

 

  • Keys View (around 1-2 hours).  Get up early  and make your way to Keys View. The San Andreas Fault, the Coachella Valley, and the Salton Sea are all visible from this vantage point.  This is a great site for sunrise and sunset.

LATE MORNING:

 

  • Hidden Valley (Approx. 1-2 hours).  Hike through the Hidden Valley. This famous location highlights the park’s distinctive rock formations and Joshua Trees.

LUNCH: Picnic or Visit Joshua Tree Village (Approx. 1 hour).  Take a picnic lunch and enjoy it at one of the park’s designated picnic spots. As an alternative, you can search Joshua Tree Village for nearby restaurants.

AFTERNOON:

 

  • Barker Dam Trail  (Approx. 1.5 hours).  Take a hike on the Barker Dam Loop Trail. The trail gives YOU chances to see wildlife and leads to a historic water reservoir marked with petroglyphs.
  • Skull Rock (Approx. 1.5 hours).  Stop by Skull Rock, a distinctive rock formation easily accessible from the main road.

LATE AFTERNOON:

 

  • Cholla Cactus Garden (Approx. 1 hour). 

    Take a brief stroll through a densely populated area of cholla cacti by driving to the cholla cactus garden. This is a very lovely place in the golden hour of sunset.

SUNSET:

 

  • Arch Rock (Approx. 1 hour).  For a quick hike to see the sunset, proceed to Arch Rock. The stunning natural arch creation is complemented by fantastic photo opportunities provided by the shifting hues of the sky.

NIGHT:

 

  • Go back to town where you stay. Have dinner and rest for next day adventure or if you have more energy go for the next exciting thing to in Joshua Tree which is stargazing.
  • Stargazing  (Optional).  Joshua Tree National Park has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a great place to go stargazing. Enjoy the night sky by finding a dark area away from artificial lights.

DAY 2:

MORNING:

  • OPTION1: Go Hike.  Ryan Mountain, Hall of Horror, Fortynine Palms Oasis or pick any other of your favorites.  The choices are endless.
  • OPTION 2: Drive Geology Tour Road
  • OPTION 3: Go rock climbing

LUNCH:  Take a picnic lunch and enjoy it at one of the park’s designated picnic spots. As an alternative, you can search Joshua Tree Village for nearby restaurants.

AFTERNOON:

 

  •  OPTION 1:  Go hike
  •  OPTION 2:  Drive Geology Tour Road
  •  OPTION 3:  Go rock climbing
  •  OPTION 4:  Go home or head for your next destination.

EVENING:

  •  OPTION 1:  Stay to watch sunset at Keys View before you head back home.
  •  OPTION 2:  Go home or head for your next destination.