I recently had my first visit to the spectacular Joshua Tree National Park and its surrounding desert towns—and wow, what an experience! It had been a long time since I packed up all my photography gear and set off for a new destination, but I was especially excited about this trip.
Joshua Tree and the nearby towns had been on my bucket list for many years—likely since 1987, when I first became aware of it (thank you, U2!). March, my birthday month, is always a time for travel, and for 2025, the choice came down to Iceland or Joshua Tree. Given the winter we had in NYC, I was beyond happy that we opted for the desert over ice!
After wrapping up a week of work in LA, I was more than ready for the road trip. With cameras packed and family in tow, we set off on our first Californian adventure together.
The drive from our stay in LA took about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with our first stop at the iconic Cabazon Dinosaurs, just west of Palm Springs. As we approached on the freeway, the sight of the two enormous dinosaurs was impossible to miss—we had to pull over for photos and explore the newer additions to the park alongside Danny and Mr. Rex (yes, those are their real names!).
After a quick stop, we continued on to Joshua Tree, another 45-minute drive. As we neared our destination, the landscape began to change, and soon, we spotted the first Joshua trees appearing on the horizon.
Joshua Tree’s desert town is absolutely charming, with a vibrant atmosphere, especially on weekends when everything is open—unlike earlier in the week (at least in March), when more places seemed to be closed. You’ll love exploring all this quirky town has to offer, from hipster coffee shops and saloon-style bar and grills serving classic American fare to art galleries, crystal shops, and unique spots like the world-famous Crochet Museum and the Beauty Bubble Hair Salon and Museum. There’s plenty to see and do, making it easy to spend a day soaking in the town’s distinctive desert vibe.
Of course, the real highlight of the trip was exploring Joshua Tree National Park itself—I knew it would be incredible, but I wasn’t prepared for just how breathtaking it truly is. While visiting, I saw a postcard that read, “You come for the trees and stay for the rocks,” and that couldn’t be more accurate. The landscape feels almost otherworldly, shaped by the meeting of two distinct desert ecosystems—the Mojave and the Colorado—each with its own unique terrain and wildlife.
To enter the park, you need a pass, and we opted for a 7-day pass, which allowed unlimited visits. The park is open 24/7, 365 days a year, though ticket checks seem to only occur during daylight hours when the booths are staffed. If they’re open, you’ll need to show your pass both when entering and exiting.
Our first visit was during the day, with clear blue skies and warm temperatures. The park is vast, so it was easy to find quiet spots to enjoy the landscape in solitude. However, popular landmarks like Skull Rock did attract plenty of visitors. Since there are no gas stations or stores within the park, it’s essential to bring everything you need for the day.
The next morning, I returned solo to catch the sunrise, just me and my cameras. When I arrived, the park was still cloaked in darkness, making it difficult to navigate at first. But as the first hints of light crept in, I found a spot to park and explore. Before long, the sky turned soft shades of pink, and distant mountain ridges began to glow as they caught the first rays of sunlight—a truly magical experience.
That evening, we returned as a family to witness the breathtaking transformation of the landscape at sunset. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky ignited with shifting colors, shadows stretched across the terrain, and, finally, darkness reclaimed the park, restoring its quiet, star-filled serenity.
If you haven’t explored this part of the U.S., I can’t recommend it enough—plan a trip, and you won’t regret it!