15 Things To Do In Joshua Tree — One Tent In California

Located in the California desert, the town of Joshua Tree has become a popular weekend destination for visitors from Los Angeles and worldwide to see the unique Joshua Trees, the national park, and the nearby desert towns. We moved to Joshua Tree in 2021 and have been exploring everything it has to offer! Now we’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Joshua Tree including hikes, things to do in the park and in the town of Joshua Tree.

Welcome to Joshua Tree!

15 Best Things To Do In Joshua Tree

Inside Joshua Tree National Park

1. Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden

One of the coolest things to see in Joshua Tree in our opinion, is the Cholla Cactus Garden. Located in the south of the park, the garden is a collection of ‘teddy bear’ or ‘jumping cholla’ cacti. These unique plants are native to the area and are worth stopping by to walk the short loop. Visit for sunset for beautiful photography!

2. Skull Rock & Jumbo Rocks

The boulders and jumbo rocks in Joshua Tree are almost as iconic as the the Joshua Tree itself. Maybe not, but they provide amazing photo opportunities as well as climbing and bouldering in the park. Some of the rocks have unique shapes like skull rock which can be found right by the Jumbo Rocks campground.

3. View Coachella Valley from the High Desert

Joshua Tree is known as the ‘high desert’ compared to Palm Springs and Coachella Valley that are lower in elevation. Because of this, the national park provides stunning views of the ‘lower desert’ towns below and the San Andreas fault. On a clear day, head to Keys View or Black Rock Canyon for views of the valley as well as the towering Mt. San Jacinto.

Best stops for views:

Keys View
Ryan Mountain
Panorama Loop at Black Rock Canyon

4. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

While both sunrises and sunsets are equally beautiful here in Joshua Tree, the sunrises are particularly peaceful. If you get the chance to be in the park during these times, make sure you take in the majestic skies and how the grounds and trees catch the light. Sunrise usually provides more golden skies, and the sunsets give pink purple hues over the desert.

5. See Snow in Joshua Tree

Snow in the desert is a truly special experience to have. Due to the high elevation and extreme temperatures in the desert (yes, it gets very hot and very cold too), Joshua Tree National Park can get snow from time to time and the resilient Joshua Trees have withstood this weather for hundreds of years. Seeing snow in Joshua Tree doesn’t happen all the time, but if you visit in the wintertime you may see snow!

6. Stay Overnight in the Park

Stargazing and camping are some of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree has vast open skies and very low light pollution. It’s one of the best places we’ve been to for seeing the milky way and shooting stars!

7. Go for a Hike

The very best thing to do when visiting Joshua Tree National Park is go for a hike! There are so many trails to take in the park, some under a mile long and others are multi-day hikes, so there’s really something for almost everyone. We have a list of the best hikes to try on your first visit to Joshua Tree here.

Outside the park

8. Visit Local Shops in Town

Located along the 29 Palms Hwy, there are many local shops to visit in town to get souvenirs, antiques, thrifted clothes & furniture, art and more! This is a great way to see more of what makes this desert town unique and be inspired by this magical place.

Some shops to check out in Joshua Tree:

Desert Nest Co
Desert Curios
Pioneer crossing
Acme 5 Lifestyle
Mojave Flea Trading Post

9. Visit Pioneertown

This 1880s styled town was originally founded by Hollywood investors in 1946 to be a filming location for Old West movies. Today, you can stroll down the main street and take in the old charm as well as eat at the popular Pappy and Harriet’s saloon and enjoy live music. The small town is about 20 minute drive from Joshua Tree and is worth stopping by on your visit!

10. Try Locally Roasted Coffee

For locally-roasted organic coffee, stop by Joshua Tree Coffee Company along 29 Palms Hwy. There’s a small outdoor area to sit and a great selection of coffees to choose from! It’s the perfect place to stop at before entering the park’s West Entrance.

11. Buy Fresh Bread

There are a lot of bakeries in town and one of the best we’ve tried is Luna Sourdough Bread! They make fresh sourdough breads with organic flour as well as baked goods, cakes and sandwiches.

12. Take a Sound Bath

A unique experience to have when visiting Joshua Tree, is to visit the Integraton for a sound bath meditation! The area around Joshua Tree has been known as a spiritual and healing place to many people for years and the Integraton is a great place to go to for those positive vibes.

The dome structure has an interesting history that you can learn about when you visit and that you will go into for the guided sound bath meditation.

13. Get Vegan Food at Yucca Valley Outpost

The best place in town for fresh plant-based food is the Yucca Valley Outpost Cafe! We love their spicy hummus wrap and 50/50 wrap. They also have wellness drinks, gluten-free treats and are a nut-free facility.

14. Visit the Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday morning, the Joshua Tree Farmer’s Market is open for locals and visitors to shop for produce, fresh flowers, and a selection of other goods from local vendors such as candles and jewelry. It is open year round from 8am-1pm.

15. Check out the National Park Visitor Center

Stopping by the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center on your way in or out of the park is a great thing to do especially on your first visit. You can grab maps, souvenirs and ask questions if you’re planning a longer hike or to do some climbing in the park. There’s a small interactive area that can be fun for kids for a short visit and it’s a great way to learn about some of the geography and wildlife in the desert if you’re unfamiliar.