Desert Dreaming -

Riverside County, California

Description

Joshua Tree National Park will have you desert dreaming for a lifetime. A unique park in the Mojave Desert where you can jump around on giant rocks, hike around on trails and star gaze all night long.

I arrived to Joshua Tree and scored a campsite at Jumbo Rocks Campground which is first come, first serve. We set up camp and soon began to explore the giant boulders all around. You must watch out for the, "Thirsty bees!" The moment you open a water bottle, bees will swarm as they are in a constant search for water - it is the desert after all.

I strongly advise to begin hydrating starting several days before going to Joshua Tree. And stay up late because the stars come out to play in the desert!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Camping

Hiking

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Scenic

ADA Accessible

Desert Dreaming - Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Dispersed Camp at Old Dale Mining District

It can be a pain to try and camp in Joshua Tree. Most of the sites get reserved way in advance and if you are looking for privacy or a quiet area, it's not going to happen. But you can camp outside the park on BLM land and there is a great place to do this, it's called Old Dale Mining district. Here's how to get there... The easiest way is to take HWY 62 through the Yucca Valley/ Twentynine Pa...

Hike the Mastadon Peak Loop

The trail is typically used for hiking, nature trips, and trail running. There are lots of opportunities to see desert plants and flowers. On clear days, you can see the Salton Sea. There is an old mine to explore from the outside, as the entrance has been sealed. If you plan on going to the top of the rock formation, you'll need to go to the back (east) side of the rock formation and you will...

Camp at Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree NP

The Cottonwood Campground is roughly 40 minutes south of the main attractions in Joshua Tree on Pinyon Canyon Rd and is located right next to the visitor center The biggest advantage of this site is that it is less popular than many of the other sites in Joshua Tree. It also has potable water and group sites unlike the other campgrounds.There are also a few beautiful hikes than you can do out o...

Explore Cottonwood Spring

Just east of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. This scenic spot provides access to cottonwood spring. The spring is a short walk down from the parking lot, and was formed from earthquakes! It was a popular spot for natives and settlers to gather water back in the day. As you approach the springs you are among towering palms, larger and wider than most. It's a worthwhile spot to stop and take in so...

Photograph the Cholla Cactus Gardens

The Cholla Cactus Garden is something everyone can appreciate and enjoy. The trail is in total about a 0.25 loop, but you are certainly free to wander around more. Plan on spending at least 30 minutes to an hour enjoying the scenery. If you are a photographer, you will be enthralled by the lighting conditions. The garden is located off of Pinto Basin Roa in Joshua Tree. The parking lot is 20 m...

Backcountry Camp in Joshua Tree

Backcountry camping can be done at various locations throughout the park (13 different locations). Upon arrival to the park, you will be given a map and can backcountry camp from any of the locations marked with a "B".At these locations you will find a backcountry registration board. It's extremely important that you fill out a registration card at one of these boards with information about yo...