Pioneertown, California

Joshua Tree National Park flawlessly combines otherworldly landscapes, incredible recreational opportunities, and a colorful, wild-west history. Before it was a national park, Joshua Tree was home to cattle rustlers, gunslingers, miners, and rugged homesteaders.   One of the most quirky characte...

This is now my favorite trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Ranging from desert scenes at the bottom and pine trees at the top, you experience such high levels of outdoors feel you can't resist. This trail has so many awesome spots for camping and off-roading that it has a great mix for ...

South Fork to Dollar Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Banning, California.

Park at the Hidden Valley Nature Trailhead. Instead of going into Hidden Valley, follow the obvious climber's trails to the Southwest for about 3/4 mile keeping the rocks of Hidden Valley on your right. The trail wraps around the outside edge of Hidden Valley, turning Northwest. After about 20 mi...

Turn off of Park Blvd near Intersection Rock (there will be signs for the turn) and follow the paved road for about a minute. There is a large parking lot with many picnic tables. The trail begins with a slight uphill of around 100 ft and continues through a opening between two large rocks. Af...

Joshua Tree National Park is known for its world class rock climbing, out of this world landscapes, and some of the darkest skies around. Having a base camp inside of the park is incredibly important as it's quite massive and I found that Hidden Valley Campground is strategically placed smack dab...

Park your car at the Echo Rock Parking Area.  The trail starts next to the outhouse and heads north.  As you walk through the sand, there is a large rock pile to your right, the top of that is your destination.  Continue walking until you've reached the far north end of the rock formation and the...

If you want to experience beauty and solitude in SoCal look no further than Jenks Lake. Not too far from Big Bear Lake, but secluded enough to keep most away in the winter, Jenks Lake is a small but lovely alpine lake near HWY 38 in Angelus Oaks. Driving to the lake is beautiful in itself as HWY...

Just off highway 62 lies an easy 1/2 day hike with incredible views of the Morongo Valley. Though technically part of the park, the out-of-the-way-ness of the hike means you don't need to pay the $20 National Park fee. Parking is ample, and there's a pit toilet at the trailhead (beware of bees an...

The Barker Damn trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail across flat terrain which makes it great for the whole family. The hike starts out from the Barker Dam parking lot which is shared with the Wall Street Mill trailhead. You can find the Barker Dam trailhead just to the left of the bathrooms. After ...

Hike along the easy Wall Street Mill Trail for about one mile and you will reach the mill - if you are into night photography, this is an amazing subject that will bring you back again and again, always capturing something different. Explore around off trail - there are tons of boulders to play a...

There are two Joshua Trees guarding the trail, which makes for a perfect photo op. There are some monzogranite rock formations (of which the park is famous for). Watch for bunnies and lizards! The trail is handicap accessible, so parents with young children in strollers or those in wheelchairs ca...

North Lykken Trail from W. Crescent Drive is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Palm Springs, California.

A hiking permit is required to hike in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Apply for the permit early as the Vivian Creek Trail is the second most popular trailhead for the area and quotas fill up in advance. The permits are free and the entire process can be handled via fax or mail. All the information...

A trip to Joshua Tree is an adventure in itself, but if you plan so that you are shooting Joshua Tree under a full moon, you'll lose yourself in its beauty all over again. See the park's gorgeous, unique characteristics in a completely different light. Although there may seem to be infinite loca...

The Ryan Campground is but one of many beautiful campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park. It is located just south of the Hidden Valley use area. There are 31 sites as well as a horse camp. This campground does not have water, but does have pit toilets.For weekend trips into Joshua Tree, it is o...