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1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park

New York City, New...
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1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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Hi all- I am arriving into Palm Springs Sunday 1pm, plan to rent a car and drive straight to JTNP.

Probably get there by ~ 2.30pm

Have 1/2 a day Monday until noon to return to the park before heading out to Orange County.

Sunday- How do I manage my time and sights within the park through sunset?

I would like to do short trails and lots of photography

Do I enter from Joshua tree entrance?

Where maybe likely parking within the park?

Should I use the park shuttle or is it too late to do so at 3pm?

Should I drive through the park and return same way? Joshua tree entrance/ exit

What are good spots for sunset photography?

Spots for night sky viewing

Is it safe to drive around after sunset or later?

Monday- What is a good early morning itinerary through noon?

Good quick lunch stop w/ vegetarian options outside the park on the way back to OC

Thanks!

Joshua Tree...
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1. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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Enter and exit through Joshua Tree that will be fastest. By 2:30 - 3pm don't bother with the shuttle although you will probably have a wait to get in but it shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. Sounds like you are staying overnight in Palm Springs? Or are you staying in Joshua Tree? Makes much more sense to stay in Joshua Tree or adjacent Yucca Valley (many more hotels) than to drive back to Palm Springs.

Here a link to a map of Joshua Tree National Park so you can identify locations. There is one main road (Park Blvd) with a couple off shoots.

https://www.nps.gov/hfc/carto/PDF/JOTRmap1.pdf

You only have until noon on Monday? Not sure I'd call that a "half day" since sunset occurs about 7:15pm. The earlier you enter the park the less wait, the easier to park.

There are a lot of one day itineraries here on the forum that could help you.

But in an attempt to answer your questions of which there were many lol -

Yes it is safe to drive around the park at night, no problem.

Cap Rock has a short hike and plenty of parking with picnic tables if you are looking for a pleasant place for night sky viewing - although that can really be done almost anywhere. Cap rock at least has safe parking and picnic tables you could even lie down on.

Most of the hikes in Joshua Tree ARE short - just a mile, some 1.5 miles round trip. Cap Rock that I mentioned is short but not much to see except the giant cap rock that you can photograph from the parking lot.

Sunset at Jumbo Rocks is great. You park at the entrance to the Jumbo Rocks campground, not many parking spots there, if there are none then you can park along the street too or enter the campground where there are more parking spots throughout in various spots near restrooms, etc.. From the front/main small parking area, it's just a 5 minute walk where you can be surrounded by giant boulders and awesome rock formations - giant round boulders on top of giant flat boulders, etc..

If you like night photography you could consider this short evening trail. Bring a flashlight if there is not a full moon.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143037-i4367-k11376318-Full_moon_hike-Joshua_Tree_National_Park_California.html#90430599

Here's a post with my answer from someone who only had half a day for the park:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143037-i4367-k11254642-A_few_hours_in_JTNP_advice_please-Joshua_Tree_National_Park_California.html#89514004

Here's a post regarding someone who had one day - you could split this up:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143037-i4367-k11149063-One_day_trip_from_LA-Joshua_Tree_National_Park_California.html#88650322

More info - disregard the details about hiking guides as that doesn't apply to you but there are lots of thoughts about night photography and hikes that you could squeeze in if desired:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143037-i4367-k11035826-Looking_for_hiking_guide_and_photography_locations-Joshua_Tree_National_Park_California.html#87

As you exit the park to head to OC, the best vegan place right there in downtown Joshua Tree is the Natural Sisters Cafe

http://www.naturalsisterscafe.com/

Edited: 5 years ago
New York City, New...
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67 helpful votes
2. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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Thanks! much appreciated! Adventure begins tomorrow can’t wait

Got a hotel in town, willattempt an early start in the park perhaps reverse drive from the oasis side to JT our via the main rd park Blvd and then get lunch drive out.

Will check out the suggested links!

UK
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3. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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I would love to hear how you get on and to see your photos. We only have half a day (including an evening) and I am keen to photograph what I can including sunset and nighttime shots (children permitting!!) do would be glad to hear your feedback (my thread is one of the ones you were linked to in a previous response)

Warsaw, Poland
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4. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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We would like to visit JTNP on our way from LA to Nevada in July.

On the previous day we are going to leave LA in the afternoon and spend the night in the neighbourhood of the park. I do realize it will be very hot in July so I assume no hiking, just driving and short stay outside. Does anybody has similar experience?

I intended to drive to Las Vegas afterwards but it seams to be a good idea to wait for sunset in JTNP. Is driving to Las Vegas in the dark very challenging?

Encinitas...
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5. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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If you drive out in the afternoon from LA, you could go up the Palm Springs tram to the top of the mountain

and catch the sunset from up there and see the lights come on in the valley. Temps are nice and cool up there.

The drive east from LA in the afternoon can be upwards of a four hour drive if you don't time it right.

Or you could just drive closer to the park and stay in Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree or 29 Palms and see the sunset that night.

In the morning see the park and maybe get in a few short trails before it gets hot,

The drive to Vegas from 29 Palms takes about 3 hours if you go via Amboy, Route 66 and the Mojave Preserve over to I-15. Just fill up with gas in 29 Palms.You might want to do this drive in daylight as its pretty scenic once in the Mojave Preserve,

Edited: 5 years ago
Warsaw, Poland
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6. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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Thanks for the tram info, I had not heard about it before! It looks very interesting.

From Amboy do you suggest the road through Kelso and then Cima?

Encinitas...
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7. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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That is the way to go, Stop in at the train depot/park headquarters.

Off Cima Road is the largest Joshua Tree forest in the world,

San Jose, California
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8. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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We just visited Joshua Tree National Park over Christmas. So, if someone is looking for a day trip itinerary from Palm Springs, I wrote a post with a good selection of pictures on my personal blog https://storyateverycorner.com/joshua-tree-national-park-day-trip-from-palm-springs/

I hope you’ll find it helpful.

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9. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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Thank you for this! We're going to Joshua Tree over Christmas this month. Your blog post was very well written and informative, and your photos are wonderful!

San Jose, California
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10. Re: 1 day itinerary- Joshua Tree National Park
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Hi Britta, thank you so much 🙏. It means a lot.

Joshua Tree is one of our few national parks that’s not too cold and lots of fun in winter.

Have an amazing time!

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