With its impossibly balanced rock piles and the bizarre trees from which it gets its name, Joshua Tree National Park is a truly fantastical land. Thousands of visitors per year flock to it for the exceptional hiking, backpacking, and climbing, or to simply to take in its alien-like landscape. Here’s our complete guide to Joshua Tree National Park —from eating and sleeping to climbing, hiking, and rest day activities.

Notes/Warnings:

Cell service in the park is limited: come prepared to be off the grid.
No water in the park: Make sure to bring plenty of water with you (2-4 liters per person, per day, possibly more if you’re going to sweat a lot). You can fill up at Coyote Corner for free (located at the intersection of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard), or at the park entrance for a small fee. The only campground that has water is Black Rock Canyon Campground (in Yucca Valley, a few miles south of the park). A large water container like the GSI Outdoors Water Cube is very handy.

Best Overall Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree: The Complete Guide by James Kaiser is a great introduction to the history, hikes, and geology of Joshua Tree National Park. For those wanting more than just hiking descriptions, Kaiser’s best-selling guide offers insight into the park’s colorful history, best destinations, and hidden gems. More than any other book this will immerse you in the area and is the best guide to Joshua Tree National Park.

Check out our Destinations page for more on amazing places to visit like Yosemite Valley, Big Sur, CA, Lover’s Leap, or Pinnacles National Park.

Supplies

The Hub: The intersection of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree is the hub of all activity outside of the park. Near the West Entrance, this intersection has food, water, gas, supplies, showers, and alcohol. For grocery needs, Joshua Tree has multiple small markets and convenience stores. Nearby Yucca Valley has a Stater Brothers and a Vons.

Nomad Ventures is the go-to place for all of your climbing and camping gear needs. Despite its small size, the store is jam-packed with gear. If you forgot it or need a new one, they’re likely to have it. The staff is a helpful group of locals with a wealth of knowledge about camping, climbing, and the area in general and are a great supplement to this guide to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree Outfitters has a great selection of gear and camping equipment rentals, including climbing items like bouldering pads. They also offer repair services for nearly every piece of outdoor gear (and you should definitely repair your gear instead of buying new). As they say on their website, “If we can’t sell it, rent it, or fix it for you, you probably don’t need it.”

Eating

Country Kitchen is the go-to place for breakfast. Ideally located at the main hub, they open early and get busy quickly. While you wait, head on over to Joshua Tree Coffee Company for the best coffee ever.

Joshua Tree Coffee Company really does claim to have the best coffee ever—it’s stated in large font on the front page of their website. They back it up with over 600 5-star reviews on their site. And while there are complaints about the place (too small, poor customer service, limited food options), even those reviews readily admit how good the coffee is. For a truly special experience, try their famous nitro cold brew.

Pie for the People offers authentic New York style pizza. If you want to find other adventurers while in town, this is the place to go— but be prepared for long lines on weekends. For a truly unique pizza, try the David Bowie (white sauce, mozzarella, bacon, roasted pineapple, jalapenos, Guinness caramelized onions, topped with plum sauce when cut). Go Westo Ma Pesto is a delicious vegetarian option while the Dean Martin provides a more classic take on pizza toppings. They also have gluten free and diary free options. Note: Unlike in the past, Pie for the People no longer allows people to bring alcoholic beverages onto the premises.

Crossroads Cafe and Tavern captures the Western roots and eccentricity of Joshua Tree. Don’t be scared off by the rusty exterior—inside is great food and cold drinks in a quirky, unassuming eatery. If you’re looking for a place to grab a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine, Crossroads is the best in town.The tongue-in-cheek menu includes vegan and vegetarian options. Favorites are the fish tacos, corned beef hash, and soy-rizo hash.

Casteñeda’s Mexican Food is not life changing, but totally solid. It’s less expensive than most of the other options and usually less busy, so for a quick and cheap meal, Casteñeda’s is the place. Our favorite is the California Breakfast Burrito.

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Where to stay

guide to joshua tree national park — Photo Credit: Ryan Tuttle Photography

Camping

Note: The main campgrounds inside the park do not accept reservations—they’re first come, first served.

Camping in the park: There are five main campgrounds inside Joshua Tree National Park (Hidden Valley, Ryan Campground, Jumbo Rock, Belle Campground, and White Tank) and all are walk-in. Walk-in campgrounds fill up very quickly on weekends and rangers will ticket you for parking and camping in non-designated campsites. The key to getting a site on weekends is showing up early, asking people if they’re leaving, or finding someone who will let you to share their site. All sites have a six person/two car maximum. Hidden Valley Campground is the climbing hub of the park. It’s also the site of Climbers and Coffee, a weekend morning get together offering free coffee and a great place to get beta, find a climbing partner, or look at a climbing guide to Joshua Tree National Park. Hidden Valley is also home to the “space station” on Chimney Rock, a cool cave that overlooks the campground.

Indian Cove and Black Rock Canyon campgrounds do accept reservations—but keep in mind that neither are in the main part of the park. Black Rock Canyon is a few miles south, while Indian Cove is not connected to the main areas by road. If you’re at Joshua Tree to climb, Indian Cove is considered a climbing destination in itself. Check out the National park website here for a complete guide to Joshua Tree National Park camping.

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Hotels

There are multiple hotels in the town of Joshua Tree, some offering discounted rates for climbers. Try the High Desert Motel, Joshua Tree Inn, or the Safari Motor Inn.

Hikes and Destinations

Joshua Tree boasts many amazing hiking trails, cultural sites, and caving adventures. Below are some of the most popular hikes and sites. Check out the national parks service website for a complete guide to Joshua Tree National Park hikes.

Many of the cultural sites and caves can’t be found on any official maps or guidebooks—they’re often local secrets passed on only through word of mouth. Many of the most secret ones we don’t list here—seeking them out through local research and exploring is a rite of passage, and spending a day on this kind of quest is rewarding and fun!

Samuelson Rocks

These rocks have eccentric writings etched into them, supposedly by early 1900’s Swedish immigrants. Like many sights in Joshua Tree, their exact location is rarely specified and something of a local secret. Head towards Quail Springs from the Trashcan Parking Lot following the old dirt road west approximately 3.5 miles. You’ll find the spring on the right before you get to a large pass that drops into the adjacent valley. The rocks are in the vicinity of the spring itself.

Lost Horse Mine

An incredible sight and worth the trek. To get there, take Key View Road 2.5 miles south to a junction on the left. Follow that road to a parking lot. You can do the moderate 4-mile out and back to the mine, or the slightly more strenuous 6.5 mile loop. Either way, take the chance to hike a little bit past the mine and head up to the obvious summit. Panoramic views of Coachella Valley, Mount San Jacinto, and the Santa Rosa mountain range are worth the steep uphill battle.

Cyclops Rock

A popular spot to view the sunset, since it’s an easy walk from either Hidden Valley campground or Intersection parking lot. A moderate scramble up the backside (eastside) of the rock gives you incredible views in all directions. Or climb any of the many climbing routes to get to the top. For a prime spot, get there early and don’t forget a headlamp for the hike back down!

Ryan Mountain

Ryan Mountain lies over 5400’ above sea level and is one of the most popular hikes in the park. Although short in mileage (3 miles) it ascends 1,000’ and is very exposed, making it more strenuous than people might think. We don’t recommended you attempt it on hot summer days, but if you do, make sure to bring plenty of water. Parking is obvious and the well-marked trail is between Sheep’s Pass and Ryan Campground.

The Great Chasm

Just a short scramble takes you through a deep chasm splitting Gateway Rock. As you hike into Real Hidden Valley, Gateway Rock is on your left (to the southwest). Moderate scrambling and chimney skills are required, plus a stomach for tight quarters. Head towards the left it of Gateway Rocks where it is closest to the sidewalk and head under a large roof formed by a huge boulder. This is the beginning of the Chasm. Search your way upwards and then down into the main part of the Chasm. Good luck!

Climbing Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

There’s no limit to the fantastic climbing in Joshua Tree—a lifetime spent here will continually yield new challenges. It is a world-renowned climbing area, and for good reason. It has more than 8,000 routes including bouldering, trad, sport, and top-rope. For those headed to JTree to climb for the first time, we recommend staying in Hidden Valley Campground and exploring the climbing around that area.

Best Climbing Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree Rock Climbs by Robert Miramontes is the modern, definitive guidebook for Joshua Tree. There are many currently available for Joshua Tree, but it outshines the competition. Detailed beta and topos are given for over 3,000 routes. Great “best of” lists like “12 Terrific Trad Moderates” or “15 Bad to the Bone Boulder Problems” appear throughout. The color photographs are inspiring. Miramontes even includes small bits of interesting climbing history. Possibly the best feature? Details about when you can find sun and shade on every single wall.

Best Climbs: Joshua Tree National Park by Bob Gaines is a fantastic options for those who will only be in Joshua Tree for a short time. Bob Gaines has been climbing and guiding in Joshua Tree for almost fifty years. His extensive knowledge of the park guarantees these climbs are the absolute classics. This guidebook gives clear directions to each crag with extensive beta on each climb. With around 250 climbs included in the book, it should keep most people busy for a while and is a fantastic guide to Joshua Tree National Park climbing.

A climber on Headstone Rock in Joshua Tree National Park — @grantnsmith heading up the SW Corner of Headstone Rock. Photo Credit: Ryan Tuttle Photography

Hidden Valley Campground, Intersection Rock, and the Real Hidden Valley are the heart of Joshua Tree climbing and are all within walking distance of each other. With many routes put up as early as the 1940s, this area is always filled with the clanking of trad gear. Whether you’re camping at Hidden Valley or park at Intersection Rock, there are hundreds of classic climbs for boulderers, trad climbers, and sport climbers. Here’s a list of the most classic climbs, sorted by category, from easiest to hardest:

Best Trad Routes

Upper Right Ski Track (5.3), Intersection Rock North Face

The Eye (5.3), Cyclops Rock Northwest Side

The Bong (5.5), The Blob West Side

Mike’s Book (5.6), Intersection Rock East Side

Overhang Bypass (5.7), Intersection Rock West Side, 2 pitches

Toe Jam (5.7), Old Woman East Face

Double Cross (5.7+), The Old Woman West Face

Sail Away (5.8), Hidden Tower

Sphincter Quits (5.9), Sports Challenge Rock West Face

North Overhang (5.9), Intersection Rock West Side, 2 pitches

Illusion Dweller (5.10b), The Sentinel West Face

Clean and Jerk (5.10c), Sports Challenge Rock East Face

Left Ski Track (5.11a), Intersection Rock North Face

Spider Line (5.11d), The Old Woman East Face

Leave it to Beaver (5.12a), Sports Challenge Rock East Face

A climber in Joshua Tree National Park — @brent.m.smith leading up Double Dog Leg

Best Sport Climbs

Sexy Grandma (5.9-), The Old Woman West Face

Loose Lady (5.10a), Houser Buttress

Run For Your Life (5.10b), Tumbling Rainbow Formation

Papa Woosley (5.10b), The Blob East Block

Udder Chaos (5.10c), Upper Cow Formation

Hollywood and Bovine (5.10d), Upper Cow Formation

California Girls (aka Muffin Top) (5.11b), Houser Buttress

Puss n’ Boots (5.11c), Houser Buttress

Rap Bolters Are Weak (5.12a), Sports Challenge Rock West Face

Satanic Mechanic (5.12b), Turtle Rock Corridor Right Side

Some Like it Hot (5.12c), The Sentinel West Face, 2 pitches

Prime Real Estate (5.12d), Lower Cow Formation

Desert Shield (5.13a), Turtle Rock Corridor Left Side

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Best Bouldering Areas

Intersection Boulder (~10 problems, V0-10), Obvious boulder left of Intersection Rock

Hit and Miss Boulder or Caveman Boulder (8 climbs, V0-10), Near the backside of Campsite 31

Turtle Rock Area (40+ climbs, V0-11 ), Southeast corner of Real Hidden Valley

Cyclops Rock Area (30+ climbs, V0-11), Located behind (east) of Cyclops Rock

Rest Day

Any of the previously mentioned establishments are fantastic for a rest day, but here are a few more options to get you rested and re-energized.

Coyote Corner is an eclectic mix of souvenirs, locally made crafts and jewelry, camping supplies, and sweet treats. A great place to fill up water jugs for free (donations accepted) and more importantly, get a shower. For $4 you get a 7.5 minute shower in a clean bathroom (definitely big enough for two…or more if you take quick showers). But they only have two showers, so prepare to wait on busy weekends. Open 9am-6pm every day.

Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel is the ultimate relaxation for those willing to drive 40 minutes from Joshua Tree. The hotel offers both hot and cold natural mineral water pools, a dry sauna, and showers. Admission is $4-$9 (depending on the day), and they offer a wide selection of massages and spa treatments.

Instant Karma Yoga is in the same building as Pie for the People and Joshua Tree Coffee Company. Start your rest day with some yoga, then chase with nitro cold brew and a slice of pizza. Instant Karma offers a range of yoga practices including power vinyasa, hatha flow, barre sculpt yoga, hot yoga, sound bath meditation, and more. Classes are offered every single day of the week and are only $12. No reservation necessary.

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Guide to Joshua Tree National Park: Conclusion

Newcomers and locals alike can’t help but stand in awe of the magic of the bizarre and beautiful landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. It’s a paradise for those seeking solitude, exploration, or challenge.

Guide to Joshua Tree National Park: Sunset atop Cyclops Rock — The author enjoying the sunset atop Cyclops Rock. Photo Credit: Ryan Tuttle Photography

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