Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

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Last updated

July 31, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · New campers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Reservations · Buy a $30 vehicle pass and reserve a site at Black Rock Campground

Drive · 3 hours from LA

Ideal dates · February - April (for wildflowers!)

Pets · Welcome at campgrounds, but not on hiking trails

Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) is the second largest national park in California (the first is Death Valley National Park); it features more than 795,000 acres, which makes it slightly larger than Rhode Island. Inside you'll find native Yucca brevifolias, aka Joshua Trees, desert tortoises, and one of the darkest skies in Southern California. The options for exploring are endless, with easy hikes for kids, rocks to scramble on, and animals to see. Outside of the park, you’ll find fun and kid-friendly designations, like western-themed saloons and the park’s museum. Get a taste of desert cool at JTNP.

Official National Park Website

Directions to Campground

Main image credit: Alex Kramarevsky

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

Pack layers! The weather can shift from hot during the day to cold at night
Cell phone coverage is spotty throughout the park
Keep an eye on kiddos, particularly around cacti and climbable rocks
Make sure you have plenty of water and sun protection when you’re out exploring. This will keep your kids (and yourself) happy and healthy.
Keep in mind that hammocks and other items can’t be tied around trees in the park to help protect wildlife.
Buy local firewood instead of gathering living or dead vegetation to feed your campfire

Resources

Check the weather

Where to camp

Black Rock Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
Fire pit
Space for up to 6 people
Two parking spots
Vault toilets & flushing toilets (on site)
Drinking water

Black Rock Campground lies among one of the thickest Joshua tree forests in Joshua Tree National Park. Campers staying at Black Rock may have the chance to view the elusive desert tortoise, found only in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Campers may also want to keep their eyes out for cool desert features like lizards and kid-friendly rock boulders that can be explored. This campground is known for being more family-friendly, as it has running water and a nature center that can be explored. The campground has running water, meaning that there are flushing toilets and drinking water available.

Check-in: Noon · Check-out: Noon

Nightly Rate: $25

Image credit: Michael Mayernick

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Leave LA by 8 AM and grab lunch at Joshua Tree Saloon

While known for its Wild West theme, this restaurant has a dedicated kid’s menu that is sure to please the pickiest of eaters
Located at 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway in Joshua Tree, CA
Open everyday | 10 AM to 11 PM Sunday - Thursday, 10 AM - Midnight Friday & Saturday
Last pit stop · 76 - 61920 Twentynine Palms Highway in Joshua Tree
Nearest grocery store · Vons - 57590 Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley

Check-in and settle in at Black Rock Campground

Set up camp, wander around the campground, and relax

Explore nature on the Barker Dam Trail

This easy 1.3-mile loop hike takes you near boulders and local fauna and flora to a dam
Explore kid-friendly boulders and climbs along the way and scramble up rocks.
Catch a view of Mt. San Jacinto at the scenic lookout. This mountain is about 20 million years old and is also known as "I a kitch", which means "smooth cliffs" in the Cahuilla language.
Keep an eye out for Big Horn Sheep who have been known to frequent the dam.

Cook up dinner and s'mores

Prep dinner, s'mores, and enjoy an evening of stargazing around the campfire
If you’re looking for a change from traditional s’mores, try banana boats! This delicious recipe loads up a banana with marshmallows and chocolate chips and might even trick your kids into eating some fruit.
For stargazing and sitting around the fire, we recommend these camp chairs and camp blankets to keep you cozy. It can get cold in the desert at night, so make sure you’re prepared.

JTNP is home to 57 mammal species! If that’s not impressive enough, the part also has 46 reptile species, 250 bird species, and 75 types of butterflies. Learn more about the animals you can find in the part here.

Day Two

Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park — Ryan Mountain. Credit: The Last Adventurer

Catch the sunrise and enjoy breakfast at camp

Think about a breakfast that you enjoyed as a kid and give it a try. Banana pancakes or campfire cinnamon rollups are great to do with a pan or a stick on a camp stove!

Day hike at Hidden Valley Trail

This 1-mile loop has 118 feet of elevation gain
Remember that it can get hot and sunny in the desert. You’ll want to make sure you have sun protection and plenty of hydration to keep everyone happy. Bring at least 1L of water per person, a sunhat, sunscreen, and snacks for everyone!
The trail takes your family through boulders and allows everyone to see the famous Joshua trees and other plants, like the yucca cactus.

Return to camp for lunch

Do some final exploring, and see some cool rocks

Joshua Tree National Park is home to some neat rock formations, each of which are a short hike to the formation. Once there, kids can explore the various rock formations.
Some recommended stops include Cholla Cactus Garden, Arch Rock, Heart Rock, Skull Rock, and Elephant Rock
If you want to get out and do more hiking, the 0.5-loop hike at the Oasis of Mara is great for seeing the unique fauna of this unique biological preserve, like fan palms, honey mesquite, desert saltvine, and starbushes.

Cook up dinner and s'mores

Stargaze and enjoy your last night at Joshua Tree National Park

For thousands of years, the Chemehuevi, Serrano, and Cahuilla tribes regularly lived in the high desert, canyons, and caves. These were some of the first humans that lived in the park, over four to eight thousand years ago!

Day Three

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Joshua Tree National Park. Credit: Chris Ried

Check out the Black Rock Nature Center

Located right in the campground, give the nature center a look before you head out
The nature center has fun facts and information about the flora and fauna you’ve just seen and gives the kids a chance to meet the park rangers

Make breakfast, pack up, and head out before noon

Cook up some breakfast, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter
For a quick breakfast, try tin-can egg sandwiches!
Make your camp clean-up a bit easier with these gear recommendations

Explore Joshua Tree, CA before heading out!

Visit Joshua Tree National Park Visitor’s Center for a museum stop & souvenir shopping.
Swing by Friendly Hills Park for a nearby playground and a quick hike. This will help get some energy out before the long drive home!

‍Grab lunch at Pie for the People for a quick pizza pitstop

Head home!

Joshua trees are technically stemless succulents, not trees! The tallest Joshua Tree in the park is about 43 feet high in Queen Valley forest and is estimated to be around 960 years old.