Joshua Tree National Park

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

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

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
Joshua Tree National Park

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

Indian Cove Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park. Credit: Alessandro Rossi

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

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

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!

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.
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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Bezzi's Pick
$399.95

NEMO 4-person Aurora Highrise Tent

This colorful tent can fit 4 to 6 people, and is easy to set up and pack out!

Bezzi's Pick
$249.95

NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair

Lean back, and we mean all the way back, in this luxurious camp chair. You'll never want to sit up.

Bezzi's Pick
$249.95

NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Mattress

These are the cushiest sleeping pads we've tried! They come in Extra Wide and Double (for extra cuddles).

Bezzi's Pick
$99.95

Big Mo Toddler Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag that's designed for toddlers from ages 18-36 months.

Bezzi's Pick
$139.95

Big Mo 20° Down Kids Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag designed for kiddos age 2-4 years old

Bezzi's Pick
$42

First Peak All-Season Sweatshirt

A cozy sweatshirt for ages 6 months to 4T designed for outdoor exploration.

Bezzi's Pick
$38

First Peak Flannel

A durable and soft flannel shirt that's kid-sized from 6 months to 4T

Bezzi's Pick
$59.95

NEMO Fillo Luxury Camping Pillow

Bring your own or splurge on this pillow that's designed for outdoor fun.

Bezzi's Pick
$100

GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station

Picnic tables don't always cut it for cooking outside. This one is easy to use and has plenty of counter space.

Bezzi's Pick
$89.99

Coleman Pack-Away Cot

Elevate your sleep system (literally) with this heavy-ish but easy to set up cot.

Bezzi's Pick
$69.95

Kelty Lowdown Chair

It's sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and a tad pricier than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.

Bezzi's Pick
$189.99

Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove

A popular and reliable dual-burner camp stove that stays hot in windy conditions.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Moroccan apple beef stew

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple sweet potato hash

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Chicken soba noodle salad

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple maple sausage sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Chicken pad thai

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Frittata

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Baked sweet potatoes and chili

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Huevos rancheros verdes

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dessert

Banana boats

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Scrambled eggs n' bacon

Gluten Free

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