2 Days In Joshua Tree National Park (Itinerary)

Think Joshua Tree is just a desert full of spiky trees? This surreal California national park is packed with giant rock formations, star-filled skies, and easy hikes that lead to arches, hidden valleys, and historic ruins. You’ll climb boulders, explore cactus gardens at golden hour, and watch the sun dip behind sweeping desert views. This 2-day itinerary hits all the must-see spots without rushing, making it perfect for a weekend trip with just the right mix of adventure and downtime.

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PRO TIPS

Planning your trip to Joshua Tree National Park? Save with the Annual National Parks Pass. We visited 4+ parks for only $80 last year, saving $53! Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:

📸 Best Tours In Joshua Tree National Park:

Private-24 Hour Adventure (camp under a dome!)
6-Hour Rock Climbing Trip (personalized climbing experience)
Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour (away from the crowds)
Stargazing and UFO Tour
Desert Nature Walk + Soundbath & Meditation in a Boulder Cave

😴 Best Hotels Near Joshua Tree National Park:

Cozy Fresh Desert Hideaway (💲) (5 mins to Joshua Tree)
Sacred Sands (💲💲) (unique architecture)
The Bungalows by Homestead Modern (💲💲💲) (free bikes to use)

🚘 Best Car Rental: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)

Table Of Contents

Jumbo Rocks Campground

Start your trip surrounded by some of the park’s most iconic boulders. Even if you’re not camping here, it’s a fun area to walk around, climb, and explore. For a great photo spot, head to campsite #18 to check out Penguin Rock next to a striking juniper tree. The size and shapes of the rocks make this a perfect intro to Joshua Tree’s unique landscape.

Skull Rock & Elephant Rock

A captivating image of Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park, a unique rock formation shaped like a human skull. Visiting Skull Rock is one of the interesting things to do in California in October for those exploring the park’s natural wonders. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Just a short drive away, pull over at Skull Rock, one of the park’s most recognizable formations. Erosion has created deep cavities in the granite that look like eye sockets, giving the rock its name. Walk around the area to the right and you’ll spot Elephant Rock, a nearby boulder shaped like an elephant.

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Split Rock & Picnic Area

For a quieter spot, head to Split Rock. You can drive directly to the picnic area or take the 1.9-mile loop trail for a closer look at the rock with a dramatic crack down the middle. The spot also has great views and fewer crowds.

Arch Rock & Heart Rock

Next, make your way to Arch Rock, one of Joshua Tree’s most photographed spots. The 1.2-mile loop trail winds through sandy paths and rock piles, ending at the natural arch. Climb up for the classic photo standing under it, then hike a little farther to spot Heart Rock hidden among the boulders.

Mojave Desert Viewpoint

After exploring the formations, stop at Mojave Desert Viewpoint. It’s a quick pull-off, but the wide open desert views really show how vast this park is.

Cholla Cactus Garden at Sunset

A field of cholla cacti illuminated by soft sunlight, set against a backdrop of desert mountains and a clear sky. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

As the sun starts to set, drive out to the Cholla Cactus Garden. This short 0.2-mile loop takes you through a dense patch of teddy bear cholla. The spines are sharp, so stay on the path, but the golden-hour light makes them glow in a way that’s hard to describe. It’s one of the most magical sunset spots in the park.

Stargazing in the Park

A small white observatory building with a bright starry sky in the background, perfect for stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Once the sun is down, Joshua Tree turns into one of the best places in California for stargazing. With almost no light pollution, the night sky comes alive. Look up to see countless stars, planets, and, on clear nights, the Milky Way stretching overhead. But it can be quite a drive into the park so you can stop at the Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center near the Twentynine Palms entrance. It comes right before the entrance.

Wall Street Mill Trail

The next morning, head out for a bit of history. Wall Street Mill is a flat 2.4-mile out-and-back trail that leads to an old gold mill from the 1930s. Along the way, you’ll pass rusted cars, mining tools, and sandy paths surrounded by Joshua trees.

Barker Dam Trail

Next, make your way to Barker Dam, another short loop that blends history and scenery. This 1.1-mile trail leads to a small dam that once stored water for cattle. Keep an eye out for desert wildlife like bighorn sheep, and check the rocks toward the end for Native American petroglyphs.

Hidden Valley Trail

A dramatic view of a massive rock formation with parked cars and Joshua trees in the foreground, highlighting the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

This one-mile loop brings you into a rock-enclosed valley once believed to be used by cattle rustlers. It’s one of the park’s best hikes for seeing a variety of desert plants, Joshua trees, and rock formations. It’s also a great spot to watch climbers scale the surrounding walls.

Cap Rock

Stop by Cap Rock for a quick walk and another strange rock formation. A flat slab sits perched on top of a large boulder, creating a cool photo opportunity. Music fans often stop here to pay tribute to Gram Parsons, whose ashes were scattered nearby in the 1970s.

Keys View at Sunset

A panoramic view of Coachella Valley and surrounding mountain ranges, taken from Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park under a bright blue sky. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

End your trip at Keys View one of the best overlooks in the park. From here, you’ll see the Coachella Valley spread out below, with views of the Salton Sea to one side and distant mountains on the other. On a clear day, you can even spot Mexico far off on the horizon.