Guide to Visiting Joshua Tree National Park

"At nearly 800,000 acres, this national park preserves contrasting landscapes and deep natural history: during the Pleistocene Epoch there were rivers and lakes and megafauna like Columbian mammoths, camels, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths, while today visitors find yucca forests, enormous rock formations, a cholla cactus garden, bighorn sheep, and tortoises. In 2023, over three million visitors came through, so stewardship is emphasized: “The desert is an incredible place, but it’s also fragile,” says Christina Sanchez, and she urges a leave-no-trace mindset, carrying plenty of water, telling someone your plans, and bringing emergency beacons when needed. Practical tips include: there are no gas stations inside the park so fill up before you go; check the park website for trail closures and alerts; pack layers and wind protection because Santa Ana winds can make conditions feel much colder or windier than expected; and be mindful of invasive seeds on shoes—“Humans unintentionally spread invasive species like Saharan mustard, cheatgrass, and red brome by carrying hitchhiker seeds on clothing or shoes,” Sanchez warns. Wildlife precautions are specific: avoid approaching or feeding bighorn sheep, and handling desert tortoises is illegal except to help one safely cross a road — if you must help, “use gloves or fabric, keep the animal close to the ground, and leave it somewhere shady,” Sanchez advises, and if it voids its bladder she recommends digging a shallow hole lined with a grocery bag or rocks, adding water to help rehydrate, and packing out the bag afterward. For stargazers, the area is an International Dark Sky Park with four designated stargazing areas (parking lots at Ryan Mountain, Hidden Valley, Quail Springs, and Cap Rock) and excellent Milky Way viewing; for climbers, the otherworldly rock formations support both traditional roped climbs and lower-angle scrambling. Ranger programs and guided tours are recommended to learn about flora and fauna, and the NPS app provides interactive trail maps." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines