Joshua Tree California: Outdoor Adventure Guide
Welcome to your Joshua Tree California Outdoor Adventure Guide! JT’s Outdoor Adventure options make the high desert a perfect basecamp for anyone who loves the “great outdoors!”
Welcome to Joshua Tree California.
In this Outdoor Adventure Guide we share our favorite hot spots to hidden gems from living in Joshua Tree California. All in hopes that you can have the outdoor adventure of a lifetime when you visit our favorite high desert town in California!
Joshua Tree California Need to Know’s:
Joshua Tree is a town located in the high desert in close proximity to Joshua Tree National Park. One is a town and one is a park. Both are amazing :)!
Summers are HOT, Winters are colder than one might imagine, and Spring/Autumn are perfect!
There is outstanding hiking, world class rock climbing, out of this world stargazing, and the area rests on a plethora of energy vortexes.
You have options of camping in the park, at the town campground (right next to a playground, ball diamond, and dog park!), or in wilderness areas located nearby. There are also lodging options of a motel, Inn, or vacation rentals.
The towns of Yucca Valley and 29 Palms are adjacent to JT on either side. If heading towards LA Morongo Valley, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Springs are less than an a one hour drive.
Dogs are allowed in the park but not welcome on any trails. For a list of dog friendly hikes in the Coachella Valley check out the article we wrote for Happy People Hike HERE!
Our Favorite Hikes in the National Park:
Our Favorite Nearby Hikes Outside of the National Park (Dog Friendly!):
The Pacific Crest Trail (Big Bear Highway 18 and Snow Creek Canyon are our favorite gaps!)
Thousand Palms Oasis (Not dog friendly.)
Our Favorite Rock Climbing Adventures:
Hire Climbing Life Guides and go with them!
Boulder in Indian Cove or Hidden Valley.
Stargazing Areas (other than where you stay!) Per the NPS Website:
There are four designated stargazing areas. They are the parking lots of Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain. Stay awake and within 20 feet (6 meters) of your vehicle, and enjoy the show.
We first visited this desert town in California in 2015 after the birth of our nephew. A good reason to head west for two amazing experiences. I fell in love. We lived here during the pandemic and then for much longer. The second time we were able to embed in the community more. We could do more than hiking and ordering takeout food. For us Joshua Tree California is home. In our hearts. It’s a special place and we feel different (in a good way) when we are here. We hope (and are willing to bet) that you will too!
Noah Purifoy’s Exhibits are a Must Visit!
Enjoy Joshua Tree California off the trails and the rocks below!
Sound Bath/Experience: The Integratron.
Yoga: Cedar and Sage Wellness Studio and the Joshua Tree Institute of Mental Physics (Retreat Center.)
Eat: Tiny Pony Tavern (Yucca Valley), Red Dog Saloon (Pioneertown), Algoberto’s Taco Shop (Yucca Valley), Sam’s Indian Food (JT), The Dez (JT), Sky High Pie (JT), Pie for the People (29 Palms Highway), and of course…the Joshua Tree Saloon and JT Coffee Company!
Farmers Markets.
Joshua Tree Downtown 8am Saturdays and 29 Palms Farmers Market at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center 9am Sundays. Save some of Aliki’s Kalamata Olives and Diana’s Sourdough for us!Volunteer/Donate:
The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT). I am on the plant restoration and nursery/gardening team.
Morongo Basin Humane Society. I am a dog walker there.
Joshua Tree National Park Association.
Mil-Tree. A great organization we got to know by going to the Joshua Tree Voice events!
There’s plenty more to see, do, and experience in Joshua Tree California.
But I hope this gives you a glimpse of both the outdoor adventures and everything beyond that to experience here.
I have made so many friends here and gotten involved in the community in a way that I never thought possible. What I truly love about this town is that the more vulnerable and authentic you are the more you are embraced.
It’s truly a different place and to me my favorite place in the United States. JT balances between hard working locals, LA weekenders, seasonal rock climbers, and long-term RV’ers and nomads. It’s not always perfect but no place is. However there’s no place I’d rather be than in the high desert town of JT California!
