A Visitor's Guide to Joshua Tree
How many times do you decide you want to go somewhere on vacation, but get totally paralyzed by the thought of having to research and plan every last detail!? It makes it much easier if you’re meeting going to visit someone and they know what’s up - or your good friend went there once and offered some suggestions… So I’m going to do just that - but I’m you oddball friend from high school that you haven’t talked to in forever but are still interested in what the heck I do…. So here it goes!!
Angee’s Visitor’s Guide to Joshua Tree
Part One: Tips & Tricks You Didn’t Know You Needed
1.Plan Your Trip Around the Moon
Before you write me off as some wierdo hipie-child, hear me out… Joshua Tree is in the desert, it’s a silver tier in the International Dark Sky Coalition, which means you can see an enormous amount of stars filling the sky while you’re out there. What prohibits your view of the stars? Clouds (not common in the desert), UFOs (maybe), and a BRIGHT ASS MOON! So, that being said - if you want to see a crazy amount of stars - try to plan your trip around a new moon; that’s when the sky is the darkest and you’ll see the most stars.
2. Go in October
If you’re a big art fan - this is when you should go. In the first three weeks of October, the Joshua Tree areas hosts a massive art crawl called the HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tour that spans the entire Yucca Valley. Hundreds of artists open their galleries and studios to the public, and there are public events almost every night! Plus, you’re out of summer and getting into fall weather, so the heat won’t be unbearable either. (Best times for weather are November - February).
3. Bring layers
So back to my previous point about clouds being uncommon in the desert… To get sciencey on y’all - clouds are what help regulate our temperature. They cap the warm air in to keep it moderately the same temperature from day to night. There aren’t clouds in the desert!! There’s no precipitation, so it’s super rare to get any cloud coverage, which means - hot as hell days, and cold as winter nights.
Most days for us were 85 degrees and bright sun - it’s easy to get sunburned and there isn’t much shade. You’ll want thin layers, tank tops, shorts, and a sun hat. At night, it would get down to 45-50 degrees. It was freezing - with my brother and I often sleeping in base layers, jeans, sweatshirts, puffer jackets, double wool socks, and a winter hat — all within our sleeping bags — and we’re form Wisconsin!! Pack accordingly.
4. Don’t Force It / Don’t Die
This is something that is well communicated from the park service. I talk about it a bit in my previous Joshua Tree Post, but feel the need to reiterate that the desert is hard-core. The sun out there is super harsh and you can get sunburn or sun poisoning very easily if you’re not careful.
Try hiking early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Make sure you bring a water jug into the park. There is no running water within park boundaries and you’ll need to drink a LOT of water!! Bring a jug along and fill up in town.
Wear sunscreen all the time, sunglasses, linen, and a hat.
If you’re feeling bleh because of the sun - chill out! Don’t force yourself to go hiking if your body isn’t up to it!
Check out the Joshua Tree Safety Guide from the National Park Service.
5. Bring a Headlamp
Trust me, shit gets dark.
6. Climbers!: Stay in Hidden Valley
If you’re a climbing geek or are going to Joshua Tree for its copious amounts of rock problems - I’d suggest staying in the Hidden Valley campground. It’s a semi-well-known thing in the climbers community that the climbers hang out here - there are tons of projects in the area and it’s a great way to meet people and share beta. PLUS, at 8am every Saturday and Sunday from October through April, they have Climber Coffee - an opportunity for climbers to get together and chat, people to find partners, and get a fresh start on the day. Just bring your own mug!
7. Try to Stay in the Park for Sunset
Again, trust me - you won’t want to miss it! Pictures for proof…
8. But Don’t be Afraid to Venture outside the park
Joshua Tree has a lot of stuff to offer - local shops, really cool art, and yummy food! Check the bottom of this post for some specifics :)
9. Say Hi to Your Neighbors
You’ll probably meet some pretty cool people, and have someone to eat dinner with.
10. do not climb on the fucking Joshua Trees!!!
This is an endangered species people!!! And even if they weren’t. haven’t you heard of Leave No Trace!?
PART Two: Things to Do in & Around Joshua Tree
1.Hike
There aren’t many super strenuous hikes in Joshua Tree because the terrain isn’t all that steep, but Matt and I did a bunch of hikes while we were there, and here are some of our favorites.
2. Thrift
There are a bunch of thrift stores around Joshua Tree to take advantage of! There’s only one “real” vintage store, but the rest are proper thrifts.
Unity Home Thrift Store
Hi-Desert Medical Center Auxiliary Thrift Shop
3. Eat
One of the “rules” I follow when I’m vacationing is to not eat at chain restaurants… Support local businesses!
Joshua Tree Saloon - super fun; pool table, air-conditioning, bar food, beer, & live music on Thursdays!
4. Support Local Businesses & SHOP
TONS of really cute locally owned businesses on the main street of Joshua Tree - here are a couple:
The Station - gift shop in an old filling station
Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum - crazy cool salon/museum
The Mincing Mockingbird - gifts, art, journals, and more
Jen’s Pirate Booty - cool boho clothing
Grateful Desert Herb Shoppe & EcoMarket- apothecary
5. Check out ART
There might be more artists than stores in Joshua Tree - you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t check them out!
