Joshua Tree National Park - ALL of the BEST Things to do, See and Experience

On this Solo trip to Joshua Tree National Park I am taking you to see the best things to do, see and explore from great hikes like the Hall of Horrors to sunset spots, stargazing places and the perfect places to rock climb or see some of the history from early homesteaders at Keys Ranch. If you've never experienced Joshua Tree this guide has lots of tips, hikes and places to make your trip amazing.
Do you have a favorite desert destination, I should include in a future episode?
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#joshuatree #nationalparks

[@AliceFordAdventures]

What's your favorite desert destination?

[@ff-us6vy]

Anywhere in southern Utah, especially Capitol Reef and Canyonlands Needles section.

[@normanq1206]

Just came back from a trip to Death Valley over the holiday weekend. It's my favorite so far. Another great video.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

@@normanq1206 awesome

[@2manysigns]

Any safe one with good water ; )

[@buschm1]

@@AliceFordAdventures Alice so I know this is random lol buttt I love the flannel your wearing at 2:10 and was wondering if u could tell me what brand it is or where u can get it. I love the pattern

[@theparkjunkie]

Great tour! That’s a fun desert land for sure. 😃 J-Tree rocks are just spectac… super grippy, an endless playground!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you it’s certainly a neat place

[@michakawala6757]

How is this possible that you look so good even after night in a tent? Must be healthy life + tons of positive energy you give 🙂

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Prescription to a eternal youth

[@gdavew63]

Wow! Great video Alice. You’re brave going through the Hall of Horrors. I’d get stuck in there…

[@AliceFordAdventures]

it was such a tight squeeze certainly couldn't have done it with my pack

[@db.mc2]

Thank you Alice 🙂 hope you're doing well my friend 🙏stay safe and take care 👋

[@danthomas3604]

Very nicely throughout video

[@brianjohnston6132]

There's a spot near Colla Cactus Garden called the transition zone (actually a line) where you can stand with one foot in the Mojave Desert and one foot in the Colorado Desert.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Ohh very cool

[@TheGuitarsadist]

Thank you Alice for highlighting one of my favorite places. Be safe and keep the videos coming.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much for watching

[@bostonphotographer20]

Just caught this episode. Been to Joshua Tree several times and you did a great job capturing its beauty.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks so much

[@ksrengaram]

Awesome, Keep Hiking 🥾

[@MajorAddiction]

Thanks for sharing Ms Alice. Very informative

[@daveblosser4658]

Hi Alice. I actually grew up in San Diego. When I was in the 7th grade, my parents decided to move back to Boulder, CO, where I finished up my Schooling including the University of Colorado. When I was a youngster in San Diego, I had a Pet Horned Toad. My mom said I had to keep him the Garage. I remember going to the San Diego Zoo and Knotts Berry Farm. Joshua Tree 🌳 looks like a great place to visit. Dave ( the one who drove up the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP 6 Times)

[@phillipseaton7163]

Hey Alice great video enjoyed it a lot take care till next time

[@masonboerger7935]

This was an amazing video, so in depth, helpful, and insightful! Thank you!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Mason

[@angelalee3681]

This is great! I hope to visit here in a few weeks from Australia

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Amazing have a great time

[@2ndexodusmove]

Great presentation. Thank you for taking time on this adventure. I'll be there next week.....

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Have a great visit and bring your sunscreen it’s already in the 80s during the day

[@hectorherrera5984]

Awesome video Alice thanks for Making it and thanks for your advice on what we need to bring into that National park...

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Of course Hector thanks for watching

[@hectorherrera5984]

@Alice Ford Thank you Alice I love your Passion for traveling it Inspires me

[@heyimjoew]

Will be there in about a month thanks for all of the info this was helpful for planning!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

You’re so welcome

[@interstateruler]

The desert is pretty. I have not seen Joshua Trees in a long time, but I think they look cool. Be cool to a National Park again. Where I'm at, we have the Badlands and the Black Hills

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I need to visit the Badlands

[@interstateruler]

@@AliceFordAdventures Maybe on the next trip you can. It's pretty and even the Black Hills

[@campingalan]

Hello from Ouray, CO Alice!! I look forward to this one! Joshua Tree is my favorite national park!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Excellent I hope you’ve got tons of snow

[@campingalan]

@Alice Ford hi there!! Yes...the area is at about 130% of snow pack, year to date. So it has been a good year for it. The real test will be how it does in March, our snowiest month. Hopefully, the pace continues so that it can help Lake Powell, at least a few inches.

[@campingalan]

Hello again, Alice! I had flown my boss to L.A. this last week; heading back to Colorado today. During those times, I usually stay out in Palm Springs; which I did this time too. So, I go to Joshua Tree N.P. on just about every visit. I was out there yesterday doing the Hall of Horrors ( side note...it was quite the feat to allow my middle linebacker frame to get compressed to get through there); unfortunately, it cracked the protective cover over my camera lens on my cell phone that was on my hip :-( So, I need to stop at the Verizon store this afternoon to get that fixed. As mentioned previously, Joshua Tree is my favorite park. I can't quite put a finger on it as there are certainly more majestic parks out there. It is probably the grand vistas, awesome rock formations, the crowds are not overwhelming, and the awesome skies and night views. Safe travels!

[@awalktowardsglory]

Great video! Very informative. I never realized cattle ranches existed in the dessert. I’ve lived in Southern California most of my life and have never visited. I’ve added it to my bucket list. ✌🏽❤

[@AliceFordAdventures]

According to the park service in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Joshua tree had quite a bit more rainfall so ranchers were able to keep the water almost all year round in the watering holes

[@radisson8627]

Interesting area to explore. Great editing as always. The views are spectacular. I did Joshua Tree a few years ago while in nearby Palm Desert for a week vacation. That was in mid-December and the weather was in the low 70's, ideal condition for hiking. I remember the Skull Rock and the mining artifacts all around where prospectors used to live, it must have been a hell of a job just to get their gear up there. The campgrounds I drove through were very manicured. The night sky must have been clear of pollution, perfect setting to watch all sorts of moving lights. From my experiences up here in Canada, I can say that we are not alone 👽. Thanks for sharing Alice. (P.S.: Did you get a new hat?)

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Glad you’ve been able to see this area. The night sky here has a lot of plane traffic

[@marty17f]

It would have been so cool if you could have seen a space ship or maybe a spy ballon when you were out looking at the stairs.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Hahah yes that would have been something

[@Jetmab04]

All is beautiful Alice....I sometimes think, my personality would have matched the 18th century and the cowboys better than the 21st 💕💓💕....Thanks a lot for sharing 🤗

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Excellent video. Thanks. I have always wanted to thru hike the Joshua Tree National Park - "CA Riding and Hiking Trail" which runs from entrance of North East to North West of the park. Finishes near 29 Palms, I think. Approx. 55 KMS. 3 day easy hike. You need to cache water. There is an excellent podcast covering this trail - "Trails Worth Hiking".

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Stephanie I saw someone in the park doing this trail. Certainly a great time to do it before it gets too hot

[@awalktowardsglory]

Great info! Thanks for sharing.✌🏽❤🥾

[@elainavetrini712]

Is it hard to find parking at all the hiking spots? Any tips? Going to JT next weekend

[@AliceFordAdventures]

No not really it’s usually easy to find parking most of them have pretty big lots.

[@elainavetrini712]

@@AliceFordAdventures awesome! Thank you!!😊

[@michael-icon-mills]

Great video

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you

[@907-q7u]

Thank you for suffering through that lame permit process to bring us this awesome video. My favorite times to go to Joshua Tree are the day of a heavy torrential downpour when the clouds are black and heavy, or during the Perseids meteor shower... If you spend enough time out there, you start to see a lot of rocks that resemble sex organs, but now, I'll never be able to unsee the Dr. Seuss trees! Thanks a lot, Alice. 🤣

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Days of rain in the desert are something wonderful to experience too.

[@awalktowardsglory]

😂

[@rareroots]

The last Perseid meteor shower was on a Saturday traffic was gridlocked all the way through Highway 62 in Yucca Valley and they closed the park it was too crowded

[@JohnDoe-sp5np]

Like and comment to support the channel.

[@bobdog1953]

Hi Alice. I really enjoy your videos and presentations, especially of parks in Utah and California. I have been traveling to those a lot in the past few years since I retired. I am heading to Joshua Tree in three weeks and was going to hit trails you mentioned. What would be in your opinion a couple of trails that have the best concentration of joshua trees? They really are fascinating. Thanks.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

The best concentrations of Joshua Trees I noticed are on the drive from the eastern entrance in Joshua tree. Trails in that area- Quail springs, not the fork trail, Boy a scout Trail and just off the road near the Hidden Valley nature trail

[@bobdog1953]

Appreciate the response. I’ll check those out.

[@2011woodlands]

What kind of fruit trees did they grow ?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Pears and peaches there’s still two pear trees but they are almost dead

[@2011woodlands]

@@AliceFordAdventures i guess i could see almonds growing there, but not sure how much rain that area would get ?

[@safepetproducts]

Just curious when this was filmed? I was there about a month ago. Favorite desert destination is death valley.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Just about a week ago

[@safepetproducts]

@@AliceFordAdventures ah. Missed you by a few weeks.

[@awalktowardsglory]

Death Valley is another to add to my list. 👍🏽

[@davidreed5443]

I'm lichen all your jokes! I'm not joshin' ya!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Hahah yes!!!

[@dushan3170]

Do you see rattle snake 🐍 ?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

No but they are there.

[@troutjunkie7330]

As always, quality content, top notch editing and the best host.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much

[@raualmandera7642]

better to avoid 😢😮😢

[@JohnProthero]

My son and I visited the Cholla Garden for night sky viewing and it was fantastic!

[@rkdazet]

Thank you Alice for this excellent tour of some of the better hikes in JT Nat. Park! I've hiked all of these locations and more in the park. I have not been in those slot canyons in Hall of Horrors yet! I worried about you in there a lone, especially considering once you get into the hart of JT (past Hemingway and into Wonderland of Rocks) the cell reception is spotty at best. But I think I spotted you wearing a GPS device. I wouldn't go into those slots alone, mainly because of my age. Maybe I'll try it when I'm with friends or family. But Hall of Horrors is definitely a favorite, but to be avoided on weekends or holidays. Triumph arch is a must. Again because of age, I didn't scramble up the rocks on the backside to photograph the arch with the sky as a backdrop. Its very easy to miss it otherwise unless you know where to look for it, because it blends in with the rocks behind it and under it. It is located on the west side of the King Dome. Also the hike to the overlook behind the King Dome is highly recommend. Other hikes I personally can recommend, are the Ryan Ranch trail, and the Lost Horse Mine Trail. That one is about 2 miles up rugged terrain and best undertaken in the cooler months and also bring plenty of water. Besides the park being like on other planet, the human history is very colorful. You've mentioned some of it. The story of miner Johnny Lang comes to mind. His grave site can be found along the road to Keys view just before the turnoff to Long Horse MIne. Also notable is Cap Rock, where musician Gram Parsons body was burned by his manager in what is now the Cap Rock parking lot. See the film Grand Theft Parsons! Kudos for all the fine details you explained about many features, plants, and animals of the park. People who just drive through the park, stop at a few spot sfor a couple photos and then drive on are really missing out on the true beauty of this place. They really need to hike many of the these trails as you have done. And yes, even camp out and experience sunset and sunrise in the park. In one of my next visits I want to do some astro/milky way photography! Thanks again Alice! Looking forward to watching more of your videos! Great Basin Nat. Park in Nevada is a future destination I'm considering. Wondering if you have been there?

[@your-oli]

🥰 from Bangladesh 🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

I went to the park in January right after some serious rain...I wonder if there would have been more at that dam then? I was there right at the end of January but I didn't even know about that dam being there. I actually missed so many iconic spots and I will definitely be going back there.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Well a second visit is a must then. It’s hard to find all the best places on a first visit

[@capheind]

"It's not actually a tree." Laughs hysterically in horticulturalist.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

🤣🤣

[@rosedacosta4217]

Ty’s, I’m going to it for my field trip!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Awesome

[@tortoisewhisperer1580]

Been going to Joshua Tree each spring now for about the past 15 years. I come in from the I-10, usually camp down at Cottonwood, great campground and it was water and bathrooms. Only downside is that there is no shade, so you need to have your own shade shelter if you are tent camping. Alot has changed since I started coming to JT, at first you could just drive in to the campground, pick out a site and pay cash via an envelope. Now, you have to have a reservation ahead of time. Also there was something called 'backboard' camping where at some locations you could drive up, fillout a yellow card and backpack overnite anywhere as long as you were a mile from the road. Now, you have to go online to get a permit and tell them the dates when you plan to backpack overnite and what 'zone' you will be in. But if you are just out dayhiking you can still just park and hike with no permit required. Still it is a great place to hike and look for wildlife. I usually see desert tortoise, horned lizards, jackrabbits, coyotes, turkey vultures, roadrunners and various lizards including the desert iguana, zebra tailed lizard, Mohave fringe-toed lizard and chuckwalla. Chuckwallas can be seen in and around the hike to Mastadon peak which is near Cottonwood. On one of my first trips I nearly stepped on a sidewinder, so now I always wear snake gaiters whenever I hike in the park off of a main trail. The night sky at Cottonwood is not as good as it was 15 years ago I think due to a lot of light now from Indio/Palm Springs , but still not too bad. Spring is best time to go, late March maybe first week of April but usually by second week it starts getting pretty hot. I always hike with an umbrella which helps a bit.

[@kevinstrunk8788]

Alice - we are here now, enjoying Joshua Tree NP. Thank you for the tips. We enjoyed an evening watching the sun set and stargazing. Beyond awesome!!!

[@zachf6256]

Having never travelled to California, it amazes me how diverse it’s landscape is! This is definitely a must see for when the time comes! Happy Trails Alice!

[@itr0863]

Thank you so much for the video. I have a wedding in San Diego in April and Joshua tree is the closest national park that I can do for one day. Do you recommend going to the southern portion and head north or the opposite and go to the northern part and head south? Thank you so much.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Hi, I would recommend entering from the south side as it will be closer to San Diego and then heading to north then west through if just the park and then circling back around to head back to SD

[@itr0863]

@@AliceFordAdventures thank you so much for the help. I really appreciate it. Makes it so much easier to plan now that I have a route.

[@ervinslens]

This kind of adventures I really like. Your presentation is simply flawless my friend! 🔥

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much

[@kathrinivanovic8247]

Heading to Joshua Tree Nov 24 - Nov 26. Thanks for all the hiking tips!

[@jamesburke8807]

Really nicely presented Alice. You should be tv personality!😂

[@jaydenbaldwin3437]

I’m so excited to visit Joshua Tree. Love this video and your content is world class. 🎉❤

[@georgecrosscross8253]

Fantastic and captivating your tour, I need keep your steps thanks a ton!

[@2manysigns]

Good one !

[@georgecuster527]

Best video ever .

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks George