Joshua Tree Visitor Center

"Just 45 minutes from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is at its most majestic at night, when the sky glitters with stars and all you can hear are the yelps of resident hyenas (weirdly romantic). At almost 800,000 acres, the stunning terrain should be experienced by everyone at least once. This geologically unique intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts was granted national park status in 1994 and is home to all manner of intricate ecosystems. You can get a feel for Joshua Tree by driving through but we recommend booking a spot at one of nine designated camping grounds. There are also a ton of hiking trails, bird-watching expeditions, rock-climbing oops, and historic tours on offer."