Joshua Tree National Park
National park · Riverside County ·
Otherworldly desert park with rock formations & Joshua trees
Otherworldly desert park with rock formations & Joshua trees
"Long a bohemian desert escape for Californians, this park shines in mildly cool, sunny winter months. Saddle up equestrian-style or embark on a scenic drive through an arid expanse of enormous boulders and spiky yucca trees, hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain for panoramic views, and peruse the Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise." - Emily Pennington
"Straddling the Colorado and Mojave deserts, this boulder- and bush-dotted landscape becomes a serene winter escape from Los Angeles (130 miles) and Las Vegas (230 miles). Winter is a mecca for rock climbers who take advantage of cool granite for bouldering; plan ahead for first-come, first-served campsites, and if you stay the night, you’ll be rewarded with some of the West Coast’s best stargazing." - Sarah L. Stewart Sarah L. Stewart Sarah L. Stewart is a Florida-based freelance magazine writer and editor specializing in travel, recreation, science, and health topics. Her work appears in Travel + Leisure, Outside, Backpacker, The Huffington Post, and other national publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Near Palm Springs, this protected desert expanse named for its twisted-limbed Joshua trees is best in spring or fall, when pleasant weather and wildflowers pair with stellar night skies. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres across the Mojave and Colorado deserts, it offers Joshua tree forests, massive rock formations, a cholla cactus garden, and wildlife like bighorn sheep and tortoises, plus ranger programs, hiking, and designated stargazing areas (Ryan Mountain, Hidden Valley, Quail Springs, and Cap Rock) in an International Dark Sky Park with a good chance to glimpse the Milky Way. Planning is essential: there are no gas stations inside the park, pets must be leashed and aren’t allowed on trails, and a leave-no-trace mindset matters—pack out trash, don’t remove rocks, and never disturb wildlife. Check the park website for trail closures, and pack layers for temperature swings and windy Santa Ana days." - 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
"A certified Dark Sky Place reachable by about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, offering dramatic desert landscapes and exceptional night skies away from city light pollution." - Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Skye Sherman is a travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Highlighted for its desert wildlife examples — specifically tortoises and bighorn sheep — emphasizing the presence of desert-adapted species." - 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
