Things to Know If Visiting Joshua Tree National Park, From Local

Although there are three entrances to Joshua Tree National Park, the west one is typically the most popular.

However, traffic here can back up for miles on a busy weekend or during a special event like a meteor shower. Even worse, there’s only one road from this entrance to the main attractions like Keys View and Skull Rock.

Instead, I like to enter the park through the south entrance by Cottonwood Spring and make my way through the park.

People are often surprised when they find out the park has little to no cellphone service. Although I believe this offers visitors a great chance to disconnect, I understand why some may be concerned after learning this information.

Before taking a trip to the park, I recommend saving your maps and routes ahead of time, downloading music and audiobooks for the drive, and switching your phone to airplane mode to avoid draining the battery.

Joshua Tree National Park is a desert, which means the heat is dry. During the summer months, the daytime temperatures can often reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be brutal for visitors from more mild or humid climates.

It’s important to stay hydrated when visiting the park, especially if you plan on hiking. Pack more water than you think you’ll need — and throw an emergency gallon in the car for good measure.

There isn’t much shade in the park to protect you from the desert sun, either, so I recommend avoiding hikes on hot days. Additionally, don’t venture off trails or into the backcountry areas if you aren’t an experienced desert hiker.

It may seem surprising to some, but Joshua Tree can get cold, especially at night.

Nighttime temperatures can dip below freezing during the winter months. Although snow is a rarity, it can happen at higher elevations.

This is important to keep in mind if you’re staying after sunset or camping in the park, especially during the colder months.

In my opinion, Joshua Tree National Park deserves to be experienced both during the day and after dark. By leaving at sunset, I think visitors are doing themselves a disservice.

Joshua Tree is a designated International Dark Sky Park, thanks to its incredibly clear starry skies and lack of light pollution.

The sheer number of stars you can see at Joshua Tree is an awe-inspiring sight, and in the summer months, you’re likely to see the Milky Way.