Explore the Desert at Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park sits in southeastern California, roughly two and a half hours from the bustle of Los Angeles. Motorcyclists looking to escape from the metropolis to the rugged beauty of the high desert can’t do much better than point their front wheels to Joshua Tree.
And there’s plenty of desert to find your own quiet sandy corner. Covering nearly 1,250 square miles, Joshua Tree National Park is larger than the state of Rhode Island (we’re just counting the land area here).
Yet, Joshua Tree isn’t just desert—it’s two of them. What makes the park so unique is that straddles the border of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, showcasing two distinct arid ecosystems.
To get to Joshua Tree National Park, you have a few options. Whether you’re arriving from the direction of Los Angeles or Phoenix on I-10, you can take the southern entrance a few miles west of Chiriaco Summit. This entrance is more isolated and deposits you right in the vast emptiness of the desert.
Your other option is diverting north from I-10 on SR 62 and taking the western entrance (south of the town of Joshua Tree) or the northern entrance (at Twentynine Palms). These entrances have more civilization and accommodations around them while being close to some of the national park’s most popular sights.
More Than Just Sand
Visiting Joshua Tree National Park is all about appreciating the stark tranquility of the desert environment. In that regard, the stars of the show at Joshua Tree are the… Well, Joshua trees.
These delightfully strange, almost Dr. Seuss-ian plants abound in the national park, particularly in the area of Lost Horse Valley. A trip to Joshua Tree is worth it just to see the unique yuccas.
Of course, there’s more to the desert ecosystem than the Joshua trees. To get the closest possible look at the environment, you should make use of the national park’s extensive hiking and off-road riding opportunities.
One popular hiking trail is the 1.8-mile Arch Rock Trail, which takes you to see both Arch and Heart rocks, two of Joshua Tree’s most legendary formations. Due to a personal penchant for the macabre, I also have to highlight the 1.7-mile looping Skull Rock Trail that leads you to its eponymous, grim rock face.
Should you not care for rocks, go check out Cholla Cactus Garden in the heart of the national park. This area is chock-full of the fluffy-looking but needle-sharp cacti.
To see manmade structures in the desert, head on over to Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture. The outdoor museum displays creative, eclectic sculptures built from salvaged metal materials.
After you’ve seen everything the desert has to offer, simply look up. Joshua Tree National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park and the nocturnal light show above makes it a great destination for motorcycle stargazing.
You don’t have to completely isolate yourself from civilization, either. The small towns of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley on the national park’s northern edge offer nice eateries, bars, and museums for a more curated desert experience. The Copper Room is a good place to grab a tasty dinner in an establishment frequented by Hollywood stars of the past.
If you thought deserts were nothing but sand and cacti, you should make a trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Sure, you’ll find sand and cacti, but also much more.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- The Joshua trees
- Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture
- Skull Rock Trail
- The Copper Room
- Cholla Cactus Garden
Nearby Roads
Some of the best riding roads near Joshua Tree National Park are within the park itself. The paved roads accommodate even huge street barges, while off-road riders can brave the many backcountry roads. Note that some of the off-road trails are off-limits for certain vehicle types, so check with the National Park Service before you take your bike out to the desert.
Heading away from the desert, you’ll find the Salton Sea nearby to the south. Circumnavigating the lake on a motorcycle makes for a great trip through small resort towns.
To the west, you’ll find the San Bernardino and Angeles national forests and their many fun roads, like the Rim of the World Scenic Byway and the Angeles Crest Scenic Byway. Some of the roads in the area are closed, however, so check your route in advance.
Recommended Lodging: El Rancho Dolores Motel
El Rancho Dolores is located in Twentynine Palms, only four miles from Joshua Tree National Park’s northern entrance. It’s a fantastic gateway to the park, while also allowing you to enjoy the comforts of civilization at night.
You can park your bike right next to the room, so you can keep an eye on it to make sure a horde of scorpions doesn’t pilfer it overnight (it could happen!). The rooms are decently sized with a separate kitchen area, and El Rancho Dolores has laundry facilities for cleaning the desert dust off your gear.
The motel is near the “downtown” area of Twentynine Palms and you’ll find several cafes and restaurants by walking a couple of minutes down the street.
Best Time to Travel
The most comfortable times to visit Joshua Tree National Park are in early spring or late fall, typically March-May or October-November. The weather is warm but not scorching, so you can easily explore the desert.
Summer temperatures in Joshua Tree can get hellishly hot. Visiting is possible, but remember to take every possible precaution and always carry water. You won’t have to worry about snow in winter but it gets chilly in the high desert, especially at night.