Wildflower enthusiasts flock to Joshua Tree each spring to view flowers from both deserts. Nowhere else can you see the Mojave and lower Colorado Desert (with all their geological and botanical differences) together in one place. J-Tree Park, as locals call it, has some of the densest groves of these yucca anywhere. The tree only lives in a few high altitude places in the Mojave Desert. The park gets its name from the furry-looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), famous from the eponymous U-2 album and as the inspiration for Seuss’s truffula tree. Why is Joshua Tree National Park called “Joshua Tree”? Whether you’re into wildflower viewing, stargazing, bird watching (it’s not as common as when hiking in Northern California, but you might even catch sight of a condor), scrambling, or photography, there’s something for everyone in this winter-friendly park. At almost 800,000 acres, it’s the size of Rhode Island with over half of the park designated as wilderness.
Joshua Tree National Park is a wonderland filled with whimsical boulders and plants that look like they were designed by Dr. Stunning mountain views and dense Joshua Tree groves make the Black Rock Canyon trail of the best hikes you can do in the park. She’s also got tips and helpful information you’re going to want to know before you go.
Who else would you want to take trail advice from than a pro hiker that calls Joshua Tree her backyard? Liz “Snorkel” Thomas shares her intel on the best short hikes, long hikes, and backpacking spots in Joshua Tree National Park - a place with some of the most diverse and interesting geology in the U.S.