The Best Sunset and Sunrise Spots in Joshua Tree National Park
We love Joshua Tree National Park, it’s one of our favorite National Parks in all of California. We’ve been to Joshua Tree a few times over the years (we both spent a lot of time in Southern California whilst we were children), but our most recent trip was in April of 2023 when we started our US National Park roadtrip in Clifford (our big red van).
In this blog post we are going to share our favorite spot to catch the best sunset and sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park.
The Best Sunset and Sunrise Spots in Joshua Tree National Park
Cholla Cactus Gardens, Joshua Tree National Park
Approximately 12 miles (20 km) south of the park’s north entrance is the 0.25 mile (0.4 km) Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail; this flat loop leads hikers through nearly 10 acres (4 hectares) of landscape dominated by the teddybear cholla.
Remember to stay on trails because Cholla Cactuses tend to jump! The last thing you want is a souvenir falling you home.
Keys View, Joshua Tree National Park
This popular destination, perched on the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, provides panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and is well worth the 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard down Keys View Road.
Enough about sunrises and sunsets, let’s talk more about Joshua Tree National Park!
Is there good hiking in Joshua Tree National Park?
Yes, there is so much good hiking in Joshua Tree! We’ve actually written about it here, Top 10 Short and Easy Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
Do you want all all of the 30+ best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park in a convenient Google Map? We built a fantastic Google Map that shares the trail head of location of easy, moderate, and hard hikes.
What else is there to do in Joshua Tree National Park?
There is so much that you can do inside Joshua Tree National Park and we’ve actually made few additional Joshua Tree blogs to help people discover the magic of the National Park.
Are you looking for short and easy hikes in Joshua Tree National Park? We’ve compiled a list of our Top 10 Short & Easy Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park in hopes that it helps you make the most out of your trip.
- Self-Driving Audio Tour: Explore a desert park with a self-driving audio tour. Uncover the secrets of this harsh landscape and hear dramatic tales of the McHaney Gang and the hardscrabble people who once lived here.
- Palm Springs: San Andreas Fault Open-Air Jeep Tour: Experience an extraordinarily scenic 4WD tour of the San Andreas Fault Zone as your naturalist guide entertains you with stories about the plants, animals, geology, and history of the California desert.
- The World Famous Crochet Museum: An old California photo stand has been turned into a shrine to the cozy art of crochet
Where is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California, in the United States. It lies within Riverside and San Bernardino counties, at the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Here are some more details about its location:
Coordinates
- Latitude: 33.8734° N
- Longitude: 115.9010° W
Nearby Cities and Towns
- Joshua Tree: A small town located just north of the park’s West Entrance.
- Twentynine Palms: A town located near the North Entrance of the park.
- Palm Springs: A larger city located about 40 miles southwest of the park, which serves as a common gateway for visitors.
- Yucca Valley: A town located to the west of the park, providing access to the West Entrance.
Access Points
Joshua Tree National Park has three main entrances:
- West Entrance: Located off CA-62 in the town of Joshua Tree.
- North Entrance: Located off CA-62 in the town of Twentynine Palms.
- South Entrance (Cottonwood Spring): Located off Interstate 10 near the Cottonwood Visitor Center.
Proximity to Major Cities
- Los Angeles: Approximately 130 miles (210 km) west.
- San Diego: Approximately 160 miles (260 km) southwest.
- Las Vegas: Approximately 200 miles (320 km) northeast.
- Phoenix: Approximately 220 miles (350 km) east.
Park Boundaries
Joshua Tree National Park spans approximately 1,235 square miles (3,199 square kilometers). The park’s boundaries encompass diverse landscapes, including rugged mountains, desert plains, and the iconic Joshua Tree forests.
The park is known for its unique geological features, rich biodiversity, and a wide range of recreational opportunities, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.
Should I bring a camera when visiting Joshua Tree?
ABSOLUTELY! Joshua Tree National Park is so picturesque, you should definitely bring a camera to capture it all.
Don’t know which camera you’ll need? Well, a wise person once said the best camera you have is the one that’s on you. So, if you’ve got an iPhone (like this one) you’ll be set!
If you want something a bit more capable, that’s our specialty! We love camera gear, here’s our current camera gear set-up.
Have camera question, send us an email and we can help you build out the perfect camera kit for your National Park trip.
What do I need to pack to Joshua Tree National Park?
Great question! The temperature can be drastically different between different months but also different times of the day.
Random fact, it sometimes snow in Joshua Tree National Park! So if you’re planning a trip in the Winter make sure to bring some warm clothes. On the flip-side, if you’re going in the summer, make sure to bring clothing with sun protection, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and more! Looking for new outdoor clothing options? Check out our list of REI’s Top Deals in 2024.
We’ve created a US National Park Day Trip Checklist that breaks down what we would recommend you bring to not just Joshua Tree, but to all National Parks. Sound interesting? Check out the checklist here or fill in the information below and we’ll send it to you!
Where should I stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree and the surrounding area is home to some of the most unique, stunning, and somewhat questionable accommodations. So no matter what you are looking for, here are a few options.
These are in no order of quality, price, uniqueness, just a few examples of places that we’d be more than happy to stay in to soak up that Southern California sunshine!
The Box, Joshua Tree – VRBO
The SOWE, Joshua Tree – VRBO
Casa Altura, Joshua Tree – VRBO
The Moon Yacht, Joshua Tree – HIPCAMP
Sahara House, Joshua Tree – HIPCAMP
AutoCamp, Joshua Tree – BOOKING.COM
Marmol Radziner’s Modernist Cabin, Joshua Tree – BOOKING.COM
In Conclusion, The Best Sunset and Sunrise Spots in Joshua Tree National Park
Are definitely the Cholla Cactus Grove and Keys View but the National Park is massive and no matter where you are, you’re going to be treated with a fantastic experience. Unless there is cloud cover, then maybe you’re out of luck and will have to plan another trip to the National Park!
