Things to do in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree, the small desert town, is where most visitors actually sleep, eat and book activities before or after entering the national park itself: motels and vacation rentals, gear shops, a handful of restaurants, and outfitters running stargazing evenings, night hikes and photography workshops.

The drive from Los Angeles takes roughly two to two and a half hours depending on traffic. Summer daytime heat is dangerous for casual outdoor plans, so November to April is far more comfortable; even on a hot day, night-time temperatures drop sharply, so bring layers.

Stargazing tours, workshops and night walks depend on weather and moon phase, run on limited capacity and should be booked ahead, and mobile signal is weak or absent once you leave the town centre.