Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Vacations: Snow Sports, Hiking and Backpacking

Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Active and Adventure Destinations Near Joshua Tree National Park

Hikers on rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California

Taking in the view, Joshua Tree National Park (John Kelly/Photodisc/Getty)

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Joshua Tree National Park Photo Gallery

Joshua Tree National Park Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Karen Kefauver

Known for its unique beauty, desert wild flowers, easy access, and varied rock climbing, Joshua Tree National Park has more than 7,000 rock climbs of every rating.
The wildflowers at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert are a top attraction. Depending on rainfall and temperatures, the blooms are usually out in late March and April. Watch for Desert Lily, Dune Primrose, Western Jimsonweed, and Desert Star, among others.
Though rock climbing is usually the main attraction of the park, you can also enjoy day and overnight hikes, front- and backcountry camping, and mountain biking on dirt roads.

Joshua Tree National Park

It used to be that Angelenos who had outdoor play on the brain largely ignored southern California's deserts. Joshua Tree was an infrequently visited national monument—it had plenty of desert scenery but lacked the kind of dramatic natural wonders that put Yosemite, Death Valley, and Yellowstone on the map. Then, slowly but surely, word began to trickle out that the best winter rock climbing anywhere in the United States was here. Instead of stowing their ropes and rock shoes when snows ended the season in Yosemite and other Sierra Nevada hot spots, climbers began to make pilgrimages to the warm monzogranite faces of Joshua Tree.Read More

Get Advice About Joshua Tree National Park

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1 day visit. What & where is best thing to do?
Asked on December 26, 2011 by Ed
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Hotels

from: $75

Hotel 29 Palms Twentynine Palms / Joshua Tree - Hotel

71809 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Twentynine Palms92277

Distance: 18.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

Expert Rated & Recommended

from: $89

Sunnyvale Garden Suites - Hotel

73843 Sunnyvale Drive
Twentynine palms92277

Distance: 17.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

Expert Rated & Recommended

from: $60

Country Inn 29 Palms - Hotel

71829 Twentynine Palms Hy
Twentynine Palms92277

Distance: 18.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

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Expert Rated & Recommended

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Airports

Major Airports near Joshua Tree National Park

	Distance (mi.)
Ontario International Airport	98.0map
San Diego-Lindbergh Field Airport	109.8map
Santa Ana John Wayne Airport	113.4map

Other Smaller Airports near Joshua Tree National Park

	Distance (mi.)
Palm Springs Municipal Airport	34.0map
El Centro/Imperial Imperial County Airport	77.6map
Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport	100.0map

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Flight Deals to Joshua Tree National Park

Originating	From
Phoenix (PHX) to Ontario (ONT)	$146
Portland, OR (PDX) to Ontario (ONT)	$216
Seattle (SEA) to Ontario (ONT)	$234
Denver (DEN) to Ontario (ONT)	$250
Bellingham (BLI) to Ontario (ONT)	$258