Joshua Tree

There are more than 800,000 acres of desert in Joshua Tree, specifically Joshua Tree National Park. By automobile, it takes just under an hour to get there from Palm Springs and under three hours from Los Angeles. The Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert each have their own unique desert ecosystems. Beautiful plants and animals, as well as breathtaking geological beauty, abound in the park. You visit Joshua National Park to go hiking, camp there for a night or two, or climb some rocks. It's a well-liked location for auto camping.

It's enjoyable to camp out for a few days in the middle of the desert or to take a day trip and only hike the shorter, simpler routes for an hour or two. The region is an International Dark Sky Park, which means that a staggering amount of stars and constellations can be seen at night. Just outside the park, in the little town of Joshua Tree, there are a variety of hippie shops, natural healers, and roadside eateries.

Location: Joshua Tree National Park, southern California