Nestled in the southern California desert, Joshua Tree National Park is named after the iconic and unusual trees that populate much of the park. The northern part of the park, located in the Mojave Desert, contains the trees and hills and boulders for enthusiastic rock climbers. The eastern part of the park, in the Colorado Desert, is generally flatter with sand dunes, scrub bushes and cacti. The you can also find the California fan palm, the only species native to California.

Established as a national park in 1994, the park is one of the most popular in the park system.  The park is right outside of Palm Springs and about a 2 to 3 hour drive from Los Angeles. As such, crowding can be a problem in some spots. Summer temperatures can hover around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 celsius), but the spring and fall offer more temperate conditions. Because of the park’s size, it can be hard to experience it all in a day, but with proper planning, you can find what suits you and avoid the crowds.