A Weekend in Joshua Tree National Park

In February, I finally ticked off all nine national parks in California! The last on my list was Joshua Tree National Park, which I explored with a dear friend for a weekend. When we arrived, we had gorgeous sunshine and mild temperatures. But the next morning, it snowed! Just a light dusting, but still: it was a perfect example of desert extremes.

Usually on my national park trips, I’m so on-the-go with long hikes, backcountry camping, or driving all around to find the best photography spots. But things move a little slower in Joshua Tree. Though I found the landscape beautiful, I wouldn’t say it is all that varied. So we didn’t feel the pressure to check off a bunch of view points or hike a ton of trails. It’s a great park to just take it easy, stroll, sketch, or sit and watch the sunset. It’s also a world-class rock climbing location, and even though we weren’t there to partake, there were plenty of opportunities to watch climbers on the otherworldly boulders.

We also braved the cold to try a little astro photography; the park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park, and the Joshua Trees make a really unique foreground.

You can visit this park all year round. February is ideal for avoiding crowds and desert heat, but keep in mind the weather can turn quickly!