Joshua Tree with Kids: 14 Things to Know Before Visiting!
Joshua Tree is one of the most kid friendly National Parks in the US. With tons of kid friendly hiking, less hazards than some of the parks like Yellowstone, and tons of fun rocks to climb, you’ll have an epic family vacation. However, there are a few things you should know before you visit Joshua Tree with kids!
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Joshua Tree with Kids: What to Know Before You Go!
1. The Park Entrances Don’t All Connect
Joshua Tree has a bit of a weird layout that you’ll want to factor in when planning your trip. There are three main entrances that do connect to each other: the South Entrance (near Cottonwood Spring), the North Entrance (near Twentynine Palms), and the West Entrance (near Joshua Tree).
There are a couple other places you can enter the park including Indian Cove and Black Rock. They both have campgrounds and some hiking trails. However, they do not connect to the other park entrances, so it may add a bit of driving time.
2. Water Is Limited inside the Park
Water is very limited inside of Joshua Tree National Park. If you’re camping or just hiking, it’s important to keep in mind where you can fill up your water. The water stations in the park are located in the following spots:
- The Twentynine Palms Visitor Center
- West Entrance Station (near Joshua Tree)
- Black Rock Campground
- Cottonwood Campground
- Indian Cove Ranger Station
3. Joshua Tree Can Get Really Cold (Even Snow!)
The climate of Joshua Tree is considered to be high desert, so it can definitely get cold. Especially at night, you’re going to want to prepare for colder temperatures. If your Joshua Tree Trip is during the winter, you’ll probably want to pack some layers.
We visited at the end of February through early March and the temperatures were 35-70 degrees. We did experience some wind, but other than that it was great because we prepared for the weather.
4. It Can Also Get Really Hot
Because Joshua Tree is in the desert, it can also get really hot in the Summer. It’s really important to pack enough water when hiking mid day. The rule of thumb for water is one gallon of water per person per day. The hottest months of the year are July and August with temperatures reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Watch out for the Pokies
There isn’t much for hazards in Joshua Tree compared to some of the other US National Parks. However, one that is everywhere you’ll have to watch out for are the cactus plants! If you’re not used to being around the pokey plants, make sure to explain to your kids that they need to stay far away from them.
If you’re visiting the Cholla Cactus garden, also be careful of stepping on pieces of the cacti. I did get some stuck in my shoes from the trail. When picking them out, it’s a good idea to use tweezers instead of your fingers. It’s also a good idea to wear closed toe and shoes with high ankle coverage.
6. No Showers in the Campgrounds
None of the campgrounds in Joshua Tree have showers. Depending on where you’re staying or how long you’re staying, you’ll have to track down a shower. We spent a day at Sam’s Family Spa where we were able to shower, but it is a bit out of the way! There are probably other showers in Joshua Tree, but keep that in mind.
7. The Night Sky Gets Extremely Dark
Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Certified Park so that means there is very little light pollution. This is great news if you love looking at stars, planets, the moon, etc! We spent a lot of time stargazing, and it was the darkest night sky we’ve ever seen.
It takes your eyes 20-30 minutes to fully adjust to the darkness, so try to avoid bright lights like flashlights when preparing to stargaze. You’ll also want to be mindful of other people in your campground or area that are trying to stargaze, so avoid bright lights.
If you’re interested in more Joshua Tree fun, check out our guide to 22 Epic Things to do in Joshua Tree With Kids!
Tip: Red lights are better for letting your eyes adjust and not contributing to light pollution. We have a head lamp that has both red light and white lights on it!
8. Note the Campground Locations
There are several campgrounds in the park that you can reserve ahead of time (I’ll list them below), but also some that are first come first served. As I mentioned above, some of the campgrounds are a little bit farther of a drive from most of the park attractions.
If you are lucky enough to snag a first come first served spot, you might be able to be closer to the main hiking trails of the park. We didn’t mind staying a little out of the way, but it is a little extra drive time.
9. You May End up Driving a Lot
We had campsites that weren’t centrally located, so we ended up driving quite a bit. We didn’t really mind this, but if you want to avoid backtracking, you’ll have to be mindful of your itinerary so you don’t spend too much time in the car. If you are staying outside of the park, you’ll have to drive several hours to get to the other end of the park.
10. There are tons of Rocks to Climb
If your kids become Junior Rangers, they will probably encourage them to climb some rocks! Joshua Tree was created when the landscape around it eroded but left massive rock formations that are perfect for big time rock climbers or little rock climbers.
Make sure to carve out a little extra time on your hikes to let your kids climb the rocks and explore this fun park.
11. Protect the Wildlife
There are several things to know about the wildlife in Joshua Tree National Park to ensure your family and the wildlife is protected. Some general rules about wildlife encounters are:
- Do not feed or touch the wildlife
- Do NOT touch or pick up desert tortoises, contact a park ranger if you are concerned for any reason
- Pets must remain leashed, and are not allowed on trails in the park
- The use of artificial light to see wildlife at night is not allowed
- Venomous species including scorpions and rattlesnakes exist in the park
For more information about safety in Joshua Tree National Park, check out the National Park website here. And if you want to further support our National Parks check out our guide to an organization you can support for each National Park!
and if you want to learn more about the wildlife of Joshua Tree with your kids, check out our fun list of Joshua Tree books for kids!
12. Steer clear of Mine Shafts
You’re not likely to encounter a mine shaft if you’re hiking in the more popular areas of the park, but if you’re hiking to a mine shaft, you will want to know about the hazards. Currently, Joshua Tree has about 120 mine shafts that are considered safety hazards because of the risk of falling or encountering hazardous waste.
If you do encounter a mine shaft on your adventures, it’s best to stay away and keep the kids away out of an abundance of caution.
13. There are No Gas Stations in the Park
There are no gas stations located inside the National Park. Make sure to fill up on gas in Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, or a nearby town in the south if you’re by the Cottonwood Springs entrance. Gas can also be a little pricey here, so I would recommend using an app like Gas Buddy to help you find the most affordable gas!
14. Cell Service is Spotty
Like most National Parks, cell service is spotty – we love getting out of service, but it can pose a few challenges for Navigation. I always recommend downloading a map on google ahead of time, and picking up a map from the entrance stations or visitor centers.
We hope you have the best time ever on your trip to Joshua Tree with kids! It’s such a great family friendly National Park. Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed your family vacation. If you’re looking for more trip planning resources, check them out below!
And, if you’re looking for more California adventures or National Parks, we’ve got you covered there too. Happy travels!
