Wonder hides around every corner in California’s mysterious desert national park of Joshua Tree. Trails wind around towering boulders sculpted into surprising shapes by the elements, through fields of the otherworldly Joshua Trees, and into secret gardens waiting to be discovered. This natural playground is perfect for adventurers and dreamers of all ages.
Less than an hour from Palm Springs and under three from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park has plenty of easy hiking trails, ideal for families with young children. It’s the perfect spring break or Thanksgiving destination when the climate is cool enough to be enjoyable.
Although Joshua Tree National Park feels like the middle of nowhere, it’s actually close to plenty of other fun Southern California destinations, so it’s easy to visit as part of a longer trip. If you have time, check out nearby Palm Springs for a relaxing stay at a kid-friendly resort, the thriving art community of Joshua Tree, or live out your Wild West fantasies at Pioneertown.
Fun activities in Joshua Tree Park with a toddler
Even hike-hating kids will love these mostly flat trails, with plenty of interesting boulders to scramble up and around. Look out for interesting shapes, cool cacti and, if you’re lucky, the elusive desert bighorn sheep.
Hidden Valley
Sneak through a narrow gateway between boulders to discover a secret garden oasis. This flat, one-mile loop is lined with informative signs about the history and wildlife found in the area. We did this walk at sunset and felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. It’s a popular one with a small parking lot, so turn up before 9 am or after 5 pm for the best chance of snagging a spot.
Discovery Trail
This 0.8-mile trail was designed by local students, so you know it’s kid-approved. Stroll through sandy washes, pop through mini slot canyons, and look out for the mildly creepy Skull Rock.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Follow the boardwalk for 0.25 miles through this patch of teddy bear cholla cactus. This fluffy-looking (but not feeling!) plant thrives over this 10-acre area — and almost nowhere else. The cacti are especially beautiful at sunset and sunrise, when the thousands of plants glow in the golden light. Keep your toddler close though, this is definitely a look, but don’t touch, situation.
Skull Rock
This bizarre granite rock formation, created by wind and rain over thousands of years, is located on the main east-west park road. The 1.7-mile loop hike that starts from the popular spot is a bonus, and is flush with flowers in the spring.
Things to do in Joshua Tree Park with older kids
Barker Dam
Another short loop at 1.1 miles, this hike is a microcosm of human settlement in the desert. The path takes you to a dam built in 1900 by early ranchers and offers a look at rock art, thought to be created 2,000 years ago. The start of this trail involves scrambling over some boulders, but it’s an easy walk after the rocky start. On the way back, you’ll get a close look at the ethereal Joshua trees lining the trail.
Bouldering and rock climbing
Book an expert-led family rock climbing adventure for a memorable day out in Joshua Tree. All climbing gear, including for small children, is provided, and as this is a private group tour, you can go at your own pace.
Keys Ranch Tour
Book a tour of Keys Ranch if you’re visiting between October and May for an insight into life as a rancher in the California desert. These 90-minute tours sell out fast, so book as soon as you know your dates if you want to check out this early 20th-century homestead.
Junior Ranger book
Get your kids a Junior Ranger workbook on entry to the park, and on completion they will earn a badge from a ranger. These activity books are great for keeping kids entertained and informed as you make your way across the park.
Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park with kids
If you want to stay inside the park, tent or trailer camping is the only option. However, it doesn’t take long to drive into the park if you’re not feeling that outdoorsy.
Camping in Joshua Tree National Park with kids
Five campsites in Joshua Tree National Park are available to reserve, while three are first come, first served. If you want water and flush toilets, make a reservation at Black Rock or Cottonwood. Make your reservations on the recreation.gov website. Camping allows you to see some of the wildlife that becomes more active at twilight, like the cute desert kangaroo rat. Plus the stargazing here is incredible.
If you want to camp but don’t have all the gear, try renting a van through Outdoorsy or a tent and sleeping bags at Sports Basement.
Staying outside Joshua Tree National Park
There are a lot of fun family accommodations just outside the park. Check out the instagram-famous Invisible House, or The Outlaw in Pioneertown, which was featured on Netflix show “World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals”.
Or stay in an iconic Airstream at Autocamp Joshua Tree for a comfortable camping experience, just outside the park’s entrance. If you’re looking for a chain hotel, the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Twenty Nine Palms is a ten-minute drive to Joshua Tree National Park, offers a free breakfast, and has a pool.
Family-friendly things to do outside Joshua Tree National Park
Take a 25-minute drive east to Pioneertown, the film set/vacation town established in 1946 by a group of Wild West movie enthusiasts. Although the popularity of Westerns has waned, this quirky outpost has clung on thanks to the likes of Pappy and Harriet’s, a legendary restaurant and live music venue that has hosted luminaries from Paul McCartney to Lizzo.
The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum is a free, open-air gallery in Joshua Tree. It’s a collection of sculptures created by the artist Noah Purifoy, made entirely from junked materials, and is the perfect contrast to the natural beauty of Joshua Tree National Park.
If you’re thinking a cocktail would go great with all those palm trees, the resort town of Palm Springs is located just under an hour’s drive from the southern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. With plenty of outdoor dining, a cute zoo, and a fun aerial tramway, there is plenty to do for families on a spring or Thanksgiving break.
What to bring to Joshua Tree National Park
Prepare for the desert climate with hats, sunglasses, lip balm, and sunscreen during the day, and warm layers for the night when the temperature can drop sharply. If you’re planning on doing any longer hikes, take a map and a compass, plus hiking whistles for the kids so they can stay safe if they run out of sight.
When to go to Joshua Tree National Park
Due to the high temperatures in the summer time, this national park is best avoided June-September. The best times to visit are in the spring and fall, making Joshua Tree National Park the perfect spot for a spring, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or February break trip. Although the park doesn’t get a lot of rainfall, it does get cold in the wintertime. We visited during Thanksgiving week, and although the daytime temperatures were balmy, the nights were cold.
If you visit in October, you could catch the annual Night Sky Festival, a celebration of the skies with activities for all ages. On the other hand, April is ideal if you want to see the desert in bloom.
