Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Joshua Tree National Park?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Joshua Tree National Park?

Many travelers spend two to four days in Joshua Tree National Park during their visit. After all, the fascinating national park has plenty to explore such as the hiking and the gorgeous scenery.

Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California. It's home to the iconic Joshua Tree, which has an other-worldly quality. There are also boulders spread throughout which are fun for scrambling or rock climbing. The desert landscapes offer dramatic views and the hikes pass through surreal landscapes.

Do you have one or two days to visit Joshua Tree National Park? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Joshua Tree National Park?

One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Joshua Tree National Park. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to go hiking and take in the beautiful scenery. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for two to four days to experience the outdoors here. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Joshua Tree National Park

Known for it's hiking, Joshua Tree National Park sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are a wide range of hikes that include easy, moderate, and strenuous options. Some of the best hikes include Discovery Trail, Boy Scout Trail, and Black Rock Canyon Panorama Loop.

Joshua Tree National Park is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. There are unique Joshua Trees throughout the park as well as beautiful rock formations and striking views.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Joshua Tree National Park?

With only a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the outdoors and scenery. To fully embrace Joshua Tree National Park, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to two to four days to experience Cholla Cactus Garden as well as go hiking and take in the beautiful scenery. However, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your time.

Joshua Tree National Park, California Joshua Tree National Park, California

How to spend 2 days in Joshua Tree National Park

With a weekend (two to three days) in Joshua Tree National Park, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the national park has to offer.

Don't miss Cholla Cactus Garden during your trip to Joshua Tree National Park, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Joshua Tree National Park, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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