Joshua Tree National Park

Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
More Info: is an American national park in southeastern California, east of Los Angeles and San Bernardino, near Palm Springs. It is named for the Joshua trees (Yucca Brevifolia) native to the Mojave Desert. Originally declared a National monument in 1936, Joshua Tree was redesignated as a national park in 1994 when the U.S. Congress passed the California Desert Protection Act.

Cost: $30 for day pass
Camping: $20-$25 a night

Experience: I’ve been here a few times, on day trips, overnight trips, many occasions. Jumbo rocks would be my number 1 suggestion for camping as you can find some beautiful spots surrounded by huge rocks on all sides, with a spectacular view of the stars up above. Some things to bear in mind is that Joshua Tree can get extremely hot, so you have to make sure to bring lots of water and plan ahead. I would recommend avoiding the peak of summer, but even if you were to visit at that time, it is manageable. There are plenty of sites and hikes you can visit while here, and you can get pretty amazing views of the park from a number of locations. (7.5/10)