What to see/do in Joshua Tree

[SoCalDave]

We're spending Thanksgiving out in the Palm Springs area and plan on a day trip to Joshua Tree as we've never been there before.
What are the must see's/things to do while in the park or near by? We have 4WD if there's anything off the beaten path.

 

[RodnJen]

Get out of your car and go for a long walk. Not much to do other than climb a few boulders and enjoy the beauty.

 

[Pebo]

 

[Pebo]

Giant Rock is another place to explore.

 

[6 balls]

Jumping cholla cactus garden.

just don’t get too close!

 

[WhatExit?]

Been there once. Don't plan on going back. "Off roading" there is not worth doing IMO.

Best bet: drive to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - Ocotillo Wells is there too. Great place with a nice little town. Lots to see, do and wheel

 

[lbhsbz]

Keep driving and go to the river

 

[sintax]

Jumping cholla cactus garden.

View attachment 943934

just don’t get too close!

hahaha spending the first 25 years of my life riding and racing dirtbikes in the desert i've learned to spot those things from a mile away and steer clear!

 

[HNL2LHC]

Went through once on the way back to CA to see what is there. Not much. Be sure to post up what you end up doing. Off roaring would be fun.

 

[Universal Elements]

The Rib Co. | Ribs BBQ Seafood in Twentynine Palms, CA

Our menu offers a wide variety of selections including barbeque, seafood, salads, sandwiches, burgers and some house favorites such as lamb chops and meat loaf.

theribco.com

When you’re hungry.

 

[fmo24]

Papi & Harriets can be fun. Will be very busy T-day weekend. Lots of people normally out and about.
we did the red (.?) Jeep tour out to the fault line and a couple of oasis. It goes out to a locked area so only the jeeps with tour companies can enter area. Interesting history and scenery

 

[RiverDave]

Jumping cholla cactus garden.

View attachment 943934

just don’t get too close!

Do they actually shoot out at you? I thought they were just nicknamed that because if you so much as brush them and they stick to everything

 

[Willie B]

...I guess you could go see the motel where country rocker Gram Parsons died and you probably could find the spot where his road manager and I forget the other guys name ???... Stole Gram Parsons body and set it ablaze in Joshua tree as per Graham Parsons instruction...Reference the movie Gram Theft Parsons...

...Amazing I just found the whole movie on YouTube... I met the roadie I forget his name and I met his buddy that went with him on the stealing the body caper ...at the time I met the second guy ...he owned a lock and Key shop in North Hollywood...may have been Alsop lock and key???...Crazy stuff I also have read the book and the book I borrowed was autographed by the chick that loaned the roadie her hearse to go steal the body???...

 

[traquer]

You can turn off of Gold Crown road, some mild offroad and nice scenery, we used to go shooting up there (outside of the national park). Haven't gone in too deep but always see lots of jeeps in the area

 

[Wizard29]

Do they actually shoot out at you? I thought they were just nicknamed that because if you so much as brush them and they stick to everything

No, they don't jump out at you. What you originally thought is correct.

 

[mash on it]

Papi & Harriets can be fun. Will be very busy T-day weekend. Lots of people normally out and about.
we did the red (.?) Jeep tour out to the fault line and a couple of oasis. It goes out to a locked area so only the jeeps with tour companies can enter area. Interesting history and scenery

Pioneer town.
Haven't been in about 15 years.

Dan'l

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

29 palms ?

 

[Rondog4405]

Pappy and Harriet's looks cool up in pioneertown... but it's most likely over run with the rona and shutdown..

 

[fmo24]

Pappy and Harriet's looks cool up in pioneertown... but it's most likely over run with the rona and shutdown..

It has a lot of outdoor seating and usually entertainment

 

[Rajobigguy]

Joshua tree is a "dark Ski's" park and it will only be a quarter crescent moon so star gazing should be pretty decent if your into that.

 

[lebel409]

J-tree is about the nature. Rock climbing, hiking, camping, stargazing. I have friends that are rock climbers and they can quote bible and verse the every climb, overhang, approach etc. throughout the park.

The 10 freeway side is more camping, best rocks are northwest area. Water is not distributed throught the park, only at ranger station entrances.

It should be pleasant during the day, night will be high 20's

 

[t&y]

Beautiful park, but it's not an attraction park, it's a nature park. Go there to enjoy nature without fucking it up.

 

[Ol Man]

I love Joshua Tree. I ride my motorcycle through there about a half dozen times a year. Spring is pretty neat when the Ocotillo bloom. Fun to stop and watch the rock climbers. The cactus are really neat. The cholla can look really awesome depending on the lighting. Lots of trails. Just do it. There are a number of guide books that will help you decide what things to do that interest you.

 

[westair]

...I guess you could go see the motel where country rocker Gram Parsons died and you probably could find the spot where his road manager and I forget the other guys name ???... Stole Gram Parsons body and set it ablaze in Joshua tree as per Graham Parsons instruction...Reference the movie Gram Theft Parsons...

...Amazing I just found the whole movie on YouTube... I met the roadie I forget his name and I met his buddy that went with him on the stealing the body caper ...at the time I met the second guy ...he owned a lock and Key shop in North Hollywood...may have been Alsop lock and key???...Crazy stuff I also have read the book and the book I borrowed was autographed by the chick that loaned the roadie her hearse to go steal the body???...

Room #8 Joshua tree Inn..... been talking about staying there for years, big Parsons fan.

 

[grumpy88]

What ever you do , " be safe ! " lol

 

[racetrash]

You have to go to Joshua tree proper, and breath in the black lives matter, biden/harris, fucktard liberal visitors. Complete fucking shit show, man buns, LA people. The JT saloon can be good, just pricey, cool patio dining.

 

[Happy Smitty]

You have to go to Joshua tree proper, and breath in the black lives matter, biden/harris, fucktard liberal visitors. Complete fucking shit show, man buns, LA people. The JT saloon can be good, just pricey, cool patio dining.

Pretty much this.

First time I went to Joshua tree was the last. Drove in, saw a bunch of cars in the camping area, prius, VW, BMW, MB, Audi, etc. Knew right away, not my crowd. So I left and camped at good old Ocotillo wells.

 

[Willie B]

Room #8 Joshua tree Inn..... been talking about staying there for years, big Parsons fan.

... I can’t remember how long ago it was but when I was passing through Joshua tree I stopped at the motel and you could tell by the vibe which room it was...
...The chicks house where I met the two body snatchers had produced Graham Parsons first album...the group was called the ...international submarine band...and she Recorded them live at pretty sure the place was ...the house of sound... On Sepulveda just below Roscoe...The only one who wanted to overdub was the guitar player and ...can’t remember his name???
...I was lucky enough to see Graham Parsons and the Burrito Brothers many times both at the Topanga Corall and Mr. Benjamin’s on Sepulveda Boulevard...
...A friend of mine recorded them live at Mr. Benjamins ...the two track tape that he made was far better than anything the burritos ever released on vinyl ...I was told that the tape was destroyed in a flood...But since I was told that... my friend has sort of backtracked so I really do not know if it can be saved...
...Towards the end of the burrito Brothers run a good friend... Eric Deputy Dalton played drums with them Mr. Dalton is now Dr. Dalton...