Description

Joshua Tree is so close to Los Angeles, so rustic, and so reminiscent of the Wild West, if you are in LA, you have to visit. It’s just a two hour drive from Los Angeles, and it transports you to another world. I became so enamored with the town that I ended up staying there, but that’s another story. Here’s what I did on my first visit, and it cost less than $200.00.

The Bed: I choose to go glamping (glamor camping) at Real Hidden Valley camp grounds in the national park. The entrance fee was $25.00 for the week-end, and the campsite cost $15.00/day. The park provides the basics – campsites, fire pits, and outhouses. So, in addition to any creature comforts you require, pack food, water, and fire wood. The closest store is at least ten miles from the campground; you don’t want to forget anything. Hot showers are available for $4.00 at Coyote Corner (6535 Park Blvd.) Bring a towel.

The Meal: The obvious choice for dinner is the Joshua Tree Saloon at the intersection of Park Blvd and Highway 62. The Saloon is just that – a replica of a Western saloon. I enjoyed one of their signature JT cheeseburgers and a craft beer, and spent fewer than $20.00. But if your pallet is more sophisticated, try the ginger marinated ahi poke or a flame-grilled rib eye steak and a cocktail.

Love great coffee? You’re in luck. Josh has some of the best. The Joshua Tree Coffee company roasts its organic coffee on site. I stood in line for a cup, and it was well worth the wait.

The Find: Inasmuch as it’s larger than the state of Rhode Island, there is no shortage of climbs and trails in the park. I hiked the Barker Dam loop; it’s less than 2 miles of easy terrain with very little elevation gain. There was water in the dam and ancient petroglyphs on the rock. What a trail! On the other end of the park, I took selfies at the road-side Skull Rock apply named because of its resemblance to a human skull.

The Lesson Learned: While I didn’t know this on my first visit, I can now definitively say that the best times to visit are the spring and the fall. Winters can get frigid and quite windy. During the summer, when temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, the park is a virtual ghost town.

Photos