After a rather uncomfortable evening in the freezing storm by the fire in Joshua Tree National Park, we finally decided to give up and find a hotel in Twentynine Palms. From there we started again in the early morning in the park with icy temperatures, but this time less wind to a hike of about 10 km through the park in later best weather.
In this video, I visit Joshua Tree National Park, one of the most unique and recognizable landscapes in California and the American Southwest. Known for its striking desert scenery, unusual rock formations, and the twisted, spiky Joshua trees that give the park its name, Joshua Tree has become a symbol of desert beauty and creativity. It is a place where two desert ecosystems meet, creating an environment unlike anywhere else in the world.
The park covers a vast area where the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert come together. Each brings its own character. The higher Mojave Desert is home to the Joshua trees, with their distinctive shapes and branches that look like something from a surreal painting. The lower Colorado Desert is hotter and drier, with different plants such as cholla cactus and ocotillo. Driving or hiking through the park reveals these contrasts in scenery and atmosphere, making a visit here a constantly changing experience.
One of the park’s most famous features is its rock formations. Enormous boulders and piles of stone rise from the desert floor, shaped by erosion into forms that look sculpted by hand. Places like Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, and Jumbo Rocks are popular for both hiking and climbing, offering opportunities to explore narrow passages, climb gentle slopes, or simply admire the creativity of nature. The rocks are a playground for climbers, but even for those who stay on the ground, they create dramatic and unforgettable landscapes.
Of course, the Joshua trees themselves are the stars of the park. These unusual yuccas grow in shapes that are sometimes twisted, sometimes graceful, and always distinctive. Walking among them feels like moving through a desert forest that has a character all its own. Each tree is different, and together they create a scene that is both strange and beautiful. Sunrise and sunset highlight the silhouettes of these trees, adding to the atmosphere.
Wildlife is also part of the Joshua Tree experience. Lizards and birds are common, and in the cooler hours of morning or evening, desert mammals like jackrabbits may appear. The desert environment is harsh, but life thrives here in many hidden ways.
Another highlight of the park is the night sky. Joshua Tree is far from major cities, and its dark skies make it one of the best places in California to see the stars. On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches across the horizon, and countless stars fill the sky. For many visitors, stargazing in the desert is just as memorable as hiking during the day.
The atmosphere of Joshua Tree National Park changes with the time of year. Spring brings wildflowers and mild weather, while summer can be extremely hot, making early mornings and evenings the best times to explore. Autumn and winter bring cooler temperatures and quiet landscapes. Each season offers something different, and the desert light and colours shift constantly.
This video captures the general feeling of visiting Joshua Tree National Park: walking among the Joshua trees, exploring the rock formations, driving the desert roads, and experiencing the quiet beauty of this remarkable landscape. It is not a detailed guide but a look at the impressions and atmosphere that make Joshua Tree so famous.
For travelers, Joshua Tree National Park is a place of contrasts and inspiration. It combines desert wilderness with accessible trails and viewpoints, making it easy to explore but also vast enough to feel wild. It is a park that invites both adventure and reflection, where nature’s creativity is on display in every rock and tree.