Since we are all stuck at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, I thought it would be great to talk about destinations that we could go to once this is all over and everything is back to normal. Today I would like to share with you the top 5 reasons to visit Joshua Tree Park.
The Origin Of The Name
Before we start, I will just quickly explain why Joshua Tree is called… Joshua Tree. Way back in the mid 19th century a group of Mormons was crossing the Mojave Desert and on their way, they saw this tree that they haven’t seen before. It’ shape didn’t compare to anything that they have seen before, but it reminded them of the Biblical Story of Joshua, in which he prays to god and reached his hands up to the sky. Joshua Trees aren’t trees.. technically, they’re succulents, but they are commonly seen as the ‘trees of the desert.
Desert Roads
The endless, open roads of the Joshua tree park invite you to drive through the desert with your windows down. listening to your favorite songs. Chances are that you won’t see any other visitors and it will seem like you are roaming the streets of southern California on your own. So what are you waiting for? Put on your favorite pair of sunglasses, a hat, SPF 50 & your favorite Eagles song, and head off to the Mojave Desert. ‘Take It Easy” by the Eagles is a great song for that!
Endless Hiking Trails
The Joshua Tree Park offers many hiking opportunities. From the Indian Canyons to Ryan Mountain, where you can find a panoramic overview of Joshua Tree’s famous rock formations.
Cactus Garden
The Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail is a must-see destination within Joshua Tree Park. When walking through the garden you are surrounded by 10 acres of the Teddybear Cholla Cactus. They look very fluffy and when the sun is shining just right, their shape is surrounded by a beautiful, golden desert glow. Fun fact: The Cholla Cactus reproduces vegetatively. Fallen stem-joint turn into new plants.
The Night Skies
Unfortunately, I did not stay overnight to admire the starry sky but from what I can see on the internet, it seems amazing. Joshua Tree Park is one of the best locations for stargazing, as the park is located 5,000 ft above sea level. The below image is from an article from visitcalifornia.com and it just looks magnificent – don’t you think?
Staying overnight and watching the stars in Joshua tree Park will definitely be on my bucket list for future visits!
Sunrise & Sunsets
The Joshua Tree Park is an excellent place to watch sunrises & sunsets. As we drove in from Los Angeles, I do not have a picture of the sunrise. The below picture is from a blog called The National Girl. Fluffy Cacti in a golden glow.
Have you visited Joshua Tree Park before? If so, what was your favorite part? Or do you plan on going soon?
If you are interested in traveling then check out my other blogposts.
