🏜️ Joshua Tree National Park

Located just about 120 miles from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is the closest national park to LA 🚗💨—only a 2-hour drive! The park is named after the Joshua tree, a unique species of yucca that grows primarily in the Southwest U.S. and symbolizes the Mojave Desert. Fun fact: The park is nearly as big as the state of Rhode Island 😂, but a day trip from LA is totally doable if you just want to explore! 🌵 What to See & Do: 1️⃣ Admire desert plants: Cacti 🌵 and Joshua trees 🌳 2️⃣ Stargaze ✨ — perfect thanks to ideal elevation, dry air, and stable atmosphere 3️⃣ Hike scenic and safe trails 🥾 4️⃣ See uniquely shaped rocks like Skull Rock, Heart Rock, Arch Rock, Face Rock, Cow Rock, and Cap Rock 5️⃣ Camp under the stars ⛺️ — sites range from $10–25/night (book early on the official website!) 6️⃣ Catch epic sunsets 🌇 — Keys View is a must! Overlook Palm Springs, Coachella Valley, and Salton Sea. 📍 Recommended Routes (Enter via West Entrance to save time ⚠️): 1️⃣ South Entrance (Cottonwood Visitor Center) → Cholla Cactus Garden (walk the trail!) → Heart Rock → Skull Rock → Barker Dam → Hidden Valley → Cap Rock → Keys View (time it for sunset!) → Exit via West Entrance 2️⃣ West Entrance (Joshua Tree Visitor Center) → Drive straight to Cholla Cactus Garden first, then follow the route above. ⚠️ Tips: 1️⃣ No cell service 📵 — download offline maps beforehand! 2️⃣ No gas stations or stores inside — bring water, food, and a full tank of gas 🚰⛽️ 3️⃣ Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle | Annual pass: $80 🎫 PS: If you're coming from LA, consider stopping by Desert Hills Premium Outlets for some shopping! 🛍️😉 #JoshuaTree #NationalParks #LATravel #CaliforniaTravel #SoCal #DesertVibes #TravelUSA #OutdoorAdventure