Packing for Adventure

We traveled with our travel trailer, which always adds an extra layer of planning, especially in remote, desert areas like Joshua Tree. We made sure to map out DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) stops ahead of time, and made sure to travel with an empty fresh water tank to reduce weight and strain. Joshua Tree was a bit of a last minute addition to our trip, but it was memorable.

Things to Know:

Joshua Tree is HOT, with little to zero shade.

Like way hot. Temperatures vary widely throughout the year, but this is very much a desert climate. Winter days can be pleasant, often in the 50s–60s, while spring and fall warm up quickly. Summer is a whole ‘nother story. Average highs from June through September often sit in the mid-90s to low 100s, and September, when we visited, was no exception. During our stay, daytime temperatures hovered around 104°F, with little to zero shade to escape it.

Bring more water than you think you’ll need.

Similar to our experience at the Grand Canyon, there were signs everywhere warning us of the dangers of not being prepared for the heat. Park rangers shared stories of visitors who underestimated the conditions, heading out on what they thought would be a short, easy hike and never making it back. We made sure we had enough water, and since we didn’t want to overdo it before the rest of our trip, we didn’t do any big hikes anyway.

Rest during the hottest part of the day.

Though we stayed two nights, we only had one full day of adventuring, and we ended up having a siesta. We did some early morning exploring, then laid low in our air-conditioned trailer during lunch and then continued exploring again in the late afternoon before dinner.

Cell service can be spotty or nonexistent.

Download offline maps before you head out, and make sure people know where you are and when to expect you back.

Where We Stayed:

Joshua Tree RV & Campground | 6225 Sunburst St, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Our stop at this park was a last minute detour, so we were very grateful that this campground had availability for us on such short notice. It is minutes away from the Visitors Center and local shops. We had full hookups, the bathrooms were clean, it was very conveniently located, and the check in/check out process was seamless, quick, and easy.

Where We Ate:

When we travel with our trailer, we usually eat breakfast and lunch from food we’ve packed and then eat out for dinner about half the time. For both nights we were in Joshua Tree, we opted to eat at local restaurants.

Sky High Pie | 61740 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Of course we ate at a pizza place. This restaurant had a really nice vibe. Cool, artsy, and very Joshua Tree. We ordered the five-cheese pizza and cheese bread, and while everything was clearly made with high-quality ingredients, the pizza itself was a little too artsy for our taste. Portions felt small for the price, and it leaned more toward gourmet than comforting. It was good, just not quite our style. That said, if you love creative pizzas and don’t mind paying a bit more, it’s worth checking out.

Joshua Tree Saloon | 61835 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

This place was a fun experience and a great stop after our day in the park. The food falls somewhere between good and great, but the service and atmosphere really shine.

I originally wanted a bleu cheese burger but didn’t want a massive half-pound patty. Our server suggested the JT burger (a quarter-pound) and swapping the Thousand Island dressing for bleu cheese instead, which I really appreciated. The bleu cheese dressing itself wasn’t especially impressive, but the burger was solid overall.

The real standout, though, was the sides. The onion rings were amazing, and my husband’s sweet potato fries were also excellent. We were more impressed with the sides than the burgers! That said, both the onion rings and sweet potato fries came with a $7 upcharge, and the portions were pretty small for the price.

We loved the decor, the music selection was fantastic, and the overall vibe made it a memorable stop. It’s a great place to unwind after a hot day at Joshua Tree.

Up Next

Joshua Tree was all about experiencing as much of the park as possible while also not dehydrating or overdoing it. In the next post, I’ll share the actual stops we made within Joshua Tree National Park, and I’ll share which stops are worth visiting and which can be skipped. Sometimes knowing what not to do is just as helpful as knowing what to prioritize.