Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Explorer’s Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree may be known for attracting crowds of social influencers and visitors unfamiliar with national park etiquette. Yet despite the reputation, it remains at its core a mystical place. Its ancient landscape is dotted with fuzzy cacti, sculptural rock formations, and the namesake Joshua trees—which aren’t trees at all, but a species of yucca that can live for centuries in the Mojave Desert. The otherworldly setting has drawn generations of soul-seekers, avant-garde artists, and others who march to the beat of their own drums. Today, you can embark on an unconventional adventure, encountering everything from a spiritual center dedicated to the “science of the future” to a geodesic dome purportedly inspired by extraterrestrials. Plan your next adventure with our Explorer’s Guide to the Parks.