Joshua Tree National Park is a park with two vastly different experiences. The park can be roughly divided into 2 “zones;” the south side and the north side. The division is roughly around Porcupine Wash. The south side of the park is not very popular, without many named attractions, as well as fewer roads. The north side of the park, at least when we visited, was perpetually crowded with parking issues and very little peace.
The first time we visited Joshua Tree, we parked and visited the south side. The second time, after a few side quests, we visited the north side. Today we’ll talk about both sides in their own turn.
Joshua Tree South
By far our favorite side of the park, Joshua Tree South is the less populated side. What this means for you is quiet hikes and easy access.
The south side of Joshua Tree National Park has some great hikes. We particularly enjoyed the Mastodon Peak trail. The trail winds through several distinct biomes, from a pocket oasis to a desert wash, as well as past some historic mines. Mom and the kids even scrambled up to the top of Mastodon Peak for some amazing views!
Another day, we came back and did some back-country hiking, attempting to locate a historic mining site, but ended up turning around when the weather turned.
In addition to the hiking, there were several nature trails as well as a gigantic cholla patch! This patch was more in the middle of the park with access from both sides, so got a lot of the north side traffic. There is a boardwalk for part of it and many signs warning visitors to stay on the trail, that were unfortunately often ignored. It may look like dead sand and rocks, but even desert ground is alive. When people walk on it, we kill the life in it that already struggles so hard to stay alive. So please, stay on the trails!
Joshua Tree North
The north side of Joshua Tree National Park is without contest the more popular side. When we visited, there was almost no parking at any of the locations, and each location was so dense with people that it was hard to enjoy the scenery.
When it comes to the park, the north side is home to many of the park’s iconic features, from 49 Palms Oasis to Skull Rock and the arches formations. We did find one hike on the north side that wasn’t too crowded. The Contact Mine Trail was a pretty easy out-and-back trail, terminating at an abandoned mine site, with lots of artifacts still strewn about. Everywhere else we visited on this side was very hard to enjoy due to the crowding.
One interesting quirk about this side of the park is the location of the visitor centers. The visitor centers on the north side of the park are all outside the park, along the highway. The Twenty-nine Palms Visitor Center that we visited had an amazing tribute to the Indigenous peoples, and is well worth the visit, even if only passing through.
Joshua Tree National Park: Find Your Solitude
While the north side gets crowded, there is still a lot to see on the south side. Summer crowds may not be as bad as what we experienced in late winter or early spring, however, the weather can be grueling. For the best experience, stick to the south and enjoy the wonders of the park, or if you’re really adventurous, try exploring the backcountry! However you choose to visit, Joshua Tree National Park isn’t one you want to miss.