Rocky Ramble to a Unique Landscape of Alien Trees and Giant Boulders

This Old West town was used as a film backdrop and founded by two of Hollywood's biggest stars: Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.
Take a stroll on Mane Street to see the old corrals, livery stables, a bank, a bath house, two saloons, a bowling alley and plenty of storefronts, some of which are open for business as general stores, art galleries, and boutiques. Sometimes, there might even be a mock gunfight!

The real star at Pioneertown is Pappy and Harriet's, a roadside honky-tonk popular with both locals and LA hipsters. Here you'll find a lively crowd for conversation, a rustic atmosphere, delicious food and top-notch music acts that play at night. Stop in for an early lunch. You can't go wrong with anything here, but the ribs, classic Santa Maria barbecue, and burgers are especially tasty.

The West Entrance Joshua Tree Visitors Center is a great spot to get oriented, pick up Jr. Ranger activity books, view maps, read about the area, and ask questions. There are also a few wildlife and geology exhibits here worth checking out. There are two other entrances to the park, but this West Entrance is the most easily accessible, making it also the most popular.

The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an easy trail in the park, and a good introduction to this unique landscape. This spot was rumored to have been a famous hideout for cattle rustlers thanks to the many hiding places among the rocks.
Here you'll find a self-guided, one-mile loop trail which winds through a part of the campground of the same name. The big boulders you see are made of monzogranite, a volcanic rock that has been eroded more slowly than surrounding material, by wind and water. Feel free to scramble on them here. It's fun!

Skull Rock is another easy stop that brings you to a rock formation that looks just like a...skull. Have fun finding the best angle to get its picture, there are many ways to look at it. Jumbo Rocks Campground is across the street and another favorite place to scramble around on rocks.

One of the best aspects of this National Park is its unique flora. The Joshua Tree is one such plant, named by Mormon travelers in the area of the 19th century who were reminded of the Bible story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer. Another is the cholla cactus, or "teddy bear" cactus, covered in thorny spikes. Definitely don't touch! You can see a plethora of them in this "Cholla Cactus Garden," which winds a quarter mile through this natural stand of them, the densest grouping of its kind in the world.

Keys View Lookout Point is perched on the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains looking out onto the panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. At the peak, you'll have a view of Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio, as well as the San Andreas Fault. Enjoy the view. Linger if you begin to see a sunset, it's a beautiful sight from here.

For such a small town in the desert, Joshua Tree has a surprisingly good—and diverse—food scene. Crossroads Cafe is a solid choice in all categories and offers a broad array of choices for any group. It's casual and hearty, just what you need at the end of an active day in the desert.

You've spent a lot of time outside and are likely tired. Hit the sack early, another active day awaiting you!