Holiday in Joshua Tree

What makes Joshua Tree special as a destination?

Joshua Tree National Park is located where two deserts meet: the higher Mojave Desert in the north and the Colorado Desert in the south. The park is named after the bizarre Joshua Trees, which, with their twisted branches, resemble sculptures from another world — some of these fascinating plants are over 900 years old. The park is a paradise for climbers: More than 8,000 registered routes on massive granite monoliths like Jumbo Rocks or Hidden Valley attract boulderers and sport climbers from all over the world. But even without climbing experience, the surreal rock landscape impresses — the short hike through the Skull Rock Trail or the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Loop offers spectacular photo opportunities. At night, the park transforms into a top-notch star observatory. As an International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree is one of the best places in Southern California to see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Especially between March and May, when the desert flowers bloom and the temperatures are still bearable, the park shows its most beautiful side. Keys View offers a 360-degree panoramic view all the way to the Salton Sea. Just two hours from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree is a perfect weekend trip — or the start of a larger Southwest road trip.