Death Valley National Park is the perfect stop to add to a Nevada or California road trip itinerary. The park is close to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Nearby Death Valley are some of Nevada and California’s famous ghost towns. And, other epic parks like Sequoia National Forest aren’t too far away. 

Dawn Outdoors contributor Erin from Pina Travels recently spent a few days in the park and wrote a comprehensive guide for you.

This guide to Death Valley National Park includes:

• A custom Death Valley National Park map that highlights all the locations in this post
• When to visit Death Valley National Park – the best time of year to go
• How long to spend in Death Valley? How many days is best?
• Death Valley fees, passes and reservations: Which ones do you need?
• How to get to Death Valley from both Las Vegas and Los Angeles
• Getting Around Death Valley: Self-driving and tours
• Where to stay in Death Valley including hotels and campgrounds
• The 10 best things to do in Death Valley National Park from hiking to scenic drives and more

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Death Valley National Park Map

Are you curious about where to find all the places I recommend in this post? I made a custom Death Valley National Park Google Map for you. Click on the map to zoom in.

When to Visit Death Valley National Park

Before we dive into the best things to do in Death Valley, it’s important to note that the best time to hike in Death Valley is from November through March. 

During spring, summer, and early fall, temperatures are so high it’s important to be extremely cautious when hiking. I visited Death Valley in early May and found it taxing to be outdoors at midday. 

If you plan to hike in Death Valley, prepare properly. Bring lots of water, wear good footwear, wear a hat, wear sunscreen, and watch yourself and others for signs of overheating. Read these tips for hiking in the desert and hiking in hot weather before you go.

I found that the best time to hike in Death Valley is early in the morning, or in the late afternoon. At these times of day, the sun is lower in the sky, which means there’s less direct sun on you. 

The good news about Death Valley? You can do a lot of fun things that don’t involve long hikes! This list covers some hikes, yes, but I’ll also cover activities that aren’t as physically demanding. 

Why is Death Valley So Hot?

Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in all of North America! The lowest region of the park, Badwater Basin, is 282 feet below sea level. 

It’s the fact that Death Valley is so low, and shaped like a big valley, that makes this park so hot. Sunlight heats the surface of the desert, and the heat radiates from the rocks. Because the park is a valley, heat settles and becomes trapped. As a result, Death Valley is famous for its record-breaking temperatures.

How Long to Spend in Death Valley National Park

There’s a lot to do in Death Valley National Park. Especially because it’s so hot, it’s difficult to fit several activities into one day. You can easily spend 4 days seeing the park’s highlights, watching epic sunsets, and hiking. 

If you’ve only got 1 or 2 days I recommend seeing the main highlights: Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Drive, Badwater Basin, and the Mesquite Flats. (More on these below!)

Death Valley National Park Fees, Passes, and Reservations

Admission to Death Valley National Park costs $30 per vehicle and is valid for one week. You can pay at park entrance kiosks or automated fee machines.

If you plan to visit more than one National Park, consider buying an America the Beautiful Pass for $80. It covers over 2000 federal recreation sites and all National Parks. It’s valid for one year.

While you need reservations to visit some popular National Parks, you do NOT need reservations to visit Death Valley. Just show up!

How to Get to Death Valley National Park 

The largest cities near Death Valley National Park are Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Las Vegas is the closest, making it a popular city to fly into to access the park. 

Psst! If you’re staying in Vegas, don’t miss our guide to Incredible Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas!

From Las Vegas: 2-Hour Drive

Take the NV-160 through Pahrump and Death Valley Junction. Alternatively, you can take the US-95 through Indian Springs and Amargosa Valley, which takes a bit more time. 

From Los Angeles: 4.5 Hour Drive

Take Interstate 10 or 210 to Interstate 15 north to Baker, then California 127 to California 190 E into the park. The alternative option is to take California 14, then U.S. 395, then California 190 E. 

Getting Around Death Valley: Self-Drive or Tours

You will need a car to explore Death Valley National Park since there is no public transportation in the park. The easiest places to rent a car nearby are Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I use Discover Cars to search for car rentals since it compares prices across tons of different companies.

Keep in mind that many of the roads in the park are dirt with no cell phone reception or services. If you aren’t experienced in off-road driving, stick to the main park roads.

Another option is to visit Death Valley with a tour. There are lots of options leaving from Las Vegas. This five-star-rated small-group tour takes you through the park’s highlights as a day trip. Or book this full-day tour from Las Vegas that includes an incredible evening of stargazing.

Where to Stay in Death Valley

There are two options for staying within Death Valley National Park. You can camp or book a hotel. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells are the two villages within Death Valley, and it’s in these villages that you’ll find the park’s hotels and campgrounds.

Camping in Death Valley 

The two most popular campgrounds within the park are Furnace Creek and Texas Springs. Sunset, Death Valley’s largest campground, almost always has sites available, even in the busy season. Furnace Creek campground requires reservations while the others are first-come, first-served. There are also several smaller campgrounds.

It’s worth noting that most campgrounds are open from October to April only. They close in the hot months.

Hotels in Death Valley 

Now, let’s talk about hotels. There are three hotels inside Death Valley National Park:

The Ranch at Death Valley has air-conditioned rooms with hot showers, an outdoor swimming pool, a playground, a tennis court, a bar, a restaurant, and a general store. Check prices.

The Inn at Death Valley is a historic hotel that’s been in operation since 1927. This hotel has a spring-fed pool, a bar, a restaurant, a gym, and gardens to enjoy. It was renovated recently, and so it tends to be a bit more expensive than The Ranch at Death Valley. Check prices.

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is at the northern end of Death Valley, so it’s in a less convenient location. But this is your budget option! Here you’ll find simple rooms, and lots of amenities on-site, including a Western-style saloon, restaurant, general store, and pool. Check prices.

You can also book a hotel just outside the park. The closest option is the eclectic Amargosa Opera House and Hotel in Death Valley Junction. You will also find a Best Western and a Holiday Inn Express in nearby Pahrump, about an hour from the park entrance.

Because there are so few hotels in the park, they book up quickly. Be sure to reserve your hotel in advance. 

Best Things to Do in Death Valley

Golden Canyon Trail 

The Golden Canyon trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park. It’s a 4.3-mile (6.9 km) loop trail that takes you through surreal landscapes. 

Golden Canyon is an easy to moderate trail that takes most people 2-3 hours. It starts by taking you through a beautiful canyon, Golden Canyon, and then onward to Red Cathedral, Manly Beacon, and Gower Gulch. Along the hike, you’ll see tall rock walls, narrow slots, badlands, and desert. 

This is a popular trail because it’s not too difficult (particularly if you do it at a cooler time of day), and it gives you a taste of Death Valley’s various landscapes. 

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is one of the best lookout points in Death Valley National Park. To reach the lookout point, you’ll park in a big parking lot, and then walk about a quarter mile up a paved path that’s on an incline. 

At the top there is signage explaining what you’re seeing, and benches where you can rest. You can see the badlands as well as incredible jutting stone faces in the distance. From this viewpoint, you can really see the diversity of Death Valley’s landscapes. 

Zabriskie Point is one of the best spots in the park to watch sunrise and sunset, so it’s worth planning this stop on your itinerary as either an early morning start to the day or for when the sun goes down. 

Artists Drive

Artists Drive is a scenic 9-mile (14 km) drive that takes you through hills that are famous for their pastel hues. This is the perfect activity to do when it’s especially hot because you can take in the beautiful Death Valley views from the comfort of your air-conditioned car. 

As you drive, you’ll see hills that have shades of green, pink, red, yellow and more colours. This rainbow phenomenon on the rocks is caused by volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite.

Artist’s Drive is just off Badwater Road, south of Furnace Creek. The start of the drive is clearly marked. It’s a loop drive that brings you back out to Badwater Road. The road is well-paved and single-lane. It’s best to drive slowly, so you can really take in everything around you!

Throughout the drive, there are pull-offs with parking lots, where you can get out of your car to take a closer look at the rocks and the view.

Artist’s Palette is the most popular pull-off. From this viewpoint, you can see some of the park’s most vibrant, colorful rocks. 

Artist’s Drive takes the average person 30 minutes to an hour. It all depends on how fast you drive, and how many stops you make along the way. 

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is a massive salt flat, the lowest point in the park. At 282 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point in all of North America. 

A few thousand years ago, Badwater Basin was a big lake, about 30 feet deep. Over time, the lake evaporated, leaving a 1-5 foot layer of salt, which created the salt flat that’s there today. 

Because Badwater Basin is at such a low elevation, it’s one of the hottest parts of the park, and there’s no shade to shield you from the sun. Given this, the best time to visit Badwater Basin is at sunrise or sunset. Coming at these times means you’ll also get treated to beautiful lighting as the sun rises, or goes down. 

Due to years of visitors, the salt flat area near the parking lot has been flattened. You’ll need to walk 15-20 minutes out into the basin to reach the area where you can see the intricate salt crystals that form the cracked patterns that Badwater Basin is known for. 

Be sure to bring lots of  water out into the basin with you – I found that the salt made me very thirsty!

And, before you leave the basin, look up at the rock face opposite the parking lot. Up on the rock face is a sign that marks sea level. Seeing the sign, high up on the rock face, helps you understand how low below sea level the basin truly is. 

Natural Bridge Trail

The Natural Bridge Trail is a 1.4-mile (2.3 km) there-and-back hike through the Amargosa Mountain foothills. It takes you through a canyon, to a massive natural bridge that’s 35 feet tall. 

This is a great trail to do on a hot day because it’s easy and short. It usually takes 45 minutes – 1 hour to complete.

Before starting the trail, be sure to look at the information panel at the trailhead. It provides illustrations of the geological features that you’ll see in the canyon, making it easy to spot features like faults, chutes, and mud drippings as you hike. 

Harmony Borax Works

At Harmony Borax Works, you can explore the remains of a mining operation that dates back more than 120 years. Back in 1883, William Tell Coleman built the Harmony plant to process ore. 

Harmony Borax Works employed around 40 people to extract and produce three tons of borax every day. However, the plant didn’t last long. It was only in use for about 5 years, going out of operation in 1888. 

A short walk from the Harmony Borax Works parking lot, you can see remnants of the mining operation. You also have views of the area of the park where borax was extracted – and you can still see borax out on the plains. 

There is signage at Harmony Borax Works that explains the history of the mining operation, and how it worked. For example, miners used 20-mule teams to haul borax 165 miles to the railroad town of Mojave! 

Mosaic Canyon Trail

Mosaic Canyon Trail is a 4-mile (6.4 km) out-and-back hike. It’s considered moderately difficult because there are some areas where you need to scramble up rocks that can be quite slippery. 

The best part of this hike comes right at the beginning. You’ll walk through narrow canyon walls that are made of wavy rock, which over time has been smoothed out by flash floods.  

It’s best to do this trail first thing in the morning. For most of the trail, there’s very little sun coverage, and so doing it midday is too hot. It takes most people 2-3 hours to complete. 

If you aren’t up for a few hours of hiking, you can still stop by Mosaic Canyon Trail to walk the beginning part, which takes you through the canyon. This is a particularly beautiful part of the trail, and since it’s right at the trailhead, you can spend 30 minutes to an hour exploring just this portion. 

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes are a fascinating part of Death Valley National Park. These sand dunes were created through a combination of sand, wind, and surrounding mountains. The dunes are named for the mesquite tree that grows throughout the area. 

Because Mesquite Flats are sand dunes, there’s very little sun cover, so it’s best to visit the dunes either first thing in the morning, or at sunset time. The views of the desert and mountains in the distance are gorgeous as the sun disappears. 

No official trails lead out into the dunes. You’re free to wander wherever you like. Just be sure to watch your step as you walk, and try not to disturb any wildlife. Be careful of wandering out too far – Walking in sand can be very taxing. 

Elevation Sea Level Sign

The Elevation Sea Level signs display the elevation level in the park. You’ll actually notice them all throughout the park, but the one worth stopping at is near Furnace Creek, right where Badwater Road intersects with California State Route 190. 

This particular elevation sign has a shoulder where you can safely pull off the road and stop to take a photo with it. Although this isn’t the most necessary stop in Death Valley, it makes for a very memorable photo opp!

Darwin Falls

Darwin Falls is one of the few year-round waterfalls in Death Valley National Park. These falls are 18 feet tall, and they create a small oasis inside a rocky canyon. 

At the bottom of Darwin Falls is a small pool that has served as a water source for people and wildlife in Death Valley for hundreds of years. It might be tempting to go for a swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls – but don’t! This water is used as a drinking source for a nearby hotel. 

To reach Darwin Falls, you’ll take a 2-mile (3.2 km) out-and-back trail. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to finish this hike. It’s considered an easy trail to follow, and easy to walk. 

Thanks to Erin for sharing this incredible guide to the best things to do in Death Valley National Park. You can read more about Erin’s adventures on her website, Pina Travels. She also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism.

READ NEXT:

• 14 Best Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas
• Take an Epic Outdoors Arizona Road Trip
• 18 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
• 15 Best Easy Hikes in Moab
• Tips and Tricks for Hiking in the Desert
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather

The post 10 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve put together a list of must-do things for you. Think of it as your Joshua Tree Bucket List. So here you go: 18 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park. If you have questions about Joshua Tree, check out the FAQ section at the bottom.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Check out the Joshua Trees

There are tons of things to do in Joshua Tree National Park, but the checking out the joshua trees is the main attraction.

Joshua trees are pretty insane: they look more like something Dr. Seuss dreamed up than an actual tree. And in fact they aren’t technically trees since they have fibres instead of growth rings – they are part of the yucca plant family.

The early Mormon settlers thought the trees looked like Joshua from the Bible raising his arms to the sky in prayer, hence the name: Joshua tree. 

They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. And like snowflakes, I think no two are exactly alike. I spent hours taking photos of Joshua trees on my trip and I’m sure you’ll want to as well.

Best Place to See Joshua Trees: Stop your car at any of the pull outs along Park Drive – the Joshua trees are pretty much everywhere in the northern section of the park.

Visit the Unique Rock Formations

If you’ve watched a western film or been on the Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at Disney, you’re familiar with the cartoonish landscape of piled round rocks.

Well it turns out it doesn’t just exist in fiction – at Joshua Tree this landscape is real! The park is covered in unique jumbles of rocks. Some of them are famous enough to have their own names and are tourist attractions!

Best Places to See the Rock Formations in Joshua Tree:

• Skull Rock is near the Jumbo Rocks campground is a must see (although I didn’t think it looked that much like a skull.) You can see it right from the park road.
• Arch Rock near White Tank campground is also cool, and it’s the only a half mile walk.
• Split Rock is a giant boulder with a split running through it (they named it well). You can drive right up to it.

Go For a Hike

Besides checking out the Joshua trees, going for a hike is one of the must-do things in Joshua Tree. There are tons of options for hiking from short nature walks to long treks so there’s something to suit every fitness level. 

Make sure to bring lots of water, a hat and sunscreen as the desert weather can be harsh, even in the winter.

If you want a local’s perspective, sign up for a guided hike. Your guide will pick the best hike for your group and the season, then help you understand the plants, animals, and geology that you will spot along the way.

Best Hikes in Joshua Tree:

• For a short and easy walk check out the Barker Dam Trail. This 1.5 mile loop goes past a dam and some pictograms and takes about 45 minutes.
• A great moderate trail is the hike to Lost Horse Mine.
• For a longer and more challenging hike I liked the trail to the Willow Hole. It’s an out and back trip of 7 miles that leaves the desert on the Boy Scout Trail and heads deep into the Wonderland of Rocks to a subsurface oasis of willows. There’s lot of interesting vegetation, plus you might see wildlife. (We saw a fox!!)
• Here’s 6 more easy hikes you can do in less than 3 hours.

READ NEXT: Tips and Tricks for Hiking in the Desert

Try to Spot Some Wildlife

While the desert can look uninhabited, it’s actually home to lots of wildlife. You just need to slow down, be quiet and know where to look. On my visit I saw a gray fox, coyotes, lizards, cottontail rabbits, Jack rabbits, ground squirrels, chipmunks, a golden eagle, hawks, quails, hummingbirds and bats.

Joshua Tree National Park is also home to big horn sheep and an endangered tortoise, but we weren’t lucky enough to see them. There are also rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas and mountain lions in the park, but I wasn’t enthusiastic about running into them. (And thankfully I didn’t!)

Best Places to Spot Wildlife in Joshua Tree:

If you camp in the park you’re likely to see some of the more common animals that hang around the campgrounds. These include rabbits, ground squirrels and chipmunks. You might also hear bats chirping or coyotes howling at night.

Your best chance to see big horn sheep and other more reclusive wildlife (like foxes) is to venture into the Wonderland of Rocks on the Boy Scout Trail or the Willow Hole Trail.

Camp in the Desert

You might picture the desert as bathed in sunlight, but you haven’t experienced it until you’ve seen it at night too when the stars come out and the heat of the day fades away. The best way to do that is to camp.

Joshua Tree National Park has 9 campgrounds, some of which require reservations and some of which are first-come-first-served. Most of them don’t have water or flush toilets, so camping is a rustic experience. But it’s sooo worth it.

Camping is pretty popular so make a reservation or plan to show up early to try to get a first-come-first-served spot.

For the more adventurous, you can also backcountry camp in the park. You have to start at one of 13 backpacking trailheads and your campsite must be more than 1 mile from the trailhead and at least 100 feet from any water sources.

Best Places to Camp in Joshua Tree National Park: If you want to be close to town and like the certainty of a reserved site, stay at Black Rock or Indian Cove campgrounds. You’ll be a bit further from the main sites at these locations, but you won’t have to rough it as much. Plus Black Rock has water and flush toilets!

If you want to stay in the heart of the park camp at Hidden Valley. This campground has sites set amongst boulders and outcroppings and is very popular with climbers. My tip: Campsites 32-45 along the road to the right are quieter and more private than the sites in the main loop. Camping costs $15-20 a night. Unless you reserved online, bring cash.

READ NEXT: Best Campgrounds and Hotels Near Joshua Tree

Watch the Rock Climbers

Rock climbing is one of the most popular activities in Joshua Tree National Park and climbers travel here from all over the world. Many climbers will spend a few weeks here each winter, enjoying the mild weather and living in their vans. There are over 8000 established rock climbing routes in the park! Watching the climbers can be really entertaining as they scale seemingly impossible cliffs.

Best Places to Watch Rock Climbers in Joshua Tree National Park: There are tons of climbing areas in the park so you are likely to see people climbing or bouldering almost anywhere. (FYI: Bouldering is climbing on small rocks that aren’t very high off the ground without using a rope.)

Some popular places to see climbers are:

• Quail Springs picnic area
• Intersection Rock
• the cliffs around the Hidden Valley campground
• the Hall of Horrors climbing area pull out.

Visit the Cactus Garden

The cactus garden is full of teddybear cholla cactus (pronounced choy-ya).

These fuzzy looking cactus also have the nickname “jumping cactus” since if you brush against them parts of the cactus will break off and get embedded in your skin or clothes. There is even a first aid kit chained to a post near the entrance since so many people accidentally get cactus spines stuck in them!

There also lots of other desert plants in the cactus garden, but there are just SO MANY teddybear cacti that it is hard to see anything else.

How to Find the Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park: The Cholla Cactus Garden is located in the southern portion of Joshua Tree National Park along the Pinto Basin Road. It’s a 20 mile drive from the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southern part of the park or a 14 mile drive from the intersection of Pinto Basin Road and Park Drive in the north.

Check out the Panorama at Keys View

Make the drive up to 5185 feet to the Keys View for panoramic views to the south. From up there you can see Palm Springs, the Salton Sea and even Signal Mountain in Mexico. You can also see the Indio Hills, which are the result of movement along the San Andreas Fault.

It’s one of the few places you can actually look right at the San Andreas Fault, besides from an airplane. Bring binoculars if you have them.

How to Get to Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park: From the intersection of Park Drive and Keys View Road in the northern part of the park it’s a 20 minute drive up the mountain to the viewpoint. At the top there is a short viewpoint loop.

Go Star Gazing

Joshua Tree National Park has very low levels of light pollution, making it perfect for star gazing. They even host a Night Sky Festival in January.

My Tips for Star Gazing in Joshua Tree National Park:

• Even if the desert is warm during the day, the temperature drops at night so bundle up with warm clothes.
• Pick a night with no clouds and avoid the full moon.
• If you want to take photos of the night sky you’ll need a tripod and a camera that has a manual mode to shoot long exposures.

Best Places to Star Gaze in Joshua Tree National Park:

• The most convenient place to star gaze might be right at your campsite, especially if you stay at one of the campgrounds in the heart of the park.
• Turn off your flashlights and put out your campfire for the best visibility.
• For even better star gazing, consider backcountry camping.
• If you aren’t camping, you can drive into the park at any time (it’s open 24 hours) and stop anywhere to look at the stars.
• Choose a roadside pullout as far from light sources as possible. Consider driving down the Pinto Basin Road towards the Cholla Cactus Garden for the darkest skies.

Drink a Date Shake

Date Shakes have been popular in the Palm Springs area since the 1920s. Date growers in the Coachella Valley south of Joshua Tree National Park needed to figure how to market dates to Americans… so they added them to milkshakes. If you’ve never had a date shake before, you’ve got to try one.

Where to Get Date Shakes Near Joshua Tree National Park: There are tons of places to find date shakes in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, south of the park.

Shields Date Garden in Indio is where it all started. It’s a 40 minute drive from the Cottonwood Visitor Centre at the southern edge of the park to Shields.

If that’s too far to go, don’t worry. North of the park you can get Date Shakes at Natural Sisters Cafe or Country Kitchen, both on 29 Palms Highway near the intersection with Park Boulevard.

Check out the Ocotillo Patch

Joshua Trees and cacti aren’t the only interesting plants in Joshua Tree National Park: enter the ocotillo. It looks kind of like a super tall, spindly cactus, but it’s actually a deciduous shrub. Unlike most deciduous plants which shed their leaves once a year in the fall, the ocotillo grows and sheds it’s leaves multiple times a year – each time in rains.

It sometimes blooms bright red flowers as well. These plants are really cool to see and make for great photos, especially against the blue sky of the desert.

How to Find the Ocotillo Patch in Joshua Tree National Park: The Ocotillo Patch is located on Pinto Basin Road in the southern part of the park. It’s a 25 minute drive from the Cottonwood Visitor Centre in the south or a 5 minute drive from the Cholla Cactus Garden to the north. There’s a small sign just before a parking pull out. There are ocotillo on both side of the road.

READ NEXT: Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather

Go Rock Climbing or Scrambling

If you’re an experienced rock climber, Joshua Tree is a paradise. If you’re new to climbing, sign up for a beginner-friendly group rock climbing lesson.

But rock climbing doesn’t have to be a hard core activity with ropes, harnesses and dangling over the abyss – there are lots of short rock scrambles in the park that you can just walk up on your own.

Many of the rocks are arranged in easy stair steps that make climbing easy, even for those who don’t like heights. Just remember that it’s way easier to climb up than to climb down, so choose your route carefully and don’t take any unnecessary risks.

Best Places to Go Rock Scrambling in Joshua Tree National Park: There are good roadside rock formations for scrambling all over the park. My favourite areas to explore are:

• Quail Springs picnic area
• near Skull Rock
• on the Arch Rock trail
• near the Hidden Valley campground.

Walk Among the Palm Trees at an Oasis

The word oasis conjures up stereotypical images of a group of palm trees growing up out of the desert. It turns out that’s totally a real thing and there are a few different oases in Joshua Tree National Park. (“Oases” is the plural of oasis – the more you know, right?)

Some of them you can drive right up to and a few of them you can hike to. They all have groves of palm trees and other water loving plants like willow trees. Unlike the manicured palms you see in cities, these ones are all shaggy since no gardener removes the dead fronds to keep the trunk exposed.

How to Find the Oases at Joshua Tree National Park:

• The easiest oasis to visit it the Oasis of Mara at the 29 Palm Visitor Centre. A short half mile paved trail winds around the oasis.
• The Cottonwood Spring Oasis near the Cottonwood Visitor Centre is also easy to visit since you can see it from the parking lot.
• For more challenging hikes, check out the 3 mile 49 Palms Oasis Trail in the north of the park or the 7 mile round trip hike to the Lost Palms Oasis near Cottonwood Spring.

Spend Some Time People Watching

Joshua Tree attracts an eclectic bunch: dirtbag rock climbers living in vans, ageing hippies looking for enlightenment in the desert, L.A. hipsters on weekend Instagram photoshoot missions, U.S. Marines from the nearby base, European families on camping vacations in rented RVs, grey haired retirees taking a break from golfing in Palm Springs… and regular old tourists.

They all seem to love the wide open desert and blue skies of Joshua Tree, and since it’s a pretty chill place, they all get along. The people watching is amazing here… almost as good as on the New York Subway 🙂

Of course, remember to be respectful and avoid staring because everyone deserves to enjoy the park.

Best Places for People Watching Near Joshua Tree:

• Start with any of the three visitor centres. You’re sure to spot some interesting people browsing the bookstores or asking questions at the info desk.
• Outside the park check out the restaurants, cafes and outfitters near the intersection of 29 Palms Highway and Park Boulevard in the town of Joshua Tree.
• Inside the park take a stroll through the Hidden Valley campground on weekend mornings to grab a free cup of coffee and chat with climbers and climbing rangers at the park’s Climber Coffee program.
• Head to Keys View at sunset to see a wide cross section of visitors enjoying the beautiful colours at the end of the day.

Explore an Abandoned Mine

Most of Joshua Tree National Park is littered with old mines. The area was part of a large land grab starting in the 1800s as western settlers scrambled to find gold and other minerals. Many of the mines in the park operated for only a short time.

The mining ruins have left rusty metal and machinery strewn about so watch your step when exploring. Never go inside or climb on anything since it’s definitely not safe. Many of the mine shafts drop straight down!

How to Visit an Abandoned Mine in Joshua Tree National Park: There are tons of mines but most are well off the beaten path and involve cross-country travel in trail-less terrain.

• One of the easiest hikes to a mine is the 1.6 mile trip to the Desert Queen Mine.
• Another easy option is heading to Wall Street Mill which was used for processing gold ore. This 3 mile out and back trail passes some ruined buildings before ending at the ruins of the mill.
• In the southern part of the park, check out the Mastodon Peak trail, a 3 mile loop that goes right by the ruins of the Mastodon Mine.
• For the more adventurous, hike to the Lost Horse Mine. It’s a 7 mile loop that passes lots of ruins and visits the mine.

Shop and Eat in the Town of Joshua Tree

Located just north of Joshua Tree National Park, the funky town of Joshua Tree is a worth a visit. Make time to browse through the unique local shops including the Coyote Corner gift shop, Grateful Desert Apothecary, and the Joshua Tree Rock Shop.

There are lots of unique restaurants too. Don’t miss Natural Sisters Cafe for vegetarian food, Joshua Tree Coffee Company, drinks at the Joshua Tree Saloon, breakfast at Joshua Tree Country Kitchen, and the quirky diner-style Crossroads Cafe.

Visit Pioneertown

We didn’t have time to visit Pioneer Town on my visit, and I really wish we’d made it there. It’s a really cool Western-style town, built in 1946 as a movie set. Today it’s home to fun shops, restaurants, and even a unique hotel.

Go Off-Roading

Huge parts of Joshua Tree National Park are very remote and can only be accessed by 4×4 vehicle. Your rental car isn’t up to the challenge of these rough roads (and you’ll void your insurance if you take it off the pavement anyway), so it’s best to go with a tour.

There are several options available including family-friendly jeep tours or rides in an open-backed safari-style Hummer.

Joshua Tree National Park FAQ

What are your favourite things to do in Joshua Tree National Park? Can you recommend any hikes I should hit up next time I’m there? (Because you know there will be a next time!)

READ NEXT:

• Best Places to Stay Near Joshua Tree
• 14 Best Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas
• 10 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
• Take an Epic Outdoors Arizona Road Trip
• Things to Do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park

The post 18 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Rasika says “This was our first time hiking through a cave. While it was exciting, it was also intimidating! The hike to and from the cave was also fun; we loved seeing these captivating rock formations that were formed due to volcanic eruptions and erosions from water and wind over time. If you’re visiting California, Pinnacles National Park is a must-do on your itinerary as it shows you how nature changes over the years.”

Read on for Rasika’s full Bear Gulch Cave Trail guide. It includes:

• Trail information you’ll need to know for hiking the Bear Gulch Cave Trail
• The best time to hike through the Bear Gulch Cave Trail
• How to get to Pinnacles National Park and the Bear Gulch Cave trailhead
• What makes the Bear Gulch Cave Trail so special; is it worth hiking? 
• Hiking directions for the Bear Gulch Cave Trail

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Bear Gulch Cave Trail Basics

This trail takes you through the Bear Gulch Cave and finishes at the Bear Gulch Reservoir. The Bear Gulch Cave is one of the two talus caves in Pinnacles National Park. When huge boulders fall into a canyon or a mountain slope, the space underneath is a talus cave.

This isn’t your average hike; hiking through this cave requires your full attention as you will be moving through some narrow passages with low ceilings. Even though some of the areas are narrow, it is a two-way hike so be prepared to see hikers coming back and make way when necessary. Follow the arrows to stay on the correct route.

Make sure that you’re packing the 10 essentials when hiking this trail: flashlights, water bottles, and a first aid kit in case you hit your head/feet on one of the rocks. (They should all be on your California packing list anyway!)

Is the Bear Gulch Cave Trail Worth Hiking?

So, with all these precautions, is it really worth hiking the Bear Gulch Cave Trail? That’s what we thought when we were preparing for the hike. But yes, it was worth it!

If you’ve ever wanted to visit a bat cave, this is it. Townsend’s big-eared bats reside in this cave. Plus, there are 16 species of bats in the Bear Gulch Cave. The trail takes you through an immersive cave experience and you get into survival mode.

After you exit the cave, you hike up to a scenic view of the Bear Gulch Reservoir, the second-best attraction in the park after the Bear Gulch Cave. 

Bear Gulch Cave Trail Information

Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip (2.2 miles/3.5 km total including the connector trail from the parking lot to the Bear Gulch Cave Trail) 

Elevation Gain: 240 feet (73 meters)

Time: 2-3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Season: Bear Gulch Cave is closed between mid-May and mid-July due to the bats’ pupping season.

Toilets: Available at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area parking lot 

Pets: No pets are allowed on the trails. Pets are allowed on-leash in the parking lots, picnic areas, and the Pinnacles Campground. 

Fee/Passes: $30 7-day vehicle entrance fee; free if you have the $80 America the Beautiful Pass or the $55 Pinnacles National Park Annual Pass. There are also National Park Service Fee Free days when you don’t have to pay a fee to enter the park.

Maps: Use this Pinnacle National Park map to stay on track. You can also buy a Pinnacles National Park topographic map.

Rules: Stay on established trails. Bicycles are prohibited on all trails. Drones aren’t allowed. It is not allowed to feed, approach, or hunt wildlife in the park. 

Best Times to Hike to Bear Gulch Cave Trail

The best time to hike the Bear Gulch Cave Trail is during spring or fall. This is because the entire cave will be open during the last weeks of March and October. They may open up earlier but that’s based on the presence of bats.

The lower section of the cave is open from April to May, July to September, and November to February.

The entire cave is closed between mid-May through mid-July when the maternal colony of bats raises their babies. Make sure to check the status of the caves on the National Parks Service site before planning a hike on the Bear Gulch Cave Trail.

Apart from the seasonality of the Bear Gulch Cave, spring and fall are great times to see the colorful scenery around the park. Visit during spring to see the vibrant wildflowers blooming or visit during the fall to admire the fall foliage. Our fall trip was gorgeous with orange leaves all around and the air being chill enough to feel comfortable to spend our whole day at the park.

While you can still visit the lower sections of the cave during the winter and spring, winter lacks that colorful scenery and summers can be as hot as 100 Fahrenheit (or more!).

If you plan to visit during the summer, please note that it can get very hot and very dry in the park. Make sure you are ready and have the required materials to hike under that heat. 

How To Get To Bear Gulch Cave Trail

Even though Pinnacles National Park is a relatively small park compared to other U.S. National Parks, the park has 2 sections: the East side and the West side. But they don’t connect via road. They only connect through a hiking trail. The Bear Gulch Cave Trail is located on the east side of the park.

If you’re traveling from the San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland area, you will need to take US-101 North, then CA-25 through Hollister to get to the east entrance. If you’re traveling from the Los Angeles area, take I-5 and CA-25 through Bitterwater. 

Make sure you get gas before entering the park. You can fuel up in Hollister; that’s 33 miles away from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area parking lot. The nearest parking lot is the Bear Gulch Day Use Area parking lot. Click here for Google maps directions.

However, if it is crowded (weekends and holidays), you might be directed to park near the Pinnacles Visitor Center. However, if you continue to drive and look around, you might find an open spot in/near the parking lot. That’s what we did.

While the park does get crowded, the trail only takes a few hours, so you will eventually find a parking spot as hikers return to their cars. 

Bear Gulch Cave Trail Hiking Directions

Once you’ve parked at the Bear Gulch parking lot, make sure to use the restrooms before starting the trail as it can take 2-3 hours to get back. The Bear Gulch Cave Trail doesn’t start at the parking lot. You will have to hike the Moses Spring Trail first to access the Bear Gulch Cave Trailhead. 

You’ll hike around 0.5 miles until you reach the Moses Spring trailhead. Turn left to start the trail (the trail on the right is the Rim Trail.) On this trail, you’ll walk under a few mini caves. We also saw a couple of rock climbers climbing nearby peaks. The trail takes you through incredible pinnacle formations towering among the trees.

You will know when you’re near the cave entrance since you can smell and feel the dampness in the cave. It’ll also feel chillier, and you’ll see rocks covered with moss. Make sure to have your flashlight on. 

The cave starts out wide and after some time, the cave walls narrow in. You’ll see white arrows that show you how to hike through the cave. There are puddles in the cave so take your time in crossing them. You will have to bend through some areas and near-crawl in others. Once you exit the cave, you’ll come across a long flight of stairs. Take the stairs to a dramatic view of the Bear Gulch Reservoir, a lake surrounded by pinnacles. 

After taking a break at the Bear Gulch Reservoir, you have two options on how to hike back to the parking lot. Either you can turn around and hike back through the cave or you can take the Rim Trail that goes around the cave.

If you want to do the cave hike again and/or are running short on time, hike back on the Bear Gulch Cave Trail.

If you want to explore more of the park (Rim Trail has some gorgeous mountain views!) and/or have some extra time, take the Rim Trail. You will have to hike up then hike down this trail but the views make it worth it. The Rim Trail then connects to the High Peaks Trail that has a few switchbacks. The High Peaks Trail then connects to the Moses Spring Trail and then it’s the same hike back to the parking lot. 

I hope this guide helps you plan for your hike to Bear Gulch Cave Trail. If you’re visiting Pinnacles National Park for the day, I recommend hiking this trail then staying back in/near the park to stargaze at night. You’d be surprised at just how beautiful Pinnacles National Park can be at nighttime as well! -Rasika, Bae Area and Beyond

MORE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN CALIFORNIA:

• Best things to do in Pinnacles National Park
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List (including Pinnacles National Park)
• Things to Do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• 15 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
• Best Places to Stay Near Joshua Tree

The post Hike the Bear Gulch Cave Trail in Pinnacles National Park appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Although it isn’t near a big city, there are still lots of great places to stay near Joshua Tree, from boutique hotels to Airbnb cabins to rustic campsites. I’m sure there will be something on this list for everyone.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

READ NEXT: The Best Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park

Which Area To Stay In?

Most visitors to Joshua Tree National Park stay in or near the towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms along Highway 62 on the northern border of Joshua Tree National Park. The town of Joshua Tree is close to the West Entrance Station and the town of Twentynine Palms is close to the North Entrance Station.

Some visitors also enter the park from the south entrance about an hour from Palm Springs. However, it’s a long drive from that area, so in this post, I’ll focus on where to stay near Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.

Best Hotels Near Joshua Tree

If you’re looking for the convenience of a hotel or motel, you’ll find lots in the Joshua Tree area. Most are clustered along Highway 62 in Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. Here are my picks for the best hotels near Joshua Tree.

Best Themed Hotel Near Joshua Tree

The Pioneertown Motel was originally built in the 1940s to house movie stars shooting western films. Today it’s been updated to have all the modern conveniences, but still looks every bit like a vintage western movie set. Yeehaw! It’s one of the most popular places to stay near Joshua Tree

Check availability

Best Budget Hotel Near Joshua Tree

The El Rancho Dolores Motel in Twentynine Palms is a retro Spanish-style motel located near the North Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Its budget-friendly rooms have fridges, microwaves, A/C, wifi, and tile floors that stay cool in the heat. Reviews say they are very clean. There’s also a great pool to cool off in.

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Best Joshua Tree Hotel for Families

The suite-style rooms at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Twentynine Palms are a great choice for families. Each one sleeps four to six people on a combo of beds and sofa beds. There’s a separate seating area too. Kids will love the outdoor pool and parents will enjoy the ease of the included breakfast buffet.

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Best Vacation Rentals near Joshua Tree

The Joshua Tree area is known for an eclectic collection of vacation rental homes, cabins, yurts, domes, glamping tents, and more. Most are on quiet desert roads a short drive from the highway. Here are my picks for the best vacation rentals near Joshua Tree.

Stargazing Bubble Tent Near Joshua Tree

Talk about a bucket list experience! Sleep in the unique Marbella Lane bubble tent and watch the stars light up the desert from the comfort of your heated bed. It has a hot tub and barbecue too. It’s a short drive to the town of Joshua Tree and the North Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

Check availability

Coolest Private Villa with a Pool near Joshua Tree

Known as The Invisible House, this is one of the coolest places to stay in Joshua Tree. It’s been described as a 22-story skyscraper laid on its side. It has a fully mirrored exterior that makes it disappear into the desert. With three bedrooms, a 100-foot indoor swimming pool, and 90 acres of land, there’s plenty of space to spread out and chill out.

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Instagrammable Dome House Near Joshua Tree

The airy Serenity Dome House is a great boho-style getaway. Chill out in hammocks by the pool, soak in the hot tub, get cozy at the fire pit, or pose for photos in front of the murals on the property. At night, stargaze through the skylights.

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Best Cottage Right Next to the Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park

The cute Clever Rabbit cottage is less than 1/4 mile from the West Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park – you hike directly into the park from your front door. It’s a cozy and rustic little house with a fully equipped kitchen, a fire pit, and an awesome hammock hang-out zone. The Clever Rabbit is definitely one of the most convenient places to stay near Joshua Tree.

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Best Family-Friendly Rental Home Near Joshua Tree

If you’re heading to Joshua Tree with kids, book the Comfy Boho Cottage. It sleeps six and has a fully equipped kitchen. There’s even an adorable single-serving pancake maker. Kids will love exploring the backyard yurt and roasting marshmallows on the firepit.

Check availability

Best Pet-Friendly Rental Home Near Joshua Tree

Located in the desert a few minutes’ drive from the town of Twentynine Palms, the Flying Point Homestead is a great Joshua Tree rental home option if you’re travelling with your dog. Pets are welcome at no extra charge and the yard is fully fenced.

Check availability

Best Places to Camp Near Joshua Tree

If you love nature and don’t mind a bit of roughing it, I would recommend camping inside Joshua Tree National Park. That way you can experience the desert landscape 24 hours a day and go for hikes right from your tent door. Most of the campgrounds are less than a 30-minute drive to the village of Joshua Tree, so it’s easy to go get groceries or go to a restaurant.

Best Reservable Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park

Five of the campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park accept reservations. Since getting a first-come, first-served campsite in the park can be tough, making a reservation is a great idea. You can make reservations online up to six months in advance through recreation.gov.

Ryan Campground is small and rustic, with just 31 campsites. It has a great central location that is popular with rock climbers. There’s no water here so you’ll have to bring your own.

Jumbo Rocks Campground is also centrally located and with 124 sites, it’s the largest campground in Joshua Tree National Park. However, it doesn’t feel too crowded because huge boulders between most of the sites provide privacy. Bring your own water.

Indian Cove is located on the northern border of the park close to Twentynine Palms, which is convenient. However, there is no direct access to park roads so you’ll have to drive into town, then around into the park. This campground has 101 sites and no water.

Black Rock Campground: Located near Yucca Valley on the western side of the park, this campground is a bit of a drive to get to the park’s main roads. But it has running water and you can hike right from your campsite.

Cottonwood Campground: This campground is in the far southern part of the park near the Coachella Valley. It’s at a lower elevation, making it warmer in winter (good) but also warmer in summer (bad). It’s a long drive to the rest of the park from here, but that makes the campground a bit quieter.

Best First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park

If you can’t get a reservation, Joshua Tree National Park has three first-come, first-served campgrounds. However, it is very difficult to get a site. They are fully by Friday night for most weekends between September and May and are full all week during the spring.

Check-out is at noon but many people leave before that so it’s a good idea to start checking early in the morning. You may also be able to talk to people who are packing up and ask if you can move into their campsite once they leave.

On my March trip, we stayed outside the park on our first night, then drove to the park early in the morning on a Wednesday. We managed to get one of the last sites available at Hidden Valley Campground – we actually had to wait for the previous campers to leave.

Hidden Valley Campground is the most popular campground in the park. It has a central location near lots of climbing crags. You can also hike right from the campground. The campground has a gorgeous setting near lots of cool rock formations. It has 44 sites and no water.

White Tank Campground is small with only 15 sites. It’s close to the north entrance, but also really central. You can hike from your campsite to Arch Rock, one of the park’s most popular locations. No water.

Belle Campground is another small campground near the north entrance. It has 18 sites and tends to be a bit quieter. It also has no water.

Best Joshua Tree National Park Campgrounds for RVs

None of the campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park have RV hookups. However, a few of the campgrounds do have RV-friendly features.

Black Rock Campground near the town of Yucca Valley has RV-accessible potable water and a dump station. The maximum length for RVs is 35 feet. Make reservations up to six months in advance for one of the 99 sites.

Cottonwood Campground in the southern part of the Joshua Tree National Park has a dump station and RV-accessible potable water. Most sites will fit RVs up to 35 feet. All 62 sites can be reserved up to six months in advance.

Best Free Dispersed Camping Near Joshua Tree

If you want to get away from the crowds and camp for free, try dispersed camping near Joshua Tree. There are tons of places to camp on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land just outside the National Park. There are no formal campsites, so that means no toilets, picnic tables, or other amenities. Come prepared with your Leave No Trace skills!

If you’re looking for even more options for places to stay near Joshua Tree, have a look on Booking.com or VRBO as there is so much out there, with new and adorable places popping up regularly. Have you stayed somewhere amazing that you’d recommend? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 15 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
• Tips and Tricks for Hiking in the Desert
• Yosemite’s Mist Trail: The World’s Best Day Hike
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip

The post Best Places to Stay Near Joshua Tree appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

I was surprised to hear that North America’s tallest sand dunes aren’t near an ocean. They are in Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park! The park protects 30 square miles of sand dunes, including 755 foot-tall Star Dune, the tallest dune on the continent. The strenuous hike to the top of the dune takes 5 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more fast-paced, rent a sandboard in the nearby town of Alamosa and sled on the dunes. This lesser unknown American National Park is also a popular spot for hiking, camping, four-wheel-drive exploring, and star-gazing.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

When I think of geothermal areas with boiling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs, Yellowstone National Park comes to mind. But Northern California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park has thermal features too, without all the crowds. (And omg the crowds on my visit to Yellowstone!) The park’s Lassen Peak is an active volcano that last erupted in 1921. Hardy hikers can make the 5-hour trek to the summit. The volcano’s underground heat causes all kinds of interesting activity at Bumpass Hell, Sulphur Works, and Boiling Springs Lake thermal areas.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

The only way to reach Isle Royale National Park is by boat or floatplane from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or northern Minnesota. The island sits in the middle of Lake Superior near the Canadian border and is actually the least visited US National Park in the Lower 48. It’s a wild and roadless place known for excellent hiking, camping, and paddling. Isle Royale has a healthy wildlife population, but the stars of the show are the wolves and moose. The island’s isolation and lack of human population have allowed researchers to study the interactions between these two species for over 50 years. 

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Kentucky has the world’s longest known cave system and it is protected inside Mammoth Cave National Park. It has over 400 miles of mapped caverns, but more are being discovered every year. The only way to go underground is on a guided ranger tour. The easiest and most accessible option is the Frozen Niagara tour that passes waterfall-like rock formations. More adventurous cavers can take challenging routes that include lots of stairs, steep hills, and squeezing through narrow passageways. You can explore in the off-season too because it’s always the same temperature underground: about 54F (12C). 

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Although it’s been open since 2003, South Carolina’s Congaree National Park is a lesser known National Park. The park protects one of the tallest temperate deciduous forests in the world. You’ll find the tallest known examples of 15 different tree species here including a 167-foot loblolly pine, a 157-foot sweetgum, and a 154-foot cherrybark oak. The easiest way to see the trees is to follow the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail as it meanders through the old-growth hardwood forest. You can also explore the park by canoe on the marked Cedar Creek Canoe Trail. Try to time your visit for early summer to catch the fireflies lighting up the sky each evening. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park includes three separate areas of eroded rock badlands. The park is named for America’s 26th president who had a ranch in the area and became enamoured with the western lifestyle. The best way to see it is to take a drive on one of the scenic parkways. There are lots of viewpoints to stop and admire the unique rock formations. Don’t miss Painted Canyon Overlook. As you drive, keep an eye out for wildlife including bison, pronghorns, wild horses, coyotes, elk, bighorn sheep, and deer. For extra cuteness, visit one of the prairie dog colonies in the southern part of the park. (The wildlife spotting here can be as good as in Yellowstone, but with a fraction of the crowds.)

Pinnacles National Park, California

As one of America’s newest National Parks, central California’s Pinnacles National Park is still under-the-radar even though it’s just 2 hours south of San Francisco. Upgraded from a National Monument to a National Park in 2013, it’s named for a series of rocky pinnacles that are actually the eroded remains of an extinct volcano. Rock climbers love to scale the pointy spires. You can see the rock formations up close from several hiking trails. One of the park’s signature hikes is Bear Gulch Cave Trail, a talus cave that is Other trails lead to hidden talus caves, home to colonies of Townsend’s big-eared bats. It’s also a great place to spot endangered California condors soaring overhead. Be sure to visit in the spring when the wildflowers erupt in a carpet of blooms.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Washington’s North Cascades National Park is a rugged mountain paradise and includes the largest glacier system in the Lower 48. It definitely deserves its nickname: “The American Alps.” Even though it is only 2.5 hours from Seattle, it’s still an under-the-radar National Park.  Most of the park is a remote wilderness, accessible only by hiking, boating, or horseback riding and the only way to reach most summits is by mountaineering or rock climbing. If you aren’t up for a hike, you can still get great views of the peaks from the scenic pullouts along Route 20. Stop at Diablo Lake Overlook for great photo ops of the turquoise lake surrounded by mountains. (This is the only park on this list that I’ve actually been to. I spent three days there a few years ago backpacking on the East Bank Trail on Ross Lake. I’d love to go back and hike up into the mountains as they look spectacular.)

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

If you’ve seen classic cowboy films, you’re familiar with the saguaro cactus. Pronounced “suh-WAHR-oh”, these prickly plants can grow up to 40 feet tall and live for 200 years! Saguaro National Park protects two parcels of the Sonoran Desert. It’s an important habitat for this giant cactus as well as many desert plants and animals. Both parts of the park are a short distance from Tucson and are easy to explore on several different scenic roads.

Get out into nature on one of the park’s easy hikes or explore the petroglyphs at Signal Hill. If you’re up for a challenge, there are lots of challenging hikes in Saguro National Park. Be sure to stay later in the day to catch the spectacular sunset colours at Gates Pass or Javelina Rocks. I’ve heard the scenery is a bit like Joshua Tree National Park, but waaay less busy. 

Psst! Heading to Arizona? Check out this epic Arizona road trip itinerary.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

The only way to get to Alaska’s Katmai National Park is by plane or boat, which explains why it is one of the least visited National Parks. The park is named for Mount Katmai, one of 18 volcanoes in the park, many of which have erupted in the last 100 years. To explore the volcanic backcountry you’ll need to hike or take a scenic flight. However, the volcanoes aren’t the only attraction at Katmai. The park’s huge Alaskan brown bears are world-famous. Every year dozens of bears come to Brooks Camp to feast on spawning Sockeye salmon. The park has dedicated viewing platforms for visitors to watch the bears from a safe distance. 

Have you visited any of these under-the-radar US National Parks? Are there other uncrowded US National Parks you recommend? Let me know in the comments!

Read More National Parks Posts:

• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• 15 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
• Things to Do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• How to Cycle Tour the Natchez Trace Parkway
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip
• Hike the Bear Gulch Cave Trail in Pinnacles National Park
• Take an Epic Outdoors Arizona Road Trip

The post 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website!

Standing with my head all the way back, I still can’t fathom the size of the tree before me. No matter how many times I’ve been, it’s hard to wrap my mind around the enormity of the sequoias. To stroll through a land filled of these silent giants fills you with joy and wonder. It’s almost like recapturing the wonder you felt as a child. Yes, people visit Sequoia National Park to see its namesake trees, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what to expect.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Basics

Location

The parks are located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, 220 miles south of Yosemite Valley, 275 miles south of San Francisco, and 375 miles west of Las Vegas.

Fees

Admission is $35 per vehicle and valid for 7 days. (The fee includes both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.)

Gas

There’s one gas station in Sequoia, located in front of the Stony Creek Lodge in the middle of the park.

Cell Service

Cell service is highly limited within the parks. On a few of the outer trails like Buena Vista Trail, I’ve been able to get signal. Otherwise, cell service is not available.

Where to Stay

There are several lodging options in the park ranging from camp grounds, basic hotels, cabins, and one high-end hotel. There are also a few vacation rentals outside the parks.

My favorite place to stay is at the Stony Creek Lodge. Ideally situated in the middle of the park, it offers charming rooms. And, as there’s only 11 rooms, there’s not a mess of people so you can enjoy the quiet of the Sequoia National Forest around you.

Another great option is the Grant Grove Village. It has it all – hotel, rustic cabins, and a large campground. Rooms in all the lodging in the park fill up months in advance, especially during peak seasons.

There are also more hotel options in Three Rivers, just outside the park.
Booking.com

Psst: Here are 15 of the best places to camp on the West Coast.

How Long to Spend in the Parks

If you want to do Sequoia and Kings Canyon properly, plan on spending at least two days there. Though, you can easily spend a week there and still not see everything. Yes, it’s possible to visit both parks as a day trip, but you’ll miss 90% of both. Don’t short change yourself. Sequoia is my favorite national park in the US. It’s my happy place. And, if you take your time with the park, it may become yours, too.

Best Time to Visit

I love visiting the park in September or October. The crowds have thinned and being out in the fresh, cool mountain air is highly invigorating for hiking. During the winter months, a lot of the park is closed due to snow. However, there are some trails that you can snowshoe. And, seeing the red of the sequoias against the white snow is pretty awesome.

Weather and Elevation

The main portion of Sequoia National Park is around 7,000 ft/2100 m. Make sure that you stay hydrated and have plenty of water with you. The valley floor of Kings Canyon is around 5,000 ft/1520 m and is always at least 10 degrees warmer than Sequoia.

Wildlife

The American Black Bear can be found throughout both Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Unless provoked, they most likely will not be interested in you. However, keep a wide berth from bears (at least 100 yds). If hiking in the back country, you should have bear spray handy. In the lower portions of Kings Canyon, rattlesnakes can be found. Again, do not provoke the snakes. If they’re on the trail, wait until they have cleared.

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Guidebooks and Maps

If you want to do a lot of hiking in the park (highly recommend), than my go to book every time I visit is the Falcon Guide Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  My copy is getting beat up but I find it’s trail descriptions to be accurate. And, it provides elevation and distance charts for each hike, which is really helpful for planning.

My Tips for Visiting

As a local, here are my tips for getting the most out of your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Get an early start when visiting the parks. There can be long lines at the entrance stations in summer and weekends. And, there’s something about hearing how alive the forest is when there’s no one else around. If you’re on a budget, bring your own food as park food is expensive. However, make sure you have the proper containers to store it as bears have a highly perceptive sense of smell. There’s several places throughout the park where you can refill water.

Things to Do in Sequoia National Park

See the Sequoias

Sequoias are among the oldest living trees in the world. And, they are one of the most resilient trees. Their bark can get up to 2 feet thick, helping them withstand a multitude of natural disasters, including fire. In fact, sequoias need fire to survive. Sounds odd, right? But, their cones only open from the heat allowing the seeds to come out. And, you’ll see lots of sequoias with burnt out trunks, and those trees are still thriving.

Amazingly, there are only about 75 sequoia groves in the entire world. And, all of them are found in California in the Sierra Nevadas. Sequoias require a cool climate to thrive. Because of this, you’ll only find them at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet.

Though they’re not as tall as the coastal redwoods, Sequoias are still impressively tall at around 275 feet. And, they’re the largest tree species in the world. In fact, the world’s largest tree is found in Sequoia National Park. The General Sherman Tree is 52,000 cubic feet in volume and 2.7 million pounds in weight! If you can’t fathom that, seeing the tree in person doesn’t help. It’s just a massive tree. However, in the grand scheme of sequoias, General Sherman is still on the young side. The tree is about 2,000 years old. Other trees in the park are over 3,000 years old!

Even with their height, my fascination with Sequoias is with their bases. They’re absolutely massive. They resemble gigantic claws digging into the ground. These claws can get up to 35 feet in diameter! Everything about these trees makes you feel so insignificant. And, that’s a great feeling.

Best Places to see Sequoias

Once you see your first Sequoia from the road, you’ll find them irresistible. And, there are several places where you can see the best of the best.

Moro Rock

After taking a climb to the top of Moro Rock and enjoying the awesome views, there are several short trails in the area that take you past sequoias.

Tunnel Log

And, if you continue past Moro Rock, you can actually drive through a sequoia! In 1937, a sequoia fell across the road. Rather than try to move it, a tunnel was carved out instead. Thus, Tunnel Log was created. It’s a popular spot for photos. You’ll need to go early in the  morning to get a clear shot without a backlog of cars.

Giant Forest Forest Museum

By the Giant Forest Museum, there’s an accessible trail that takes you past some incredible sequoias. And, the great thing about this trail, is that you get to see the sequoias both up close and at a distance. Both viewpoints allow you to appreciate the size of these trees. From a distance, you can easily see how tall they are and how they dwarf all other trees. Up close, the enormity of the trees is the staggering.

General Sherman Tree and the Congress Trail

This a must stop for anyone visiting the park because this is where the General Sherman Tree stands. To be in front of the largest living organism in the world is awe-inspiring. As General Sherman is near the start of the paved trail, many people will go directly to it, take a few pics, and then leave. Please don’t make this mistake.

The 2-mile Congress Trail continues and goes past some incredible groupings of sequoias including the House and Senate groupings. You can also find yourself standing inside the charred trunk of a sequoia. If you only have time to do one small trail, this is the one you must do. Please note that the start of the trail descends about 200 feet. It’s not a problem going down. However, going up can be a struggle. You’re at an elevation of around 7,000 ft. So, your body feels things a bit differently at this higher elevation.

General Grant Grove

A short, paved trail takes you around some incredible sequoias, including the General Grant Tree (the second largest sequoia in the world). I think the widest sequoias are found here. And, if you still need more sequoias (and, without the crowds), go to the end of the overflow parking, where the trail for the North Grove Trail begins. Just shy of 2-miles, it’s an easy loop through a sequoia grove.

Drive the General’s Highway

The road through Sequoia National Park is called the General’s Highway, connecting the Sherman Tree to the Grant Tree. This road is one of the most fun roads you can drive in a national park. Only 33 miles in length, the road weaves its ways through the thick forests of Sequoia.

Entering through the southern entrance of Sequoia through Three Rivers, the General’s Highway is filled with hair pin curves. It’s a difficult and fun stretch of road getting to Moro Rock. Due to the amount of sharp turns, vehicles over 22 ft in length are not permitted on this portion of the road. If curvy, steep mountain roads freak you out, it’s best to enter through the northern entrance of the park. But, once you get to Moro Rock, the road lessens in its intensity.

In some spots, you drive by some incredible sequoias. Their red trunks are unmissable. There are some great pull outs for views. But, as awesome as the General’s Highway is, you need to explore Sequoia on foot.

Hiking in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is a phenomenal place to hit the trails. And, it’s the only way to see the diversity of the park. If you think that Sequoia National Park is just about seeing some sequoias, then you’re in for a surprising treat. Beyond sequoia groves, there’s lush meadows, entry into the high Sierras, waterfalls, and vistas to appreciate. For shorter trails, two of my favorites are Tokopah Falls and Buena Vista Trail.

Tokopah Falls

Past the Lodgepole Visitor Center is parking for Tokopah Falls. This mostly level, 3.8 mile trail follows the Kaweah River to the falls (can be seasonal depending on snow fall totals). Deer can be spotted in the surrounding forest. The trail also offers stellar views of the imposing Watchtower formation (a granite monolith).

Buena Vista Trail

The 2-mile Buena Vista Trail is directly off the General’s Highway between Grant Grove and Montecito Lodge. At trail’s end is an astounding view of the large Redwood Mountain Grove (known as the Sugarbowl) and the mountains to the east. This delightful trail lives up to its name.

Moro Rock Area

Around Moro Rock, there’s the short trail to Hanging Rock offering a different perspective of Moro Rock along the way. Or, you can take a stroll through the sugar pines on the Sugar Pine Trail (3 miles).

Crescent Meadow

If you follow Crescent Meadow Road past the Tunnel Log, you can take a turn around Crescent Meadow (less than 2 miles). From that trail, you can take a short detour to Thorp’s Log. This fallen sequoia is so large, that the homesteader Hale Thorp used it as a small cabin!

Wolverton Area Trails

However, the Wolverton area of the park (past the Congress Trail and Sherman Tree) offers some of the best hiking options. These include a hike around the stunning Long Meadow (2.5 miles) or a big day hike to Alta Peak, offering amazing views from it’s 11,000 ft peak (13 miles). My favorite trail is the Lakes Trail that takes you to three small, but gorgeous mountain lakes. Along the way, you pass along an exposed section along the cliff face with sweeping views (and a sheer drop off). It’s a strenuous 13-mile trail. But, there’s plenty of incredible places to pause and have a small picnic. And, you won’t believe the scenery.

Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park

And, as an extra bonus, there’s Kings Canyon National Park. Essentially, you get two national parks for the price of one. How can you pass that up? Unfortunately, a lot of visitors to Sequoia National Park don’t venture into Kings Canyon. And, that’s a mistake. The drive down into the canyon alone make it worth a visit. Be advised, that during winter, the road may be closed.

Drive Highway 180

The glacially carved Kings Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the United States at over a mile in depth. The canyon is surrounded by countless 12,000+ peaks. It’s a completely different landscape than that of Sequoia. Along the canyon floor flows the mighty south fork of the Kings River.

Driving along Highway 180 from Grant Grove down into the canyon is an epic drive. The mountain views are out of this world. Happily, there are many pull outs where you can stop and savor the views. And, if you’re the one driving, you’ll need those as you’ll not want to take your eyes off the road.

Hiking in Kings Canyon National Park

Once in the canyon, the hiking options seem endless. Kings Canyon is a gateway to the John Muir Wilderness. Miles and miles of back country trails can have you spending days in nature. It’s even possible to join the John Muir Trail from Kings Canyon. One of the more popular day trails is the 8-mile round trip to Mist Falls.

Most of the trails begin at Road’s End.  One of my favorite hikes from there is Copper Creek Trail. If you don’t have the time or energy to hike the full 20 miles (roundtrip), hike the trail for about a mile. After going up several switchbacks, the views of Kings Canyon from this vantage point are unparalleled. The canyon stretches on in both directions. The bit of effort needed is worth it. But, do beware, rattlesnakes can be seen on that portion of the trail.

Short Walks in Kings Canyon National Park

If you’re not a hiker, you can still make quick stops at Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow. If perfection exists in nature, it is found at Zumwalt Meadow. Every time I visit, I always make time to do the short trail around the meadow. The openness, the greenery, the mountains all come together in a way that makes the area irresistible.

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Yes, it’s busy, but it’s definitely worth it.  You have gorgeous views of 317-foot/96.5m Vernal Falls and 594-foot/181m Nevada Falls along the way: You get to see them from down the valley, from the base, from the side and from up top.  As well,  if you return by the John Muir trail you get to see Nevada Falls from an entirely different vantage point.   To cap it off, you have to drive up to the Glacier Point viewpoint after you do this hike so you can see the whole hike from above.

There is tons of info on the National Park website and elsewhere online about this hike so I won’t go into detail about it here.  Instead I’ll let my photos tell the story.

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