Southern California · Attraction
Joshua Tree National Park
Worth ItAn accessible desert day trip from LA — big scenery, minimal hiking required.
“The main attraction is the namesake Joshua trees with their whimsical, Dr. Seuss-like silhouettes. Beyond that: massive boulder formations, rolling hills, and the surreal Cholla Cactus Garden.”
Best for
- Families wanting a big desert day trip without committing to serious hikes
- Photography stops
Skip if
- You want deep backcountry hiking rather than a scenic drive
Why Milo likes it
- Scenic drive with easy pull-off points — no exhausting hikes needed to see the highlights
- Genuinely unique landscape: Joshua trees, boulder formations, the Cholla Cactus Garden
- Gateway towns (Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree) have real amenities — coffee, diners, groceries, gas
Know before you go
- Best treated as a scenic drive with stops, not a hiking-heavy trip, if traveling with young kids
Still deciding about Joshua Tree National Park?
Ask Milo about this attraction. Milo has firsthand experience here — ask about fit, value, or what to know before booking.
Try: “Is Joshua Tree National Park worth doing for Families wanting a big desert day trip without committing to serious hikes?”
Pro tip
Driving from LA via I-10, stop at Cabazon Outlets — one of the best outlet shopping destinations in California, a good stretch-leg break either way.
Milo Experienced — Milo was personally there