October 4, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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Another of the US’ epic natural playgrounds, Joshua Tree National Park has lured visitors (and inhabitants) for almost 8 thousand years. Poised at the collision point between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the unforgettable landscape is incomparable.Â
From its otherworldly eponymous trees and dramatic plant life to the mesmerizing rock formations and unbeatable stargazing, the park will make a nature lover out of even the most stalwart of homebodies.
Welcome to Joshua Tree.
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| EAT, SLEEP, DO
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Your Guide to the Best of Joshua Tree
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🏖️ What to do: From rock climbing to hiking to stargazing, outdoor pursuits are endless in Joshua Tree. Its sprawling size makes it impossible to take in everything the park offers, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it your best shot. Here are some of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
🍅 What to eat: Eating here is less about culinary delights and more about refueling. But at Next Stop, we firmly believe you can have your cake and eat it, too. Here are some of the best places to eat within striking distance of the park, ensuring you’re ready for every adventure.
🛌🏽 Where to stay: Location matters on a national park trip. Proximity is king for the avid explorer, allowing them to beat the crowds and the midday sun. But to ensure a good night’s rest, no less than a comfy bed is expected. Here are some of the best places to stay in and around Joshua Tree.
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| MONEY MOVES
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Take Your Pick
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Do you want the good news or the bad news?
Alright, we’ll start with the good. You have six airports to choose from. The bad news? Five of them are about two hours away.
Joshua Tree is pretty remote, and the closest airport is in Palm Springs. The rest are closer to LA and require varying degrees of driving requirements.Â
The big plus for travel hacking is that many airports make finding deals easier. The big downside is that the rental car costs might counter those gains.
If we run with Palm Springs, you’re in good shape. Most major airlines have routes there, so depending on your home base, the flight could be as little as 5,000 points.
This card’s intro bonus will do wonders, and you can fly to Joshua Tree multiple times if you want to. You’ll just need to transfer it to Delta, British Airways, or United and shop around for the best deal.
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| BOOK YOUR TRIP
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Escape to the Desert for the Ultimate Fall Getaway
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Now that the weather is cooling down, it’s the perfect time to experience bold desert sunsets and star-filled skies. There’s no better way to relish in the magic of a desert oasis than by booking a fall getaway at AutoCamp’s Joshua Tree location.Â
Think of it as an outdoor boutique hotel experience that puts you right in the heart of America’s greatest landscapes. You can unwind and relax in comfort while still connecting to the natural beauty surrounding you.
No more achy back from restless nights on uneven camping grounds. Autocamp’s custom-designed Airstream suites, luxury tents, and cabins give you the chance to embrace the great outdoors without sacrificing your comfort.Â
Plus, AutoCamp makes your stay truly unforgettable by offering exclusive amenities, events, and experiences. From sunrise hikes, to live music under the stars, there is something for everyone.Â
Whether it's a romantic getaway you're planning or a fall girls' trip, AutoCamp’s Joshua Tree location is the perfect place for your next fall adventure. Right now during AutoCamp’s Fall Glamping Special, you can get 20% off your stay with code ACFALL for a limited time only.Â
Book your getaway here.
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| JOSHUA TREEÂ FASTÂ FACTS
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🌲 That ain’t no tree: Joshua Tree National Park is named after the unique-looking tree of the same name that grows within its boundaries. The only problem? They’re not trees. They’re giant yuccas!
🗺️ No walk in the park: The park itself covers a whopping 795 thousand acres, making it a little larger than Rhode Island. See what we mean about not covering it in a day?
⛰️ Take the highs and lows: The park's lowest point is just 536 ft above sea level. That’s found in the Southeast region. The highest is 5,814 ft on top of Quail Mountain.
🌵 Green diversity: The park’s unique ecosystem lends to a spectacular diversity of plant life. There are currently 800 species of plants verified in the area. This is partly due to the drastically different conditions in the north and south of the park.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Beware of the Summer
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Visiting Joshua Tree in the spring and fall provides the best opportunities for most people. The weather is perfect, with nighttime temperatures never getting too cold, unlike the winter.
Summer, on the other hand, is a different beast. Temperatures soar well over 100 degrees, making it a dangerous place for those not prepared. If you insist on heading there during this time, always take plenty of water, hike in the early mornings, avoid the sun wherever possible, and always let someone know where you are.
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You’ll Need a Car
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Joshua Tree is in the middle of nowhere. The nearest major city is almost two hours away, and the surrounding towns are too small to have an airport of note. Because of this, you’ll need to fly into an airport like Palm Springs, which is a forty-five-minute drive from the town of Joshua Tree.
The good thing about this is that it gives you more scope for finding good flights to a number of different airports. The bad news is that it may balance out with gas costs and long drives. Either way, you’ll need a car rental.
Just remember to fill up before heading into the park. You could be driving for a long time without a gas station.
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Prepare for the Unexpected
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Being so far out, you can’t anticipate having cellular. Assume you’ll lose it, and come prepared. That means downloading maps onto your phone to use offline and maybe even grabbing a physical map for the worst-case scenario.
Always bring a powered-up portable charger, and let a trusted loved one know of any hikes or climbs you’re doing and when to expect to hear from you.
It should go without saying, but make sure you bring plenty of your own water with you. You’re not going to stumble across many places to drink.Â
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN JOSHUA TREE
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*This link is sponsored.Â
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