If you’re visiting Joshua Tree as part of an epic road trip in America’s Southwest, it’s a great stop roughly halfway between Las Vegas and San Diego.
If you plan to visit Joshua Tree as a day trip from a closer destination, like Palm Springs, there are two routes to consider.
Sage Advice: We opted for a circular route on our day trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs, entering the park through the west entrance, zipping up to the Oasis of Mara near the north entrance, and then following Pinto Basin Road to the south entrance where we exited the park and took the Interstate back to Palm Springs.
The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is located near the west entrance, the Oasis Visitor Center is located near the north entrance, and the Cottonwood Visitor Center is located at the south entrance.