Carina from San Francisco asked:First-timer weekend in Joshua tree with girlfriends (3 answers), Michael from Venice Beach asked:Best campsites at Joshua Tree? But don't be in too much of a hurry because there are a few cool stops along the way. Start exploring Yuma with Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town, it is a 19th-century mining town that has now been transformed into a museum. Geology Tour Road is an 18-mile scenic drive that winds through Joshua Tree National Park's most intriguing landscapes. The visitor centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Joshua Tree is 800-232-4636. Note: Joshua Tree National Park used to offer a free shuttle . Hotels, motels, casinos and yacht clubs popped up along the lakes 116-mile shoreline. It looks pretty intriguing! Fancy a steer through a forgotten Californian oasis or a dip in the hot springs on your way to a popular retreat spot? Address: 41225 Indian School Road, Tonopah. With places along the routes as exciting as the destination, this road trip from Phoenix to Joshua Tree National Park checks all the boxes for a successful road trip. You can read Part I: Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and the Dry Tortugas National Park & Fort Jefferson here. There are 5 ways to get from Phoenix to Joshua Tree by plane, bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. The other route goes north via rt 62 to rt 72 to rt 60. This designationplays an important role in ensuring this desert landscape and its inhabitants are protected for future generations. Yosemite Valley was still more congested than I prefer it, but at least manageable. On your first day in the city, visit the San Diego Zoo which spans 100 acres in Balboa Park and is home to more than 4000 animals. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Lake Tahoe Route. The social distance requirement in Joshua Tree is 2 metres. The entrance to the parks is about 100 miles from Yosemite, or about two to two-and-a-half hours. Read More. We will also need to spend the night along the route. If you plan to visit more than 3 national parks, historic sites, or monuments in a one year period, I recommend the America the Beautiful Pass, which costs $80 for one year entry into all national sites including national parks. Hours: Open 24 hours a day, year-round. Cheers, Mike. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. I was on a tour bus en route to the Grand Canyons West Rim, from Las Vegas several years ago. There are more than 8,000 rock climbing routes in this park. Some roadside attractions can really withstand the test of time which, in this case, is about 65 million years. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. But we wanted to drive up to the famous mountain regardless, at least for the scenery. White Tank Campground. You can not enter the park without one of these reservations. The road to the mountain, fittingly called Whitney Portal, starts in the center of Lone Pine. If the pass is not open, youll have a 200 mile (about four hour) drive to get to the main entrance. If you choose the longer route, take I-10 W and follow it to Buckeye. The four-hour jaunt from the Palm Springs to Phoenix is nearly a straight shot that takes you from the Coachella Valley to the Valley of the Sun, with plenty of historic landmarks and stunning scenery and explore in between as long as you know where to look. Other long road trips from Las Vegas. By milepost 169, the forest of Joshua Trees is brimming and youll see a sign that says, Joshua Trees Parkway. Its a label that formalizes the obvious. This is also an option to regain your energy on this trip with a chance to visit the famous San Diego Zoo. While it's nothing like the resort town of decades past, the lake is an important stopover point for migrating birds,it'salso the stage for spectacular sunsets anda variety of ever-changing public art (think: small-scale Burning Manset against a post-apocalyptic landscape). It is called the parkway because it appears on a 7-mile stretch of road, along with some other desert plants. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. From there, you enter Yosemite through Tioga Pass, so this is only an option when this pass is open, usually between June and September. A few weeks ago we took a drive on the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway. You will also love looking at the highway from your window which is sandwiched by the striated canyon walls in yellow, white, and taupe. Heading south on U.S. 93, around milepost 127, youll come to the Big Sandy River, which is likely more sand than river unless its been raining. Travel back in time to the Old West with a visit to Pioneertown and hike through the aptly named Joshua Tree National Park to see its incredible desert fauna and rock formations. Rome2rio makes travelling from Phoenix to Joshua Tree easy. But we also drove by farmlands that didnt seem to belong in the desert, and cattle ranches that belonged even less. November brings Joshua Tree Art Expo. Find places to eat between Phoenix and Joshua Tree National Park and plan a foodie road trip. Cheers, Mike. Covering over 1,200 miles, a road trip from Phoenix to Yosemite National Park might not sound like the most convenient way to visit the famous park. Do the north side thrn take park road to southern end then onto I-10. And seeing the nearby Noah Purifoy Outdoor museum, even a short visit to Pioneertown. Be aware of bears in the area. textDarkColor: "#ffffff", And, to see the original London Bridge, the same one the childrens rhyme claimed was falling down. Top cities between Joshua Tree and Phoenix The top cities between Joshua Tree and Phoenix are Greater Palm Springs, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, and Palm Desert. buttonHoverDarkColor: "#FFCF4B", However, there are a few festivals and events that take place throughout the year. Phoenix. To reach Joshua Tree, take Interstate 10, which passes through Monterey Park, with Los Angeles National Forest to the north. Here you can find incredible rock formations formed through erosion by wind and water. Joshua Tree National Park has one main road that goes from the west entrance to the south entrance. Depending of the time of the year you travel, your first stop is Joshua Tree National Park. We always love a scenic route! Hey Bob, thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. documentIgnoreCls: "monsido_ignore_download", This desert city will give you the chance to finally succumb to your beach dreams - all without having to leave Arizona. Its sweeping landscapes and unique tourist stops will keep you captivated during the road trip as you make your picturesque way down South. It's a great spot for stargazing, wildflower-hunting in the spring, and exploring the petrified wood and other geological features that make this place special. On this exclusive trip through California and Arizona, there is so much to see and do that you will find yourself exceeding your time budget. Phoenix 60F. While the history of this Basin dates back to ancient times, the lake was accidentallycreated by Colorado River runoffin 1905. However, this means you need to have reservations to enter the park. Visitors can reach the dam via a short trail from a nearby parking lot and can see Native American petroglyphs a short distance to the west. macchiaz-o; May 8, 2021; 2. Youll also pass Lake Pleasant Regional Park, one of the popular outdoor recreations place, another opportunity for a stop before the city. It is currently 19:45 in Phoenix and 18:45 in Joshua Tree. hungry trip . So, as soon as we got a reservation to visit the park, we set off on our first road trip of the summer, the longest at the time during the pandemic. Outdoor Family Movie Night at the Heard: Moana in Hawaiian! Lake Havasu City you have 190 miles from Phoenix, and it generally takes three-and-a-half hours to drive it without stop. If you frequent a Phoenix to Sin City road trip, then you've probably already seen Arizona's own Joshua Tree Forest. But in 2021 we opted to drive. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? defaultLanguage: "", The quickest flight from Phoenix Airport to Indio/Palm Springs Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 5m. It belongs to the same plant family as agaves and yuccas. Replies 28 Views 2,249. While Mr. Rex's Dinosaur Adventure and the gift shop may be closed in accordance with CDC guidelines, the outdoor dinosaur trail isavailable seven days a week. enabled: true, The complimentary buffet, as well as continental and American breakfast options, will mean that you will start your day right before setting off on the road again. The reservations are only $2.00, and they give you three days to enter the park. So, we suggest setting aside 3 to 4 days for this trip. Hot tub, sun terrace, table tennis, dart, and an outdoor swimming pool make for a fun and relaxing stay. If you are looking for a relaxed, beachy vibe along this trip from Phoenix to Joshua Tree National Park, this route is your best bet. Glad you had a good one. Monument Valley is a great option for a weekend road trip from Phoenix. Las Vegas to Primm (44 miles, 41 minutes) On your journey from Las Vegas to Joshua Tree National Park, you can hop on I-15 S and be in the beautiful Mojave National Preserve in 44 miles and 41 minutes. It was raised in 1949 by rancher William F. Keys. At the foothills of Mammoth Mountain, the town lays at an elevation of 7,880 feet, and it is the gateway to the scenic mountain, and to the Devils Postpile National Monument. trees. I did a road trip across PA a few years back along scenic route 6would love to do that again one day. Rt 93, the main route between Phoenix and Las Vegas, meanders over hills and valleys on a breathtaking drive toward Kingman, with quirky little Joshua trees along the path, of . Bonus: Stop by Friday through Sunday and treat yourself to a prehistoric-themed ice cream treat from the Wafflesaurus Truck, which is open from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This will be a 3 day trip traveling out to Joshua tree national park area, seeing places like the park itself, the famous Pioneer Town, Salton sea area, and more! Other than the two small Arizona towns, youll drive through a Joshua Tree forest, in certain parts more dense than Joshua Tree National Monument.