Cactus, rocks, and joshua trees. If you’re planning a visit to Joshua tree then you probably already know what to expect. Well, I didn’t do my research before I arrived and I was expecting more. As soon as we got to the park I was like, “This is it?!” To say the least, I was underwhelmed. But, the more time we spent in the park, the more I realized it was hardly just rocks. I definitely took this trip for granted and I wish I would have been more open minded about the park. Joshua tree taught me that ever place is incredible in its own way even I’m too blind to see it initially.

How to get there: This is the year of the road trip & conveniently Joshua Tree happens to be just two hours outside of Los Angeles. From I-10, take exit 117 for CA Hwy 62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley. This will allow you to access the West Entrance, the North Entrance, Black Rock, and Indian Cove. Take exit 168 off I-10 to come in at the park's South Entrance.

Where to stay: In an effort to save money, I have decided to exclusively stay at motels and budget hotels. My trip to Tulum made me realize that paying $100/night for a room really takes away from my exploring budget. I travel to explore a new place, not sit in my hotel room. All I need is a place to put my bags down, decent water pressure, and a clean bed. We stayed at America’s Best Value Inn & Suites which perfectly suited our needs.

What to see & do: As stated earlier, I wish I would have been more enthusiastic about Joshua Tree, but I was able to do some exploring thanks to our nature guide/my best friend, Cherelle. I’ve put together a list of places you must explore in the park in no particular order. I would recommend asking a ranger about other cool spots when your purchase your entry pass.

· Hidden Valley – The perfect trail to start your day. It’s an easy, flat loop trail that takes about 30 minutes. It will take about 20 minutes to get there from the west entrance of the park where you will also find the Joshua Tree visitor center.

· Skull Rock – Turns out you can see the skull from the road! We spent our entire time on the trail looking a skull! This is another relatively easy hike that will take about 45 minutes.

· Keyes View – This is a lookout, not a trail. It’s about a 30 minute drive from the west entrance of the park and the view is incredible. I recommend heading there to watch the sunset.

· Jumbo Rocks- The name says it all. Be a kid and climb all over those huge rocks.

· Cholla Cactus Garden – The cactus are absolutely beautiful. Although you might be tempted to touch, please promise me that you won’t. Those suckers are no joke.

We had blast on this trip but it was definitely a learning experience. My best friend Cherelle and I have traveled around the world together but for some reason this trip was one of the most difficult. We had very different expectations about what we would being doing in the park and how the trip would go. We didn’t get the chance to discuss a plan before getting on the road and turns out that’s a recipe for disaster. When we got back to LA we realized that no matter where we are going, we need to at least go over what each of us expects to see and do. This prep will save us from any miscommunication on our next trips together.

Tips:

· Make sure to eat before going into the park and/or bring additional food and water. Unlike Yosemite, there is nowhere to buy food or water inside of the park.

· This trip shouldn’t cost a ton of money, I recommend camping out inside the park or staying at a budget hotel instead of a resort.

· Although the trails are relatively flat, be prepared to climb and get dirty. Pack hiking clothes and shoes that can handle some amateur rock climbing. To avoid getting scratched up, wear long pants and socks

· Purchase your entry pass at a visitor center where a park ranger can answer any questions you have and help you plan your time in the park.

· Take time out to just relax in the park and take in all of its beauty. Joshua tree is the polar opposite of Yosemite but equally breathtaking.