Joshua Tree National Park was the tenth National Park we’ve visited as a family. When we went at the beginning of Summer it was the first time I’d been since I was a kid! Back then it wasn’t even a National Park yet—it was still a National Monument. Joshua Tree NP is unique because it’s an easy one to visit in a day. You can basically drive through the whole park stopping at a couple places along the way and be done in a few hours. Of course, hiking is plentiful so during cooler months you could also spend several days there.  Here are some of my tips for visiting Joshua Tree National Park with kids.

Joshua Tree National Park with kids

pick up a jr. ranger book

Our kids love doing the Junior Ranger Programs at our National Parks. The Junior Ranger booklet from Joshua Tree National Park has many pages that your child can work on right from the car as you drive through. There are even many pages you could incorporate into a homeschool lesson when you get home! Kids aged 4-14 can earn a free badge by completing their designated activities for the ages in the book.

drive through the park

It is really easy to drive through Joshua Tree National Park and see a lot of the park! Start at the West Entrance Station near Joshua Tree and drive along the Park Boulevard to Pinto Basin Road and out the Cottonwood Visitor Center which exits near the 10 freeway. Be sure to stop at some points of interest along the way.

| Find out what to do at Mount Rainier NP with kids here |

see skull rock and boulder

Skull Rock is a fun place to visit with the kids and a great place to go bouldering! The Skull Rock hike is an easy hike that’s a little under 2 miles. However, even without doing the hike this is a great stop since Skull Rock is right off the main Park Boulevard and you can easily stop for a photo op!

go and take a hike

There are a lot of hikes you could take at Joshua Tree National Park with kids. When deciding on which hike to take make sure you factor in time of year and be prepared. Summer temperatures can reach into the hundreds so come prepared with water and sun protection. Check your park guide for recommended hikes and their descriptions.

| Discover a family-friendly resort near Zion NP here |

stop at a visitor center 

There are three visitor centers and a nature center associated with Joshua Tree National Park. Each one is located near an entrance to the park and are some of the few places that have water (the other water sources are the campgrounds and the Indian Cove Ranger Station. Check out the educational displays and pick up your Junior Ranger books for the kids. The Cottonwood Spring trail from the Cottonwood Visitors Center is only 0.1 miles and takes you through a fan palm oasis.

observe an earthquake fault

If you take the Key Views hike you can see the actual line of the 750-mile San Andreas fault. The trail is an easy quarter mile loop off the main Park Boulevard. This would be a great lead-in to a homeschool lesson about tectonic plates!

| Find our what to do in Yosemite NP with kids here |

relax at a real oasis

Joshua Tree National Park features several desert oases. The Oasis of Mara near the highway 62 entrance is an easy half mile trail that’s suitable for young hikers. Many of the other hikes to the park’s oases are too strenuous for young hikers so plan accordingly.

As always, be prepared while visiting our National Parks. Check out my blog post about how to stay safe in our National Parks!

Have you ever been to Joshua Tree National Park?