One of a young pair that travels through my yard on a regular basis. Barely got him before he trotted out of frame.

Considering all the comments in my last post, I’ve updated my itinerary. Appreciate all the recommendations! Thank you!!

Just a heads up in case anyone is interested- I have campsite B23 in Cottonwood for Thur 11/21- Sun 11/24 that I will be canceling this Sunday, the 17th. Hubby and I are heading out to the Petrified Forest NP on Tuesday (my 1st time and I’m excited!) 💚🤎🧡

I am going to Joshua Tree soon with some friends for the first time. I will have only a few hours on Friday and Sunday with a whole day Saturday. We are saying just outside the park in Joshua Tree. We are comfortable hiking 8-10 miles per day with up to 3,000 feet elevation gain. Ideally Saturday would have a bit of a longer hike. I like hikes that are lesser known, but if there is a must do hike, then of course I would do it even if it is popular. I like adventure and am not afraid to do some rock scrambling if needed.

Any suggestions to what hikes we should do?

Currently debating between Jumbo Rocks and Indian Cove. This will be my first time in Joshua Tree and I am interested in starting gazing, hiking, and climbing. Currently I am leaning more toward Indian Cove because I would like a campsite near large rock formations, and many of these sites are already filled up in Jumbo Rock. I know that Indian Cove is in a more isolated part of Joshua Tree, would it be easy to miss a lot of park’s beauty? Any preferences between the two campgrounds?

Hey guys, I know it’s probably a long shot BUT I’m really antsy to get to Joshua tree this Thanksgiving. My plan is to arrive BUTT ASS early Thanksgiving morning and hope to score a first come first serve site. Preferable hidden Valley but open to any.

Has anyone done something like this before and gotten lucky??

Hi- hoping someone can provide clarification or reassurance to a quick question. Everything online seems to say the West Entrance is the most popular/closest to most major points of interest, and yet everything I look up on Google Maps directs me to the North Entrance (coming from Yucca Valley- places I'm looking up include the Cholla Cactus Gardens, Arch Rock, Skull Rock). I noticed the park's website warns against using Google Maps etc. because it often directs you a weird way. Do I just happen to be looking at things that truly make more sense to come at from the North Entrance, or is this Google being weird?

Related note- we'll be in the park on Thanksgiving and the day after, I know this is a crazy busy time. On Thanksgiving we plan to come in before sunrise, so I'm assuming we should be able to avoid major lines into the park at that time. What time do we need to arrive by on day 2 to beat a ton of traffic, and is one entrance better than the other with that in mind?

We are going to be in JT those days and have a reservation at a hotel. It seems nice but I wonder if I should get a rental with a kitchen instead, in case restaurants are not open due to the holiday?

Do yall know if the park is open during thanksgiving weekend

Hello Do you know in the area a high end and design airbnb ? We would like to have a private pool with enough intimacy as well 😉 Thanks Alex

Hey, heading to Desert Air festival on Friday the 15th and have a flight back to London on Saturday evening. Got a coach booked but a bit nervous about it not showing up so I thought I’d check if anybody happens to be driving back to LA Saturday morning / lunchtime and could offer a lift. Thanks all 😌

We have been house hunting for the last 3yrs and kept getting out bid by investors.
After seeing a ton of crack houses in the areas we preferred to live in that needed a ton of work we decided to look in different areas. We found the perfect home in yucca valley, it's spacious and beautiful. In a nice neighborhood. It's move in ready, looks nothing like all the fixer uppers we've seen. Our estimated move in date is the 18th We currently live in Redlands in a small 2bd apt. With 2 toddlers. I love the diversity of this city & how convenient everything is. I know yucca valley will be a really big change. Can someone please ease my mind. As a mother I'm so afraid for my children starting a new school. (4yr & 6yr) I would've loved more than anything to buy a home in Redlands but the homes here were far out of our budget. I'm scared that they won't love their new school or that their teachers & classmates won't be kind. I'm scared that our neighbors will be unkind because of the color of our skin. Can anyone tell me how their experience was/is as a minority? Has anyone moved out here with toddlers or young children? That's really my biggest fear is my children feeling outcasted and having to deal with racism at such a young age where they can't comprehend how/why they're being treated so unkindly. I'm starting to regret moving my children. I feel like we should've just rented forever. Atleast then I know they'd be safe in Redlands.

Are we missing any must-visit spots? Would love to hear any recommendations!

We (family of four with a 7 and 9 year old) are in Joshua tree for three nights before Thanksgiving. Any must do or see?? Staying near 29 palms but happy to drive out of the way if it's worth it. Best hiking trails for that age?? Slightly concerned about rattlesnakes, scorpions etc - has anyone noticed a decrease lately due to the weather? We ran into a rattlesnake snake hiking in Sedona recently and I'd rather not have a repeat.

I believe it’s a Blainville's horned lizard - can anyone confirm?

Hey everyone! I’ll be in Palm Springs for a few days, and I’m planning on spending a morning hiking in Joshua Tree. I’ve done the Willow Hole trail the last couple of years and loved it—mainly because of the easy parking, tons of Joshua trees, the beautiful changes in landscape, and how lightly trafficked it felt.

This time, I’m thinking about switching it up and doing the Panorama Loop and Warren Peak on a Monday morning. For those who’ve done it, does it check my boxes for parking availability and Joshua tree sightings? And, just as important, is it usually quiet enough to avoid big crowds?