Ultimate Guide to Family Adventures: Exploring Joshua Tree National Park with Kids

Family, Travel
January 7, 2025
3:19 pm

Joshua Tree National Park at sundown is simply magical.

Did you know that the United States is home to some of the most diverse and accessible outdoor adventures in the world, from deserts to mountains, forests, and beaches? One of the most family-friendly outdoor playgrounds is the iconic Joshua Tree National Park, a vast landscape that’s roughly the size of Rhode Island.

Since we welcomed our second child, we’ve made it a tradition to gift our boys experiences for their birthdays. Both love the great outdoors, so we asked our eldest, just before his 5th birthday, “What do you want to do?” His answer: “I want to see cactuses and the northern lights.” One photo he pointed to was from Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP). So, we set out to make his dream a reality (with stargazing as a great substitute for the northern lights).

Why Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree National Park is a magical place, perfect for families seeking adventure. With stunning rock formations, a variety of cacti, and star-studded skies, it’s a place where nature and fun come together. Plus, the park offers plenty of kid-friendly activities like short hikes, rock climbing, and stargazing.

Here’s our ultimate guide to making your trip to Joshua Tree with kids memorable and stress-free, along with an itinerary sample that’s easily adaptable to your family’s pace.

Day 1: Arrival in San Diego and Journey to Joshua Tree

Fly into San Diego International Airport – We arrived early in the morning, which gave us plenty of time to explore the San Diego vincinity before heading to the desert. If you need something to do when departing San Diego, Balboa Park offers many things to do as as a great way to stretch your legs and get out some energy before flying out as the drive to/from Joshua Tree is roughly 3 hours.

Car Rental Tip – We rented a hybrid Jeep Wrangler (4WD). You’ll want a vehicle with 4WD to explore JTNP, and the Jeep allowed us to enjoy open-top drives on cooler desert nights. Plus, it was easy on the gas and environment.

Pit Stops Along the Way:

La Jolla: Brunch at the historic Brockton Villa, followed by a walk to La Jolla Cove to see the seals and sea lions up close!

Torrey Pines State Park: Just north of La Jolla, this park offers incredible coastal views and short, family-friendly trails.

Where to Stay: We booked a stay at the Desert Moon Hangar, a moon-themed Airbnb that’s both kid and pet-friendly. It’s a rural, off-the-grid experience with a fenced backyard, pool, hot tub, and plenty of outdoor games. The space sleep pods with full-size mattresses were a hit with our birthday boy. These pods are great for kids who have trouble sleeping, those with sensory processing difficulty and autism! The added bonus, it’s easily accessbile with one step to enter and bedrooms / bathrooms all on the main floor. Both bathrooms have showers. Note, this rental do enot have a washer / dryer, however, there is a laundry mat about 5 minutes away right downtown Joshua Tree.

Day 2-4: Exploring Joshua Tree National Park

Be sure to stop over at the Visitors Center whether at the West Entrance on Park Blvd or 29 Palm Entrance on Freedom Way and 29 Palms Hwy to pick up a map, look up some history and get some additional tips and advice especially updates on the weather and other important things that may affect your day.

3-Day Itinerary

Day 2 (Morning):

Start with easy hikes like Hidden Valley or Barker Dam. Keep hikes under 2 miles to avoid over-exerting little ones.

Day 2 (Afternoon):

Tour the park by Jeep to escape the midday heat. Drive the Geology Tour (there is an option to turn around before getting onto the rocky section that is one way, no cell service in the park if you get a flat tire) or take a dirt road like Big Horn Pass / Queen Valley.

Day 2 (Evening):

Stargaze at Hidden Valley or drive to Keys View for a stunning sunset. Bring blankets, binoculars and/or a telescope. At Keys View, there are options to view from an accessible concrete pathway or venture over the rails to chill on a rock.

Day 3 (Morning):

Hike Cap Rock or explore Skull Rock—a great spot for kids who love to climb!

Day 3 (Afternoon):

Head back to your Airbnb for lunch, a swim, or a nap to cool down. If the weather allows, venture into Palm Springs for some exploring. Note, most stores and restaurants are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so check what is opened before you go.

Day 3 (Evening):

End the day with a night of stargazing. Remember to pack headlamps with red lights to protect your night vision! Tail gate or bring chairs and blankets to make it more relaxing. Drive back to the Airbnb with the top down.

Day 4 (Final Day):

Check out and stop by a few of the local shops or restaurants downtown Joshua Tree on your way out to pick up souvenirs, gifts, or simply window shop some of the fun and quirky goodies at The Station, Queen Art (the crochet museum!), Coyote Corner. Pick up a little bite and coffee / drinks a the Roadrunner Grab+Go attached to the JTNP Visitor’s Center for the drive back to San Diego.

Pro Tips for Hiking with Kids in the Desert

Hydrate! Bring plenty of water and electrolytes for the whole family.
Pack Smart: Sunscreen, large brim hats, sunglasses, and SPF clothing are essential.
Footwear Matters: Wear lightweight hiking boots with good grip and higher socks to protect ankles from rocks and cacti especially when wearing shorts.
First Aid: Carry tweezers and bandages for cactus needles and scrapes.
Munchies: Kids (and us adults) get a little hangry especially when working a sweat and between meals, pack snacks (including salty ones) to keep in the car and in those backpacks.
Stargazing essentials: binoculars or telescope, headlamps with red lights, blankets, long sleeves / pants, and chairs or tail gate for a more relaxing view.

Trails We Loved

Cap Rock (0.5 mile easy)
Hidden Valley (1 mile, easy)
Barker Dam (1.3 miles, easy)
Skull Rock (1.7 miles, moderate with rock climbing fun)
Hall of Horrors (0.6 miles, easy)

*Note: Trail mileages are approximate. Plan for 1-2 hours per trail to explore and pace yourself with the exception of Skull Rock taking longer for more exploring and playtime.

What We Missed (and will go back for later):

The road to Cottonwood.

Arch Rock
Split Rock
Cholla Cactus Garden

4WD Adventures:

Geology Tour (18 miles of a change of scenery deep in the valley, drive at your own risk, we drove 7 miles and turned around before getting to the rocky section that is one way, roads on map are clearly marked pavement, dirt, and gravel where 4WD is required)
Big Horn Pass and Queen Valley (beautiful views from a dirt road that does not require 4WD).

For the Foodie!

Kitchen in the Desert: located in 29 Palms, chef owned and operated, incredible food, drinks, and 100% desert vibes!

What Our Kid Loved Most:

Seeing all the cacti
Stargazing
Rock climbing

This trip was a birthday adventure we’ll always remember, and we hope it inspires you to create unforgettable memories with your own family!

Resources for Planning:

Enjoy your trip to one of America’s best natural playgrounds!

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Meet the Blogger

Hi, I’m Tiffany Dill!

As a mom with profound hearing loss, I know firsthand the beauty and chaos of navigating life with young kids, extended family, and all the little surprises along the way. At Blue Day 2, I’m all about creating spaces and experiences that bring joy to families of all ages and abilities. From home designs that work seamlessly for everyone to sharing my favorite picks from my LTK and Amazon shops, I’m here to make life and travel simpler, more accessible, and filled with joy. Stick around for plenty of inspiration, a little less stress, and a whole lot more fun as we embrace life’s perfectly imperfect adventures together!

Let's Get Personal!

Click on the tabs below to learn more fun facts about me. Do we have anything in common?

Tiffany, you've been married to Andrew for over 16 years now. Any special anniversary traditions?

Oh, absolutely! Every year since we got married in September 2008, we’ve worn the exact same clothes we left our wedding reception in. Yup, I'm talking my gold cocktail dress, wedding jewelry shining, and Andrew rocking his wedding suit. We’re not about to let that tradition slide. It’s been 16 years of pure anniversary magic. I guess you could say we’re "stuck" in our wedding day outfits, but in the best way possible!

Completing an Ironman and earning a doctorate in occupational therapy in the same year sounds intense. How did you pull that off?

Intense is one way to put it! But honestly, raising two energetic boys might just be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The Ironman and doctorate were definitely tough, but mom life? That’s the ultimate endurance race. It’s the one that keeps me—and even Andrew—on our A-game, every single day. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, though. There’s nothing like their opposite personalities and they surprise you with so much joy even in the chaos, and that's where my energy goes—no finish line required.

You’ve set a pretty ambitious goal with playing ‘Sweet By and By’ on the piano. What’s the story there?

Ah, yes! I miss playing the piano. I started playing piano since second grade and even made it to an advanced level through college. But now, my life goal is to master Sweet By and By (again) before I leave earth. It’s definitely a stretch, but that’s the fun part, right? First, though, I need to add a piano in a room I’ve been dreaming of since we built our home. Playing piano was always my outlet. Until then, running is my stress reliever.

Hidden talent alert: You can read lips. How’d you discover that one?

Oh, this one goes way back! When I was four years old, I managed to fool five different audiologists during my hearing tests. It wasn’t until a doctor noticed that I wasn’t repeating what she said when she turned around (back in those days they didn’t cover their lips nor did they have tinted windows in the sound booth)! I had spinal meningitis at 13 months, which nearly took my life and left me in a coma for a week. As a result, I had to start over on a few developmental milestones and missed a lot of early speech and language development. Thanks to years of speech therapy and a knack for lip-reading, I still manage to fool people with my profound hearing loss. It comes in handy when someone wants to know what the ref said on the field or TV, or if I’m in a crowded room and want to eavesdrop—just kidding. Sort of.

On the flip side, what are some things you’re not a fan of?

Confined spaces. Cilantro. Olives. Blue cheese. I could live without all of those. And don’t even get me started on being stuck inside for hours at a time. I'm much more suited to wide-open spaces, the great outdoors, and pretty much anything that involves fresh air.

We all know you’re a planner, but what do you hold closest to your heart?

Sentiments. They’re irreplaceable. There’s something about the things that carry emotional weight—whether it’s a moment or an object—that just can’t be duplicated. I’ve learned to really appreciate the simple, meaningful stuff in life. In fact, our Christmas tree is adorned with over 20 years of ornaments symbolizing memories from a loss of loved ones to trips and even sour times. It’s like finding joy in the simple little things whether they are happy or sad or even bad memories.

You’re a busy mom and entrepreneur, but how do you manage to squeeze in family time?

Time? What’s that? Ha! Honestly, there’s just not enough of it. And the thing is, we can’t get it back. So I prioritize memory-making with my family. That’s my top priority. Whether it’s hiking, running, biking, traveling, or exploring the great outdoors with my boys, I live for those moments. In fact, I devote one day off work a week to be with my little guys and my husband and I carve out a weekly date night.