Ryan Campground

Biking

Biking in this park provides some pretty jaw-dropping views, but is also restricted to vehicular roads (i.e., if a car or OHV can go there, so can a bike). But don’t worry, cyclists: that still offers ample opportunities to explore the park, as some of those trails provide pretty sick vistas and most don’t, in general, tend to be too busy. Check out a few awesome trips through the park and surrounding area, and get to cyclin’! It goes without saying that, since you are in a desert, you should definitely be drinking water, but we’ll go ahead and say it again: bring and drink water. Keep in mind too that there is no potable water in most of the park, so be sure to pack enough to last you the length of your trip.

Hiking

Rich with breathtaking landscape that feels like a forgotten land on another planet, there are miles and miles of trails for exploring this park on foot. Thought of as a “backpacker’s paradise,” you can only imagine how freaking awesome it is to hike here, and those endless acres are there for day-trippers and camp-tenters as well. Trails range in length from a few miles to an extensive 11 mile sojourn. There are also several day hikes available as well as ones that can easily be done in an afternoon. Because you will be venturing into a desert (and there is no potable water), you should be absolutely certain to only go as far as you can stay hydrated, and bring more water than you think you will need.

Horseback riding

Sometimes, a strikingly beautiful place is just made better by the presence of a good friend. We believe this absolutely applies to horses, and there many paths open to equestrians and their four-legged friends at Joshua Tree. Riders can come for the day, camp at one of two campgrounds that have facilities for horses, or acquire a special permit for camping in the backcountry with livestock. Personally, we think falling asleep under the stars in one of the wildest places in the country with your favorite non-human sounds pretty epic. Check out the trails open for exploration here and, if you are interested in renting horses for the afternoon, you can head over to Joshua Tree Ranch, which offers tours in the park.

Off-roading (OHV)

You KNOW those endless stretches of California desert are calling your name, and you can feel your fingers itching at the thought of revving up the four-wheel drive and hitting those dusty paths. There are, quite literally, nearly 100 miles of road available for exploring this forlorn and mystical land, giving you extensive opportunities to reach toward that horizon and take in some of the truly striking scenery surrounding you. Check out some of our favorite treks , then pack up the 4-wheeler and get some mud (well, dust) on those tires.

Climbing

We see you, climber, explorer of boulders, scaler of mountains. While everyone else is standing, jaw agape, iPhones out, you can’t believe they are holding still, somehow able to resist that craving for the summit. You, however, are a different story. You can already feel that craggy foothold under your boot, a perfectly molded rock warm under your palm as you leverage and pull your way to the top, and, oh yes, you can already imagine that epic, hard-won view. Thankfully, here, that is an itch you will be able to scratch, as Joshua Tree National Park embraces climbers and boasts some of the most amazing climbing routes in the world (yup! As in, the entire planet). Ready for the stats? They are pretty jaw-dropping, as there are more than 400 climbing formations and 8,000 climbing routes, meaning there is truly something for everyone. Get started with these and then, who knows? Maybe you will discover route 8,001; or 8,002; 8,003 or….well, you get it. The sky is, quite literally, the limit. For some great comprehensive info on climbing in the area, check out the page at Mountain Project. Always wanted to learn how to climb? There are a bazillion spots in and around the park that offer everything from guided climbs to rental gear. Check out the list here, and we’ll see you at the top!

Wildlife watching

The desert is full of secrets, and one of the biggest ones is the abundance of life that finds home in the nearly 800,000 acres that encompass the park. In addition to holding three separate ecosystems—the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Little San Bernardino Mountains— you can find (of course) Joshua Trees, California juniper and pinyon pine, as well as herds of desert bighorn, six species of rattlesnakes, and many different kinds of migratory birds that rest here on their way to the Pacific. Lizards and ground squirrels are also easy to spot, while many residents (including the sheep and snakes) come out at night, including the kangaroo rats, coyotes, and black-tailed jack rabbits. The best time to catch a glimpse is dusk or dawn. If wildflowers are your thing, springtime is a wonderful season to head to the park, as they are in full bloom. Be sure to check out a the wildflower guides when you go.