Winter 2022: Joshua Tree National Park

Desert Hot Sands, California 

Once we started plannning beyond Quarzsite, I noticed how close we would be to both JoshuaTree and Death Valley, so we agreed to add those two stops to our 2022 plan.  However, finding places to stay near both of these parks was challenging.  For Joshua Tree, Palm Springs is the closest larger city, however I found that the RV parks were all pretty high priced.  I ended up finding a spot at the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA, about 15 minutes from Palm Springs, which had recently been designated a KOA.  The best thing about this place was the three Natural Hot Springs hot tubs, ranging in temps from 95 to 105 degrees. Other than that, it's a typical KOA, but in the middle of not much else.  But Tim did enjoy that there was a basketball court and glad that he remembered to bring his ball.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Trees actually appear along highway 62 as you drive through Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree, just west of the park.

We drove through the park, going almost the entire north to south route to Keys View, where you can see the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and the highest peak in Southern California, the 11,500 foot San Gorgonio Mountain.  

We then took the loop to the North Entrance Station, heading to the Fourtynine Palms Oasis Trail, a 3.0 mile out and back trail.  No, I did not count the palms.

On our way back to the KOA we stopped at Joshua Tree Brewing, possibly the smallest and most chill brewery we've been to.  We didn't even get many photos (plastic cups!) or write a review!

Palm Springs

During our time in Desert Springs, we took the 20 minute ride to downtown Palm Springs.  While the area is beautiful, especially the drive along I-10 from the east down into the valley, I was shocked at the wind farm just outside of Palm Springs.  I get the need for renewable energy, but wow, just wow.

As for Palm Springs, of course there are a ton of shops, trendy restaurants, and of course a few bars.  It felt strange to be in a downtown setting as we had been spending so much time on the road and out enjoying nature.  Of course we took the time to stop in at La Quinta Brewing.

Overall we enjoyed our few days on the road, but really could not wait to leave California and the extremely high gas prices!  On to Parump, Nevada!

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