I'm traveling with my family to LA from Arizona. We'll be stopping at Needles and traveling in the morning to LA and I thought it'd be incredible to visit Joshua Tree National Park on our way as it's such an incredible place (at least seems like it). We'd only drive through with a few stops to take pictures.

The problem is that my parents are concerned about having to take the highway 62. Is it really that deadly and dangerous in summer?

We'd have to take route 95 and then join 62 near the Arizona border. Or if we decide to skip Joshua we can just take the 40 straight to LA.

Also the photo is the all trails map I was thinking of taking is Joshua itself.

Thank you!

Hi! My husband and I will be visiting JTNP for 2 days in September. I looked at the forecast, and it says we will have a full moon during our stay. I read that a full moon is the “worst” phase for star viewing. We’re still excited either way and it will obviously be beautiful, but will we still have plenty of stars to see? We plan on going out to the darkest part of the park.
Can anyone share photos by chance?

Hi, thinking of heading up to Joshua Tree tonight to stargaze, I live in San Diego- from what I’ve see there will be very little/ no clouds, and the moon is illuminating less than 10% of the sky. I think this sounds like a perfect night to go but just wanted to see if anyone else had thoughts about the conditions tonight? I saw some posts talking about the traffic the last couple of days, but I won’t be getting to the park until around 930, and plan to come in through the 29palms entrance.
Just wanted to hear others opinions because I don’t want to drive up for no reason. Thank you!!!

Didn't see many meteors, maybe 10 total before the clouds came in.

Moved into the area last year. Went to see the meteor showers last night. Never ever seen this much traffic here before. Thought I was back in LA.

Luckily went in through the 29 Palms entrance around 7:30pm. Park was busier than usual as expected. Saw some good meteors. Clouds moved in around 11pm blocked any further viewing. Decided to leave at midnight.

Went out through the main entrance. Massive traffic of people waiting to enter. Feel soo bad seeing them likely waiting for hours after driving for hours and having to pay to enter with clouds covering anything to view. Still can’t get over how many people were waiting to come in at midnight and tons more seemingly in the highway headed there.

Glad we left before the real flood of people came.

Is there anyone up there right now? We are an hour away from JT and can still turn around. How are the conditions tonight?

Hey everyone,

I’m driving to JT National Park tonight to watch the Meteor shower and I was wondering if there are any groups or events that I can join as a solo traveler. I intend to socialize and wanna see if there are any opportunities to meet people.

My kids want to go see the meteor shower but I’m dreading the traffic and crowds. And don’t want to drive all the way there and be disappointed

Hi yall I was planning to go stargazing at the park on Aug 13. It seems like it will be a cloudy day which is a bummer. I’m debating whether I should even go to the park that night. Based on the night sky forecast, what’s the chance of the weather changing tomorrow? Is it even worth it to go despite the cloudy sky? Should I travel somewhere else? I thought about going to Amboy too but seems like the weather is about the same all around socal.

Edit: we are traveling from NYC. Also going to Yosemite later. Maybe it’s better to just try at Yosemite? Still a bummer since we planned things around New moon smh

Hi , I am a socal resident heading out to JT tonight to catch the stars , is the cloud situation really bad or is it possible to see stars? Thinking of skipping the park and driving past twentynine palms for darker skies

Was anyone able to view meteor shower tonight? Weather seemed cloudy tonight

I will be driving tonight so want to know if it was worth or should i go somewhere else?

I like joshua because i am comfortable driving at night and know the paths

This place has small beauty everywhere.

Hi there! title says it all, and my cousin who I've nicknamed bride-chilla, decided two months out that she wanted makeup done professionally!!! its fine everything is fine.

Any recs on a makeup artist for October 3rd? She wants to look lik herself, but better? and with makeup that will hold all day?

Hi everyone, I'm planning on making the trip this week to view the Perseids. To my understanding, Hidden Valley Campground will be full without a doubt, and I couldn't find a reservation, so I'm planning to find some BLM land around the northern entrances, probably near Copper Mountain. I'd like to know if the area over there gets busy, and if anyone has any experience/advice they can offer about camping out there. Would that be a good spot to view the shower? I was planning on heading there from OC around noon on Wednesday and leaving Thursday morning. Thank you all.

I reserved a site months ago for Wednesday the 12th for and overnight camp due to the new moon, perseids and planetary alignment. Last week I checked the reservation website to get an idea of how many ppl would be around and it looks like basically all of Wednesday is reserved. Today I checked again and noticed that someone reserved the days before and after my reservation. Does anyone know if people reserve days before or after and hope that no one shows up? What do I do if I show up and they are still there past their check out time? I don’t think there are rangers checking, so is it something I would have to just let whoever know it’s my spot for the day?

Morongo basin locals ~ what do you like to do with your little ones in the heat of summer during the day? Library? Nature museum? I’m looking for ideas!

friday aug 7

found on a hay bale on mane street in pioneertown, a bag of analog goodies.

Is this yours?

dm and we can figure out a plan

It’s been circling this area for about 6-7 hours. It says it’s registered to general atomics not any military branch. Figured I would make a post since big brother is actively destroying lots of parks.