The Essential Joshua Tree Getaway Guidebook

Frank & Melonie
Frank & Melonie
The Essential Joshua Tree Getaway Guidebook

Hiking

It's one of the most unique national parks you will every experience. We are 19 minutes from the JTNP west entrance. It's where two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself - they will issue you a map at the park entrance so you can find all the fascinating trails yourself.
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Joshua Tree þjóðgarður
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It's one of the most unique national parks you will every experience. We are 19 minutes from the JTNP west entrance. It's where two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself - they will issue you a map at the park entrance so you can find all the fascinating trails yourself.
The Hidden Valley area of Joshua is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible areas of the park. It's perfect if you are looking to do a short hike or simply wander among the trees and rock formations. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an enjoyable one-mile loop trail that enters through an opening into a large bowl surrounded by rock walls. It's thought that due to the geography, Hidden Valley was once used by cattle rustlers, who would herd the cattle into this area to conceal them. This is a relatively easy and scenic trail, making it one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. It does not have many Joshua trees. Of note on this trail is the giant monolith known as the Great Burrito, a popular climbing area in the park.
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Hidden Valley Náttúrulegur gönguleið
74485 National Park Drive
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The Hidden Valley area of Joshua is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible areas of the park. It's perfect if you are looking to do a short hike or simply wander among the trees and rock formations. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an enjoyable one-mile loop trail that enters through an opening into a large bowl surrounded by rock walls. It's thought that due to the geography, Hidden Valley was once used by cattle rustlers, who would herd the cattle into this area to conceal them. This is a relatively easy and scenic trail, making it one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. It does not have many Joshua trees. Of note on this trail is the giant monolith known as the Great Burrito, a popular climbing area in the park.
It is well worth the drive up to Keys View, a lookout point at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, with sweeping views extending out over the Coachella Valley. In the distance, you can see the San Andreas fault line, Palm Springs, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, beyond to Mexico. If the air is clear, the view is spectacular and this is a great way to get oriented with the surrounding geography. As you drive up here, the elevation changes, the temperature is noticeably cooler, and the landscape takes on a whole different character.
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Keys View
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It is well worth the drive up to Keys View, a lookout point at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, with sweeping views extending out over the Coachella Valley. In the distance, you can see the San Andreas fault line, Palm Springs, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, beyond to Mexico. If the air is clear, the view is spectacular and this is a great way to get oriented with the surrounding geography. As you drive up here, the elevation changes, the temperature is noticeably cooler, and the landscape takes on a whole different character.
Another short walking path, Barker Dam is a 1.3-mile loop trail. If you are only looking to do one short trail in Joshua Tree, this is your best bet, with huge Joshua trees, rocks, and an area of water that often attracts birds. At the far end of the loop are the remnants of a water tank left by cattle ranchers who once lived in the area. Many people walk in to this point and turn around, leaving by the same route, but this is a mistake. While this might be slightly shorter, it is well worth continuing on, with much of the best scenery and largest trees on the loop beyond the dam.
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Barker Dam Nature Trail
Barker Dam Nature Trail
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Another short walking path, Barker Dam is a 1.3-mile loop trail. If you are only looking to do one short trail in Joshua Tree, this is your best bet, with huge Joshua trees, rocks, and an area of water that often attracts birds. At the far end of the loop are the remnants of a water tank left by cattle ranchers who once lived in the area. Many people walk in to this point and turn around, leaving by the same route, but this is a mistake. While this might be slightly shorter, it is well worth continuing on, with much of the best scenery and largest trees on the loop beyond the dam.
For nature lovers, the Cholla Cactus Garden is arguably one of the most awesome sites in the park, with more than a thousand densely packed chollas stretching out across the desert floor. While chollas are often sprinkled among other vegetation in the desert, here they are the only cactuses in this natural garden. In the early morning light or late afternoon sun, the backlit needles almost glow, and the mountains in the distance provide the perfect backdrop. An easy, level walking trail takes you through this magical place. The Cholla Cactus Garden is on the road to Cottonwood Spring, beyond Belle and White Tank campgrounds. Farther along this road, heading towards Cottonwood, is the Ocotillo Patch, but there are only a small number of these plants at this pullout location. If you plan on leaving the park on this road, there is no need to stop here because there are plenty more Ocotillos further on, beyond Cottonwood, on the way to Interstate 10.
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Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
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For nature lovers, the Cholla Cactus Garden is arguably one of the most awesome sites in the park, with more than a thousand densely packed chollas stretching out across the desert floor. While chollas are often sprinkled among other vegetation in the desert, here they are the only cactuses in this natural garden. In the early morning light or late afternoon sun, the backlit needles almost glow, and the mountains in the distance provide the perfect backdrop. An easy, level walking trail takes you through this magical place. The Cholla Cactus Garden is on the road to Cottonwood Spring, beyond Belle and White Tank campgrounds. Farther along this road, heading towards Cottonwood, is the Ocotillo Patch, but there are only a small number of these plants at this pullout location. If you plan on leaving the park on this road, there is no need to stop here because there are plenty more Ocotillos further on, beyond Cottonwood, on the way to Interstate 10.
Perhaps nowhere else in the park is the almost comic book landscape more finely illustrated than at Skull Rock. You may see faces and images in the rock formations that dominate the park, but at Skull Rock it takes very little imagination to see the skull shape peering out of the boulder-strewn rubble. This huge, naturally sculpted rock is located right beside the road, and it always draws a crowd. The whole area around this roadside stop is interesting, with an expanse of rolling rock piles, great for walking or light scrambling. Remnants of trails run through the area, but many people just wander about, finding high points for lookouts, sunning themselves on the slabs of rock, or simply taking a break. Across the street is a 1.7-mile hiking trail through rocks and shrubby vegetation with a few Joshua trees scattered around.
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Skull Rock
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Perhaps nowhere else in the park is the almost comic book landscape more finely illustrated than at Skull Rock. You may see faces and images in the rock formations that dominate the park, but at Skull Rock it takes very little imagination to see the skull shape peering out of the boulder-strewn rubble. This huge, naturally sculpted rock is located right beside the road, and it always draws a crowd. The whole area around this roadside stop is interesting, with an expanse of rolling rock piles, great for walking or light scrambling. Remnants of trails run through the area, but many people just wander about, finding high points for lookouts, sunning themselves on the slabs of rock, or simply taking a break. Across the street is a 1.7-mile hiking trail through rocks and shrubby vegetation with a few Joshua trees scattered around.
From Park Boulevard, the hike up Ryan Mountain looks a bit daunting and relatively unspectacular, but this hike is all about the reward from the top, where the views extend 360 degrees out over the park. This is a relatively strenuous, three-mile up-and-down hike, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The exposed trail offers little to no shade and is less than exciting as it follows a barren hillside up to the top, but from the summit, at 5,457 feet, the view is fantastic, making the effort worthwhile.
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Ryan Mountain Trail
Ryan Mountain Trail
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From Park Boulevard, the hike up Ryan Mountain looks a bit daunting and relatively unspectacular, but this hike is all about the reward from the top, where the views extend 360 degrees out over the park. This is a relatively strenuous, three-mile up-and-down hike, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The exposed trail offers little to no shade and is less than exciting as it follows a barren hillside up to the top, but from the summit, at 5,457 feet, the view is fantastic, making the effort worthwhile.
Gentle hike through a boulder-strewn desert landscape to the Arch Rock granite formation.
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Arch Rock Nature Trail
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Gentle hike through a boulder-strewn desert landscape to the Arch Rock granite formation.
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Cap Rock
Cap Rock Nature Trail
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Wall Street Mill
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Joshua Tree National Park is packed with landmarks that speak to the passage of time. Here, nature seems to carry on despite modern changes, giving visitors a glimpse into the past while keeping one foot firmly planted in the present. Lost Horse Mine is a great example of a place that many visitors check out in the modern park that speaks decidedly to a gold-rush era of the past. Lost Horse Mine sits nestled within Lost Horse Valley and is one of the most iconic silver and gold mines in the area. It functioned between 1894 and 1931 producing upwards of 10,000 ounces of gold and more than 16,000 ounces of silver. While time has taken its toll on the remaining mine structure, today, visitors can access what remains by taking the trail by the same name. It’s an enjoyable 4-mile loop that leads directly to the mine.
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Lost Horse Mine
Lost Horse Mine Spur
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Joshua Tree National Park is packed with landmarks that speak to the passage of time. Here, nature seems to carry on despite modern changes, giving visitors a glimpse into the past while keeping one foot firmly planted in the present. Lost Horse Mine is a great example of a place that many visitors check out in the modern park that speaks decidedly to a gold-rush era of the past. Lost Horse Mine sits nestled within Lost Horse Valley and is one of the most iconic silver and gold mines in the area. It functioned between 1894 and 1931 producing upwards of 10,000 ounces of gold and more than 16,000 ounces of silver. While time has taken its toll on the remaining mine structure, today, visitors can access what remains by taking the trail by the same name. It’s an enjoyable 4-mile loop that leads directly to the mine.
Sometimes the most gorgeous views to be found in Joshua Tree National Park are those that are the most mysterious. Face Rock is a prime example. This scenic stop accessible off of Split Rock Trail has long fascinated visitors thanks to its strange, but somehow uncanny resemblance to a human expression! Face Rock is further surrounded by even more bizarre rock formations, making this a gorgeous view that comes with plenty of questions included. While you’re snapping photos, feel free to take some time to consider just what Mother Nature might have been up to in planning this stop out.
Face Rock
Sometimes the most gorgeous views to be found in Joshua Tree National Park are those that are the most mysterious. Face Rock is a prime example. This scenic stop accessible off of Split Rock Trail has long fascinated visitors thanks to its strange, but somehow uncanny resemblance to a human expression! Face Rock is further surrounded by even more bizarre rock formations, making this a gorgeous view that comes with plenty of questions included. While you’re snapping photos, feel free to take some time to consider just what Mother Nature might have been up to in planning this stop out.

Music

One of the hippest music venues on the planet. Great food too! Make your reservations well in advance, and save enough time to check out Pioneer Town.
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Pappy & Harriet's
53688 Pioneertown Rd
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One of the hippest music venues on the planet. Great food too! Make your reservations well in advance, and save enough time to check out Pioneer Town.
59700 Twentynine Palms Highway Joshua Tree, CA 92252 jtrcc.org Joshua Tree Retreat Center is the home of Edwin Dingle’s vision for The Institute of Mentalphysics, City of Joy, where his founding belief of inclusive, yet autonomous paths to personal truth is celebrated and honored.
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Joshua Tree Retreat Center
59700 Twentynine Palms Highway
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59700 Twentynine Palms Highway Joshua Tree, CA 92252 jtrcc.org Joshua Tree Retreat Center is the home of Edwin Dingle’s vision for The Institute of Mentalphysics, City of Joy, where his founding belief of inclusive, yet autonomous paths to personal truth is celebrated and honored.
61597 29 Palms Hwy Joshua Tree, California Funky community center in the heart of Joshua Tree. See their Facebook page for events.
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Beatnik Lounge
61568 Twentynine Palms Highway
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61597 29 Palms Hwy Joshua Tree, California Funky community center in the heart of Joshua Tree. See their Facebook page for events.

Grocery Shopping

Great quality, reasonable prices, and close by. BTW, there are plenty of fast food franchises nearby as well.
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Stater Bros. Markets
58060 Twentynine Palms Highway
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Great quality, reasonable prices, and close by. BTW, there are plenty of fast food franchises nearby as well.

Convenience Store

Firewood, fire starters, Ice, beer, soda, chips etc. The coolest convenience store ever. Just drive back up to Aberdeen, turn right and drive about 30 seconds. On your left.
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Mesa Market
3254 Yucca Mesa Rd
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Firewood, fire starters, Ice, beer, soda, chips etc. The coolest convenience store ever. Just drive back up to Aberdeen, turn right and drive about 30 seconds. On your left.

Local Museums

A must see. Noah Purifoy was an L.A. artist of the 70s scene who retired in Yucca Valley, where he built an amazing, installation village made out of found objects. The whole project is ephemeral - designed to be reclaimed eventually by the sun, the wind and the desert. Check it out while it's still there! Just drive up to Aberdeen, turn right and head straight forward till the road runs out. Turn left and the museum is on your right about a block down.
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Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
62975 Blair Ln
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A must see. Noah Purifoy was an L.A. artist of the 70s scene who retired in Yucca Valley, where he built an amazing, installation village made out of found objects. The whole project is ephemeral - designed to be reclaimed eventually by the sun, the wind and the desert. Check it out while it's still there! Just drive up to Aberdeen, turn right and head straight forward till the road runs out. Turn left and the museum is on your right about a block down.
Founded by Roy Rogers. See where many old western movies were filmed. Next to Pappy & Harriet's
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Pioneertown
53688 Pioneertown Rd
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Founded by Roy Rogers. See where many old western movies were filmed. Next to Pappy & Harriet's
In an area that few people would describe as hospitable are the remains of Keys Ranch, the former homestead and ranch of William F. Keys, who settled in this area in the 1910s. The property, which includes the house, schoolhouse, store, and workshop, is a National Historic Register Site and can only be visited on ranger-led guided tours. These tours run seasonally throughout the winter and into spring. The tours are very informative and provide insight into Keys, who was quite a character, and the challenges faced by the family and ingenuity required to live out here. See the park website for information on tour dates and times. Reservations are required and can be made up to 60 days in advance. The 90-minute tours are offered at a fee and involve a half-mile of walking. Official site: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/ranchtour.htm
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Keys Ranch
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In an area that few people would describe as hospitable are the remains of Keys Ranch, the former homestead and ranch of William F. Keys, who settled in this area in the 1910s. The property, which includes the house, schoolhouse, store, and workshop, is a National Historic Register Site and can only be visited on ranger-led guided tours. These tours run seasonally throughout the winter and into spring. The tours are very informative and provide insight into Keys, who was quite a character, and the challenges faced by the family and ingenuity required to live out here. See the park website for information on tour dates and times. Reservations are required and can be made up to 60 days in advance. The 90-minute tours are offered at a fee and involve a half-mile of walking. Official site: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/ranchtour.htm
This is not what you think - an internationally-known hole in the wall. Read their website for a laugh: http://www.sharielf.com/museum.html
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World Famous Crochet Museum
61855 CA-62
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This is not what you think - an internationally-known hole in the wall. Read their website for a laugh: http://www.sharielf.com/museum.html
The Beauty Bubble is a salon and museum displaying a collection of over 3000 pieces of hair and beauty memorabilia assembled, archived and maintained by Jeff Hafler in Joshua Tree, California. The Collection includes vintage and antique products, advertising, equipment, hair and beauty related books, toys and collectibles. Hilarious.
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Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum
61855 Twentynine Palms Highway
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The Beauty Bubble is a salon and museum displaying a collection of over 3000 pieces of hair and beauty memorabilia assembled, archived and maintained by Jeff Hafler in Joshua Tree, California. The Collection includes vintage and antique products, advertising, equipment, hair and beauty related books, toys and collectibles. Hilarious.

Sightseeing

Another must see, one-of-a-kind Mojave desert location. The Integratron is a 38 feet tall cupola structure with a diameter of 55 feet designed by ufologist and "contactee" George Van Tassel. Van Tassel claimed the Integratron was capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel. The Integretron offers unique "sound baths," available only through reservation and on a limited basis. So check out their website in advance. https://www.integratron.com/
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Integratron
2477 Belfield Blvd
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Another must see, one-of-a-kind Mojave desert location. The Integratron is a 38 feet tall cupola structure with a diameter of 55 feet designed by ufologist and "contactee" George Van Tassel. Van Tassel claimed the Integratron was capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel. The Integretron offers unique "sound baths," available only through reservation and on a limited basis. So check out their website in advance. https://www.integratron.com/
The Cottonwood Spring Oasis is a permanent spring, a rarity in the desert. The flow varies but currently it's around 500 gallons per day. The spring came to life many years ago due to an earthquake and since then has been used by the native Cahuilla Indians, miners, and prospectors over the years. You can still see the remains of old gold processing equipment and some concrete ruins. Cottonwood Spring is one of the best areas in the park for birding. The reliable source of water, shade, and trees draws birds and other wildlife to the area. Keep a sharp eye out for the following: Gambel's Quail, hummingbirds, bushtits, and the titmouse with its pointy crown.
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Cottonwood Spring
Lost Palms Oasis Trail
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The Cottonwood Spring Oasis is a permanent spring, a rarity in the desert. The flow varies but currently it's around 500 gallons per day. The spring came to life many years ago due to an earthquake and since then has been used by the native Cahuilla Indians, miners, and prospectors over the years. You can still see the remains of old gold processing equipment and some concrete ruins. Cottonwood Spring is one of the best areas in the park for birding. The reliable source of water, shade, and trees draws birds and other wildlife to the area. Keep a sharp eye out for the following: Gambel's Quail, hummingbirds, bushtits, and the titmouse with its pointy crown.
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Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
6554 Park Blvd
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Desert Christ Park is a 3.5-acre sculpture garden in Yucca Valley, California. The park was sculpted and created by Antone Martin, a former aircraft worker. 56200 Sunnyslope Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. https://www.desertchristpark.org/
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Desert Christ Park
56200 Sunnyslope Dr
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Desert Christ Park is a 3.5-acre sculpture garden in Yucca Valley, California. The park was sculpted and created by Antone Martin, a former aircraft worker. 56200 Sunnyslope Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. https://www.desertchristpark.org/
Giant Rock is a large freestanding boulder in the Mojave Desert near Landers, California, and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The boulder covers 5,800 square feet of ground and is seven stories high. Up near the Integratron. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Rock
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Giant Rock CA
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Giant Rock is a large freestanding boulder in the Mojave Desert near Landers, California, and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The boulder covers 5,800 square feet of ground and is seven stories high. Up near the Integratron. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Rock
Situated at 9697 Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms, the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center is an amazing stop for those looking to connect with the outdoors and give their Joshua Tree adventure a cosmic touch too. Here, hands-on learning is a foundation of defining interests in the world’s many mysteries whether land-based or located in the galaxies far above. Visitors to the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center can attend information sessions, take time to observe the cosmos using high-powered telescopes, or stop by earlier in the day and walk the nature and wilderness trails. There’s also a meditation garden on-site so if you could stand to enjoy a bit of balance, this is the place to pursue it.
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Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
9697 Utah Trail
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Situated at 9697 Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms, the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center is an amazing stop for those looking to connect with the outdoors and give their Joshua Tree adventure a cosmic touch too. Here, hands-on learning is a foundation of defining interests in the world’s many mysteries whether land-based or located in the galaxies far above. Visitors to the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center can attend information sessions, take time to observe the cosmos using high-powered telescopes, or stop by earlier in the day and walk the nature and wilderness trails. There’s also a meditation garden on-site so if you could stand to enjoy a bit of balance, this is the place to pursue it.

Beer!

Most of these establishments serve food and sometimes have music. Check them out.
The coldest beer,and the coolest old school bar vibe.
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Landers Brew Co
1388 Golden Slipper Ln
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The coldest beer,and the coolest old school bar vibe.
Located in the heart of Pioneertown, the Red Dog Saloon has been an Old West icon since 1946.
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The Red Dog Saloon
53539 Mane St
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Located in the heart of Pioneertown, the Red Dog Saloon has been an Old West icon since 1946.
Quirky local joint. Live music, karaoke, open mic, and more. Check out their schedule here: https://www.joshuatreesaloon.com/ When you’re in the area and in the mood to indulge your sense of fun while enjoying fantastic flavors too, a meal enjoyed at Joshua Tree Saloon promises to please. Located at 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree Saloon is a one-of-a-kind eatery where guests can enjoy a vast menu as well as an atmosphere that makes you believe you’ve stepped back in time into the wild west. The saloon vibe thrives in this locale and guests love it even more for exactly that reason! Joshua Tree Saloon is open from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm daily and serves up everything from savory sandwiches and steaks to seafood dishes and burgers. Stop by for a great time and don’t forget to pair your plate with one of Joshua Tree Saloon’s iconic handcrafted cocktails too.
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Joshua Tree Saloon
61835 Twentynine Palms Highway
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Quirky local joint. Live music, karaoke, open mic, and more. Check out their schedule here: https://www.joshuatreesaloon.com/ When you’re in the area and in the mood to indulge your sense of fun while enjoying fantastic flavors too, a meal enjoyed at Joshua Tree Saloon promises to please. Located at 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree Saloon is a one-of-a-kind eatery where guests can enjoy a vast menu as well as an atmosphere that makes you believe you’ve stepped back in time into the wild west. The saloon vibe thrives in this locale and guests love it even more for exactly that reason! Joshua Tree Saloon is open from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm daily and serves up everything from savory sandwiches and steaks to seafood dishes and burgers. Stop by for a great time and don’t forget to pair your plate with one of Joshua Tree Saloon’s iconic handcrafted cocktails too.