Joshua Tree Travel Guide

Welcome to Joshua Tree!

Laying languidly across the Mojave Desert is the relaxed town of Joshua Tree. Its unhurried pace does not reflect the level of activity found here. Located at the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, it is somewhat of a base camp for those who visit the area for its rock climbing and bouldering. The park also brings those interested in communing with nature through birding, plant gazing and photographing of the two. But there is something more magical and incomprehensible that draws visitors here. Joshua Tree is named after its succulent name-sake that is found in abundance in the area and was named by Mormon settlers. En route to their promised land, the Joshua Tree pointed out the way to them, so they named it after the biblical prophet Joshua who reached his hands towards the Heavens. Spiritual seekers find their way here to this day with claims of vortices and creative energy. The area indeed inspires creative souls to converge here, reflected through several art galleries. Musican Graham Parsons from The Byrds died in Joshua Tree while visiting his favourite stargazing spot—a shrine exists for him at Joshua Tree Inn where locals may have a mysterious tale or two about his passing. This is not Joshua Tree's only claim to fame, as U2's fifth studio album is named after it with a picture of band members standing in the Joshua Tree desert. Inspired by music, locals and visitors are drawn to the town throughout the year for various music festivals.