Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms

Joshua Tree National Park is the perfect getaway for those in the Los Angeles, San Diego or Las Vegas areas. This desert park is home to numerous varieties of plants and animals that brave the climatic extremes and unpredictable rain. Even the park's namesake, the Joshua tree, resides here and blooms in the spring. With almost 800,000 acres of land and three ecosystems surviving within it, you just might catch a glimpse of a California Mountain Lion stalking its prey or a California Desert Bat flying overhead. If you're looking for an overnight adventure be sure to checkout one of the nine campgrounds, but if spending the night in the desert isn't your cup of tea, stop by the ranger's office to find out about the guided and unguided tours available. At the ranger's office you'll be able to pick up maps too or other tips about the park. If you're visiting in the winter, be sure to bring a warm jacket because the average daily temperature is 60 degrees, but the temperatures can drop to freezing at night. During the summer the temperature usually hovers at the 100 degree mark and doesn't drop much below that during the evenings. Spring and Fall are the most comfortable seasons to visit Joshua Tree National Park. So if you're looking for some family fun or a day to witness some of the world's natural wonders, be sure to stop by Joshua Tree National Park and explore the beauty of the desert.