The Joshua Tree Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about hiking and camping in Joshua Tree with Root Adventures!
You’re about to partake in an incredible adventure! Joshua Tree National Park in California is a captivating desert wilderness renowned for its surreal landscape, featuring iconic Joshua trees and rugged rock formations. Your exploration of the great outdoors will only be enhanced with mindfulness practices designed to lead you on an exploration of the great indoors, aka “the self”.
To get the most out of your journey it’s best to be prepared! We’ve laid out everything you need to know about traveling to Joshua Tree with us. We can’t wait!
The Weather
How should I dress?
October and November are considered two of the best months to visit Joshua Tree National Park as you’ll miss the sweltering heat of the summer and settle into more comfortable temperatures.
During your trip expect temperatures ranging from the mid-80s in the day and the 50s at night.
Expect warm days, but a great relief of cooler evenings. We recommend packing and dressing in layers. You’ll be wearing mostly warm weather clothing for hiking during the day, but be prepared for the cooler nights and early mornings as well!
The gear
What do I need to bring?
You will need to provide your own hiking clothing, rain gear, day packs, and sturdy hiking footwear. Feel free to pack in a normal “carry-on” suitcase, keeping in mind that you’ll be keeping your luggage in your shared tent.
Since you’ll be setting up camp and going on day hikes out and back from your camping setup, all you’ll need to carry with you is a day pack that can house a hydration bladder and essentials like sunscreen, extra layers and snacks.
We will provide tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads so you don’t need to bring those, unless you have a sleeping bag/pad that you just can’t camp without! Then feel free to bring it.
You can find a detailed packing list here. We will also go over gear in much more detail on our two pre-trip calls.
Sustainability is one of our core-pillars, so we love to suggest sourcing gear from friends/family or second hand stores that sell lightly used gear! If you’re buying gear new, we recommend shopping locally or from small companies in whose mission you believe. Check the packing list for some of our favorites!
Preparing For Your Trek
How difficult is this really going to be?
We classify this trip a difficulty level of 3 out of 5. No prior hiking experience is required, however multi-hour sustained physical exertion will be required. There is a potential elevation gain and up to 6 hours of movement per day. You’ll need to have the ability to carry a day pack with a hydration bladder. Physical activities can be optional group and guide depending. You can check out the full detailed itinerary here.
You’ll also be given the incredible opportunity to try some rock climbing! But don’t worry, this is an all levels activity! You’ll be under the guidance of experienced instructors as you learn essential skills and gain the confidence to ascend the routes that make Joshua Tree a renowned climbing destination.
We know, you don’t want to be the last one or hold up the group…we hear this before every trip! However, please know that we consider our group to be a team, working together on each hike. This is an incredible opportunity to ask for help and support when perhaps in your daily life you’re always the one giving it.
Our local guides and Root Tour Leaders will be checking in with the group along the way and will be adjusting pacing as needed. Let’s do this thing together!
Accommodations
Where am i sleeping?
Sleeping accommodations are a combination of hotel stays and camping as detailed in the itinerary.
Accommodation for the first 3 nights will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2-person weather-proof tents. Your last night will be in a hotel stay at Field Station Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, where you can take a hot shower and get a good night's sleep before your travels home!
At your campsite there are no showers, however there are pit toilets.
Additionally there is no running water at this specific campsite, so your local guides will be bringing various amounts of 5 gallon jugs. There are also wash sinks that are brought as well. Your local guides will be refilling the water jugs throughout the week as you are traveling throughout the park as there are other spots in the park with water.
There is access no access to wifi and electricity while you are camping. This might spike some anxiety at first, but it is an incredible opportunity to disconnect! Trust us - you won’t want to turn your phone back on when you leave!
No Trace Left Behind
Let’s Talk Poop
There’s no way around it. Yes, you’ll be going #1 (and maybe #2) in the great outdoors!
While hiking during the day there will be no access toilets. Your guides will show you how to practice “leave no trace” practices for elimination on trails and outdoors.
At your campsite you will have access to pit toilets.
We highly recommend purchasing a Kula Cloth to pee on trail!
Mindfulness
What if I’ve never meditated?
Have no fear! No prior meditation or mindfulness experience needed.
Nature is the ultimate teacher. Just getting out into the great outdoors has been proven to be incredibly beneficial for your mental and physical health.
Your Root Tour Leaders will provide you with simple and practical ways to keep your connection with nature, yourself, and your fellow travelers at the forefront of your experience.
But don’t worry, this won’t be a serious or quiet trip. At Root we see mindfulness as a way to participate in the ALIVENESS of life.
There will be moments you’ll be encouraged to observe silence, listen to nature, reflect on your internal experience or even possibly journal and share. And there will be many moments of raucous laughter, joyous storytelling, and playing in the dirt. Our trips have a little bit of everything!
To help you get the most out of your experience you will receive a pre-trip guide that has mindfulness and meditation practices, potential journaling prompts, and thoughtful ways to connect with nature throughout your adventure.
Final Tips
Anything else I need to know?
We’d love to impart some final words of wisdom for you here. These are tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years exploring, trekking, and guiding groups.
Pack light! The lighter the better. We cannot stress this enough! When packing ask yourself this question: “Do I absolutely need this?” If the answer is no, leave it behind.
Don’t wait to get your hiking boots! Purchase them well in advance of your hike and go for practice walks to wear them in.
Tell your guides if you have a “hot spot” forming on your feet while hiking. They can help! Hot spots are red tender areas that appear before blisters form. The keyword here is before! Telling your guide early can help prevent blisters from forming.
A word about luggage. If possible, pack so that you can bring everything in a carry-on. That way if your luggage gets lost (knock on wood) you won’t be trying to piece gear together or purchase lots of expensive items last minute. If you are checking luggage then we recommend wearing your hiking boots and packing hiking essentials in your carry-on just in case!