Joshua Tree National Park: Climbing Rocks, Chasing Shade, and Earning an Oasis

As we drove through Joshua Tree National Park, we could feel the shift from the Sonoran Desert of the saguaros to the Mojave Desert, home to the fabled Joshua Tree. The twisted, spiky trees, the boulder-strewn landscapes, and the vast, open desert shift almost immediately as you pass through the Cottonwood Canyon. We packed up the kids, plenty of water, and an absurd number of Starbursts and set out to explore some of its best hikes—including Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Heart Rock, the Discovery Trail, and the 49 Palms Oasis Trail.

Skull Rock & The Discovery Trail: The Art of Not Falling

Skull Rock was an instant hit. The kids spotted the massive, weathered boulder that eerily resembles a giant skull, and within seconds, they were scrambling up any rock within reach. As parents, we immediately transitioned into our standard national park role: enthusiastic adventure facilitators, paired with the less glamorous job of gravity prevention specialists.

The Discovery Trail, a short but fun loop near Skull Rock, added to the challenge. Designed with kids in mind, it had plenty of boulders to climb—and plenty of opportunities for them to make us nervous. Adeline and Jack were determined to scale anything they could, Carolina had to be coaxed down from precarious perches, and James… well, James attempted to keep up with his older siblings but required frequent airlifts from mom and dad.

The desert heat wasn’t unbearable at 70°F, but even mild temperatures in Joshua Tree demand plenty of water. We made sure to keep everyone drinking and, of course, deployed the Starburst strategy—one candy for every significant stretch of hiking completed. A highly effective, if not dentist endorsed, parenting technique.

49 Palms Oasis: A Magical Retreat

Next up was the 49 Palms Oasis Trail, a three-mile round-trip hike that somehow felt much longer, probably due to the 300-foot climb with five children in tow. The first part of the trail took us up and over a ridge, and as soon as we crossed over, the city disappeared behind us, leaving only the quiet canyon ahead. Strangely, there wasn’t a single Joshua tree in sight but lots of barrel cacti, the red and squat cousin to the saguaro.

The kids, initially excited, quickly realized this was a real hike. James and Carolina spent much of the trek on our shoulders, which added a bit of quad training for the parents. We pressed on, reminding ourselves (and the kids) that an actual oasis awaited us at the end.

And then, suddenly, there it was. Palm trees rising up in the middle of the desert, fed by water literally seeping out of the ground—a sight none of us had ever seen before. The contrast was stunning: dry, rocky terrain giving way to a pocket of lush greenery, hidden in the canyon like something out of a movie.

The kids were impressed, but they were mostly interested in finding shade. The small bit of cover near the oasis had a measurable temperature drop and was just enough for a quick break before we turned around and faced the return journey—another uphill climb, this time with slightly more tired children and slightly fewer Starbursts.

The Ultimate Reward: Pool & Hot Tub Time

By the time we trudged back to the car, the kids had one thing on their minds: getting back to the house and jumping into the pool. They spent the entire drive back loudly debating who would cannonball first, how cold the water would be, and whether Dad would actually get in.

The moment we arrived, they threw off their hiking clothes and jumped straight into the pool—only to immediately realize how much more quickly heat transfers through water than air. Desert sun or not, the water was freezing. They shrieked, flailed, and then scrambled out, shivering and running for the hot tub like their lives depended on it. This cycle repeated itself countless times: plunge into the pool, shriek in shock, then race for the hot tub, which suddenly became the most coveted spot in the house.

Meanwhile, the parents sat back, tired but victorious, watching the kids turn pool time into yet another endurance test. After miles of hiking, rock climbing, and desert sun, we had definitely earned this moment of relaxation (even if it was punctuated by repeated cries of “IT’S SO COLD!”).

Worth Every Step

Joshua Tree National Park gave us everything we wanted—wild landscapes, thrilling climbs (for the kids), near-heart attacks (for the parents), and the good exhaustion from a hike well done. The mix of desert ecosystems, the bizarre rock formations, and the simple joy of discovering a real-life oasis made it worth the extra shoulder rides for the youngest kids.

And the best part? The knowledge that after every long hike, there’s a pool, a hot tub, and the endless energy of five kids to keep the adventure going—even after the sun sets on Joshua Tree.