What to do in Joshua Tree with Kids: 2-3 Day Itinerary

Ever since I saw pictures of Joshua tree’s unique vegetation for the first time, I’ve wanted to visit. However, it was never the right time because the idea would come to me in the middle of summer. So this time, after a group camping trip with some other families fell through, I took the opportunity to go in the Spring.

One of those families went in January, so I was able to piggy back off of their itinerary and spend most of my time researching the best value hotels.

Best time of year to go to Joshua Tree

Since it’s the desert, peak seasons are Spring and Fall, when it is not deathly hot (100+ F) or frigidly cold (below freezing at night).

• Spring (March–May)
  • ☀️Daytime temperatures: 70s–80s°F
  • 🌙Nighttime temperatures: 40s–50s°F
  • Possible wildflowers after rainy winters
  • Spring break and April can be busy. However, we went during spring break and while there were a good amount of people on the hikes, it was by no means crowded, and neither was the hotel. The weather was actually perfect – we wore light layers in the morning and swam in the outdoor pool in the afternoon.
• Fall (October–November)
  • ☀️Daytime temperatures: 70s–80s°F
  • 🌙Nighttime temperatures: 40s–50s°F
  • Fewer crowds than spring
  • Great season for stargazing (annual Night Sky Festival is end of October)

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree With Kids

For families, the best place to stay is near the North Entrance in Twentynine Palms or Yucca Valley (20-30 mins drive to North Entrance).

Why families should stay near the North Entrance:

• Shorter entrance lines than the West Entrance
• Close to top kid-friendly attractions like Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and Heart Rock
• Easier early-morning park access with kids

Pro tip for family travel to Joshua Tree:

• Book a rental with a hot tub for nighttime stargazing
• Choose a pool if visiting in spring or warmer months to cool off after hikes

🛌Here is a list of recommended 👉 family hotels in Joshua Tree.

Know Before You Go: Joshua Tree With Kids

Important things to know:

• Most trails are listed as 30-60 minutes but take up to 2 hours with kids because they will want to climb every boulder, observe every insect, etc.
• Two trails per day is the ideal pace for families with young kids. We actually only managed one trail in the mornings and spent the afternoons in the pool 🙂
• Bring more water than expected, even in cooler months
• Hats, sunscreen, and snacks are essential
• Download maps before you go because cell phone reception might be weak out there. I thought we were “lost in the desert” but we were actually on a trail the whole time.
• Pick up a Junior Ranger Program booklet at the visitor center on your first day

Day 1: Best Easy Joshua Tree Hikes for Families

Discovery Trail

Ideal first hike in Joshua Tree National Park. This loop connects the Skull Rock and Split Rock Loop trails via the Face Rock Trail. This mellow hike takes you through boulder piles and desert washes.

I was being a bit dramatic, I had no cell phone reception and was convinced we were lost in the desert. However it turns out that we were on the trail the whole time, we just veered briefly off track when my husband decided to let my 4 year old lead the way…

What to expect:

• Distance: Short and flat loop (0.7 miles)
• Time with kids: 1.5–2 hours
• Educational signs designed for children
• Safe rock formations for climbing. Safe is a relative term.

This was the biggest obstacle on the trail. A fallen tree, which actually was fun for the kids to climb over.

I was more impressed with this rock that resembled a butt much more than skull rock TBH 💀

Toddler sized hole on the Skull rock trail, perfect toddler photo opportunity. Also good for shade or as a hiding spot to scare passersby.

Hidden Valley Trail

If you only have the chance for one short hike at Joshua Tree National Park, Hidden Valley is a great choice. It is located just off of Park Boulevard.

What to expect:

• Distance: 1 mile, mostly flat. No major drop-offs, making it low stress for parents
• Time with kids: 1.5–2 hours. Partially shaded
• Educational signs designed for children
• Feels more like a playground than a hike with endless boulders to climb and explore

Evening Stargazing

Why stargazing is a must in Joshua Tree:

• One of the darkest night skies in Southern California
• Easy activity once kids are in bed
• Even better from a hot tub – HOT TIP: Get a room right by the pool at Field Station Joshua Tree. The hot tub would just be steps away from your room’s front door!

Day 2: Iconic Joshua Tree Attractions for Kids

Arch Rock and Heart Rock

One of the best family hikes in Joshua Tree. Big payoff for minimal walking.

What to expect:

• Distance: 2.9 Miles for the entire loop with 220 ft elevation, but the distance just between Arch Rock and Heart Rock is less than 0.5 miles and flat.
• Time with kids: 1.5–2 hours.
• We didn’t do the whole loop, but doubled back after climbing Arch rock (not super easy!) to walk to Heart Rock.
• Arch Rock is fun to walk under, but it’s not that easy. Kids had to be lifted onto the rock surface under the arch and everyone had to carefully scale down the slopes to get down into the narrow gaps between rocks.
• Heart Rock adds a scavenger-hunt feel. We even found “Burger” rock on the way to the heart.
• The walk to Heart rock is a little bit hilly. Kids should be careful to not slip on the pebbles.

Barker Dam Trail

Short walk with high payoff with varied scenery

What to expect:

• Distance: 1.1 Miles with minimal elevation
• Time with kids: 45 min–1.5 hours. Minimal shade
• Opportunity to see water in spring, which means more vegetation and wildlife
• Petroglyphs add a learning element

Sunset at Keys View

Why it’s great for families:

• Short walk from the parking lot (Keys View Parking Lot)
• There is a restroom at the parking lot
• Perfect low-energy evening activity

Realistically, you can choose to either hike in the morning, or in the afternoon, and if you choose the afternoon, it may be cooler, and it can run into sunset viewing time instead of trying to slog it out for an entire day in the park.

Day 3: More Family-Friendly Things to Do in Joshua Tree

Cholla Cactus Garden

Really cool and unique vegetation and landscape. Keep kids on the boardwalk—cholla cactus spines stick easily! My son accidentally swiped his hand on one when he was climbing up a slope and he said it stung for a while.

Check the official national park website beforehand as it is closed for repairs until late Spring 2026.

What to expect:

• Distance: 0.2 Miles, 9 ft elevation. Flat boardwalk loop
• Time needed: 1-2 hours. Short and easy walk
• Unique scenery kids won’t see elsewhere
• The cactus garden covers a large area, and the closure only affects the specific, small, raised boardwalk section. You can park safely on the shoulder of Pinto Basin Road and walk in to take photos.

This was closed when we visited, so if we had stayed a third day, then we would have done one of the trials we missed from the first 2 days because we only managed one trail each morning. My 4 year old still likes his naps, especially after a 2 hours walk in the sun.

Other Great Joshua Tree Activities for Families

If you want to add or swap activities, these are excellent options:

• Cabazon Dinosaurs (1 hr west of Twentynine Palms) – Walk through a park full of giant dinosaur replicas. You can do it on your way out of J tree. It was actually worth our time, and the most memorable part of it was climbing inside the T-rex.
• Cap Rock Nature Trail for a short, educational walk
• Junior Ranger Program at the visitor center
• Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum (outside the park, best for older kids)
  • This is located conveniently between Yucca Valley and TwentyNine Palms, so you can do this instead of the park on the last day.

FAQs

What should kids wear in Joshua Tree?

I’m glad you asked! We made the mistake of bringing shorts for our rambunctious 4 and 6 year olds and ended up using up almost all of our bandages! The trails and slopes are sandy and full of small pebbles, so it’s very easy to slip and scrape your skin on the rough rock.

So for kids I’d definitely recommend lightweight, light-colored long pants, as they can protect from surface scrapes and also provides more sun protection.

As for tops, many people wore T-shirts but the same logic applies. There are some slopes or rocks that require using your hands to climb, and with the sun, longer sleeves provide more protection.

Last but not least, hiking boots with socks, and hats. Sunglasses are a bonus.

What should moms wear in Joshua Tree?

I wore a white gauze oversized button up shirt and saw at least 2 other moms wearing the same thing! They are light and airy and provide sun protection.

Wear sneakers, not sandals! This might seem obvious, but I almost wore my birkenstocks but thankfully my husband advised me to wear my new balances instead. Crisis averted.

What should dads wear in Joshua Tree?

What they always wear.

What should we bring to a hike in Joshua Tree?

A bottle of water for each person at least. Some snacks. First aid kid with bandages. Sunscreen. Wide brim hat. Sunglasses. Map that they give you at the entrance. Wipes. Hand sanitizer.

Are there bathrooms in Joshua Tree?

There are a lot of toilets along the road where the trail entrances are and where the campsites are. It’s a good idea to get the kids to go before a hike because of the amount of water they might drink especially in warmer months.

Where do you have lunch in Joshua Tree?

There are no restaurants inside the park and there aren’t really areas with shade. Some blogs say to have lunch inside the park and bring lunch with you, but I don’t think this would have worked for us. There are lots of restaurants near the entrances of the park.

So there you have it, a 2 or 3 day Joshua tree for kids itinerary that hits up all of the best spots in the national park.

Check this post to find the 👉 best family hotels in Joshua Tree.

If you have more time in Southern California, consider driving down to Legoland, but not after making sure you grab the best deal!