Park Boulevard

One of Joshua Tree's most scenic roads is also one of its most accessible. Fully paved Park Boulevard makes a loop, starting either in the town of Joshua Tree to the park's northwest or in Twentynine Palms to the park's north. Within the park's boundaries, the road traverses a little over 25 miles one-way, connecting the park's west and north entrance stations. This western and northwestern section of the park is high Mojave Desert, home to most of the park's famous stands of Joshua Trees, as well as large monzogranite boulder formations. Traveling east, drivers will be treated to some sweeping desert views before coming to the turnouts for Hidden Valley and Barker Dam, which both offer the opportunity for short hikes. A little further east is the spur road for Keys View. If the view is clear, be sure to take the 20-minute trip, which offers panoramic views of the Coachella Valley to the south of the park, including the San Andreas Fault which runs through it. Continuing east, you'll see more boulder formations, including Cap Rock and Skull Rock, which also both have hiking trails featuring rocks similar to a cap and skull, respectively. Along the way, there are roadside interpretive exhibits as well as plenty turn-outs for drivers to safely enjoy the scenery. As you head east and then north out of the park, stop at the Oasis of Mara at the Oasis Visitor Center, where an easy nature trail loops through a natural oasis for which the town of Twentynine Palms is named. Bikes are welcome in Joshua Tree on any road open to vehicles, including backcountry roads.