Joshua Tree · Field guide
Hikes, wildflowers, ghost towns, makers, music and where to eat: everything we know about Joshua Tree and the Morongo Basin, written by the people who run JT Trading Post.
107 field notes 6 guidesUpdated
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Community News + More
Joshua Tree this week, Nov. 2–8, 2026: Yucca Valley Film Festival, the free JTNP Art Expo and Weed Show, Big Freedia at Pappy's, star parties, weather.
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Field notes we send friends before their first trip.
Day Trips & Adventure
Plan a Mojave day trip from Joshua Tree: Amboy Crater, Kelso Depot and Kelso Dunes, with drive times, free entry, road conditions and this week's weather.
Day Trips & Adventure
Plan a Joshua Tree National Park south-end loop: Cholla Cactus Garden, Cottonwood Spring, Mastodon Peak or Lost Palms Oasis, with fees, drive times and Oct. 21 conditions.
Day Trips & Adventure
Plan a west-side Joshua Tree National Park day: Ryan Mountain, Lost Horse Mine and Keys View sunset, with fees, drive times, sunset times and Oct. 27 conditions.
Day Trips & Adventure
Storm closures cut off Amboy Road and Geology Tour Road. Try a free day close to home: Big Morongo Canyon Preserve's boardwalks and the Hi-Desert Nature Museum.
Day Trips & Adventure
Hot week in Joshua Tree? Hike Pipes Canyon at free Pioneertown Mountains Preserve at sunrise, then lunch on Mane Street. Trails, hours, drive, forecast.
Day Trips & Adventure
October is the desert's best month, and this year it's packed. The Gem and Mineral Show, the Orchid Festival, three weekends of HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours, the Joshua Tree Music Festiva...
Day Trips & Adventure
From Saturday farmers' markets to live music under the stars, the High Desert runs on community. Here’s your guide to the rhythms, gatherings, and hidden gems that make Joshua Tree feel l...
Day Trips & Adventure
Early September in the high desert has its own kind of quiet — golden light, open roads, and one last long weekend before fall settles in. Here's how to slow down and make the most of Lab...
Day Trips & Adventure
Joshua Tree has been a climber's paradise since the 1950s — and it's one of the most beginner-friendly outdoor climbing destinations in the world. Here's where to start, what to expect fr...
Day Trips & Adventure
Fall and winter unlock Joshua Tree’s quieter side. From the summit views at Warren Peak to the hidden palms at Lost Palms Oasis, these lesser-known trails offer real solitude, big scenery...
Day Trips & Adventure
The 2026 Perseid meteor shower peaks the night of August 12th into the 13th — and this year, conditions are as close to perfect as they get. A new moon means zero lunar interference, up t...
Day Trips & Adventure
The Fourth of July hits differently in the high desert — wide open sky, community fireworks, and no crowded parking lots. Here's your guide to what's happening in Joshua Tree, Twentynine ...
Day Trips & Adventure
Father's Day is June 21st. Skip the generic — shop our curated gift guide at JT Trading Post for desert-inspired picks that actually fit him, from the dad who loves the outdoors to the on...
Day Trips & Adventure
June in the high desert is quieter, warmer, and worth it. From the Joshua Tree Farmers Market and JT Trading Post Outdoor Market every weekend, to live music at Pappy & Harriet's, XOXO Pa...
Day Trips & Adventure
Summer in Joshua Tree hits 100°F — but it's still worth it. Here's how to hike smart, cool off in town, and catch the desert's most spectacular sunsets.
Day Trips & Adventure
Most souvenirs end up forgotten. Not these. Joshua Tree has a creative community unlike most places, and JT Trading Post carries the best of it — locally made apparel, Opal Atlas pins and...
Day Trips & Adventure
Festival season brings thousands to the desert — but the real trip is 45 minutes up the 62. Discover Joshua Tree National Park, shop local finds at JT Trading Post, and stay for a sunset ...
Day Trips & Adventure
The best hikes and day trips in and around Joshua Tree National Park — from iconic trails like Hidden Valley and Skull Rock to remote backcountry routes most visitors never find. A guide ...
Day Trips & Adventure
The best spring hikes in Joshua Tree National Park for wildflower season — from easy trail walks through blooming desert to challenging backcountry routes. A guide to the trails that come...
Day Trips & Adventure
Spring is one of the best times to visit Joshua Tree — golden light, comfortable temperatures, and desert wildflowers in bloom. Your guide to hiking, shopping local vendors, and making th...
Day Trips & Adventure
Joshua Tree has a thriving art scene hiding in plain sight. Discover Noah Purifoy's legendary outdoor desert museum, local galleries, and the creative community that makes this Mojave tow...
Day Trips & Adventure
From gallery openings and live music to local markets and outdoor events, the Joshua Tree creative community is always active. Your guide to the best things happening in and around Joshua...
Day Trips & Adventure
Pine City is Joshua Tree National Park's most underrated backcountry trail — quiet, remote, and rarely crowded. A complete guide to hiking one of the park's most overlooked and rewarding ...
Day Trips & Adventure
Joshua Tree is one of California's best-kept shopping destinations. Discover local boutiques, artisan vendors, and handmade goods worth the detour — including JT Trading Post at 61716 Twe...
Day Trips & Adventure
Heading to Coachella or Stagecoach? Discover JT Trading Post, your ultimate festival season pit stop in Joshua Tree. Just an hour from the festival grounds, find festival essentials, uniq...
Day Trips & Adventure
Discover the best photography spots in Joshua Tree National Park — dramatic rock formations, golden-hour desert light, and iconic Joshua trees. A guide to capturing the park's most photog...
Desert Style & More
Joshua Tree nights are dropping into the 50s. Local candles, creosote bundles, coffee, tea and sweatshirts in stock now at JT Trading Post, with prices.
Desert Style & More
Walnut boards made in 29 Palms ($45–$120), Joshua tree pottery ($30–$50), a $40 roadrunner trivet and more for hosting, all live at JT Trading Post.
Desert Style & More
Halloween with a Joshua Tree twist: a Stray Ceramics skull tumbler, a Magic 8 Ball candle, Tarot To Go, a tarantula card and a Skull Rock print, $4 to $48.
Desert Style & More
Joshua Tree Jerky is a Morongo Basin beef jerky brand. JT Trading Post carries Mild, Hot, Mojave Agave, and Mango Habanero in-store and online.
Desert Style & More
Four $20 desert animal plushies and two $32 handmade Twentynine Palms shot cups, all in stock at JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree as of Oct. 9, 2026.
Desert Style & More
In town for the Gem Show, Orchid Festival, or outdoor market? Pack-home tees, patches, totes, and desert cards in stock this weekend at JT Trading Post.
Desert Style & More
Cool mornings, cozy layers, and slow desert evenings. Discover the Fall So Hard collection at JT Trading Post, with Joshua Tree sweatshirts, seasonal candles, cocktail and mocktail kits, ...
Desert Style & More
A fresh batch of crystals has arrived at JT Trading Post — from grounding Black Tourmaline to abundance-drawing Citrine. Pair them with our new 111 Candle and build a little more ritual i...
Desert Style & More
The long weekend calls for easy pieces and good deals. Shop our Labor Day Weekend collection — desert tees, caps, Free People finds, and more — all 25% off online and in-store while it la...
Desert Style & More
The shop floor just got a serious refresh. New arrivals are in — Levi's sherpa jackets, Matisse boots, Free People pieces, and Joshua Tree tees made for desert summer. In store and online...
Desert Style & More
JT Trading Post goes deeper than the front racks. Discover a full men's section — everyday basics, cool-night layers, Western graphic tees, and elevated CUTS styles — plus a standing 20% ...
Desert Style & More
Skip the generic gift shop. JT Trading Post's Joshua Tree Souvenirs collection features locally made apparel, hand-poured ceramics, enamel pins, stickers, and art from 47+ local makers — ...
Desert Style & More
From organic onesies to geode-cracking kits, the JTTP Kids Collection is built for real desert days. Discover adventure-ready clothing and screen-free toys for babies through big kids — a...
Desert Style & More
Free People belongs in the desert. Discover our hand-selected collection of dresses, tops, boots, and accessories made for Joshua Tree living — from golden hour hikes to Pappy & Harriet's...
Desert Style & More
Summer in the desert calls for the right gear. Shop our hand-picked Summer Picks collection — desert-ready clothing, Vacation sun care, locally made goods, gourmet pantry staples, and out...
Desert Style & More
The desert has a way of doing the work for you — if you let it. Here's how to build a grounded, intentional self care day in Joshua Tree, from palo santo and crystals at JT Trading Post t...
Desert Style & More
The JT Trading Post outdoor market runs every Saturday and Sunday — and the outfit matters. A breathable base, a layer for the morning chill, boots for uneven ground, a JTTP hat for the s...
Desert Style & More
Joshua Tree hiking isn’t just technical gear — it’s high desert, it’s photogenic, and you want to look good doing it. Here’s what actually works: breathable tees, protective bottoms, a la...
Desert Style & More
Date night in the desert is its own thing. The sky takes up more space than the buildings, the temperature drops fast after sunset, and the light does something incredible to jewelry. Her...
Desert Style & More
The desert has its own dress code — and it'll teach you fast. From layering for wild temperature swings to finding that worn-in style that just works, here's how to dress for a day (and n...
Community News + More
Joshua Tree this week, Nov. 2–8, 2026: Yucca Valley Film Festival, the free JTNP Art Expo and Weed Show, Big Freedia at Pappy's, star parties, weather.
Community News + More
Halloween week in Joshua Tree, Oct. 26–Nov. 1, 2026: free Trunk or Treat, the 29 Palms Halloween Bash, sunn O))), a fee-free park day, and weather.
Community News + More
The first 2026 JT Olive Oil, a small batch from the first pressing of this year's harvest, is on the shelf at JT Trading Post: 100 mL for $24, 250 mL for $40.
Community News + More
Our Joshua Tree courtyard has a whole new feel. Discover desert landscaping, comfortable shaded seating, coffee and matcha from Mojave Matcha, a photo booth, and local weekend vendors. Co...
Community News + More
Joshua Tree this week, Oct. 19–25, 2026: a free Yucca Valley Spooktacular, the Levitt AMP finale, Mdou Moctar, a wine festival, the full moon and park closures.
Community News + More
Behind the shelves at JT Trading Post are makers who also happen to work the register. Meet August Sun, Ryan Dobbins, Nayeli, and Seamstress Kate — the staff creators whose handmade piece...
Community News + More
Things to do in Joshua Tree Oct. 12–18, 2026: Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms, the final Hwy 62 Art Tours weekend, free Levitt AMP music, shows, weather and park alerts.
Community News + More
Joshua Tree Music Festival Oct. 8–11, Night Sky Festival Star Party Oct. 10 on the new moon, free Hwy 62 Art Tours, Pappy & Harriet's shows, weather and park notes.
Community News + More
Welcome the fall equinox with desert-inspired candles, incense, crystals, and creosote shower bundles. Explore a Joshua Tree ritual for slowing down, marking the season, and bringing the ...
Community News + More
Part of our ongoing maker series — spotlighting the vendors whose work makes everyday life a little better. From handcrafted walnut boards and a locally made card game to small-batch dese...
Community News + More
The outdoor market is back, the courtyard's been rebuilt, and October is shaping up to be the biggest month we've had. Every Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM — come find your people and ...
Community News + More
The heat is easing, the tents are going back up, and the courtyard is coming alive again. Our outdoor market is back every weekend in September — local makers, handmade goods, and all the...
Community News + More
Some clothing is made to be new. The pieces in this round of Meet the Makers are made to have a past — worn-in denim, one-of-a-kind vintage finds, graphic tees with something to say, and ...
Community News + More
Five vendors. One desert spirit. Meet the makers bringing rugged Western goods, boho style, and one-of-a-kind Joshua Tree keepsakes to JT Trading Post — and the stories behind what they m...
Community News + More
Meet the desert wellness makers behind JT Trading Post — Mojave Moon Apothecary, Orchid + Ash, Plant Social, and Good Buds. Handcrafted goods rooted in the high desert, available in store...
Community News + More
Meet the local artists behind JT Trading Post — from Amber Morgan's high desert prints and Doug Beale's Kreaturetown characters to Linda Shrader's Joshua Tree sculptures and Tayler Strazi...
Community News + More
Memorial Day means something particular in the High Desert. With one of the largest Marine bases in the world next door, this community has always known the cost of service. Here's how to...
Community News + More
Part one covered the main towns. Part two goes further — into Pioneertown's honky tonk BBQ, Flamingo Heights' LA-worthy dining, and Morongo Valley's hidden gems most visitors drive right ...
Community News + More
The high desert eats well. From sourdough pizza in Joshua Tree to farm-to-table dining at a 1928 desert oasis, here are our favorite local restaurants across Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, an...
Community News + More
Planning a weekend in Joshua Tree? Get the inside scoop on local favorites and desert finds from those who call this magical place home. Your ultimate guide to experiencing the best of th...
Community News + More
December in Joshua Tree has its own quiet magic — cold nights, brilliant stars, and a creative community that lights up the season. Your guide to the best the high desert has to offer in ...
Community News + More
JT Trading Post brings farm-cut Christmas trees to Joshua Tree, CA every December. Fresh trees, local vendors, and that rare combination of cold desert mornings and warm holiday spirit at...
Community News + More
The 2025 olive oil harvest has arrived at JT Trading Post. Fresh, locally made Joshua Tree olive oil pressed by local hands. Available in-store and online at jttradingpost.com while suppl...
Community News + More
Orville Peck takes the stage at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown — one of the Mojave Desert's most legendary music venues. A guide to one of the desert's most unforgettable live music e...
Community News + More
The Sound and Sand Music Series brings free live music to JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree, CA — a weekly outdoor event where local musicians perform alongside artisan vendors in the high d...
Community News + More
November is one of the best times to visit Joshua Tree. Mild temperatures, clear skies, and fewer crowds make it ideal for hiking, stargazing, and shopping local vendors at JT Trading Post.
Community News + More
Your insider guide to JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree, CA — featuring 47+ local vendors, handmade goods, desert-inspired gifts, and a rotating outdoor marketplace. Here is what to know bef...
Secrets of The Mojave
Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park. Why its skies are so dark, where the darkest spots are, and the best November 2026 nights for stars and the Leonids.
Secrets of The Mojave
Mojave desert tortoises are heading underground for brumation, roughly October through February. How their burrows work, why Joshua Tree's tortoises are in trouble, and what to do if you ...
Secrets of The Mojave
Joshua Tree's stacked boulders began as underground monzogranite more than 100 million years ago. Here is how joints, groundwater, and flash floods made the piles, plus where to see them ...
Secrets of The Mojave
No rings, no cactus, and a moth it can't live without. Sourced facts on how Joshua trees grow, bloom, age, and survive in the Mojave, plus how to visit them gently.
Secrets of The Mojave
The desert looks empty from a distance. Get closer and it's one of the most densely populated ecosystems in the American West — from desert tortoises and bighorn sheep to kangaroo rats an...
Secrets of The Mojave
Before the park gates and the Instagram crowds, this landscape was home to Indigenous peoples, gold miners, homesteaders, and visionaries. The history of Joshua Tree is older than the cou...
Secrets of The Mojave
The Mojave keeps its best secrets close. From fan palm springs inside Joshua Tree to a lush date farm hidden in a desert canyon — here's where to find the oases most people never see.
Secrets of The Mojave
Think you know Joshua Tree? From ancient boulders to rock star legends, dark sky designations to a yucca that isn't actually a tree — here are ten surprising facts about one of California...
Secrets of The Mojave
The High Desert holds its history differently. From Dale's gold mines to Wonder Valley's jackrabbit homesteads, these forgotten places are still out there — preserved by dry air, silence,...
Secrets of The Mojave
Joshua Tree wildflower season moves uphill as spring progresses — mid- and high-elevation trails peak later with fewer crowds. A guide to chasing the desert bloom beyond the main park ent...
Secrets of The Mojave
When conditions align, Joshua Tree erupts into a wildflower super bloom that transforms the Mojave. Learn what triggers a desert bloom, where to see wildflowers in the park, and how to pl...
Secrets of The Mojave
The Joshua tree and the yucca moth share one of nature's most remarkable co-evolutionary partnerships — a relationship that defines the Mojave Desert. Learn how it works and what threaten...
Secrets of The Mojave
Joshua Tree National Park sits at the convergence of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts — two distinct ecosystems that create one of California's most biodiverse landscapes. A deep look at w...
Desert Dust Recipes
Joshua Tree meets Italian simplicity. Grab pasta, pizza dough, JT Olive Oil, and Desert Dust seasoning at JT Trading Post for easy, satisfying vacation dinners — no fancy kitchen required.
Desert Dust Recipes
A simple, stunning desert appetizer — medjool dates poached in warm spices, drizzled with local Joshua Tree olive oil, and finished with Desert Dust from JT Trading Post. Four ingredients...
Desert Dust Recipes
The ultimate BBQ tri-tip recipe seasoned with Desert Dust from JT Trading Post. Low and slow smoke, high heat finish, and a Mojave-inspired seasoning blend that makes this your new backya...
Desert Dust Recipes
Crispy air fryer salmon bites with a tangy honey mustard aioli — a fast weeknight dinner that punches above its effort. Seasoned with Desert Dust from JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree, CA.
Desert Dust Recipes
The easiest homemade taco seasoning you will ever make — deeply spiced, a little smoky, using Desert Dust from JT Trading Post. Perfect tacos every single time.
Desert Dust Recipes
Crispy loaded potatoes seasoned with Desert Dust from JT Trading Post — a crowd-pleasing side dish or main that comes together fast. Bold Mojave flavor in every bite.
Desert Dust Recipes
Savory grilled chicken skewers seasoned with Desert Dust from JT Trading Post and charred red onion. A quick, flavorful desert-inspired recipe that brings the taste of Joshua Tree to your...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Alyssa Sides, founder of Plant Social — houseplants, botanica skincare, and nature-inspired goods from one of JT Trading Post's founding vendors in Joshua Tree, CA.
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Steven Przybylowski, the curator behind White Label Vinyl — a carefully selected collection of vintage records and classic DVDs. Browse his corner at JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree, CA.
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Amber Morgan, an illustrator and muralist creating in the high desert. Inspired by the landscapes of the American West, her grounded desert art is available at JT Trading Post in Jos...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Nash and Kim Finley, the couple behind The Nomadic People — a travel-inspired brand rooted in movement and the high desert. Find their work at JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree, CA.
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Paul Razo, the creator behind Red Raven — a curated collection of timeless, Western-inspired goods rooted in the spirit of the high desert. Find his pieces at JT Trading Post in Josh...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Doug Beale, the desert artist behind Kreaturetown — a whimsical brand of stickers, postcards, and hand-cut paper art full of character. Find his work at JT Trading Post in Joshua Tre...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Linda Shrader, a Joshua Tree artist whose desert landscapes and hand-painted sculptures let you take home a piece of the Mojave. Her Joshua Tree Forever pieces are available at JT Tr...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Tayler Straziuso, the Joshua Tree ceramicist behind Stray Ceramics. Each handmade piece carries the texture and weight of the desert — functional art made with intention. Available a...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Dana and Rich, the 29 Palms locals behind Very Very — a desert-rooted brand capturing the rugged beauty and laid-back spirit of the high desert. Shop their work at JT Trading Post in...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Stella Adena, the creative mind behind Rancho Relaxo. Explore her unique desert-inspired creations and learn what makes her work a perfect fit for the Joshua Tree community.
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Kristina Baranowski, the talented artist behind Orchid + Ash. Explore her unique creations and discover how the desert landscape inspires her beautiful handcrafted work.
Vendor Spotlight
Step into the world of Felicia Barth, the Venus of the Desert. Discover how this talented artist brings the magic and mystery of Joshua Tree to life through her unique creative vision and...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Marlene Dunlevy, the creative force behind Opal Atlas. Based in Joshua Tree, California, Marlene crafts beautiful souvenirs that celebrate the magic of the high desert and Joshua Tre...
Vendor Spotlight
Meet Heather Basile, founder of Mojave Moon Apothecary — a Twentynine Palms herbalist brand blending sacred Mojave botanicals into teas, tinctures, and skincare. Find her work at JT Tradi...
JT Trading Post
40+ local makers under one roof, a weekend courtyard market, and people who are happy to point you to their favorite trail. Ask us anything.
