Joshua Tree National Park

Big upright silver letters in the desert offer proof to visitors that they've been to The End of the World in 29 Palms. Park in the restaurant lot and walk out to the sign; do not drive out to it.

The Mohave desert offers delicate blooms despite its harsh terrain

Big horn sheep adorn the North entrance monument to the Joshua National Park

Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park!

It’s been an exciting year with a fall visit in October to join up with a scheduled photo workshop to explore Joshua Tree National Park.

The Mission

Led by two seasoned photographers, Beth Ruggerio and Jason Eldridge, who both have extensive experience with night photography and long exposure techniques, our main objective was to capture stars and star trails featuring the silhouettes of the park’s unique trees as our rockstar heroes.

Star trails can be made by long exposures timed to be taken every 15-30 seconds. The multiple photos are then stacked into a combined photo for one image with the overlaid star paths made as the earth turns.

The Park

JTNP sits just above the town of Twentynine Palms and lies at the meeting point of two distinct desert ecosystems—the Mojave and the Colorado.

The park is home to desert wildlife, rugged sculptural landscapes, and its namesake Joshua trees. These trees, with their twisted Dr. Seuss-like silhouettes, stand among massive granite boulders and wide-open basins.

The park’s history stretches from Indigenous habitation—particularly the Serrano, Cahuilla, and Chemehuevi peoples—to 19th-century miners and ranchers.

First declared a national monument in 1936, Joshua Tree has become a celebrated destination for rock climbers, photographers, stargazers, and travelers seeking quiet desert beauty.

Twentynine Palms

Just outside the park’s north entrance lies the City of Twentynine Palms, a small desert community that blends military-town practicality with an increasingly creative, free-spirited identity.

Twentynine Palms hosts many of the park’s visitors, offering a jumping-off point with hotels, campgrounds, and a modest but growing array of amenities.

The town’s restaurant scene ranges from casual cafés with Southwest comfort food, to barbecue spots, Mexican eateries, and a few newer bistros serving elevated desert cuisine.

***Sights to See***

Local museums—such as the 29 Palms Art Gallery and the Old Schoolhouse Museum—offer glimpses into regional art, natural history, and the area’s pioneer past. Nearby tourism sights include historic murals, nature trails, and visitor centers that orient travelers to both the city and the park. There’s even a map!

Twentynine Palms Historical Society owns and operates the Old Schoolhouse Museum. Housed in the oldest public building in the area, it provides visitors a chance to experience a 1920s-era schoolroom, view artifacts and exhibits pertaining to the history of Twentynine Palms and surrounding desert, browse and purchase local books, gifts, and more.

Creative and Quirky

Twentynine Palms is also known for its quirky, highly individualistic public art.

Scattered throughout the outskirts of town, visitors may find unexpected installations: hand-painted signs, metal sculptures, colorful yard displays, and other ad hoc creations that locals put up simply because they felt inspired.

Fun and quirky displays of art are to be found everywhere in and just outside of 29 Palms. — 29 Palms Highway Art

This spontaneous creativity—part folk art, part desert eccentricity—adds a sense of whimsy when wandering around town.

Metal spring objects repurposed as kinetic art, are fueled by the desert wind, are lined up in the dust, just outside of Twentynine Palms

When to Visit

I recommend visiting in fall or spring when the desert heat eases and evenings become pleasantly cool (even cold), which makes exploring the park, local artistic nooks and character-filled landscapes especially enjoyable.

New Friends

I want to give a big shoutout to my fellow travelers! It was an absolute blast meeting such a talented and enthusiastic group of photographers. We had an amazing time together, exploring the stunning starry skies, breathtaking landscapes, and each other’s company.

This unique area on the outskirts of Palm Springs was truly unforgettable, and I’m so grateful to have shared it with such wonderful people. You guys are the best!

My fellow photographers investigating the local public art in 29 Palms, while car pooling to and from the National Park. These guys were so much fun!