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A November Day In Joshua Tree National Park

Destinations, Outdoors

November is the perfect time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, just an hour outside of Palm Springs, California. With two unique desert ecosystems, The Mojave and Colorado, and some of the weirdest rock and plant life you will see in the United States.

While visiting Palm Springs in November we decided to visit the park for our second time having a perfect November day in Joshua Tree National Park. Our first visit to the park was quite memorable as we really botched it up. Not realizing our phone map would do us wrong, we mapped to “Joshua Tree National Park” as opposed to directing the map to a specific entrance. We found our way into the backcountry in a rental sedan with half a bottle of water between us. Really dumb.

Tip: Don’t expect your phone to work in the park. If you want to use a map on your phone plan your visit and download the map to be used offline. I also would add a little mark next to the destinations you want to stop to help you remember.

Without planning, we didn’t see all the unique rock formations and features of the park I have seen all over Instagram and other photo sites. So, learn from our mistakes and be sure to map yourself to an entrance station. We recommend the Western Entrance which gave us a great start to our second visit to the park and led us to all of the obligatory Joshua Tree National Park features.

Our day started a little late so we squeezed in the things that we had an interest in stopping at. We planned some visits and just winged it with others. I recommend having a good idea of where you want to go before you get to the park.

Quail Springs Picnic Area

Billion-year-old Metamorphic Rocks

We entered the park through the West Entrance Station, if you want to follow along I suggest starting there. When using your map or GPS enter a specific entrance, otherwise, you may end up in the backcountry. This is what happened to us on our first trip to Joshua Tree a few years earlier when we found ourselves in the Covington Flats area.

Once we paid the entrance fee and entered the park we had roughly four hours before sunset. Optimizing our time, we tried to only stop when the views felt unique. If you are short on time this was a good method of getting the most out of your trip. I also recommend downloading your map for offline use adding points at stops you want to visit.

Tip: Watch your step! Lots of small critters live in the park, especially in the rocky areas. You never know when you will come across a coiled-up snake, lizard, snake, scorpion, and more. They usually avoid people but sometimes you can find one. 

Our first destination was about 20 minutes from the entrance station called the Quail Springs Picnic Area. Quail Springs is centered around a giant rock formation with parking areas surrounding the rock. If you don’t see parking driving by, pull in any way as there are more spots behind the rock.

Surrounded by billion-year-old metamorphic rock, fields of Joshua Trees, and Quail Mountain, Quail Springs made a great first stop. We even saw our first wildlife of the trip, a folded-up snake between the rocks, small critters, and birds. The views were endless but we only spent about 15 minutes taking it in before continuing on our journey.

Hidden Valley & Intersection Rock

What is a Joshua Tree?

A Joshua Tree isn’t a tree at all but a member of the Agave family. Its spikey leaves and unusual shapes have made it a beloved desert attraction for many. You will find them in western Arizona, South Eastern California, Southern Nevada, and South Western Utah but the most popular destination to see this unique tree-like plant is in the National Park with their namesake, Joshua Tree National Park. Learn more about Joshua Trees on their Wikipedia page here or on Joshua Tree National Parks website.

Love desert landscapes and unique, prickly plants? Be sure to check out my post on the Moorten Botanical Garden & Cactarium in nearby Palm Springs.

A ten-minute drive from Quail Springs took us to our next stop, Hidden Valley and Intersection Rock. We didn’t feel this stop was worth too much of our limited time so we took photos and moved on. The area was very beautiful, we just had a very short time before sunset so we had to keep going.

Petroglyphs Along Barker Dam Trail

Ancient Art & A Detour You’ll Be Glad You Took

A short drive from Intersection Rock is the trail to Barker Dam. We debated taking the loop trail and the recommendation from a hiker convinced us to go for it. As it turns out, this was one of the most beautiful hikes of our day. The trail starts off as a pathed trail where you eventually are surrounded and have to climb rocks. I’d say this is a moderate trail as there were no major rock climbing and mostly flat, sandy land.

Soon you are in the open desert. We noticed some arrows pointing in a direction the other hikers seemed to ignore. Since we’re always curious we took that path and we were rewarded with some incredible petroglyphs! I’ve never seen any so close before outside of being in a museum. They were incredible.

Unfortunately, some people vandalized the petroglyphs by “enhancing” them with paint so we didn’t experience them in their actual state. They were still a spectacular thing to experience seeing the art and language of some of the earliest people.

Barker Dam Nature Trail in November at Joshua Tree National Park

Heading back to the trail we continued our hike through a beautiful open desert landscape. Along the way were many informal signs which helped you understand what you were looking at, a great trail addition. I always take photographs of these signs so I can read them later when remembering the trip.

A dam in the desert?

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Barker Dam is a unique and interesting destination in Joshua Tree. Constructed by cattlemen in 1900, the Key family raised it in 1949 giving it the name Bighorn Dam. Now home to many species of desert wildlife and a beautiful hiking destination.

We soon arrived at some tall rocks which lead us to a view of Barker Dam filled with water! From reviews we read, we expected the dam to be dried out during November in Joshua Tree National Park but were pleasantly surprised. There were some heavy, flooding rainstorms a few weeks prior which may explain why it was so full.

The water makes for such a beautiful, reflective scene and makes a great scene to photograph. Because the loop trail was partially closed, we had to return the way we came.

As we returned to our car, we realized how little time we had left. We still wanted to visit the Cholla Cactus Gardens and several other rock structures along the way. This is the downside of getting a late start visiting such a vast park system. We hopped in the car and continued our drive.

Skull Rock

Faces in Places

The drive to the Cholla Cactus garden was full of oohs and ahhs. On our way there we saw Skull Rock, a popular rock formation that looks a little bit like a skull. Personally, I think the view from the right gives it the most skull-like look. This rock formation was pretty close to the street which had some areas to pull over and park. If you have limited time to break, this is definitely one of the cooler rock formations to stop and see. There’s parking on the street right near the rock formation and a trail.

Cholla Cactus Garden

After checking out Skull Rock we got in the car and started the drive to the Cholla Cactus Garden. The Cholla Cactus Garden is located at the merger of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, two unique ecosystems. Ample parking is provided and there’s a quarter-mile loop trail giving you access to some alien-looking cacti along the way.

The drive to the Cholla Cactus Garden was twists and turns through rocky desert land. It was interesting to see the change in the desert ecosystems as we left the Mojave Desert and merged into the lower-laying Colorado Desert. The landscape was constantly changing with the sun as it set giving us spectacular views of the entire drive.

Tip: You’ll want to keep your distance from these cool cactus plants as they’ve been known to “jump” onto anything that gets close and I’ve heard it’s quite painful to pull the prickers out of your skin. 

This was one of our favorite stops on this November trip to Joshua Tree and I wish we had a little more time to explore as the sun was rapidly setting. You’ll want to be cautious as you navigate through the gardens as the Cholla Cactus are known for “jumping” onto anyone unfortunate enough to get too close digging its prickly barbs into your skin and being extremely painful to remove. We did not have issues with this but I did catch myself a few times forgetting and getting a little too close.

Sunset

The benefit of a late start in the park means you’ll definitely get to see a Joshua Tree sunset. Just about everywhere in the park offers some kind of spectacular looking view. Drive carefully and enjoy the views!

Tip: Leave the park better than you found it. Take your trash back out with you. Don’t climb the Joshua Trees, and don’t remove pieces of nature or rocks from the park. 

Some people try to find a specific stopping point to wait for the sun to set, however, we were still trying to beat the sun and get near the Hidden Valley which we weren’t successful at. We still got amazing views where we pulled over to stop and enjoy a couple of times along the way.

We found November to be a perfect time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. The heat was a bearable 75-80 degrees and the evening wasn’t too cold. The views are absolutely out of this world and something every nature lover should get to experience

Know Before You Go

  • There is an entrance fee ranging from $30 for cars to $15 for bikes or on foot.
  • There are several parking lots available throughout the park and some areas where you can park on the side of the street.
  • Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes that can navigate rocky terrain. The day can be unbearably hot while the evening can get really cold.
  • Bring plenty of water for the time you plan to visit the park. Wear sunscreen and hats if possible as the sun will be brutal.
  • Let someone know your plans just in case of an emergency. If you get lost or injured you have a much better chance of survival if someone knows where and when you were hiking and wants to return.
  • Always leave the parks better than you found them. Remove your trash, don’t vandalize, and please don’t climb the Joshua Trees! Respect nature and it will provide for years to come.

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Find more content like this under: Destinations, Outdoors, California, Hiking, National Parks, Palm Springs

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Hey there, I'm Jen - a photographer and designer on a mission to explore Cleveland, Ohio, and beyond, one adventure at a time! I share plenty of hiking and outdoor content, as well as thoughtful travel guides to postcard-worthy destinations, features on amazing local businesses, and insider tips for uncovering hidden gems and the best experiences in Cleveland. So glad you're here!

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🍕Slice, Slice, baby🍕 Have you checked out Cl 🍕Slice, Slice, baby🍕 Have you checked out Cleveland's newest slice shop, @geracissliceshop in Downtown?

I was out of town when they opened so I was excited to finally check them out. 

Here's what you'll find when you visit: 
🔸Tasty pizza by the slice or pie, salads, garlic pillows, meatball flights, and more.
🔸A short walk away from concert venues and sports arenas, a perfect place to grab a slice after a show or game
🔸Family Owned for 65 years 
🔸Cute outdoor patio space
🔸Retro Vibes, fun decor, and photo-ops galore
🔸Caesar Marie, your next favorite Caesar (if you know me, you know I'm always on the lookout for good Caesars)

If you've been, tell me your favorite thing on the menu in the comments ⤵️

📍603 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH

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#travelblogger #clevelandpizza #familyownedbiz #crustyourinstincts #geracissliceshop Pizza Shops in Cleveland
🔹Now Open🔹Patron Saint, a new Italian-inspir 🔹Now Open🔹Patron Saint, a new Italian-inspired all-day café + aperitivo bar in Cleveland’s Ohio City!

✨Tag a friend you’d love to visit with✨

I was so excited for the opening of this lovely cafe. The former Vitrolite Tile showroom had such unique elements you’ll see blended into the modern cafe and the food was quite good! 

This all day cafe has Italian-inspired cafe dishes paired with coffee and spritz beverages and includes an aperitivo hour at 4pm that includes some bar snacks that switch up every couple days, a perfect start to your evening or an after work treat.

Check out their website for more details on parking and menu items.

📍Located in the Hingetown part of Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood at 2915 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 

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POV: You visit Downtown Cleveland on a Friday nigh POV: You visit Downtown Cleveland on a Friday night 
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6 epic and easy views you can see in Rocky Mountai 6 epic and easy views you can see in Rocky Mountain National Park!

✨Save for future visit✨

These epic views deliver with minimal effort because sometimes you don’t want to hike a few miles to be rewarded with breathtaking scenes.

📍Alluvial Fan: this spot has a very interesting history you can read about on site, it’s also very relaxing to listen to the rushing waters.

📍Hiking Bear Lake to Nymph Lake & beyond. It’s an easy hike depending on the season. We had partial snow so we rented spikes and poles. The views on the way up are dreamy. You can continue past Nymph to several other lakes if you’re up for it.

📍Sprague Lake is just a 30 minute drive from the park entrance and one of our favorite spots. Epic sunrises nature, and mountains-reflecting-in-water views.

📍Moraine Park is huge and within the National Park boundaries. The views are vast.

📍Driving Trail Ridge Road will take you as far as 12,000 feet above sea level 😳 with many stops along the way, this is a great way to enjoy the park. During winter it’s closed and opens gradually through mid- May once the snow melts enough. 

Intro screen: Many Parks Curve seen from Trail Ridge Road

Closing scene: View #6: 📍Glacier Creek at Prospect Canyon

Do you have a favorite view in RMNP?
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WEEKEND IN CLEVELAND Memorial Day Weekend Saturday WEEKEND IN CLEVELAND
Memorial Day Weekend Saturday Itinerary

{✨SAVE THIS FOR YOUR WEEKEND PLANS✨}

Heyyy It’s Memorial Day weekend so just about everything you do is going to be busy and full of people so keep that in mind as you plan. Here’s a fun Saturday itinerary to make the most of the lovely weekend in Cleveland! Let me know if this inspires your weekend 🫶

🥪 Start off with a yummy breakfast sandwich at Martha on the Fly (Sat 9a -3p) you can order yours online first for quick pickup. @marthaonthefly 

Hop in your car and drive down to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and surrounding area. @cuyahogavalleynps & @clevemetroparks Hinckley Reservation

🥾Put on your hiking boots and hike some incredible Ledges at:
➖ Virginia Kendal Ledges at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
➖ Wordens Ledges Hinckley Reservation 
➖ Whipps Ledges Hinckley Reservation 

🍪 Stop at Trail Mix Peninsula to grab a light snack and beverage while exploring the outdoors.
📍1600 West Mill Street, Peninsula, OH 44264

🌊 Head back to Cleveland and visit Edgewater Beach to enjoy some sunshine and our mini ocean Lake Erie. Grab an ice cream treat at the Beach House.
📍Edgewater Beach, Cleveland, OH 44102

Spend the evening in Ohio City: @ohiocityinc @hingetown 

🍽️ Grab dinner in the Hingetown area, a few suggestions: 
@amba_cle (4p-11p)
@saucybrewworks (11a-12a)
@bananablossomthaicuisine_cle (4p-10p)

While in the area be sure to catch Station Hope: a celebration of hope and a dialog for change performed by @cptcle . We’ve been attending for years and I highly recommend checking it out. 

⏰ 7pm-10pm
📍St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ohio City & the surrounding area - 2600 Church Ave., Cleveland, OH. 44113

Unwind after your day of adventure and experience with a tasty beverage - all these spots are nearby and offer both alcohol and non-alcohol based cocktails for everyone to enjoy 🍹
@thehangarcle (2p-12a)
@bookhousebrewing (12p-12a)
@bar_amba (4p-11p)
@jukeboxcle (11:30a-1a)

BONUS: squeeze in some shopping at City Market at @citygoodscle, the 2nd & 4th Saturday through September 11am-4pm
📍 1442 West 28th Street, Cleveland Ohio, 44113

Have fun! ✌️🫶

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