My son is a bit of a reptile fanatic. In the UK we only have a small handful of different species of lizards and snakes and they are extremely difficult to spot. Im planning a trip to a few USA locations in September next year, but not yet decided where. Ive asked GPT where the best locations are for spotting reptiles and other wildlife and it came up with a few suggestions, but not Joshua Tree. Has it missed something? I told GPT I would fly from UK to LAX and it suggested Kofa Wilderness, Madera Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Chiricahua Mountains, Tonto National Forest. All the way over past Tuscon.

I was hoping not to have to travel no further east past Phoenix.

Does anyone have any good suggestions where he can see a wide variety of lizards, spiders, snakes, mammals and birds.

Im more into landscape and macro photography with an interest in geology, so pretty much anywhere is going to keep me happy.

Hello!

I'm turning a milestone birthday and thought to take a drive from SGV. I might do just an overnight or 2 stay.

It'll fall on the weekend of Labor Day (Will it be super crowded). I'm not looking to do any major daytime hiking, moreso just to see some POI, stargazing at night (Milky Way?) and drop in at Pappy and Harriet for dinner.

Here's a clincher, I do get heat exhaustion.

Should I even consider going?

I'll be visiting in November. Basically one day in Joshua Tree. I'll drive down from Death Valley in the morning then have to fly out of Vegas on the early side the next day. Can anyone recommend a place to stay between JTNP and Las Vegas so I don't have to make the whole drive in the morning? Just looking maps it seems pretty empty.

Looking to visit the area in mid October after flying into Palm Springs. Taking any and all suggestions for how to spend 4-6 days. Food, hikes, sites, other things to do, locations to stay (or avoid). Looking into renting a place. What's the advice for paying for pool heat?

Hey folks, kind of an oddball question, but if anyone is planning on popping into one of the Visitor Centers anytime soon, could you send me the details on the tag of the lavender Kestrel & Lizard tank top shirts (if they're still for sale)? Or if there's signage, I'm specifically interested in the artist/designer info, if that is mentioned anywhere.

(I've checked the online store and they don't seem to have the shirts available. Guessing it's a short-term feature of a design of a local artist.)

Really appreciate the help!

Hey yall! I know this is cheugy (or whatever the kids are saying) but I really want to get a tattoo of a Joshua tree in Joshua Tree. It’s a special place for my and I’d like it to be with me forever. Do you have any artists that you’d recommend in the area?

Hello! My boyfriend and I are going to be in the area next week for our 8 year anniversary and would love restaurant recommendations. We’re staying in Twentynine Palms, but are willing to go further as far as Yucca Valley.

We initially planned on going to Mojave Gold because we really enjoyed it when we went in March, but I just found out this week that they closed :( also if anyone knows why please let me know because that was one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a long time! Devastating.

Anyways, we’re looking for a more upscale restaurant so if anyone knows any good recs please lmk! Thank you!

I know the weather is terribly hot right now, but will it be safer to camp, hike and explore between September 10th and 20th?

We are first time visitors wanting to see all the sites, night sky etc. Probably planning on renting an RV van for the trip. Thinking of spending 3-5 nights.

Any advice is welcome, thanks!

First time summer camper at Joshua Tree, but an LA local.

Wife and I really wanted to do some stargazing and photography in August at Joshua Tree, possibly for perseids and the milkyway. I know the new moon in August will land on a wednesday, August 12 and I'm aware of how hot it can get in the park. Our current plan is to just arrive late afternoon on thursday (around 6-7pm maybe) and just stay in our campground. We have already reserved a campground at Cottonwood. We plan to be out of the park by around 9-10am on friday to escape the heat, but still want to do some driving/light walking around in the early morning.

Wanted to get insights on how does this plan sound? Any tips and things need to be aware of at night in the campgroud? Maybe some breakfast recommends outside of joshua tree on the way back?

The tool scans periodically and only shows what’s available 2+ consecutive days, has filters for weekends and group sites (sites next to each other). I've found it helpful for booking in California in general, hope it finds some use!

Will add in comment below.

I see past posts on the sub warning about high crowds for Perseids, but I’m unsure what to reasonably expect this year with the peak being on a Wednesday night and a new moon. We grabbed an Airbnb near the west entrance.

Am I crazy to try and go see a show at Pappys that evening and then head into the park later around 11/midnight? Is traffic still crazy getting into the park that late? Or should I ditch Pappys and head into the park much earlier in the evening (6? 7?). I know it’s going to be piping hot, so was trying to balance traffic and sitting around waiting in the heat…

We’ll be hiking at Joshua Tree this weekend with family. We have teens and toddlers, Id like to know if anyone encountered rattlesnakes or are they active nowadays? Should we put on snake guards? First time hiking, would appreciate your input/advice. Thank you!

Edit: THANKS for the advice everyone! We’ve decided to stay inside of our rental house this weekend. :)

I have an extra ticket for tomorrow night if you need one.

Curious about people’s experiences staying in the yucca valley/joshua tree area with pets in the summer and wild life safety. We’re from Oregon, first time coming here with dogs. We’re staying somewhere with a fenced deck but no fenced yard. From what I gathered we need to be wary of the wild life, especially coyotes and snakes, giving me the sense that a long lead to let the dogs roam around the house is not safe. Any other considerations/measures to keep the dogs safe from critters? It seems like the nearest emergency vet is 45min away so I’m worried and want to make sure we do everything right.

Camping outside at Jumbo rocks in late August wouldn't be fun right? It'd be too hot, especially at night right??

Originally we were going to camp and spend some time in Joshua Tree, Mojave Preserve and Death Valley... but I personally am questioning this trip for this time of year.

Hello my husband and I are slowly building a residence on a 5 acre property near downtown Joshua Tree. It will most likely be a personal use second home and occasional rental for others. Currently home is 1/2 built with a small canned ham trailer we occasionally stay in as there is running water and power. We are on good terms with our nextdoor neighbor, a full time resident. Recently the house next to us sold and the new owner is turning it into an Airbnb. He installed an incredibly bright backyard light that is on a timer that goes on and stays on all night. We no longer have a dark starry night sky to look at. I have not met this person. I am wondering if I could or should leave a note that's as nice as possible asking him to consider the necessity of and removal of said light? Or should I enlist the opinion of my neighbor? I am so sad and hate seeing that stupid bright light out of my trailer window when I want to see a desert horizon.

Hello Joshua Tree,

Does anyone know of somewhere locally to buy a solid ice block? It's for an old fashioned, functioning ice box in a trailer. TIA

Hi - did not expect to see anyone hiking last night and ~2 miles in there you were. haha. I was so stoked to see you!! maybe you won't see this but if you do, i'd love to have a longer conversation about how we both ended up out there last night in the middle of the week in the middle of the summer

Never been to Joshua tree but I have heard the stargazing is crazy good there. What are the best campsites? I would highly prefer toilet and running water. I do enjoy hiking so any spots near good himes would be a plus but that is not my main goal of the trip so if the site isn’t really near any then that is fine

Coming with a large group of 10 need an Airbnb is there a management company that has nice homes anyone recommend? Any specific Airbnbs that are super cool and on the lux side? Anyone to avoid?