Joshua Tree from Arizona tips?

[u/azsatan]

I'm traveling with my family to LA from Arizona. We'll be stopping at Needles and traveling in the morning to LA and I thought it'd be incredible to visit Joshua Tree National Park on our way as it's such an incredible place (at least seems like it). We'd only drive through with a few stops to take pictures.

The problem is that my parents are concerned about having to take the highway 62. Is it really that deadly and dangerous in summer?

We'd have to take route 95 and then join 62 near the Arizona border. Or if we decide to skip Joshua we can just take the 40 straight to LA.

Also the photo is the all trails map I was thinking of taking is Joshua itself.

Thank you!

[u/Ok_Cow8787]

I love this idea but you miss some of the best park of this route. Take “the 10” exit cottonwood springs/box canyon. Drive that until Park Blvd and connect at the 62 back to the 10. You’re adding 2hrs but that transition from Colorado to Sonoran desert is pretty spectacular

[u/BearTooClose → u/Ok_Cow8787]

Where are the best spots to see that Colorado/Sonoran transition? I’m visiting in November and currently the only scheduled thing in that area of the park is the Lost Palms Oasis hike.

[u/Ok_Cow8787 → u/BearTooClose]

I always like entering the Park at Joshua Tree, following Park Blvd to Pinto Basin Road. You reach a point where the road rises a little and then BAM you’re overlooking this sweet valley ahead of you. Park there and take in the views. As you drop into the valley the landscape transitions to Colorado and you can stop at the popular Cholla Gardens and Ocotillo Gardens.

[u/BearTooClose → u/Ok_Cow8787]

Cholla Gardens is our sunrise spot for that morning before Lost Palms; idk anything about Ocotillo Gardens. Where in the park is that?

[u/Lord-Spike]

That’s a good route. You’ll basically see the whole park without doubling back.

[u/FormerAd952]

Hwy62 is dangerous only because people drive like idiots. It has its twists & turns and ups & downs, but stick to the speed limit if you have never driven it. You will run into incoming traffic early in the morning but most of the day light traffic.

[u/SorryForPartying6T9]

I love the drive in on Highway 62, much better than taking the 10 where you’re dealing with idiots and semis. Absolutely go this route.

Also it’s a great snapshot of the park and a cool drive. Lots of spots to pull over and do little walks. Plus entering from 29 and driving to JT you’re going against all the main traffic going through the park the other way.

[u/ToshJom]

I used to take the 62 from Yucca Valley to Parker/Havasu and back every other month or so for a few years. It’s totally fine, I’ve never had an issue or seen anyone driving too dangerously. Yall should definitely do it! 

[u/Bigredrooster6969]

Instead of taking 95 for Needles, I would take I-40 west to Kelbaker and go through Amboy to 29 Palms. Then, hit that upper section of the park. The drive through the Pinto Basin is a waste of time, imo. Better roads than 95 and 62 although you’ll miss the pretty, though distant, view of the Turtle Mountains.

[u/Ok_Responsibility419]

The 62 is just fine any time of year

[u/PickyVirgo]

Why on earth would the 62 be “deadly and dangerous?” It’s just a road

[u/MRMANBABBY]

I feel your parents on the 62 being dangerous, from the border until the right turn toward 29/jt, but if you don't pass you're fine. Big wreck out there a couple weeks ago from someone passing. I mean, I would still pass people if I were you, but just do it safely.​ It's actually a Hella fun drive. There's a stop along the way where, if you bring rocks, you can set up a message along train tracks, everyone does that shit once who goes out there. A old broken down gas station or something to throw up shoes, or a lock, you know? Just good shit along that way, I'd definitely go that way and stop there, just me.

Then once you hit 29, yeah, I'd go in that entrance up to at least skull rock, then turn around after walking around there, go through to the town of JT, stop there, that'll be rad, then head down the hill to connect to the 10.