The Ultimate Guide to Joshua Tree with Kids: Things to do + Top Tips

We just got back from Joshua Tree with kids (an almost 4-year-old and an almost 1-year-old) and it was a total blast. Joshua Tree National Park is one of nature’s best playgrounds making this national park an awesome destination for a family getaway.

I’ve visited Joshua Tree three times now; however, this was our first trip to Joshua Tree National Park with kids, and I dare say it was more fun than any of our other visits to the park.

We turned on our self-guided Joshua Tree driving tour as we drove through the park and just took in the magic of the desert.

Here I want to give you the ultimate guide to visiting Joshua Tree with kids with some of the best things to do, options of where to stay and even place to visit just outside of the park.

You can also check out my other Joshua Tree National Park guides: 15 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Joshua Tree National Park or my detailed guide of Joshua Tree (not specifically targeted to families).

So here it is! This is everything you need to know about visiting Joshua Tree with young kids.

*There are affiliate links in this post.  Read my privacy/disclosure policy to learn more.

🌵 IN A RUSH? CHECK OUT OUR JOSHUA TREE FAVORITES!

WHERE TO STAY:

💰😍 Stargazing Yurt at 28 Palms Ranch: Enjoy the most unique experience of staying in a luxury yurt at an affordable price with a stargazing window, kitchenette, BBQ facilities, a rustic outdoor shower and overall great vibes. So dreamy! 

💰💰😍 Yucca Hut - Design Forward Oasis Near Joshua Tree: Room for 5 in this beautiful rental with a hot tub with gorgeous Joshua Tree views (perfect for non-summer visits!)!

💰💰💰😍 Luxurious Jupiter House with Infinity Pool & Pickleball Court: Find relaxation at this 4-bedroom, desert getaway with a gorgeous infinity pool, a pickleball court, BBQ and fireplace!

EXCURSIONS TO BOOK: 

🔭 Professional Stargazing Tour in Joshua Tree:Discover the stunning night sky of Joshua Tree National Park with a professional and high-powered telescopes and laser pointers 😍!

🥁 Soundbath with Desert Nature Walk,and Cacao Ceremony in Joshua Tree: Experience a true hidden gem in Joshua Tree with an easy nature walk followed by a meditative soundbath outside in the desert. 

🥾 Half-Day Guided Hike in Joshua Tree National Park: Worried about hiking on your own or wanting to learn more about the area? Create a custom hiking itinerary with a local guide!

🧗‍♀️ Beginner Rock Climbing Experience in Joshua Tree National Park: Learn to climb in a friendly atmosphere in Joshua Tree (a world-renowned rock climbing destination!)

🧗‍♀️ Family Rock Climbing Trip in Joshua Tree National Park: Learn how to rock climb as a family during this family-focused rock climbing experience in Joshua Tree National Park!


📸 Tours/Excursions: Viator & Get Your Guide
🚕 Airport Transfers with Car Seats: Welcome Pickups
👉 Travel Strollers: Zoe Traveler & Zoe Double
🍼 Baby Carriers: Tula Carriers, Wildride Hip Carriers 
📱 International Data Phone eSIM: Airalo
🚗 Cheap Rental Cars: Economy Bookings
🏠 Accomodations: Booking,Expedia,VRBO,Airbnb
🌎 Travel Insurance: World Nomads

Is Joshua Tree National Park Family-Friendly?

Oh my goodness, yes! Joshua Tree National Park has got to be one of the most family-friendly national parks in the US. First of all, the giant boulders strewn around the desert are basically a natural playground that your kids will LOVE climbing on and running through.

And secondly, Joshua Tree offers up soo many kid-friendly hikes and areas to explore that it’s basically a no-brainer to visit Joshua Tree as a family.

When to Visit Joshua Tree as a Family

Quick answer for when to visit Joshua Tree as a family: April/March for ideal weather, skip the months of May-September (way too hot!), and November/December/January if you are ok with wearing layers and bundling up in the evenings.

Joshua Tree National Park is made up of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meaning that it’s a place with pretty extreme weather conditions. Being in the desert also means it is a very dry heat and there are very few shady spots to escape to.

The summer months of June-September bring high temperatures that can easily top 100° F in Joshua Tree, while the winter months of November-February can bring low temperatures that dip below freezing.

All of this is to say that if you are traveling to Joshua Tree National Park with kids, I highly recommend not even considering visiting the park from June to September. It is just TOO DANG HOT.

But seriously, some of the hikes are even discouraged by park rangers during those months or must be started very early in the morning to keep everyone cool enough and safe.

I have visited the park three times: once in November, once in January and once in May. It felt SO hot during our May visit and I wouldn’t visit that time of year again. We camped in November and it was quite cold at night, but during the day all that was required was a sweatshirt.

On our January visit, again, it was chilly in the early mornings in the park, but a sweatshirt and windbreaker did the trick.

According to the official Joshua Tree National Park Website, the park’s busiest times of year are the winter holidays and spring, with March being the busiest month of the year.

Now that I have visited Joshua Tree during three different months of the year, I now see why March is the busiest month. It definitely seems like the best of both worlds (as far as the weather goes) and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend visiting in April/March with kids.

TYPES OF PLACES TO Stay NEAR Joshua Tree with Kids

1. Airbnbs

When traveling with kids, I’m a big advocate of renting an apartment-style Airbnb. It’s amazing to have a living room to let the kids play in and a full kitchen to prepare meals in. I don’t know about you and your kids, but mine are pretty much done with being out and about by the time dinner rolls around.

This means that most attempts at eating out for dinner are a little stressful (if we haven’t had a break earlier in the day to help prep everyone to be out at dinnertime). So it’s pretty much essential for us to have a full kitchen when we travel and Airbnbs are one of the best ways to get that!

Also, having a living room to let the kids play in is so nice (instead of just jumping on a hotel bed with nowhere to go). And last but not least, having multiple bedrooms is one way to help guarantee as much sleep for everybody as possible.

The area around Joshua Tree National Park has no shortage of Airbnbs. You’ll have plenty to choose from with loads of different amenities (think fire pits, hot tubs, swimming pools, etc).

We stayed at this lovely Airbnb in Yucca Valley, just 15 minutes outside of the park entrance and I highly recommend it. It’s a super stylish two-bedroom home with a spacious living room, kitchen, dining area, and a bathroom with a bathtub (with young kiddos a bathtub is a must for us!).

And to top it all off, the Airbnb was also equipped with a travel crib and highchair 🤌. But if those features aren’t great enough- it also had a backyard with twinkle lights (swoon), a fire pit, and a hammock for stargazing!

It was sooo nice to come ‘home’ after an awesome day hiking in Joshua Tree as a family to let the kids relax and/or play while we cooked up dinner. Plus, the fire pit made it so that even though we weren’t camping in the park, we were able to gather around a fire, cook up s’mores, and stargaze.

2. Campgrounds

Camping in Joshua Tree is so epic and if you are into camping as a family, I definitely recommend it! We have only camped in Joshua Tree prior to having kids (we haven’t made the camping-with-kids plunge yet) but it was definitely one of my favorite campsites we’ve ever stayed in.

Jumbo Rocks campground is placed in an incredible setting of huge boulders scattered all throughout the campground. Some of the sites even have their own little nook within a rock cove.

Camping at Jumbo Rocks campground with kids would be amazing because they basically have a natural playground right at their fingertips!

Jumbo Rocks campground also has an amphitheater where you can attend evening ranger programs as a family. How fun would that be??

One major positive aspect of Jumbo Rocks campground is that it’s one of the few campgrounds within the park that accepts/requires reservations during the busy months. To me, this is crucial when camping with kids in Joshua Tree. You definitely don’t want to be left searching for a site late at night with tired kiddos on hand.

3. Glamping Sites

If you sort of want to camp, but you also sort of want to stay in a hotel- consider booking a glampsite near Joshua Tree National Park! The area around Joshua Tree has SO many various ‘glamping’ options. Think of accommodations like canvas tents, yurts, vintage Airstreams, tipis and more.

You can search for glampsites on Airbnb (just like you would for a rental home) but be sure to filter your results with filters like ‘camping’, ‘yurts’, ‘domes’ etc.

Another site to search for glampsites near Joshua Tree is Glamping Hub.

4. Hotels

If hotels are more your thing, don’t you worry, there are plenty of hotel options in the towns surrounding Joshua Tree National Park. I recommend searching in the towns of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley. Technically, they are three different towns, but they are all along the same stretch of road and kind of blend together.

We have had family members stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Twentynine Palms and they had a great stay. It’s a great option for families as it’s clean, has a yummy continental breakfast, and a nice outdoor pool.

Or if you’re up for about a 45-minute commute to the park in the morning, there are some really fun, family resorts in Palm Springs to consider!

Check out Palm Canyon Resort or Omni Ranch Las Palmas Resort. They have amazing pools that your kids will totally love.

Tours and Experiences You Need to Book in Joshua Tree with Kids:

If you are someone who loves a guided tour or experience once in a while ( I know that I am) here are my top recommendations for tours in Joshua Tree with kids.

1. Hidden Valley Hiking Adventure Scavenger Hunt

This Hidden Valley Adventure Scavenger Hunt looks like an absolutely awesome experience that our kids would love! I’m bummed that I only recently heard about it, but it will definitely be something we consider next time we visit Joshua Tree with kids.

Basically, it’s an interactive and customized scavenger hunt via the Hidden Valley Nature Trail with your host (who you connect with via your phone). Kids of all ages can join and I’ve heard that it really is an amazing experience that helps you connect with the park in a way you usually may not!

Check out reviews for the scavenger hunt here and be sure to book in advance if it sounds like something you’d like to do!

2. Private Guided Hiking Tour in Joshua Tree

If you want to learn more about the desert and the history of Joshua Tree, be sure to book this private guided hiking tour in Joshua Tree. It’s a completely customizable hiking tour (which is perfect when it comes to taking a tour as a family).

They have both a half-day hiking experience and a full-day hiking experience, depending on what you think will work best for your family. This is also a great option if you are new to hiking and you feel a little bit nervous about doing it on your own with your kiddos!

3. Private Family Guided Rock Climbing Adventure

Joshua Tree is like a mecca for rock climbers and, even as a family, you can experience rock climbing in Joshua Tree too! This is a totally private rock climbing tour in Joshua Tree created just for families.

They cover all of the basics of rock climbing, provide all of the equipment (for all ages and even pregnant moms) and you get to practice climbing on a couple of different crags! This would be a family memory you’d never forget.

Check out the family rock climbing adventure tour here!

4. Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

This Joshua Tree self-guided driving tour is one of the easiest ways to learn more about Joshua Tree on your trip (and the cheapest way). We turned it on while we drove through the park and our toddler enjoyed listening to stories and facts about the area.

Map of Things to See in Joshua Tree National Park with Young Kids (and the surrounding area):

*How to use this interactive map: click on individual icons to learn more about that pin on the map or press the arrow in the top left corner to see a list of all pins on the map. If you want to see a larger version of the map, click on the rectangle in the top right corner.*

Kid-Friendly Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park:

Joshua Tree National Park has so many hikes for kids- it’s amazing! By hikes for kids I mean, hikes under 2 miles with little to no elevation gain. Plus, besides being easy, Joshua Tree hikes are often lined with towering boulder piles which are perfect adventure spots for you and your kids.

** There is an awesome, private, half-day guided hiking tour in Joshua Tree if you want you and your kiddos to learn more about the nature and history of the area. There is also a private, full-day guided hike available if you’ll looking for someone to be with you the entire day.

Or book this super unique Hidden Valley Scavenger Hunt in Joshua Tree for your hike in Hidden Valley (this would be so fun with kids). **

If your kids need more motivation to head down the trail, just spot the next boulder for them to climb on or the next cactus for them to check out and they’ll be ready to run!

During our two days in Joshua Tree with kids, we did five hikes (plus plenty of other additional things that I’ll highlight below!).

1. Discovery Trail

Length: 0.7 miles RT

Difficulty: Easy

The time it took us: 45 minutes

Toilets?: No

The Discovery Trail is an awesome hike for kids in Joshua Tree that was specifically designed for kids and by kids! Children from the local school district worked with park rangers to design this trail highlighting 10 features along the route with information plaques.

This means that there are 10 different plaques describing unique geological formations along the trail. These plaques made great motivators for our kiddo to keep heading down the trail on the hunt for our next plaque.

She was so jazzed when we came across some binoculars that looked out across the area and we hung out in that one spot for maybe 10 minutes.

The Discovery Trail is a nice easy trail with a variety of landscapes including open areas, rock corridors, large boulders, and more. It’s a perfect easy hike in Joshua Tree for kids. The trailhead is clearly marked and located across the street from Skull Rock making it an easy 2-for-1 stop.

2. Arch Rock Nature Trail & Heart Rock

Length: 1.75 miles RT

Difficulty: Easy

The time it took us: 2 hours

Toilets?: No

The Arch Rock Nature Trail + Heart Rock in Joshua Tree was one of our favorite hikes as a family. It’s a pretty easy hike with just a tiny bit of elevation gain.

The beginning part of the trail is flat and wide open until you get to a field of boulders where both Arch Rock and Heart Rock are located.

The trail you are on (and the name you will find on maps/ the trailhead) is the Arch Rock Nature Trail and is 1.4 miles RT. However, just off this trail is a giant rock shaped like a heart which is a fun stop (it’s a great way to motivate kids to keep hiking).

You may have heard that there is no trail to Heart Rock, however, that is no longer the case. You’ll see a short trail that splits off with a small sign that reads ‘Heart Rock’ with an arrow. I recommend around the heart to the opposite side for a better heart shape.

If you add on Heart Rock it’s probably a 1.75-mile RT hike instead of 1.4 miles RT. It’s super easy to see both Arch Rock and Heart Rock and I definitely recommend it!

We spent 2 hours exactly out on the trail but that was with lots of playing, climbing, and exploring. You could do it much more quickly if you were to walk straight there and back with no stops.

3. Hidden Valley Nature Trail/Picnic Area

Length: 1 mile RT

Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate (some stairs etc)

The time it took us: We’ve never taken the trail, just explored the general area for 1-1.5 hours.

Toilets?: Yes!

The Hidden Valley picnic area is one of my absolute favorite spots in Joshua Tree National Park. We are sure to visit every time we visit.

Truth be told, there is a trailhead here for the Hidden Valley Nature Trail but somehow in our multiple visits, we have never taken this actual hike- we get too distracted by the amazing scrambling opportunities and areas to explore!

I recently heard about this totally awesome-sounding scavenger hunt in Hidden Valley you can book. The hunt is a co-creation between you & your interactive host (who you connect with on your phone) who interacts with you as you go!

I bet our little one would have loved a scavenger hunt in Hidden Valley! You can get more info about the scavenger hunt experience here.

And if you don’t do the hunt, the Hidden Valley Nature Trail still is a great Joshua Tree hike for kids. The 1-mile trail winds among huge boulders to a rock-enclosed valley that is thought to have been a cattle rustlers’ hideout in the past.

But if you just want to explore the area after a lovely picnic- that’s so fun too! There are Joshua Trees for what seems to be miles, perfect scrambling areas for kids (just keep a close eye on them), and loads of rock climbers/boulderers to watch.

Hidden Valley is one area in Joshua Tree that can’t be missed.

4. Hall of Horrors

Length: 0.6-mile loop

Difficulty: Easy (more advanced if you hike the two small slot canyons)

The time it took us: 45 minutes

Toilets?: Yes

The Hall of Horrors is another popular rock climbing area in Joshua Tree and you may be able to spot some rock climbers while exploring.

Hall of Horrors is basically a short 0.6-mile loop around a large boulder pile. It’s a great place to run around and explore. Behind the first large pile of boulders is another large pile of boulders (and when I say large, I mean like really big piles).

The pile of boulders behind has two small slot canyons to explore. We actually didn’t know about them until after we visited the Hall of Horrors so we didn’t see them.

If you are choosing between exploring Hidden Valley and the Hall of Horrors, I’d choose Hidden Valley (but both are great!).

5. Skull Rock/ Skull Rock Nature Trail

Length: Skull Rock is right off the road, but the Skull Rock Nature Trail is 1.7 miles RT

Difficulty: Easy

The time it took us: We only saw Skull Rock which took about 3 minutes then hiked the Discovery Trail across the street

Toilets?: No

Skull Rock is a large boulder located right off the main road in Joshua Tree National Park. It’s named skull rock because it obviously looks like a skull (well… sort of). It’s a super easy stop if you just want to check out skull rock, however, I’ve heard the Skull Rock Nature Trail is even better.

The nature trail has multiple interpretive signs along the path and loads of towering boulder piles that seem great for scrambling.

We haven’t hiked the Skull Rock Nature Trail as we opted for the shorter Discovery Trail located across the street from skull rock, however, it seems like a good one to add to our itinerary next visit.

6. Cholla Cactus Garden

Length: 0.3 miles loop

Difficulty: Easy

The time it took us: 15 minutes

Toilets?: No

The Cholla Cactus Garden is more of a super easy stroll than a hike- but it’s perfect to add to your Joshua Tree hikes for kids list! Basically, it’s a flat dirt trail (with some boardwalk) that weaves through a large area totally full of Cholla Cactus (and I mean full) for 0.3 miles.

This trail worked great for us because our kiddos needed a more relaxed activity before they were going to be ready for any more big exploring in the park. We just wandered down the path for as long as we wanted admiring the cactus and snapping a few pics.

Be sure to keep clear of the edges of the trail because these cacti are sometimes called ‘jumping cacti’ because they very easily get stuck on the clothes and skin of passersby.

6. Barker Dam

Length: 1.1-mile loop

Difficulty: Easy

Toilets?: Yes

The Barker Dam Trail is a mild trail that loops for just over 1 mile past many plants and boulders of all sizes. Barker Dam was constructed by early cattle ranchers in 1900 to provide water for the cattle.

One of the highlights along the trail for the kiddos may be the rock art along the trail and of course the actually Barker Dam.

Kid-Friendly things to do in Joshua Tree that Aren’t Hikes

1. Earn a Ranger Badge with the Junior Ranger Program

Joshua Tree National Park has a Junior Ranger Program targeted at kids ages 5+. You can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet from any park entrance station or visitor center.

The booklet includes various activities/experiences to complete within the park like drawing, attending a ranger program, observing wildlife, etc. Once completed, you talk with a ranger at the visitor center and get sworn in as a Junior Park Ranger. How fun is that?

It’s a great way to keep kiddos motivated while exploring the park! We haven’t participated in a Junior Range Program as our little one isn’t quite the target age yet- but I think the next time we visit a national park, she’ll totally love it!

2. Take in the View at Keys View

Keys View is a super quick stop with some epic views of the Coachella Valley including the Salton Sea and maybeeee Mexico if you are lucky (but I guess the air quality is usually not good enough to see quite that far).

The drive to Keys View is about 20 minutes off the main road, but if the kids are happy in the car (or napping 🤞) it makes for a great drive.

We visited Keys View in the late afternoon as the last thing we did in the park, however, I have heard great things about visiting at sunset. I’m sure you get some gorgeous sunsets from up here.

3. Book a Private Family Rock Climbing Adventure

If you’re looking for a super unique, adventurous family activity in Joshua Tree, be sure to check out this 4-hour private family rock climbing trip. It’s a completely private, tailored climbing experience within Joshua Tree with special gear for all ages (and even pregnant moms!).

You’ll learn the basics of rock climbing and get to practice on a couple of different crags (walls).

We’ve spent some time bouldering in Joshua Tree and this family rock climbing experience is definitely at the top of our list for future Joshua Tree trips!

4. Look for constellations while Stargazing

This is a simple suggestion of things to do in Joshua Tree with kids, but once night rolls around, you’ve got to remember to look up!

The easiest way to stargaze in Joshua Tree with kids is to camp within the park. The next best way is to book a nearby Airbnb that has an outdoor seating area like a firepit or hammock (lots of Joshua Tree Airbnbs have these, just be sure to make sure yours does too).

If neither of the above scenarios applies to you, you can stay in the park past dark and stargaze from any of the parking areas. You’ll want to bring layers to stay warm and possibly some chairs for comfort.

5. Spend the Night Camping In the Park

Camping in Joshua Tree is such a magical experience. I love seeing the sun rise and set over the boulders and Joshua Trees. We have yet to camp within the park as a family, but we loved our experience prior to kids.

If you enjoy camping as a family, I highly recommend reserving a campsite in Joshua Tree National Park. We camped in the Jumbo Rocks Campground and I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

There are huge piles of boulders throughout the campground and if you’re lucky, you can reserve a site tucked into your own little boulder nook (how magical is that for kids?). Only some of the campgrounds have reservable sites- which is another thing that makes Jumbo Rocks an amazing choice for families.

6. Have a Picnic & Watch People Boulder at Hidden Valley

If you’re not quite feeling up for rock climbing as a family in Joshua Tree you can still get a taste for the climbing culture that exists within the park.

The area along the Hidden Valley Nature Trail and the area surrounding the Hidden Valley picnic area are popular spots for rock climbers and boulderers. We’ve always found people climbing here and have even gone bouldering in Joshua Tree here ourselves.

Pack a lunch, hang out, watch some people climbing, and explore the area yourselves. I talk about Hidden Valley often because it’s one of my favorite areas within Joshua Tree.

5 Fun Things to do in the nearby towns of Joshua Tree National Park:

1. Search for Geodes at Joshua Tree Rock Shop

The Joshua Tree Rock Shop is such a fun store located in the city of Joshua Tree just a few minutes from one of the entrances to the park. It’s a small shop full of beautiful rocks from all over the world of all different shapes, colors, sizes, and backgrounds.

The rock shop also has an awesome family-friendly activity in their outdoor ‘gem mine’ where you can mine for gems in water. We didn’t have time for this- but it seems like it could be really fun for the kids!

You can also purchase huge geodes to crack in their geode cracking machine.

We picked out some beautiful woven baskets and special rocks to remember our time in Joshua Tree. They do have some pretty fragile items on display, so you’ll want to be sure to keep your littles close.

2. Pick up a souvenir at Coyote Corner

Coyote Corner is SUCH a cute store located pretty much across the street from the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center (which is outside of the park’s entrance). I wanted to buy so many things from this store but I restrained myself.

We swung by one late afternoon on our way out of the park with two sleeping kiddos in the back so I just hopped out of the car to explore on my own.

They have t-shirts, posters, ornaments, art, books- so many things. It’s definitely a cool store that I recommend checking out.

3. Step Back in Time at Pioneertown

Pioneertown is a unique ‘town’ that was created in the mid-1940s by Hollywood investors to create an Old West film set for films to be shot but also for visitors to visit. Over 50 films and TV shows were shot here in the 40s and 50s and you can visit the ‘set’ today!

In Pioneertown, you’ll find places to eat, a vintage bowling alley, and even occasionally mock gunfights on Main Street.

4. Wander Through Noah Purify Outdoor Desert Art Museum

The Noah Purify Outdoor Desert Art Museum is a super quirky, fun, and free outdoor art museum made up of restored ‘junk’. The museum is open every day of the year from sunup to sundown and there are even brochures to take for a little self-guided tour.

We didn’t have time to swing by this outdoor museum, but it was one of the things I really wish we would’ve had time for. You’ll find things like piles of vintage TVs and eclectic sculptures of old things.

5. See the TIny World Famous Crochet Museum

The World Famous Crochet Museum is another one of Joshua Tree’s quirky, desert art attractions. Is it actually world-famous? (I mean, by now it probably actually is).

It’s is a converted drive-thru photo stand that is now completely filled with little crocheted creations (not crocheted by the museum owner, she’s only the collector).

Here you’ll find some other fun artsy things to see on the same site and a small gift shop. It’s a quick stop, but it could be a fun one! Especially if your kids love little crocheted stuffies.

The ‘museum’ is located right beyond Coyote Corner (the super cute store I recommend swinging by after a day in the park!).

4 Places to Eat near Joshua Tree with Kids:

You won’t find anywhere to eat within Joshua Tree, however, the towns just outside of the park (Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms) have some great food options.

I recommend packing a lunch each day to eat within the park (there are plenty of grocery stores in the towns outside of the park).

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Joshua Tree as a family, plus some that were on our list that we didn’t quite have time for.

1. Jelly Donut

Address: 56153 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

Hours: 5:00 am-3:00 pm

Dietary Needs: No vegan or gluten-free options

Jelly Donut is an absolutely quintessential California donut shop that you’ve got to try. If you’re not familiar with California donut shops, basically all you need to know is that the more it looks like a hole-in-the-wall type of place, the better it will be.

We may or may not have ended up picking donuts each day we were in Joshua Tree 😅. It was so fun to swing by Jelly Donut each morning and pick out yummy donuts for a treat later in the day.

We were huge fans of their sprinkled cake donuts, but the employee said their jelly donuts are quite popular (obviously) along with their apple fritters.

2. Algoberto’s Taco Shop

Address: 56143 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

Hours: 9:00 am-9:00 pm

Dietary Needs: Possibly gluten-free options

In my opinion, you can’t visit Southern California and not swing by a taqueria. Algobertos’s is the perfect, easy stop for authentic Mexican food near Joshua Tree National Park.

Algoberto’s is perfect for families as it’s located in a laid-back, no-frills strip mall location with easy counter service with delicious food at a crazy affordable price (think $2 tacos, $5 burritos, and amazing combo meals). My mouth is watering thinking of eating here.

If you see a sign reading Algobertos in front of a shop that’s not much to look at , you’re at the right place!

3. Crossroads Cafe

Address: 61715 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Hours: 7:00 am-9:00 pm
Dietary Needs: Vegan options & gluten-free options are available

Crossroads Cafe is a super cute, roadside cafe with all of the classic American dishes you’d expect but also unique options with a delicious twist (think pancake stacks and hamburgers, but they also have portabello mushroom sandwiches and sourdough french toast).

They are open all day which means you can swing by whenever works best for the whole fam! They even have a kids’ menu so you know that your kids are extra welcome here.

4. Sam’s Indian Food & Pizza

Address: 61380 Twentynine Palms Highway #13, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Hours: 11:00 am-3:00 pm, 4:30 pm-9:00 pm

Dietary Needs: Vegan and gluten-free options

Okay, hear me out. I know, Indian food and pizza don’t seem like a great combination. However, I’ve heard great things about Sam’s Indian Food & Pizza. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to try them out while we were in Joshua Tree, but they are on our list for next time!

Basically, their whole deal is serving delicious Indian dishes alongside Indian-inspired pizzas. If you’re worried the kiddos won’t like Indian food, they have some basic cheese pizza you can order.

Like many of my Joshua Tree recommendations (but not all 😉), this is another hole-in-the-wall-looking place, so don’t be deterred if it doesn’t look like much from the outside!

Tips for visiting Joshua Tree with toddlers and babies:

1. Remember that water isn’t available within the park (except for a couple of places at the park’s edge). To stay hydrated and safe you need to bring SO much water with you (especially if you are visiting in the warmer months). The National Park Service recommends 1-2 gallons of water per person per day. And remember to bring plenty of that water with you on your hikes!
2. Make hikes fun, not a chore. You can do this by making a game out of finding certain plants or rocks or by having races to the next boulder. We recently bought our toddler a small, kids’ digital camera so that she can have fun taking pictures on hikes and during our travels.
3. Take it at your kids’ pace, not yours. If you’re new to traveling with kids, remember that everyone will be happier if you just relax and take it at your kids’ pace. This isn’t a race to see the most things! It’s a time to make fun memories as a family.
4. Most of the hikes in Joshua Tree are not stroller-friendly, so bring a comfortable carrier for your baby and even your toddler in case their legs get tuckered out.
5. Remember sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and good walking shoes. You’re out in the desert and need to stay protected.

🌵 LOOKING FOR MORE ABOUT JOSHUA TREE?

❗15 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Joshua Tree National Park

🥾12 Gorgeous Joshua Tree Hikes You Need to Take (From Easy to Difficult)

🌵The Ultimate Guide to Joshua Tree National Park and Nearby Towns

💛Arch Rock in Joshua Tree With Easy Detour to Heart Rock

❄️ Is It Worth It To Visit Joshua Tree National Park in Winter?


☀️ THINKING OF VISITING ARCHES NATIONAL PARK?

🥾 7 Family-Friendly Hikes In Arches National Park Your Kids Will Love

👉The Ultimate Guide to Arches National Park with Kids: Things to Do + Map and Tips

❄️ Is It Worth It To Visit Arches National Park In The Winter?

And that’s everything I think you need to know to visit Joshua Tree with kids (including toddlers and babies!) Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below- I absolutely love Joshua Tree and will be sure to help out if I can!

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