Folks, I am planning a 3-4 day trip to Joshua Tree the last week of February. I have never been there and think it is about time. Can any veterans of the area give me some feed back on some interesting places either in the park or in the nearby vicinity that I might spend some camera time appreciating?
Stephen, is your plan to camp or motel it, or maybe split duty? During the winter as I recall the two main campgrounds that remain open are Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rock. Hidden Valley is usuallly filled with general campers and rock climber groups. For photogs Jumbo Rock is a better location IMO.
If you plan to motel it then the usual choices are the Safari Motor Inn in the town of Joshua Tree for west loop access to the park. Or the 29 Palms Inn located in the town of 29 Palms for east loop access. Both places are a bit of vintage decor, so, nothing fancy but a safe night sleep at both locations. If you go to the Safari tell Ravi the owner I said hello. He will offer up his stories and on line Youtube videos about his UFO encounters......
Both of these motels have the best access off of Hwy 62 into the park. However, both locations do take some driving from where they are located to actually being inside the park. So keep that in mind. I'm use to staying out there in the motels and find no issue coming and going at various hours. The drives are plenty easy with just about 5 miles to the park gates however.
I would find the area around the Jumbo Rocks for your first time visit best as there are numerous compositions throughout that area for both sunrise and sunset photos. You can also travel down to the Cholla Cactus Garden too from that area. Albeit a bit of a drive from the Jumbo Rock area.
Unless you have specific ideas in mind the park is very large and spread out. It is always a good idea to visit the park headquarters if you have general questions too. I also highly recommend using the TPE program. I never go to the park without using it to determine exact sunrise / sunset times and angles. It is a big help with the rock formations especially.
Posted by Greg Vaughn on February 8, 2016 at 11:48 AM
You are in for a real treat, Stephen. Joshua Tree National Park is a wonderful place to visit and photograph.
Jumbo Rocks is probably the number one site in the park for nature photography. If you are camping, the photos are just steps away. The campground there is very popular and can accommodate RVs (which means generator noise).
White Tank Campground is smaller and cannot accommodate larger RVs. It is also set within some great rock formations. Arch Rock is a short walk from the campsites.
One of the best places for shooting the Joshua Trees at sunrise is along the main road about 1/2 mile west of Jumbo Rocks Campground. There are several spots to safely pull off the shoulder there.
I think sunrise is also the best time to photograph the Cholla Cactus Garden. Backlight works really well with these spiny cacti. Be sure to heed the warnings about getting too close to cholla.
Cottonwood Spring and the Lost Palm Oasis are very interesting areas, but I find them challenging as photo subjects.
The Desert Queen Ranch is good if you like historical stuff.
In February, be prepared for possible very chilly conditions. Jumbo Rocks is at 4,400' elevation and temps are sometimes down in the lower 30's (or below) at night.
Very good info thanks Paul and Greg. Very definitely will be in a motel or at least inside lodging. I'll checkout Jumbo Rocks and historical and geological info. Appreciate your input.
Discussion
3 repliesIf you plan to motel it then the usual choices are the Safari Motor Inn in the town of Joshua Tree for west loop access to the park. Or the 29 Palms Inn located in the town of 29 Palms for east loop access. Both places are a bit of vintage decor, so, nothing fancy but a safe night sleep at both locations. If you go to the Safari tell Ravi the owner I said hello. He will offer up his stories and on line Youtube videos about his UFO encounters......
Both of these motels have the best access off of Hwy 62 into the park. However, both locations do take some driving from where they are located to actually being inside the park. So keep that in mind. I'm use to staying out there in the motels and find no issue coming and going at various hours. The drives are plenty easy with just about 5 miles to the park gates however.
I would find the area around the Jumbo Rocks for your first time visit best as there are numerous compositions throughout that area for both sunrise and sunset photos. You can also travel down to the Cholla Cactus Garden too from that area. Albeit a bit of a drive from the Jumbo Rock area.
Unless you have specific ideas in mind the park is very large and spread out. It is always a good idea to visit the park headquarters if you have general questions too. I also highly recommend using the TPE program. I never go to the park without using it to determine exact sunrise / sunset times and angles. It is a big help with the rock formations especially.
Jumbo Rocks is probably the number one site in the park for nature photography. If you are camping, the photos are just steps away. The campground there is very popular and can accommodate RVs (which means generator noise).
White Tank Campground is smaller and cannot accommodate larger RVs. It is also set within some great rock formations. Arch Rock is a short walk from the campsites.
One of the best places for shooting the Joshua Trees at sunrise is along the main road about 1/2 mile west of Jumbo Rocks Campground. There are several spots to safely pull off the shoulder there.
I think sunrise is also the best time to photograph the Cholla Cactus Garden. Backlight works really well with these spiny cacti. Be sure to heed the warnings about getting too close to cholla.
Cottonwood Spring and the Lost Palm Oasis are very interesting areas, but I find them challenging as photo subjects.
The Desert Queen Ranch is good if you like historical stuff.
In February, be prepared for possible very chilly conditions. Jumbo Rocks is at 4,400' elevation and temps are sometimes down in the lower 30's (or below) at night.
Some of my photos of JTNP:
http://gregvaughn.photoshelter.com/gallery/Joshua-Tree-National-Park-California/G0000GTLSIfrulb8/C0000NmzhJ0kTPAU
Have a great time!
- Greg