Roadschooling Joshua Tree National Park

Roadschooling Joshua Tree National Park

As part of our big National Parks Road Trip, we included a quick roadschooling trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Our crew had limited time to enjoy its offerings, so in this article, I share how we enjoyed Joshua Tree in less than 24 hours.

Joshua Tree National Park.

PICK OUT CONSTELLATIONS

Did you know that just 2 hours from the hustle and bustle of the major metro city of Los Angeles, you can enjoy the glory of night skies?

Joshua Tree serves as the stargazing oasis in the urban- and suburban-packed region of Southern California. In fact, it recently was designated an International Dark Sky Park.

We arrived in the evening just in time to set up camp at Jumbo Rocks Campground, then climbed atop the motorhome to enjoy the stars. Our whole crew had a blast trying to pick out constellations overhead!

If you ever roadschool to Joshua Tree National Park in mid-August, this is a great place to catch the Perseid Meteor Shower.

ROMP AROUND A NATURAL PLAYGROUND

When we first stepped out of our RV in the morning, it felt like we had arrived at a different planet; almost like we had stepped into a scene from Star Wars!

Joshua Tree National Park with kids.
What planet are we on?
Jumbo Rocks Campground.

The kids ran amok among all the boulders and had plenty of opportunity to practice their compass-reading skills while Dad got breakfast ready.

Compass reading at Joshua Tree National Park with kids.

CLIMB A SKULL AND PICK ITS NOSE

After filling our bellies, it was time to hit a trail!

Skull Rock Nature Trail is a 1.7 mile loop that starts at Jumbo Rocks Campground.

This is a super easy nature hike where we scrambled more boulders and explored desert washes, and can easily be done in a couple hours.

The best part along the trail is Skull Rock, where we spent time climbing … and being silly!

Skull Rock Trail at Joshua Tree National Park with kids.
Making our way to Skull Rock from Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Waiting for the crew.
Desert wash area.
Skull Rock at Joshua Tree National Park.
Skull Rock!
Mom’s turn.
Joshua Tree National Park with kids ... at Skull Rock.
Picking its nose, LOL.
If you are just doing a driving tour of Joshua Tree National Park with kids, you can also access Skull Rock from Park Boulevard (behind me).

LEARN ABOUT DESERT LIFE

A visit to Joshua Tree National Park with kids offers a unique learning experience, because here you will find the merging of two distinct desert ecosystems: the higher and cooler Mojave in the western section and the Colorado in the east and south sections of the park.

Of course, you will find the iconic tree for which this national park is named for:

Joshua Tree.

And, being a desert, there is no shortage of lizard-chasing!

We had to start making our way out of the park after lunch (to make it to our next stop before midnight: Grand Canyon!), so hopped into our homeschool on wheels.

Roadschooling at Joshua Tree National Park with kids.

Heading east out of the park on Pinto Basin Road, we stopped at the uber unique Cholla Cactus Garden for more plant life learning.

These cacti are very cute, but not so friendly! Just the slightest touch and the spines EASILY detach and penetrate skin.

Believe me – I thought I was walking a safe distance away, and didn’t realize my ankle had lightly brushed up against some low-lying needles. They had gone through my ankle socks, and despite their tiny size, were very irritating!

Cholla Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree National Park.
Ummm … I wouldn’t do that!

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT JOSHUA TREE

Acres and acres of natural desert beauty, from the curious rock formations to the fascinating plant life, makes Joshua Tree an incredible national park.

And even though our family only had less than 24 hours to experience it, we still made some amazing memories as we stargazed under dark skies and explored the vast landscape together.

If you haven’t already – make sure that your bucket list includes a visit to Joshua Tree National Park with kids!

Roadschool fun at Joshua Tree National Park.

Check out our other roadschool adventures at these national parks:

Three-Day Driving Itinerary Through North Cascades National Park (WA)

A Drive Around Crater Lake National Park (OR)

A Morning at Pinnacles National Park (CA)

Overnight at Joshua Tree National Park (CA)

Grand Adventure at Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)

Exploring Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park (CO)

One-Day Itinerary at Arches National Park (UT)

Wonderfully Wet at Zion National Park (UT)

Outdoor Science Classroom at Bryce Canyon National Park (UT)

The O.G. Yellowstone National Park (WY)



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