An Overlander’s quest to find “the Joshua Tree”
Following visits by peyote-popping hippies, but long before Los Angelino influencers descended upon Joshua Tree National Park, Irish rock band U2 immortalized it by name. Their 1987 album was named after the boho chic-est national park. Thanks to the popularity of the album and the band itself, it became one of the most fabulous hipster destinations in the Golden State.
We spent five action-filled days overlanding in this dry corner of California where towering rock formations and of course, forests of Joshua Tree, also known as Yucca brevifolia, pepper the landscape. You can climb, bike, and hike on this rocky terrain, and as a bonus, you can immortalize your stay with a selfie and the subsequent bragging rights that come with it.
Starry nights
If a full day of activities has you worn out, take it easy, grab a chair, and wait until sunset when the park really comes alive. Recently designated as an IDark Sky park, by the International Dark-Sky Association, a gaze upward will reveal dark skies full of the most radiant stars. They are out of sight!
Clear skies and diverse geography have led the park to take necessary steps to protect its land from an overabundance of stargazing visitors. It’s best to call ahead for the latest information. Regardless, bring your tripod and camera and be prepared to capture what the heavens have to offer during your visit.
Campsite vs. Wild Camping
There is no wild camping inside the park. The Bureau of Land Management offers free camping near the national park’s North and South entrances.
We stayed at Black Rock Campground in the Park’s northwest corner on our first night. This campsite is located on a hillside with beautiful views of the iconic Joshua trees. It’s further from the rock formations, but closer to the North entrance to the park. But the views of the dense grove of trees appear like a landscape scene from a Dr. Seuss book.
On our second night, we chose the famous Jumbo Rocks campground which is the largest one in the national park. Here you will wake up to close-up views of the bouldering rocks and have access to the trail that leads you to the famous Skull Rock. It is also a great spot for stargazing.
Our Quest
But that’s not what we were looking for; we were on a quest to find ‘The’ Joshua Tree immortalized by the Rock band U2.
We headed out to the Forest Service Center for some information on THE famous Joshua Tree immortalized on the band’s iconic album cover. And answers we got. It turns out that U2’s iconic Photoshoot was not taken inside Joshua Tree National Park at all but at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park. Yes, the inside cover photo where the U2 bandmates gratingly look into the camera, with a lone Joshua tree looming in the background was shot in Death Valley along Highway 190.
Sadly, that’s the only association between the Irish band and a National Park.
We were told an autographed guitar is at the Forest Service Center in Joshua Tree National Park. Oh, a must-visit is the Harmony Motel, where the band stayed during their desert escapade. Outfitted with retro-chic furnishings, it reminds visitors of road-tripping in a different age.
As for “the Joshua Tree,” it died years ago. All that remains is its trunk and a bronze commemorative plaque in the ground engraved, posing a simple question: “Have you found what you’re looking for?” The commemorative plaque was made by U2 superfan Ernie Navarre in 2003. It has become a shrine for the band’s fans. Many leave notes answering the posed question.
Overlanders can find the mysterious location in Darwin, California, a half-mile off the west side of Route 190. It’s actually closer to the outskirts of Death Valley National Park.
Be surprised.
Without proper preparation, the desert can be an inhospitable place. But it can also be beautiful. For a new perspective, we discovered world-renowned South African artist Daniel Poppers new installation “Transmission” rising almost 30 feet above the sand. This larger-than-life goddess sculpture is set to invoke a sense of peace, love, and connection. Made of concrete and steel, embellished with glass mosaic, will take your breath away.
The striking sculpture is anchored by two sets of palms adorned with dichroic mirror mosaics that change color as the rays of sunset reflect on the circular cutouts. In a way, it seems to connect the earth, sky, and viewer in a magical way. Just like the Mojave Desert itself.
Please note this art installation is definitely Instagram-worthy, but it is not located at Joshua Tree. Instead, it can be found at the Mojave Moon Ranch. It can be viewed from the road or by taking a few steps along a path designed to bring viewers in for a closer look.
As with almost every trip we have been on, there’s always more to discover than meets the eye. Getting off the beaten path and venturing onto nearly 800,00 acres of mystical beauty will make memories that will never leave you. There are plenty of back roads to discover, but some may require a permit.
There is a 79-mile point-to-point trail near Joshua Tree that is rated “Easy” by AllTrails.com. It’s a popular trail but on some days, you can find it less crowded and even more scenic. The trail ends near the north entrance of the park. Before entering remember to replenish groceries in the city of Joshua Tree.
The evening temperatures can get quite chilly so it was a no-brainer to pull out the Camp Chef to make a delicious steak and crispy potato dinner around the campfire. But if you prefer, there are great dining options outside the park in Twentynine Palms.
