Joshua Tree National Park, California

Arriving at the Edge of Stillness

We arrived at Joshua Tree National Park under a soft desert sky on April Fool’s Day. The first thing that struck me was the wide-open view—rocks, lots of them. There’s something grounding about being surrounded by these iconic trees, with their outstretched limbs and quiet strength.

But this wasn’t our first visit.

Before the Stillness: Our First Visit (2019)

Our first trip to Joshua Tree NP was in February 2019, during a 10-day California trip with my nephew, JongWon, who had just completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. Mike and I had flown in from Michigan’s deep winter, expecting warm breezes and sunshine. And while California was warmer, the desert cold still surprised me—I shivered all day in a thin jacket!

We were on the move that week, and Joshua Tree NP was just one stop among many. We entered through the west entrance, hiked Skull Rock, Hidden Valley, and Barker Dam, then drove through the park in our warm rental car and exited at Cottonwood. We spent a full day there, but with a park nearly the size of Rhode Island, we moved too quickly to really take it all in.

Barker Dam, February 2019

With nephew, Jongwon, in February 2019.

Hidden Valleys and Granite Giants

We began our visit with a short hike at Hidden Valley. The trail was gentle, winding through boulder formations and blooming desert plants. It felt like stepping into a natural amphitheater carved by time.

A solo rock climber in Hidden Valley Nature Trail

Afterward, we drove leisurely through the park, stopping often just to admire the scenery. The Joshua trees stood like watchful sentinels, and the wide expanse of desert seemed to stretch into forever.

Arch Rock and Cap Rock

We took a walk to Arch Rock in the early afternoon, one of the more photographed spots in the park. It’s an easy stroll, but the sight of the arch—formed entirely by wind and time—was still humbling.

At 3 o’clock, we made our way to Cap Rock for a ranger talk. The ranger shared stories of the desert’s unique ecosystem, its surprising wildlife, and how the iconic Joshua Trees are part of a delicate balance.

Desert Succulents

Keys View

Later in the afternoon, we made our way up to Keys View, one of the park’s highest accessible points. From the top, we looked out over the Coachella Valley, stretching far into the hazy distance. The view was soft and earthy—layers of desert browns, muted greens, and pale sky blending into a wide, quiet panorama. Even with the haze, the scale was impressive. It felt like standing at the edge of a vast, sunbaked canvas.

Returning to the Quiet

Joshua Tree isn’t flashy or loud. It doesn’t try to impress you—it just waits. And maybe that’s why it keeps calling us back. Each visit reveals something new, not because the park has changed, but because we have. We’re slower now, more willing to sit still and let the desert do its quiet work. And somehow, that stillness feels like exactly what we came for.