Yes, self-guided is what most visitors do. You can see the beautiful Joshua trees from your car, but it's fun to get out and walk along some trails. Each trail has a parking lot at the trail head. You can park at the Barker... More
Yes, self-guided is what most visitors do. You can see the beautiful Joshua trees from your car, but it's fun to get out and walk along some trails. Each trail has a parking lot at the trail head. You can park at the Barker Dam Trail, for example, and walk its relatively easy 1.5-mile loop. Hidden Valley is another pleasant one. The vastness of the desert landscape contrasted against the blue sky is beautiful. We hiked the Ryan Mountain Trail (3 miles). It's more challenging because it's uphill, but it's a lovely hike that will reward you with breathtaking views. If you're going to be in the area for a few days, you might want to spread your visit to the park over two days, depending on how much of the park you would like to see. If you just have an afternoon, then any (or all) of the three I mentioned would be doable.
