JOSHUA TREE SUNSET
Why Joshua Tree National Park Is One of the Best Places to Camp With Kids
Throughout the years, we have stayed at the Jumbo Rocks campground. It has 124 tent and RV sites that are spacious with a firepit, picnic table and a fabulous view of the monzogranite rocks. What is monzogranite rock you ask? Millions of years ago molten rock pushed up from the crust and cooled. As wind, water and sun eroded the surface layers, the monzogranite rocks were exposed, which is full of quartz and feldspar. It is coarse and textured, so it is fantastic to climb, allowing kids and adults to ascend up the boulders with Spider Man-like power.
The trails are relatively gentle and accessible to kids of all ages to explore. After breakfast, our kids love to take a walk in the morning sun. Usually we spot lizards, ground squirrels, ravens and even rabbits along the way. And we’ll play games like Hide and Seek or Boomalang where we all hide and run to the large chosen rock before the spotter can tag us.
After lots of exploring and the day begins to settle, we love watching the sunset with the kids. It’s one of the best parts of camping with kids. In the city, between busy lives, rooftops and tall trees it’s hard to catch a glimpse of the sunset. But in Joshua Tree, it’s hard to miss. It’s one of those magical places to watch the sun go down.
And once it turns dark, the temperature drops, so we grab our jackets and stare up at the sky. Joshua Tree is a designated International Dark Sky Park. On a clear night, and most nights are clear, over 7500 stars are visible along with the Milky Way. No telescope needed.
Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit. Daytime temperatures are in the 70s and 80s, making hiking comfortable. And cool nights make the campfire that much more rewarding.
Just remember most campgrounds in Joshua Tree have no potable water, so pack more than you think you need, one gallon per person per day. Despite the “dry camping” conditions, being in the desert is remarkable and truly in a category of its own.