This Center is full of souvenirs. You can find toys, clothing and books about Joshua Tree. The…read morestaff is so friendly. We worked on our Junior Ranger book and at the end completion 9 of us were sworn in to Junior Rangers. It was a beautiful memory we will cherish. They provided us all a badge and they have stamps with todays date to stamp our Badge. They have a little mini museum that we all went through and got to learn a lot from. This is a great center not to busy.

+ Nice rest stop introducing you into the park. + The staff…read morehand you a map marked with popular trails and attractions. They captured many of the spots I already planned to visit. + Peaceful, safe ambience. + Glad they have water and restrooms here. (The Cottonwood Spring visitor center doesn't have a water bottle refill station.)

29 Palms,located in Southern California's inland desert area,is a terrific community for a great…read moreexperience for families,singles,teens and senior citizens! A great adventure awaits you as you travel down long peaceful expanses of desert roadway surrounded by scenic mountains,ghost towns,historic sites and wild life! We started our adventure at Joshua Tree National Park drove to 29 Palms to see all the sites there including the city's collection of wall murals on many of the towns buildings! We then headed north to the town of Amboy and Roys Motel and Cafe and beyond to Afton Canyon. There are trails and slot canyons to hike,places to camp,sand dunes to climb,a crater to see,old mining areas to check out and places just to stop and breathe in clean desert air! 29 Palms is proudly home to the largest US Marine base and also features many stores,shops,restaurants and areas to explore! . . . . . #visit29palms #ilove29palms #usmc #murals #wallmurals #29palms #29palmscalifornia #mojavetrailsnationalmonument #trails #camping #californiadeserts #amboy #roysmotelandcafe #route66 #aftoncanyon #visitamboy #visit29palms #shop29palms #cadizdunes #sanddunes #29palms #29palmsmurals #getyourkicksonroute66 #nationaltrailshighway #marinecorp #joshuatreenationalpark #joshuatree #marinecorp #29palmscalifornia #waynesalvatti #seetheusa #marinehaircut #photografxworldwide ##goseejoshuatree

We visited a number of visitor centers - natl. park, city, chamber of commerce etc. in the area…read morewithin a couple of days; this one was the nicest. It's a clean, attractively landscaped building with a lovely mural and a free WIFI spot on the outside. There was a good selection of relevant materials, a charming local art display, and a friendly and informative staff member. We bought metal water bottles (good price for them, btw) and had them filled with chilled water from their refrigerator. How nice is that? :)

We had spent most of the day in the park, and we saw the signs for Keys overlook, and figured we…read morehad time so we'd check it out. We are so glad we did! Parking wasn't a problem, and it is a little bit of a steep walk up to the better viewing points, but the vista is incredible! Quite frankly, I wish I had brought a sweatshirt or something to wear because at that elevation the wind is pretty strong and it is much cooler. Despite the chilly temps, we loved being able to see so much of the valley. There is a topographical map display to help point out what you were looking at, which was helpful. Absolutely make this detour on your trip!

They say parking's crowded here, but thanks to heckin' packed itinerary that day, I arrived well…read moreafter sunset, so I had my pick in parking spots. ^_^ Beautiful view of Coachella Valley. Nice peaceful hangout spot with the folks. Here, you can witness the stark divide from light pollution. The sky on the town side is muddled and you can only spot a few stars, while the opposite side you can make out a few constellations. Nice to take a break away from civilization for a moment, eh? - No restrooms or water. Long drive from town or other JT destinations.

A+ rock, lives up to the name. Very cool backstory. Some band was filming a music video and had lit…read moreup the rock which was pretty cool. The tire swing on the back felt precarious but fun.

Rough road to get there, even in hard, dry conditions. Rock was pretty cool, but not much to do…read moreonce you've walked around it. Quick 15-minute visit and back to the Integratron.

Absolutely love Integratron and I've been here a handful of times now. If you are staying anywhere…read morein the desert down here this is worth adding to your list of places to visit. From La Quinta it's a good one hour + drive but definitely worth it! If your staying in Palm Springs proper or Joshua Tree much closer, regardless though worth it! Integratron essentially is a sound bath experience but in one of the coolest and best acoustic domes. I'll let the staff give you the history but it was very cool about learning how this place came to be and the intention behind it and land the dome sits on. This is a family owned business which makes it even more special. Three sisters own it and all of the family helps to run this space one way or another. On the day we came different cousins were sharing the duties. Love a local family run and operated space! Before starting the sound bath it's nice to explore the grounds, relax and they even have a gift shop. Nice bathrooms and plenty of parking. The system here is organized and seamless. Very great communication and guidance here. Make sure to pay attention to your emails before you come because they give great tips - like to bring blankets, dress in layers etc. As others have shared. The first 15-30 minutes is essentially going over rules, tips and history before they get started with the meditation/sound bath. I appreciate that they take everyone safety seriously and want everyone to have a joyful experience so they make sure to talk you through the do's and donts. The sound bath itself was relaxing and very soothing. The cushioned mats were premium and much nicer than I had remembered in the past. Very comfortable and nice temperature inside the dome. My only wish is that the sound bath piece was slightly longer but all in all it's a relaxing and unique experience. Would highly recommend that everyone come at least once.

This has been on our bucket list for years. Ever since seeing TV show host Anthony Bourdain visit,…read morewe've been fascinated by the Integratron and couldn't wait to experience a sound bath here. We finally went for my wife's birthday, so we came in really excited. First, the positives: the structure itself is incredible and the staff is genuinely kind. It's a family-run operation and you can feel that in a good way. But the actual experience? Rough. Within minutes of the sound bath starting, people were snoring. Not one person... a lot of people. Loudly. Full-on, out-cold snoring. The entire group of seniors next to us. Then the ladies on the other side of us. Add in constant fidgeting and movement, and it completely killed any chance of relaxing or getting immersed in the sound. It made it nearly impossible to relax or focus on the sound bath. The sound bath session itself felt surprisingly short, maybe 25 mins tops. It seemed like more time was spent waiting and going through instructions than actually experiencing the sound bath. The bowls were also not very loud, which made it even harder to tune out the distractions. In other sound baths we've attended, the instruments are more immersive, sometimes even amplified, which helps create a deeper experience. The final portion of the session transitioned into music played from an iPad, which felt a bit underwhelming and took away from the overall atmosphere. For the price (over $120 for two), it just didn't deliver. We left pretty disappointed after years of looking forward to it. Honestly, if you're someone who snores or can't stay still, this might not be the place for you because it really affects everyone else. And it would go a long way if staff actively managed that during the session. Cool place, great people, but not an experience we'd do again.

Joshua Tree National Park: Since there are no address numbers anywhere in the park, I'll start the…read morereview with directions to the trail head. Enter the park via the west entrance, which is Park Blvd in the town of Joshua Tree. Remain on this road until you enter the 25 MPH zone, then at Intersection Rock (Barker Dam Rd) make a left. Follow the signs (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q) & (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#8a1S6WlAOZL0_8n4mbd71w) to the parking lot for Barker Dam. Left of the restrooms is the trail head for Barker Dam. The trail head (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#6O_1Gw9HvG4L7ldKOvJZCQ) & (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#_z0qyFdJBgtvaBpsz-FzQw) for Wall Street Mine is on the right of the restrooms. Use the restrooms now. No peeing in the bush. The hike is just 2.2 miles out & back (a bit longer if you take the detours suggested here), mostly on flat land. Much of the trail traverses along sandy washes, so it can be slightly strenuous. Don't forget water! As much of a history lesson than it is a nice little hike, there are several points of interest along the way, none of which are marked, so you'll have to keep an eye out. Just don't forget to put it back. The first is the remnants of a house (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#OWeUSd_iW1sBcTPxek-GZA) on the left of the trail; a little past the quarter-mile mark. It's about 75 yards off the trail and it's hard to miss if you're looking for it. The walls are made of adobe and are pink... stands out like a sore thumb in the brown desert. This is the Ohlson House. There are relics stacked atop one of the walls (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#1FUV-l5fOP3Rakvbnjw5Jg) and also a well (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#L0wl-PhDctTTpTgW26omBg) in the front. Little pink houses... Return to the trail and continue for another hundred yards or so and look to the left again. There is an old abandoned truck (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#XlHd4Bj4x2htuX5Q0wgkKw) sitting in the middle of nowhere. This blends into the scenery a little better than the pink house, so it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Do not attempt to drive the truck. I think the brakes are shot. The next item of interest is the windmill (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#Ws1CYak8xP9ol9z1nxgNPA). It's hard to miss as it's just a few feet from the trail and on the right. Much of it has been sabotaged by vandals and weather, but it still stands tall. Soon after the windmill you'll enter a wash. Follow it to the old stamp mill (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#vdVFr9Y39NN9rBVLwb0rvg) & (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#9HmrKmiPxUZRA0xlj9d3Tg). A well and a well pump (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#uJF8KlXUFKAyfV9BwM-T1w) remain nearby. A plaque (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#69y354rf4KDymcScw-3s5A) & (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#v2LOSk4CWT20ICEAzGvNhw) gives visitors a brief history lesson of the area. Just beyond the mill is another abandoned truck (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wall-street-mill-trail-twentynine-palms?select=gZoHS2p1xMRiV0AKNErk1Q&userid=q3MkBcfG_g8gZ4aLUX4GJw#fsFJfOFaHLj6u-GkIIvQvg), this one a little more intact than the previous one, but I still wouldn't try to drive it. Find a nice shady spot near the rocks just beyond the mill. Sit down, have a bite to eat, guzzle some water, and return the way you came. "What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Neat place at Joshua's tree national park! The trail is a flat and easy 1.5 miles in which you can…read moresee Bill's old cars along the way to the Wall Street stamp mill. The wind was wild but the sun shining and was able to capture some cool photos.

. The trail is almost completely well marked. You can see in my Strava route I got lost before…read moreretracing my steps. + Good family hike for novices and intermediate. + You'll likely see a lot of topropers who can't get enough adrenaline. xD + Plenty of parking along the trail entrance. - Wish there were signs or a mark on the map pointing to Cow Rock.

About a 10-minute drive from the entrance, and one of the most popular spots in the park. The loop…read moreis about one mile and takes you through incredible rock formations. There's a bit of climbing involved so definitely wear proper shoes. It took us around 30 minutes, but some people took closer to an hour, likely stopping for photos and to soak it all in. You'll also see rock climbers, which is fun to watch.

We stopped here after our trip to Joshua Tree…read more Free entry. The museum is well maintained and staffed. There's a rock section that my son loved. They also had mounted bugs from the region. The highlight was the live little animals. I believe they have demonstrations. When we walked in a staff member was explaining fossils to a group of kids. Lots of parking available.

I am always so happy to discover little museums in an area that we are exploring! They were so…read morewonderful and welcoming here, the entrance is free, but donations are suggested. They even have a small gift shop and events throughout the year so you can have fun and explore. Plenty of easy parking and it wasn't too busy, highly recommended for a fun outing with children.

April 2022 Key things to know for and before tour…read more Reservations are needed in advance purchase online Recreation.gov Tours are typically offered May to October Weather was the perfect day of our tour. 30.00 day entry or $80.00 a year unlimited for a year to National Parks I wore a hat to shield from the sun and wore layers as I was hiking that day besides the tour. Sun screen a bottle of water. After visiting Joshua Tree, I began reading about the history throughout this entire National Park. I felt like a 5 year old in a candy story. Lol ! I began planning trips to experience something different each visit. There are so many hidden treasures within Joshua Tree National Park. My key interest was Bill Keys, and how did he survive in the True Wild West . A ranger-led tour and learn about the cultural history of Keys Ranch. Topics may include Native American history, mining, ranching, homesteading, the Keys family, and the site's transition into a protected historical site. You will see all the 'Precious' junk laid down on the yard and understand how the many settlers live their life. Mr. Keys was very entrepreneurial and saw how tenacious he was. Truly amazing Tour, our tour guide was awesome. we asked so many questions. He was so full of exciting information. Although things have changed throughout the years to maintain what remains. , none the less a tour to try. Out of curiosity, I wonder how long they will maintain it. In the 1960s, several Disney movies for television were filmed here. Keys even played the role of a prospector in "The Wild Burro of the West." A cheesy horror film, "The Hills Have Eyes," was also filmed here.

Get ready for a bouncy ride as you follow the dirt road past shrubs, tall grass and strange rock…read moreformations along the way to Keys Ranch. We did this tour after our rock climbing experience. But in hindsight, we should have done it on another day since it's in such a remote section of the park. The only way to see this spot is by a ranger-guided tour at specific times. We had a 1 PM reservation, which allowed us just 1 hour to get there. The good news is we made it in time with 10 seconds to spare due to my "efficient driving." But why make a trip here? In short, it's all about the wild history of this land. A place of outlaws and wild west living. You can't help but wonder what it was like for anyone to live in such a remote place especially back in the early 1900's. Keys Ranch was built in 1910 and the residence of Bill and Frances Keys along with their children for over 60 years. Having first moved to the desert in search of gold, Bill started this ranch as he built up a life for himself with mining and ranching. Our guide showed us around the place, which hasn't changed much since Bill died. A major highlight of the tour was hearing all of the stories, especially about the clash of worlds for Bill's wife Frances, who came from a well-to-do family in Pasadena. She came here for the adventure and I can't think of a spot further away from high society Pasadena. Most notable though was Bill's wild shoot out that sounds more like a spaghetti western movie. During a dispute over the Wall Street Mill, Bill shot and killed a guy named Worth Bagley. He just happened to be a former sheriff's deputy. Bill was found guilty of murder and sentenced to nine years at San Quentin State Prison. Talk about neighborhood drama. Check out the park's website for additional information on visiting Keys Ranch. Keys Ranch tours cost $10 per person aged 12 and over and $5 for children 6 to 11. Children under six are admitted free. Advance reservations are required for all visitors.

We've been to this National Park before, but it was our first chance to try some of the hikes, and…read morethey were really beautiful. If you just do the drive, you might not really see everything this park has to offer, so it's worth doing the hikes, even if only the easier ones. We did the Hidden Valley hike, which is only around a 1 mile loop. It can get pretty crowded though and the parking gets filled fast, so it's better to go early. We also went on the Barker Dam hike, which is also just a bit over a mile. This one was my favorite of the two and you get to climb some nice rocks on this hike. We did the other typical stuff like see skull rock, but didn't do this hike, and saw keys view, which is also really nice, but if you do go, it's definitely worth to do some hiking since it makes the experience of this park so much better.

Honestly, the park itself is a 5 star experience. The views are unreal -- the kind of place that…read moremakes you stop and just take it in. I went on a Monday thinking it would be calm, but it was still pretty busy. Parking was tough in a lot of spots, which definitely slowed things down. I did the Arch Rock Trail and checked out Heart Rock on the same route -- both were gorgeous and totally worth it. Then I tried heading to Skull Rock, but parking was basically impossible unless I parked far and walked close to 50 minutes. On top of that, there was a line of like 30 people just to take a picture. I skipped it, but even driving by, it was still impactful. Hidden Valley Trail ended up being another highlight -- super scenic and probably my favorite overall. Weather was "okay" -- around 90°, but going early in the morning made it manageable. Both trails are kid-friendly, probably 4 and up, but there are some slippery areas so you still have to be careful. I went with my wife and 4 yr old kid and did very well. I held his hand for some parts. We did everything in about 3.5 hours -- driving, hiking, finding parking, bathroom stops, and walking farther than expected because spots were full. The park itself is a 5 but the surrounding areas like Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree just don't offer much in terms of food options or social life. After an amazing nature experience, it kind of falls flat when you're looking for something to do or somewhere great to eat. If I could, I would give the surrounding area a 2 out of 5. So yeah -- the park is 5 stars, but the overall experience I would give it a 3.