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Came here to watch the first sunset of the year on 1/1/25! We got there an hour before the sunset and there were already lots of ppl. Hard to get parking and we had to park far! The sunset around 4:40 but we stayed until 5:20 since we had to wait for our ride. Definitely stay longer since that's when the moon comes out and the sun rays are displaying beautiful colors from under the horizon!!
A stunning panoramic viewpoint. From here you can see the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, even parts of Mexico. It's especially beautiful around sunset.
Definitely a must-see stop if you're visiting Joshua Tree. The views are expansive and impressive and you get to see the infamous San Andreas fault, as well as the Coachella Valley and all the way to the Salton Sea! There are several mountain ranges creating the valley which makes for some really beautiful vistas. There's a lone Joshua Tree right at the trail entrance too lol. At the top they have some interesting info signs on all the stuff you can see, light pollution and even a cool 3D map display. There are also some of those view-finding binoculars on stands for a closer look at the things way off in the distance (free). Apparently you can see all the way to Signal Mountain in Mexico on a very clear day - but according to the NPS, the air quality is rarely clear enough for that. It's definitely a bit disturbing how hazy and smoggy it is sadly. The trail is a paved, very short loop at around 0.2 miles. It's definitely handicap accessible but there's quite a bit of incline so assistance may be needed for the main loop trail. But there's another dedicated handicap accessible viewpoint at the bottom of the hill which I thought was very considerate. There's lots of paved parking and I didn't have trouble finding a spot on any of my visits, even when it was packed. It's a very popular spot and was packed most of the day - but I did get lucky early one weekend morning and had the place practically to myself so go early to avoid the horde lol. There are some bathrooms at the parking lot entrance - but they're positively overrun with bees - even inside the toilet bowls so sit down at your own risk lol. There were warning signs about bee activity and there certainly were tons of them all over the place. Entry to the national park has a fee but there's lots to see and do. They have plenty of visitors centers, other nearby bathrooms, and picnic spots. Cell and WiFi signal is very lacking in the park - plan ahead and download and offline maps you may need.
What a great spot to see the sunset. I recommend coming 1.5 hours - 2 hours early if your plan is to see the sunset. Parking is very limited though turn around is reasonably fast until everyone waits for the sunset. If you get stuck behind the long line you'll most likely not get any parking and waste an hour or so. Views are spectacular and worth checking out in Joshua Tree!
So soooo beautiful! Reccomend to anyone debating on coming here. I went here twice, once at sunrise and once at sunset. Both times, so pretty!! Basically a look out point where you can see all the rocks and landscapes below it. Important Notes: - there are no restrooms here so be warned! - Free parking
I have been to Joshua tree 20+ times, but only to Keys view 2 times. The first time was around Jan 2021 after it had snowed and the views were spectacular. You could see snow capped mountains in multiple directions. It was a nice crisp, breezy, clear day so you could see all the way to the Salton Sea. Definitely a unique part of Joshua Tree as much of it is flat and looks the same for miles in every direction, Keys View gives you a completely unique perspective and look than the rest of the National Park. Decent amount of parking, spots are large, and even RVs fit up there. There is also a bathroom. The 2nd time I went, which was recently, there was a major rain storm so the sunset was not to be seen that day and the clouds were covering up the lightning storm too. Still a great place to visit if you are taking a trip to JTNP. It can be very cold and windy so make sure you dress appropriately.
Wish View Were Here The aptly named Keys View is the highest point in Joshua Tree National Park sitting at just under one-mile in elevation at 5,185' above sea level. The views are spectacular, as one can observe in every direction as far as the eye can see--allegedly even as far south as Mexico on a clear enough day. From what we've been told, this spot is very popular for sunsets, but we arrived for a sunrise with a small smattering of early birds. Please be aware that this isn't a quick drive to get here as it's 1hr from the Cottonwood Visitor Center; 40min from the Oasis Visitor Center; and 35min from Joshua Tree Visitor Center. So please plan your drive accordingly. The views are as advertised, so def worth a visit at any time of day. Happy hikes!
Keys View is one of my favorite spots within Joshua Tree Park. It's the highest peak of the park, so the views are incredible, hence the name. You can see the entire Coachella Valley fro up there, as well as Santa Rosa and San Jacinto. You can also get a great view of the San Andreas Fault and you can even see the Salton Sea from up there! They do have a map around that will help you identify the landscape of the area. Keys View is an easy place to find. There's a sign, a parking lot, even picnic benches near by where we enjoyed a nice lunch we packed. This isn't a hike, everyone can walk from the parking lot and enjoy the views. It can get a tad crowded at times, but hang in there! Take a deep breath and the view in. It's surreal, out of this world, an incredible experience being up there at that cool lookout point. Breathtaking!
Keys View provides the best viewpoint within all of Joshua Tree. Breathtaking panoramic views await you on your journey here. There's no hiking involved to reach this beautiful vista point. It's just a short 20 minute drive from the entrance of the park. There's a decent amount of parking and there's also a ramp that's handicap accessible. The short trek up to the vista will leave you in awe once you've reached the top. You'll have amazing views of the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. It's such an incredible sight to see. During the time that I visited, there were only about a handful of other people in the park. Would highly suggest that get there early if you're planning on visiting during the late summer/early fall because it gets HAWT! But also, it's SUPER windy at the top of the vista, so you should also make sure to bring a jacket if you're the type that gets cold easily. There are several rest benches and small cliffsides to sit and relax on while you take in the views. You won't find another view like this anywhere else within the park. If you're coming to Joshua Tree, you should definitely make time to visit Keys Views. Trust me, these views are simply priceless.
Amazing views of the valley Another easy "hike" in this short, paved looping trail of a lookout point. Good for all skill levels and if you know me, it's my kind of hike! LoL! It is a little steep but when we reached the top our eyes enjoyed breathtaking views of the mesas, mountains & Coachella Valley including the Salton Sea and Mounts San Jacinto and San Gorgonio (two of the highest in SoCal). You would also be overlooking the fault line that runs on the valley floor... yep, the San Andreas Fault. Keys View is inside the Joshua Tree National Park and is accessible from the northwest entrance of the park. It was a nice break from the heat! It does get windy up there on cooler months so dress warmly and enjoy the views. It was a clear day when we went, no glare or haze over the valley and no crowd at all. Yay! We were able to capture some amazing iG worthy photos and videos. This was my second time up here and I'm always in awe of the beauty of the Coachella Valley from this lookout. Plenty of parking. Totally worth the 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard down Keys View Road! Stop by! P.S. I was able to check-in Yelp and upload my photos here! Review #1535
A very high elevation view from inside Joshua Tree National Park. You can drive straight to the top with an option of paved and unpaved trails to walk on. Parking is available on top, though it may be a struggle to find a spot. No bathroom here.
I came here to watch the sunset with my family, and I was NOT disappointed. There weren't enough parking spaces but everyone seemed to find a place anyway. The view of the mountains was spectacular and I felt like I was in The Sound of Music for a while, but with much less grass. It got a little chilly after a while so I recommend that you bring a sweatshirt or a light jacket to keep you warm. Even if you're only coming for the Keys View and you don't have time to see the rest of the park I guarantee you will still have a lot to see during the drive and during your rest at the top.
Phenomenal views of Coachella Valley at Keys View. This place is a must-stop on your trip to Joshua Tree National Park and a popular place for sunsets. We showed up around 40 min before sunset and were able to get one of last 3 legit parking spots. More people showed up as sunset time got closer and those people created their own parking spots, haha. I'd recommend bringing a jacket along if you're there close to sunset. It got colder as the sun disappeared!
They say parking's crowded here, but thanks to heckin' packed itinerary that day, I arrived well after 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. read more
We had spent most of the day in the park, and we saw the signs for Keys overlook, and figured we had 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! read more
Always a Beautiful View! I've come out here a few times now and each time has been a slightly different experience. The mountain top here gives you a wide range of scenic views. You can see the whole (mostly) valley. This can be especially beautiful at sunset. I've been out for sunset watching and stumbled across a rocket launching. But this time I was out for the 'Stergeon Moon'. I was not disappointed. Got great views of the full moon and night city lights. This is fantastic place if you're in town or just visiting. It's worth the drive out. Pis limited, so if there's an even scheduled, you might want to come early to get a spot. Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is $30, but when I come it's usually after 6pm and free. For those wanting to camp out, they do offer that. read more
Came here to watch the first sunset of the year on 1/1/25! We got there an hour before the sunset and there were already lots of ppl. Hard to get parking and we had to park far! The sunset around 4:40 but we stayed until 5:20 since we had to wait for our ride. Definitely stay longer since that's when the moon comes out and the sun rays are displaying beautiful colors from under the horizon!! read more
6 months ago
A stunning panoramic viewpoint. From here you can see the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, even parts of Mexico. It's especially beautiful around sunset. read more
Definitely a must-see stop if you're visiting Joshua Tree. The views are expansive and impressive and you get to see the infamous San Andreas fault, as well as the Coachella Valley and all the way to the Salton Sea! There are several mountain ranges creating the valley which makes for some really beautiful vistas. There's a lone Joshua Tree right at the trail entrance too lol. At the top they have some interesting info signs on all the stuff you can see, light pollution and even a cool 3D map display. There are also some of those view-finding binoculars on stands for a closer look at the things way off in the distance (free). Apparently you can see all the way to Signal Mountain in Mexico on a very clear day - but according to the NPS, the air quality is rarely clear enough for that. It's definitely a bit disturbing how hazy and smoggy it is sadly. The trail is a paved, very short loop at around 0.2 miles. It's definitely handicap accessible but there's quite a bit of incline so assistance may be needed for the main loop trail. But there's another dedicated handicap accessible viewpoint at the bottom of the hill which I thought was very considerate. There's lots of paved parking and I didn't have trouble finding a spot on any of my visits, even when it was packed. It's a very popular spot and was packed most of the day - but I did get lucky early one weekend morning and had the place practically to myself so go early to avoid the horde lol. There are some bathrooms at the parking lot entrance - but they're positively overrun with bees - even inside the toilet bowls so sit down at your own risk lol. There were warning signs about bee activity and there certainly were tons of them all over the place. Entry to the national park has a fee but there's lots to see and do. They have plenty of visitors centers, other nearby bathrooms, and picnic spots. Cell and WiFi signal is very lacking in the park - plan ahead and download and offline maps you may need. read more
What a great spot to see the sunset. I recommend coming 1.5 hours - 2 hours early if your plan is to see the sunset. Parking is very limited though turn around is reasonably fast until everyone waits for the sunset. If you get stuck behind the long line you'll most likely not get any parking and waste an hour or so. Views are spectacular and worth checking out in Joshua Tree! read more
So soooo beautiful! Reccomend to anyone debating on coming here. I went here twice, once at sunrise and once at sunset. Both times, so pretty!! Basically a look out point where you can see all the rocks and landscapes below it. Important Notes: - there are no restrooms here so be warned! - Free parking read more
I have been to Joshua tree 20+ times, but only to Keys view 2 times. The first time was around Jan 2021 after it had snowed and the views were spectacular. You could see snow capped mountains in multiple directions. It was a nice crisp, breezy, clear day so you could see all the way to the Salton Sea. Definitely a unique part of Joshua Tree as much of it is flat and looks the same for miles in every direction, Keys View gives you a completely unique perspective and look than the rest of the National Park. Decent amount of parking, spots are large, and even RVs fit up there. There is also a bathroom. The 2nd time I went, which was recently, there was a major rain storm so the sunset was not to be seen that day and the clouds were covering up the lightning storm too. Still a great place to visit if you are taking a trip to JTNP. It can be very cold and windy so make sure you dress appropriately. read more
Wish View Were Here The aptly named Keys View is the highest point in Joshua Tree National Park sitting at just under one-mile in elevation at 5,185' above sea level. The views are spectacular, as one can observe in every direction as far as the eye can see--allegedly even as far south as Mexico on a clear enough day. From what we've been told, this spot is very popular for sunsets, but we arrived for a sunrise with a small smattering of early birds. Please be aware that this isn't a quick drive to get here as it's 1hr from the Cottonwood Visitor Center; 40min from the Oasis Visitor Center; and 35min from Joshua Tree Visitor Center. So please plan your drive accordingly. The views are as advertised, so def worth a visit at any time of day. Happy hikes! read more
Keys View is one of my favorite spots within Joshua Tree Park. It's the highest peak of the park, so the views are incredible, hence the name. You can see the entire Coachella Valley fro up there, as well as Santa Rosa and San Jacinto. You can also get a great view of the San Andreas Fault and you can even see the Salton Sea from up there! They do have a map around that will help you identify the landscape of the area. Keys View is an easy place to find. There's a sign, a parking lot, even picnic benches near by where we enjoyed a nice lunch we packed. This isn't a hike, everyone can walk from the parking lot and enjoy the views. It can get a tad crowded at times, but hang in there! Take a deep breath and the view in. It's surreal, out of this world, an incredible experience being up there at that cool lookout point. Breathtaking! read more
Keys View provides the best viewpoint within all of Joshua Tree. Breathtaking panoramic views await you on your journey here. There's no hiking involved to reach this beautiful vista point. It's just a short 20 minute drive from the entrance of the park. There's a decent amount of parking and there's also a ramp that's handicap accessible. The short trek up to the vista will leave you in awe once you've reached the top. You'll have amazing views of the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. It's such an incredible sight to see. During the time that I visited, there were only about a handful of other people in the park. Would highly suggest that get there early if you're planning on visiting during the late summer/early fall because it gets HAWT! But also, it's SUPER windy at the top of the vista, so you should also make sure to bring a jacket if you're the type that gets cold easily. There are several rest benches and small cliffsides to sit and relax on while you take in the views. You won't find another view like this anywhere else within the park. If you're coming to Joshua Tree, you should definitely make time to visit Keys Views. Trust me, these views are simply priceless. read more
Amazing views of the valley Another easy "hike" in this short, paved looping trail of a lookout point. Good for all skill levels and if you know me, it's my kind of hike! LoL! It is a little steep but when we reached the top our eyes enjoyed breathtaking views of the mesas, mountains & Coachella Valley including the Salton Sea and Mounts San Jacinto and San Gorgonio (two of the highest in SoCal). You would also be overlooking the fault line that runs on the valley floor... yep, the San Andreas Fault. Keys View is inside the Joshua Tree National Park and is accessible from the northwest entrance of the park. It was a nice break from the heat! It does get windy up there on cooler months so dress warmly and enjoy the views. It was a clear day when we went, no glare or haze over the valley and no crowd at all. Yay! We were able to capture some amazing iG worthy photos and videos. This was my second time up here and I'm always in awe of the beauty of the Coachella Valley from this lookout. Plenty of parking. Totally worth the 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard down Keys View Road! Stop by! P.S. I was able to check-in Yelp and upload my photos here! Review #1535 read more
A very high elevation view from inside Joshua Tree National Park. You can drive straight to the top with an option of paved and unpaved trails to walk on. Parking is available on top, though it may be a struggle to find a spot. No bathroom here. read more
I came here to watch the sunset with my family, and I was NOT disappointed. There weren't enough parking spaces but everyone seemed to find a place anyway. The view of the mountains was spectacular and I felt like I was in The Sound of Music for a while, but with much less grass. It got a little chilly after a while so I recommend that you bring a sweatshirt or a light jacket to keep you warm. Even if you're only coming for the Keys View and you don't have time to see the rest of the park I guarantee you will still have a lot to see during the drive and during your rest at the top. read more
5 years ago
Phenomenal views of Coachella Valley at Keys View. This place is a must-stop on your trip to Joshua Tree National Park and a popular place for sunsets. We showed up around 40 min before sunset and were able to get one of last 3 legit parking spots. More people showed up as sunset time got closer and those people created their own parking spots, haha. I'd recommend bringing a jacket along if you're there close to sunset. It got colder as the sun disappeared! read more
Keys Views is the highest point in Joshua Tree and offers some amazing views. The lookout point isn't really a hike. There's a parking lot and a short paved walkway up to the lookout point. However, off to the right there is an opportunity to hike up and get an even better view I assume. We didn't come prepared to hike at this point, so we opted not to take that route. We knew we would be here a while taking in the entirety of the sun setting, so we brought snacks and a blanket (we were definitely the only ones that did lol). There's a pretty large crowd here for the sunset, but you can still get in where you fit in. read more
4 years ago
10 years ago
From an elevation of 5185 feet, you overlook the valley, mountain and desert, plus the San Andreas Fault. Definitely worth the few mile journey down the dead end road, plus this is the only place I found inside the park where there was cell reception! NOTE - August '16, there were a lot of bees in this area. They were mostly docile, but everywhere! read more
9 years ago
Get there a half hour before sunset. You won't regret it. It takes about 35 minutes to get here from downtown Joshua Tree, the drive is pretty. The toilets in the park can be nasty, so be sure to make a stop before driving in. I recommend getting to the View, but I loved taking snapshots of the Joshua Trees after sunset, just as there was light left in the sky. read more
9 years ago
8 years ago
Great place to catch a sunset! The views here are amazing to say the least. Can be very cold in the winter so bring a sweater if visiting at this time. read more
10 years ago
Located with Joshua Tree National Park. Take the drive to the dead end at the top of the hill. Amazing views if it's not a hazy day. One thing....BEES...they are all over the place. Not sure why but bees are everywhere. I didn't get stung but they will surround your car. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
10 years ago
9 years ago
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