Riding through Joshua Tree National Park Info?

[850 Combat]

I've never been, but I'm thinking about it. Anybody do it recently? It looks like 5 bucks per vehicle. Are the gates open all the time? Is it worth doing?

Comments?

Paul

[SqDancerLynn1]

It is an interesting area of the high desert, Great if you like to hike.. The name Joshua Tree is miss leading as there are no trees as such. It can be beautiful depending on what time of year you go. If every thing is in bloom

[greg78gs750]

great climbing. the road was not open as a "thru" when i was there in october. not particularly interesting road from a motorcycling point of view. beautiful, though.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Drop a flower on Gram Parsons death spot.

[DanTheMan]

Actually, if you do Joshua Tree it is a through road from 29 Palms to the town of Joshua Tree through the park. There are small side roads, interesting rock formations/climbing areas abound, and good camping, especially in the Black Rock (I think that's the name) campground (not actually inside the main park). The Joshua trees are strange looking things that my wife says aren't trees, they're weird looking succulents akin to a cactus, and they abound throughout the park and the surrounding area.
Entering from the 29 Palms direction you'll have a healthy climb up into the park, as you leave the park through Joshua Tree it's no major descent. If you're taking a dual sport bike the area abounds in good off-road trails. My Mom and my older brother live in the Yucca Valley Morongo Hills area, I've been there a lot, in fact, if you look at my ride thread from 2010 you'll see a few pictures I took there.

[850 Combat]

Thanks, Dan. I was thinking of going in at either 29 palms or Joshua Tree, and leaving out of the South end toward Mecca on Box Canyon, trying to make a loop from Anaheim including CA 243 to Banning, and the Montezuma Borrego Highway up out of Borrego springs.

Actually, if you do Joshua Tree it is a through road from 29 Palms to the town of Joshua Tree through the park. There are small side roads, interesting rock formations/climbing areas abound, and good camping, especially in the Black Rock (I think that's the name) campground (not actually inside the main park). The Joshua trees are strange looking things that my wife says aren't trees, they're weird looking succulents akin to a cactus, and they abound throughout the park and the surrounding area.
Entering from the 29 Palms direction you'll have a healthy climb up into the park, as you leave the park through Joshua Tree it's no major descent. If you're taking a dual sport bike the area abounds in good off-road trails. My Mom and my older brother live in the Yucca Valley Morongo Hills area, I've been there a lot, in fact, if you look at my ride thread from 2010 you'll see a few pictures I took there.

[DanTheMan]

Thanks, Dan. I was thinking of going in at either 29 palms or Joshua Tree, and leaving out of the South end toward Mecca on Box Canyon, trying to make a loop from Anaheim including CA 243 to Banning, and the Montezuma Borrego Highway up out of Borrego springs.

That would be a good trip. Stop in the Morongo Valley on your way out
and visit the rain forest there. I forgot the name of it, it's a strange thing to find in a high desert valley, one of a kind I think. You can google it to find out more about it.

[chef1366]

Let me know if and when you'll be in the area. I'll ride along if I'm off.