MY 5 FAVORITE ACCESSIBLE PHOTO SPOTS IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
Wait, what?! This ocean girl is talking about the desert?
I sure am. As much an ocean lover as I am, I also relish exploring other environments, especially this time of year when the Pacific Northwest is still rainy and cold. And I figured an early spring foray into the desert was a perfect place to introduce my new blog series.
"Exploration isn't limited to those with unwavering mobility—it's an adventure for all who dare to wander." – Wendy Beeghley
As a photographer with a bum hip, I understand the struggle of navigating the outdoors while craving the beauty of nature's wonders. For me, exploring the outdoors and capturing the world around me is not just a hobby—it's a lifeline to sanity. I need to find ways to be out there.
If you're like me—yearning to explore despite physical constraints—I've got exciting news to share. I’m starting a blog series dedicated to showcasing some wonderfully picturesque spots that just happen to be pretty accessible to most. These locations promise breathtaking vistas and “wow”-worthy photos without the need for strenuous trekking.
10 MINUTES OR LESS
That’s the criteria! Each location I’ll share can be accessed by a 10 minute or less walk. I selected these locations for their great views, photo opportunities, and easy access for those with limited mobility, although please note that many are not wheelchair accessible.
MY FIVE FAVORITES IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
#5 – Desert Queen Mine/Queen Valley Road. This well-maintained dirt road intersects with Park Blvd west of the Jumbo Rocks area and offers sweeping views of the unique Joshua trees that give the park its name. All along the way, you’re in a valley filled with Joshua trees and very little other traffic. I photographed the views to the west during a vivid desert sunset using one of several pull-offs along the road. Later that night, we returned to the same turnout and set up the camera to capture star trails around a lone Joshua tree – iconic! This location is relatively flat and easy to navigate on foot, and you can even enjoy the beauty right from your car seat.
A golden hour view of Joshua trees and desert hills from Desert Queen Mine Road in Joshua Tree National Park.
Star trails encircle a Joshua tree alongside Desert Queen Mine Road in Joshua Tree National Park.
#4 – Cap Rock. The balancing act of Cap Rock is a site to behold. How it stays in place – not to mention how is got there in the first place – is one of the many great mysteries of the world to me. As interesting as I find the daylight view, for me, this area is at its best at night. The well-spread rock formations make great silhouettes against a starry sky, and the Milky Way nestles nicely between two large formations in the spring. During my last outing there, I returned to the parking area after capturing some night images to find a silhouetted Joshua tree just five steps from my car under a Milky Way crown. Astrophotography doesn’t get much easier than that! The parking and picnic areas at Cap Rock are wheelchair accessible, and the dirt paths around the area are mostly level and smooth.
#3 – Cholla Cactus Garden. This gem is located on Pinto Basin Road and is at its most beautiful at sunrise. As sun rays emerge to the east, they backlight the cactus spines, creating an ethereal golden glow throughout the garden. Don’t leave too early; I found that the light actually improved as the sun got a bit higher on the horizon, after many other photographers had already packed up and left. This is also a lovely place for Milky Way photography, especially early in the season when the core is perfectly positioned and visible until dawn. The Cholla cactus garden can be easily enjoyed right from the paved parking area, and a short flat dirt loop trail provides closer looks. Do be careful not to get too close to the cacti – their spines will reach out and grab you if you’re not paying attention!
#2 –Jumbo Rocks. I absolutely love exploring the rocks on the north side of Park Blvd across the street from the Jumbo Rocks campground. This is my go-to spot for sunrise photography, when the sun lights fire to these smooth rounded rock formations. I park on the wide shoulder along Park Blvd, and walk the mostly flat dirt paths to find interesting rock formations. And boy, do they abound here! I even find myself unable to resist scrambling up some of the more accessible rocks for a slightly higher view. This is also a fine area for sunset photography, but nighttime photography requires a much longer trek away from the road due to the traffic along this section of Park Blvd.
Sunrise bathes the landscape in fiery colors in the Jumbo Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park.
#1 – Hidden Valley Picnic Area. I think this is my new favorite easy-access photography spot in Joshua Tree National Park. Discovered on my most recent trip, this area includes all of the icons that distinguish this park – incredible rock formations, views of Joshua tree-filled valleys, scrubby desert brush, mountainous background terrain, and the most lovely sunrises and sunsets. The visual diversity is notable. The flat picnic area adjacent to the upper parking lot offers some nice rock formations, but if you can find space in the lower parking and picnic area, there’s a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. I first photographed this area at sunset, and was a bit unprepared. As the area filled with the most beautiful golden light, I was still madly scrambling to prepare my gear and find a worthy composition. I missed the gold, but was able to capture a spectacular pink afterglow just before dark. I vowed to return for sunrise, where, from the lower picnic area, I was met by fiery orange rock walls, brilliant backlit Joshua tree fields, enticing narrow rock passages, and many interesting formations, all less than 10 minutes’ walk from the car.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the beautiful accessible possibilities in this park; these are simply my personal favorite spots for photography. I definitely encourage exploration of all the nooks and crannies of this small and unique national park.
As the sun sets on our photographic journey through Joshua Tree National Park, remember that beauty can be found everywhere. Whether you're hoping to capture an epic photograph to hang in your home or a sure-to-get-comments Instagram post, these spots offer easy access to the park's amazing landscapes. So grab your camera, embrace the adventure, and let the magic of Joshua Tree inspire your next masterpiece.
And I’d love for you to share your own accessible photography experiences with me. Happy exploring!