A Day in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is worth visiting. It is a unique and beautiful landscape that offers a range of outdoor activities and scenic views. The park is known for its distinctive Joshua trees, as well as its unique rock formations, scenic hiking trails, and abundant wildlife.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, a rock climber, or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, Joshua Tree National Park is a great destination. With over 800,000 acres of protected land, there’s plenty to see and do, from exploring the park’s many hiking trails and scenic drives to camping and stargazing under the clear desert skies.

Overall, a visit to Joshua Tree National Park is worth considering if you’re in the area or are interested in exploring one of California’s most unique.

Here are a few popular places to enjoy breakfast near Joshua Tree National Park:

  1. Crossroads Cafe – a cozy, local cafe with a menu of classic breakfast dishes and creative specials
  2.  Joshua Tree Coffee Company – a coffee shop with a range of breakfast options, including pastries, breakfast burritos, and more
  3.  The Natural Sisters Cafe – a vegetarian-friendly cafe with a menu of organic, locally-sourced breakfast and lunch options
  4.  The Parker Palm Springs – a luxury hotel with a popular restaurant and brunch menu
  5.  Country Kitchen – a classic, homestyle diner with a menu of hearty breakfast dishes and classic American fare

These are just a few dining options near Joshua Tree National Park, so be sure to explore the area and try different restaurants to find the ones that best fit your taste and budget.

The Mirror House

The Mirror House is a unique architectural structure in Joshua Tree, California. It is a private residence known for its mirrored exterior, which reflects the surrounding desert landscape and creates an optical illusion of being surrounded by nature. The house was designed by architect Lance Wright and has become a popular destination for architecture and design enthusiasts, as well as for photo shoots and events.

Please note that the Mirror House is a private residence and not open to the public for tours or visits. However, it can be viewed from a distance and is often used as a photo backdrop.

What to do in Waterton

Summer in Waterton

View from Crypt Lake Hike

The juxtaposition of the view is remarkable. First, you may feel the melancholy, fires destroyed approximately 30,000 hectares of land in 2017, but now there is an influx of fresh greenery popping throughout; hope sprouts post-tragedy.

The small town is charming with souvenir shops and restaurants that only span two blocks of the street and a beautiful lake on the other to enjoy pre or post-meal stroll. For me, walkable destinations on vacation are favorable. One, I’m lazy, and two, I want to drink a beer and not worry about the stress of driving, traffic, parking, etc. From the center of Waterton, you can walk to beaches, restaurants, hikes, or rent bicycles to cruise around with.

Crypt Lake Hike

Our first hike was to the famous Crypt lake. This trail is only accessible by boat, and can often be fully booked, so plan ahead. It’s a long hike that requires a lot of water and sunscreen as we attempted it in the middle of summer. Crypt is the Greek word for “secret” as the hike reaches its end, the secret is revealed beyond a tunnel and steep hill. This last part terrified my mother, so this “secret” lake remains as such for me. Oh well, perhaps just an incentive to return and do it again? Book the shuttle here:

https://www.watertoncruise.com/2022.php

Bertha Lake

Bertha Lake is an excellent medium-intensity 8 km hike; you walk from town to the base near the campground.

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon

Paddleboard or kayak: I brought an inflatable paddle board that was the perfect break from sweaty days of hiking. A lot of people out on kayaks too. (You can easily rent these in town if you don’t have your own). The water was on the cooler side but still suitable for a quick swim.

Bike- rent or BYOB 😊

Eats

Stay Bear Mountain Hotel: Clean, cheap, and close to everything! Bear Mountain Hotel

Bear Mountain Motel

Waterton is Incredible!

View on Bertha Lake Hike