This past summer I crossed off National Park #12 with a very warm visit to Joshua Tree. “Why are you going to the dessert in July?” was fairly asked of me a very numerous amount of times. No real logical nor intelligent reason was offered for this decision, asides from the defense that I wanted to stay at AutoCamp, and locations (and dates) which are limited.

ALL ABOUT AUTOCAMP

Where to start? AutoCamp, to me, is thoughtfully designed for those who want a modern, aesthetic, comfortable outdoors focused experience. AutoCamp is a “glamping” style recreational base spread across various beautiful locations and is well known for its Airstream Campers serving as “rooms” with full service resort centers also onsite at each of their locations. The Joshua Tree location has been near the top of my National Parks bucket-list for several years, and I convinced my mom and two of my younger sisters to venture to Palm Springs for a long desert weekend.

I’ll say less and let the photos below speak for themselves, because really, that’s what will convince you for or against. National Park lovers know that accommodations can be hit or miss near parks, often in remote places. I found AutoCamp to be quite a bit more elevated for both comfort and appearance than the chain hotel rooms you’ll find for comparable prices in these locations during peak park season.

For those who choose to stay in an Airstream, it’s clean but very much still a camper. The photos on AutoCamp showcase airy and plentiful spaces, which is an art of visualization and smaller than expected in person. The Airstreams are not ideal for traveling with little ones or more than two. It’s less “boutique hotel” than I (perhaps unfairly) expected and more “aesthetic camping”, but the opportunity to be in the serenity of the desert at this location wins over any cramped space or lengthy walk from the parking lot to your Airstream with a full wagon of luggage.

I’ll take the dessert like this: Starting with an early morning hike right after a quick stop for quality pour over coffee and freshly made granola on the house. And I’ll be happy to spend hours floating in the water and reading books, occasionally glancing up from the pages to mentally trace the outline of mountains in the distance. The dessert sunsets do not mess around. It’s a different kind of peace when the sun hits the horizon and the air gets noticeably cooler and leaves you in a dusty, golden, warm haze. I think I like you, Joshua Tree… even in July.

THE HIKING

If you’re staying at AutoCamp, it’s so worth it to set a well-before-sunrise alarm and venture into the Park. It’s dangerously hot during mid-day into the afternoon so it’s recommended to start hikes before/during sunrise and at dawn or near sunset. Stay on the well-marked trails (believe me, it’s unnerving to come across any snake unexpectedly in the dessert), and bring so much more water than you think you’ll need with electrolytes. The desert terrain, at least for me, was hard to differentiate, so another note to stay on paths. After a while all of the Joshua trees start to look exactly the same, and cell service is pretty nonexistent through the park.

If you’re only wanting to do one short hike and experience the most of the Park, then I recommend Hidden Valley Trail, a 1-mile, easy loop hike that gives you a few different geographic settings. If you want to do more hiking, less glamping, then check out the Arch Rock Trail (1.5 miles), Split Rock Loop (2.5 miles), and Skull Rock (1.7 miles) all marked on All Trails as easy.

Also, fire ants are a thing. Closed shoes are essential, hiking boots are better.

A SIDE NOTE ON FLYING

I’ve been a frequent flyer for the last four to five years of my life. Because of career and school schedules, along with personal changes, at one point I was taking several flights a month for several months in a row, often spending more time at airports during the week than in my own apartment. I was never the biggest fan of flying, but it was always a doable and necessary part of my life. Recent events with tragic loss-of-life accidents, and the responsibility of now having my own little one to care for, has turned my attitude towards flying completely around.

Sometime in the past year, it became frustratingly difficult to book a flight, board the flight and manage through the duration until landing. For someone who loves travel but hates flying, it’s caused quite the inner conflict as I consider new adventures. More to come another time about the importance of advocacy for your own personal health, but if you’re considering a conversation with your health provider, I’ve found it to be well worth the time. And, in case you’re a little like me but not ready to think about medication (which took me years to consider), I also find the dial-a-pilot Instagram page to be a really helpful resource.

With love,

Kaia