Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most unique landscapes out there and it’s just under 3 hours from San Diego, making it an ideal place to visit or elope. Keep reading to learn how to plan your own trip to the weirdest and most gorgeous national park out there.

And as a bonus, I’ve also included my elopement guide with accommodation, vendor, and location recommendations for getting married in JTNP! Scroll to the bottom to download.

Some are intimidated by the thought of planning a trip to a National Park…

I’m here to help put your mind at ease.

National Parks are for everyone. Maybe you’re not much of a camper or outdoor person—if I’m being honest with myself, I LOVE being outside, but I would always prefer to have the conveniences of home nearby.

Maybe you dread the crowds, the stress of not knowing where to start, the lack of a planned itinerary. The great thing about NP’s: you don’t have to follow a set schedule.

So why Joshua Tree specifically?

Location, location, location.

JT is just under 3 hours from San Diego and 2 hours from LA—that’s two major cities and airports, perfectly drivable. The city of Joshua Tree with a population of just under 8,000 is nestled between mountains and wind farms with all of the charm and unusual quirks of a small town filled with local artists, antique shops, mom & pop food and drink, and of course the local Pizza Hut on the corner.

And, there are several BnB’s to choose from, many within 10minutes driving distance from the park entrance.

My husband and I chose to stay in an airstream just 8 minutes outside of the park. We had the convenience of running water and a (relatively) warm place to sleep, but we also got a kick out of using a porta-potty. Don’t worry though; if “roughing it” isn’t your style, there are plenty amazing places to stay nearby.

Our BnB hosts also had 4 e-bikes for rent, so the next day we took advantage of trekking across the sand on an 11 mile trail. With the bikes, we saw more of the park in 2 hours than we would have in one day of hiking.

Click through the photos below to get a quick tour of our air stream:

But where to hike?

We arrived in the park just before sunset, so we chose The Lost Palms Oasis trail, a 7.5mi out and back trail with a few shorter loop options. We opted for one of the shorter hikes since we were actively losing light, but still wanted to get a nice walk in.

As we hiked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the bizarre landscape—spikey shrubs, the desert rocks mixed with mountain formations, and of course the Joshua Trees themselves. It truly is a perfect hike for couples trying to elope in a place of both unusual natural beauty and convenience.

Take a look at some of our favorite photos below.

If you’re a couple wanting to elope in the park, here’s a few more things you should know…

• The prime season for visiting JTNP is October—April. Otherwise, you’ll bake in the hot desert sun.

• Visiting the park on a weekday will always help you avoid crowds

• Eloping at sunrise will also help you beat the crowds, stay cool, and give you some gorgeous light. Plus, then you’ll have the entire day ahead of you to hike and explore!

• Expect a photo permit fee of $120.