Camping in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree Camping….check! This was something that has definitely been on my bucket list since moving out to California. Getting there in the spring time with the wild flowers blooming was only the icing on the cake. My bestie from high school flew down from Oregon to join me on the camping adventure. We got to the park about an hour before sunset, and all of the campsites were full. That left us to go back country camping. We had to walk a mile or two out on the trail and set up camp. We cooked up some dinner as the sunset, and even got to see the most perfect moonrise. We heard coyotes howling in the distance with no one around us for miles. We got up with the sunrise and went to search for a “real” campsite. We made camp at Ryan Campground, and then went out for a day of adventures. We hiked, climbed, explored, and studied plants. We saw lots of wildlife, but no rattlesnakes. (Bummer! I really wanted to see one!). For sunset we climbed the rocks at our campground for an epic photoshoot, and said goodbye to the sun. We did the same for sunrise, drinking some coffee and tea atop the massive boulders. That night coyotes came right up to our camp, and had the most beautiful songs for us! Joshua tree is such a wild wonder. Every part of the park is filled with adventure and surprise. It is amazing to see so much life in a land so barren. I can’t wait to go back! I already have a few trips planned for later in the year!