A different landscape for a full day away
Joshua Tree National Park brings together sculptural trees, open desert and striking rock formations. For a Redlands visitor, it is a substantial outing with travel on both sides of the park visit. Give the park its own day rather than adding it after a full city itinerary. Dynasty Suites Redlands can fit a trip that also includes Redlands, university visits or other Inland Empire plans. If your priority is several sunrise starts inside the park, compare staying nearer the park with returning to Redlands each night.
Choose your entrance before setting your route
The park has three main entrances. The West Entrance is reached through the town of Joshua Tree from Highway 62; the North Entrance is in Twentynine Palms; the South Entrance leads to Cottonwood from Interstate 10. These approaches suit different park plans. Decide which area you want to explore before selecting a navigation destination. NPS cautions that navigation systems can suggest unsuitable backcountry roads, so use its directions and official map to plan a paved-road visit. The hotel is not at a park entrance.
A first visit: fewer stops, more time outside
For a first look at the western park, consider a route built around the Hidden Valley area and a stop along Park Boulevard, with Keys View as an option when conditions and time permit. Look up the current NPS trail descriptions before choosing a walk; a short trail still needs to suit the weather and everyone in the group. Leave time to notice the rock shapes and changing light rather than treating each landmark as a quick photograph. Trail access, parking and road openings should shape the final plan.
Cottonwood is a different side of the park
The southern approach from Interstate 10 is useful to understand when a wider road trip includes the Coachella Valley. It leads into the Cottonwood area, rather than straight to the western park’s familiar cluster of stops. The NPS distance chart shows that major sights can be far apart within the park itself. An entrance sign is the start of the visit, not the end of the travel. Choose a southern-area outing or allow a larger part of the day for crossing the park; avoid squeezing both into a rushed schedule.
Pack for a desert day and an offline route
Bring your food, drinking water and the supplies needed for the outing, and fill up the vehicle before entering. NPS reports limited water locations and unreliable cellular coverage across much of the park. Download the official map ahead of time and carry a paper backup. Summer heat can change what is reasonable for the day; use the park’s seasonal guidance and current alerts to choose an appropriate visit. Build the return journey into your plan before adding a sunset or night-sky stop.
Where a Redlands overnight stay fits
A night in Redlands can work before continuing east, after returning from the desert, or during a mixed trip with local activities on another day. Keep the park day separate from a busy arrival schedule and compare the full route before committing to repeated drives. Back in Redlands, a room at Dynasty Suites offers a place to regroup for the next part of your trip. Check current hotel offers for your dates; park admission, tours and transportation are separate, and no park partnership or ticket package is implied.
Plan with official information
- NPS: directions and park entrances
- NPS: official maps and audio-described brochure
- NPS: distances within the park
- NPS: goods, services and cell coverage
- NPS: visiting in summer
- NPS: current park information
Sources checked October 9, 2026. Check current hours, routes and conditions before traveling.
Written for RedlandsHotels.com, operated by Dynasty Suites Redlands. No destination endorsement or partnership is implied.
