We stayed at Jumbo Rocks Campground during our visit to Joshua Tree National Park and it was the perfect place to explore the Park's unique wilderness.

Read the rest of our guide to Joshua Tree National Park here.

There are a number of trails that are walking distance from the campground. Skull Rock is only 3 minutes drive from your tent site and Cholla Cactus Garden is also just 22 minutes away.

As you can tell from the name, you set up camp between some of the Park's biggest piles of rounded rocks and granite monoliths. It feels like another planet! Even if you just explore the area near to your tent, you'll be blown away by the unique landscape, surrounded by an array of strange shapes and textures. There are also a number of Joshua Trees dotted around the campsite.

Plus, it's a wildlife haven. Rabbits hopped around us during breakfast and we also saw snakes, bats, jackrabbits, countless lizards, and desert fox. Try and spot the Horned Lizard in the photo below! We spotted him hiding by our feet!

The campground was almost empty when we arrived. We soon realized it was because it wasn't the right time of year to see the Milky Way. Thanks to the full moon sitting high in the sky and right in the centre of the Milky Way we almost had the place to ourselves. When the Milky Way is visible though, it can get very busy and books up well in advance. Make sure you book ahead of time if you're planning to visit the Park for the stars!

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Joshua Tree National Park was the tenth stop on The Big Trip. Follow us to see the rest of our journey as we spend 3 months exploring America’s most beautiful National Parks.